Summary: It's 1928, a year before the crash on Wall Street. Naruto and his best friend Gaara try to survive the dangerous streets of New York. The Uchiha Clan has set up their crime syndicate in Brooklyn & battle it out with other Japanese Clans for control. Naruto is faced with coming to terms with his feelings for Sasuke. Should he stay or leave New York with Gaara for California?

Warning: There will be HARD YAOI in this. Everything from rough sex to some BDSM, masturbation and the like will be featured at some point in this story. I also enjoy cursing a lot in real life so there will be cursing here and there.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and make zilch off of this. I just do it for the pleasure.

Author's Note - So first things first... I love you Kishi! You gave us some wonderful characters to play with but... you have a REALLY hard time when it comes to writing girls. SO! There's going to be some OOC going on when it comes to my female characters. You get a taste of it in this chapter and then more later on. I'm writing them how I want. And that's all there is to it.

Also, as an ENORMOUS lover of music, I feel I reserve the right to place references to ANY song from ANY era into my story. The night club is a main part of this story and there will be music! Just not much of that boring monotonous 1920s dribble. So if you love music like I do, enjoy the stroll down the musical lane. Music from the 1940s-2015 will be found throughout the story beginning with this chapter.

And MUCH LOVE to my AMAZING beta KizuKatana! Thanks for all your help, luv! I couldn't do this without you!

"Sasuke."

Gaara and Naruto looked at the dignified Uchiha standing in front of them. They noted how his bravado immediately left his eyes when he requested they drop the formalities and use his given name. Both men nodded in return.

"Arigato… Sasuke." Naruto locked his eyes onto Sasuke.

"I'll leave you to it then." Sasuke turned and without looking back he headed toward the door leading back to nightclub. "The rack outside the closet door contains shoes that might please you. I have a few things to attend to but will return shortly," Sasuke said flatly and closed the door behind him.

Chapter 2: The Tokyo Palace

"What the fuck, Naru!" As soon as the door shut behind Sasuke, Gaara turned on his best friend. "Just what the hell is going on?" His fiery green eyes flared at Naruto as he waited for answer.

Naruto didn't want to meet Gaara's eyes. He knew his friend was pissed but Naruto wasn't up to going ten rounds with the redhead. He had his own issues to deal with at the moment. Starting with his evident attraction to Uchiha Sasuke. Where the hell had that come from? And why the hell did it terrify him and at the same time pull at him with such intensity?

The blond was stalling. Gaara knew it. And he knew why. "Look, Naru, I get it. I know what's going on but why didn't you tell me?" The redhead stood silently, hoping his words would prod Naruto to speak.

Naruto let out a sigh and faced his friend. "I met him about two weeks ago and well… " Naruto didn't know how to finish. What was he supposed to say? Tell his best friend that as soon as he laid eyes on Uchiha Sasuke he felt the inexplicable urge to grab the man and kiss him? How could he say that out loud when he didn't even know where those feelings had even come from?

"And?"

"And we sort of… talked." Naruto's hand went to the back of his head, scrubbing his hair as he usually did whenever he became anxious.

"Talked? Naru, the guy is practically undressing you with his eyes and you're telling me you two just talked? And, the guy is Uchiha Sasuke! Do you know what the hell you're doing?" Gaara took a deep breath and tried to bring his temper down a bit. "Why didn't you tell me?"

There it was. Naruto looked directly at Gaara and his eyes softened a bit. "I know I should've said something, Gaara and I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to… look, I don't really understand what this is! I'm... confused. I don't know, Gaara. What do you think I should do?"

Gaara looked at his friend trying to come to terms with all his conflicted emotions at once. He knew Naruto hadn't intended to keep secrets from him. Naruto was just embarrassed by his new found sexuality. It almost made him sad for his friend. To find out he was attracted to men was one hell of shock he had to deal with. Then finding out he was attracted to a member of one of the most dangerous crime families in New York City? Well, Gaara understood if the blond was having a bit a breakdown with all these sudden revelations. And, even though his new discoveries could end up costing the both of them more than a few problems in the future, damn if he was going to make his friend feel even worse about the situation. Whatever the hell this situation was.

"Play along." Gaara's eyes hardened as he met Naruto's questioning look. "After all if he's willing to foot the bill… "

"You think we could trust him?" Naruto's voice betrayed him. Gaara could hear in it that it didn't matter at this point whether or not the two of them could trust the Uchiha. Naruto was in.

"I don't trust anyone." Gaara said flatly. "Except for you."

Naruto nodded and smiled at his best friend.

Naruto knew that he was quite possibly walking directly into danger by involving himself with the Uchiha. He and Gaara had each other's back no matter what but he couldn't say the same for Sasuke. How much would this strange attraction blind him? It had never happened to him before, and it made him slightly nervous. But both he and Gaara were going into this with their eyes open. Naruto felt a surge of relief with Gaara by his side, he knew he wouldn't let him fuck up too badly and would gladly kick his ass before he let that happen.

"But, Naru… are you sure you're up for this? I mean, you don't have to tell me how you feel about Sasuke. I get it. But you do know what you're doing, right?"

Naruto's blue eyes burned for a split second at Gaara's words when he let his mind go to exactly what he thought Sasuke's intentions were. He quickly quelled the look but not before Gaara saw it for what it was.

"Ok." Gaara looked down at the suit that Naruto had pulled from the rack and back up to Naruto. "Go on. You take the first shower and get cleaned up."

Naruto gave his friend a nervous grin and turned to leave the closet. Gaara watched him go and then turned back riffling through the clothes rack again. "Shit." He muttered to no one. This was turning out to be one hell of a night.

"I want Ino for my table tonight. Make sure she understands that my guests are to want for nothing this evening." Sasuke didn't look up from his reservation book as he spoke to Juugo. "Also, have the laundry come and grab the bag from my washroom and make sure they know I want it done before the end of the night."

"Yes, Sasuke." Juugo turned to go inform Ino and the laundry, leaving Sasuke alone at the front office.

He heard Juugo leave and allowed himself to finally think about what was going on in his private suite right now. What had possessed him to bring the two street rats to his club and shine them up for his own amusement? The various lovers he usually sought entertainment from had always presented themselves through his numerous admirers that would on occasion show up at the club. Given the times they lived in, most had been just as willing if not downright insistent that their brief affair remain quiet. So Sasuke had never seen a reason to look outside his own social circle.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

It was that damn blond. The way he had tried to call his bluff when they had spoken out on the street. The way he flashed those pretty blues at him in defiance on the day they met. If the man had any fear of Sasuke, he was determined to not let it show. Throughout his life, men and women had always bowed in fear and acquiesced to his every command. Only Itachi had been able match Sasuke's demanding character. Quietly placating him, only to somehow turn things around on Sasuke until he found himself doing exactly what his brother had wanted anyway. It had been infuriating. But it had been the way his brother was. Brilliantly cunning, but with a kindness at his core that Sasuke had witnessed several times in his youth and now so desperately missed.

Sasuke immediately pushed those thoughts down. He didn't want to think about his brother tonight. He wanted to be distracted by the blond showering in his suite. He would be changing into the his new clothes by now. Fixing his tie. Running his fingers through those soft golden locks.

"Fuck." Sasuke realized he had miscounted the till and had to start again.

He tried to lie to himself that he was hurrying to get back to the suite to make sure the two thieves weren't lifting anything from his private room but he knew better. The two men would never be so stupid.

Just then, Ino appeared at the door of the office. "Did you want to set the menu for your table tonight, Sasuke?"

Sasuke finished counting the till and began to check the weapon stashed under the desk. "Set the menu for steaks tonight." He pulled the tommy gun from underneath the desk and began checking the magazine. "I also want sake at the table instead of Dom."

"Yes, Sasuke." Ino watched her boss's long slender fingers, nimbly fly over the gun checking each working part. It made her shiver to see the way his black eyes darkened, if that was even possible, as he emptied the chamber and pulled out the magazine so he could pull the trigger, checking for any tension in it that might delay firing. But so was the nature of her job. "Anything else, Sasuke?"

"No." He didn't have to look up to know Ino had bowed respectfully before she left to let the kitchen know about the menu change and get the table ready for him and his guests.

Once the tommy gun was back under office desk, he walked over to where the two revolvers near the box office window were kept. He repeated his inspection and placed them back near window. Reaching for the phone that was sitting on the desk, he called the hotel front desk. "Let Tenten know the front office is ready." He hung up the phone, locked the office door behind him and headed back to his private room to check on how the two hoods were coming along.

His lips slighting twitching at the thought of the blond all dolled up, just for him.

The high collar of Naruto's dress shirt was tugging a bit at his neck. He briefly wondered if he should look for a larger size shirt. He had never worn a suit before and wasn't quite sure just how snug the neck should be.

"Having trouble?" Naruto spun around at the sound of Sasuke's voice. He hadn't heard the door open.

"A little." Naruto gave the dark-eyed man a lopsided grin and tugged again at his collar. Sasuke smirked and walked to him.

"I can fix that." Sasuke walked past him and headed to the closet. Naruto took off his black jacket, slung it over one of the couches and followed Sasuke.

The sight of the blond in the dark tailored suit had sent a lustful desire through Sasuke. He had had a feeling that the man would clean up nice but he really hadn't expected this. The black suit he had picked for himself seemed to light the boy's blue eyes with a fire. When Naruto had given Sasuke that half grin, he had to fight the urge to drag Naruto straight to his bed by the very collar he saw him tugging at.

Not wanting the blond to see him rattled he turned his attention to the clothes rack in his closet and began to sift through the dress shirts. "Here try this one." He took a white shirt from the rack and looked at Naruto. "You'll need to take off the one you're wearing."

Sasuke's brow twitched at the dare he shot at Naruto. He could see all of Naruto's thoughts flash, one by one, in response to his words. Shock. Nervousness. Lust. All playing about his face until he saw the flash of the fearlessness that Sasuke had been waiting for.

Slowly Naruto began to unbutton his shirt. Sasuke kept his eyes locked on the boy and just as he expected, the blue eyes burned back at him in defiance. And lust.

When Naruto reached down to the last button and began to pull open the shirt, Sasuke dropped his eyes to the blond's tan chest. His pulse peaked at the sight of the hard contours of Naruto's muscled torso. As Naruto slid the shirt completely off his broad shoulders and handed it to him, Sasuke let his eyes wander over each pectoral, each bicep, deliberately taking his time to appreciate Naruto's firm physique. When he looked back up at Naruto he saw a reddened flush settling in his cheeks.

But it was the hunger he saw in the man's eyes that caused Sasuke's eyes to narrow. There was no doubt in the Uchiha's mind now.

He hung the discarded shirt lazily over the rack and held open the one he had picked out for him, offering his assistance to help Naruto put it on.

Naruto hesitated and then turned to slide one arm in and then the other. Sasuke pulled the shirt up at his neck and shoulders and then placed his hands on Naruto's biceps to turn him around.

The air stilled as the two men faced each other. Naruto's eyes darkened as they took in the unyielding gaze of the Uchiha. Taking a step closer, Sasuke started at the collar. With each button he let his fingers lightly sweep inside the shirt and along Naruto's tan flesh. Naruto shuddered at the touch and Sasuke could hear the man's breath hitch with each graze of his fingers. Lower and lower, one button at a time, teasing the hot skin beneath the shirt just enough to keep Naruto's body responding to his every caress. Sasuke watched as Naruto's eyes closed, and he reveled in his ability to make the blond react in such a way. He didn't have to look down to know Naruto was already hard from Sasuke's teasing.

"How's that?" Naruto's eyes shot open at the sound of Sasuke's voice. The smug look on the mobster's face was all he needed to bring himself fully back to reality.

"Bastard." The curse came out breathier than Naruto had wanted and again he silently scolded himself for letting the man rattle him.

Sasuke gave a low chuckle at the street hood's continued attempt to taunt him with his insolent words and turned turned to leave the closet. "Let's get your jacket and tie."

Naruto found himself standing alone wondering, just what the hell was happening to him. After a few seconds of trying to compose himself, Naruto exited the closet at the same time Gaara was coming out of the washroom.

Gaara took one look at Naruto's flushed face and shot a glance at the Uchiha. The smug look on the gangster's face told him all he needed to know.

After schooling the two men on the basics of how to properly tie a necktie, Sasuke motioned for them all to have a seat on the velvet couches. Naruto and Gaara sat next to each other and Sasuke took a spot on the couch across from them.

Not looking up, he poured each of them a drink from the crystal decanter. "Tonight you both are my personal guests. Dinner, drinks, everything is courtesy of the club. If you care to keep them, the clothes you are wearing are yours."

All ego had left Sasuke's face as he handed them each a glass of the whiskey; first to the redhead and then the other to the blond, each of them nodding a thank you to Sasuke for the whiskey and for the generous hospitality.

Naruto and Gaara were no strangers to booze. After taking the glass offered to them they waited for Sasuke.

The Uchiha lifted his glass to the two men. "To wasting time." A glint reached Sasuke's dark eyes as he lifted his brow at the two polished street hoods in front of him.

The best friends exchanged a quick glance, raised their glasses in return and drank to Uchiha Sasuke's toast.

A knock at the door drew their attention. "Come." Sasuke set his glass down and stood up as the door opened. It was the same man they had seen earlier bring in the rack of shoes. "Good, Juugo." Sasuke's eyes went to directly to Gaara. "This is Juugo. He's going to give you a tour of the club and show you to my table. The girls should be setting up just about now." He dropped his gaze to adjust his cufflinks with his usual indifferent attitude. "I'm sure you'll find them entertaining."

Naruto turned to Gaara and could see his friend chewing on Sasuke's words. He wasn't sure he wanted to be alone with the Uchiha but he also wasn't sure if Gaara would let him. He knew Gaara was still suspicious of this whole thing and the two of them hadn't discussed any plan for if they got separated tonight.

"I will have Naruto join you shortly." And with that, Sasuke turned to where Juugo was waiting at the door. He didn't wait for a response from the redhead. He knew those green eyes were fixed on him and whether deserved or not, he didn't care for the distrust he saw in them.

Making up his mind, Gaara rose from the couch and buttoned his jacket. Turning to look at Naruto who was getting up from the couch as well, he leaned in close so only Naruto could catch the words. "I'll be nearby."

Juugo and Gaara nodded to each other and stepped out the suite door. Sasuke closed the door behind them and turned to face Naruto.

Casually taking off his tux jacket and draping it over the velvet couch, Sasuke walked to where Naruto was standing and met the blond man's blue gaze.

Naruto suddenly found his mouth dry as he locked eyes with the Uchiha. He tried to swallow hard but it only made things worse as he watched Sasuke drop his gaze to his neck, following the motion of the muscles there. Naruto watched Sasuke lick his lower lip and take a seat on the couch across from Naruto. With a touch of apprehension, Naruto sat back down.

Pouring them each another drink, Sasuke handed a glass to Naruto. "Tell me, Naruto, why did you agree to come with me tonight?" Sasuke took a sip of the whiskey and tilted his head slightly; his sharp black eyes glued on the blond's horrible poker face.

Choking slightly on his drink, Naruto let out a cough and looked up to see a lazy smirk regarding him. Trying to get his voice to work, Naruto considered the question. Inspecting his drink for some kind of answer, he briefly wondered what angle Sasuke was playing at.

"I'm not really sure." Naruto answered truthfully. He looked up to see Sasuke's smirk soften a bit. "If I were to be completely honest," looking again at his drink and taking a gulp, "I have no idea what this is or just how to make sense of it all."

Sasuke finished his drink and set it down on the table. "I think you know exactly what this is." He took a deep breath and stood.

Naruto held his own breath as he watched Sasuke walk around the table between them and sit down next to him. The grace of the Uchiha's movements captivated Naruto and he let out a shaky sigh when he felt Sasuke's hand touch his thigh and gently pull him. Naruto set his drink down and faced Sasuke. Just like before, Naruto found himself lost in the arrogance and desire of the dark eyes looking back at him.

Naruto didn't know what to make of the look. The ego he could understand. I mean, God, look at the man. But the desire was almost embarrassing. How could this beautiful man be looking at Naruto in this way? He took a deep breath and Sasuke filled his senses. His hand on his thigh. His cologne. His breath. The very being of the Uchiha filled him with the strangest desires and Naruto had to ask himself yet again, why was this man so alluring? What was it about Uchiha Sasuke that made him question everything he thought he knew about himself?

Sasuke leaned into Naruto. His lips just lightly playing on Naruto's. "Do you want me to stop?" The breath of Sasuke's words warmed Naruto's lips and sent a spike of current through him. Allowing himself to fully take in Sasuke's scent, he closed his eyes to the feeling of Sasuke's warm lips and strong presence, trying desperately to get his brain to work. He didn't know what he wanted anymore. The part of his brain that was earlier telling him to run, was now being overrun by the urge to grab the man and kiss him hard before his brain kicked in and reality came seeping back in.

The sound of Sasuke's low laughter quickly brought him back to his senses.

Naruto's eyes widened at the sound. The mocking arrogance he saw in Sasuke's face made his rage fly. "Bastard." Naruto growled and grabbed Sasuke's hand from his leg and in one swift move, pinned it behind Sasuke's back. The Uchiha was fucking with him and Naruto knew it. If he wanted to play games with Naruto, then Naruto would give him one.

Pressing against him, Naruto moved his whole body in closer, tighter, letting his weight push Sasuke harder against the velvet couch. Black eyes bore into his but this time it was Naruto's turn to smirk back. He was done letting Sasuke have his way. Lowering his mouth to Sasuke's, he nipped harshly on the lower pink lip, causing Sasuke to immediately arch up as low moan escaped from his throat.

Dropping his head lower he let his lips tease the Uchiha's neck. "Is this what you want, Sasuke?" Naruto's words vibrated against the sleek ivory neck and he could feel Sasuke's hard erection twitch against his leg in response. His wanted to kiss the man. He wanted to make Sasuke moan again. Yet, still Naruto hesitated as doubts swam through his mind.

Sasuke shoved him back hard and pinned Naruto's shoulders down onto the red couch. With blazing eyes staring up at him, Sasuke held him there, and slowly lowered himself over the polished street hood.

"Sasuke," Naruto breathed out.

Sasuke brought his mouth down hard on the lips that were moaning his name. Naruto had never before experienced a kiss so aggressive and he offered no resistance to the force of Sasuke's mouth, giving in to it completely matching him with equal aggression.

Both men devoured each other. Sasuke bit down on his lip and sucked hard on his tongue as Naruto matched his pace, thrusting his tongue in farther and harder, trying to taste every corner of Sasuke's mouth. The flavor of whiskey only adding to his need for more.

Naruto let out low growl as his hips lifted trying to find some relief against Sasuke. Frustrated at the distance, he grabbed Sasuke's hips and brought them forcefully down onto his own causing both men to groan in each other's mouth at the sensation. Doubts about what this all meant and whether or not he wanted this, fled Naruto's mind. Feeling his sanity being pulled from him, his mind inexorably latched onto the exquisite pleasure of having Sasuke's hardness press against his own. With each sensation, each thrust, Naruto's body drove out any and all thoughts that conflicted with his desire for more. More of this delirium. More of Sasuke.

With both of them now frantically grinding against each other, Sasuke knew if he didn't stop things now there would no time to change their clothes should they both end up cumming in their slacks. "Naruto… " He broke the kiss and slowed his movements earning a frustrated whine from the man pinned beneath him.

Burying his face into Naruto's neck, he began to nip at the sensitive flesh. "There's time," he panted, saying the words not just to Naruto, but for his own benefit as well.

Sasuke tried to control his breathing. He hadn't planned to let this moment get so far. He had only wanted to pull Naruto's desire out so the boy could see this for what it was. He wanted the confusion and apprehension he had read earlier on his face to be cleared and replaced with the lust and fearlessness he knew existed just beneath the blond's doubts.

Continuing his light assault on the tan neck, Sasuke considered whether or not he'd be able to let Naruto leave tonight, if in fact, he did turn him down. Would Sasuke be able to let the blond walk away? A dark desire rose in him as his mind settled on the thought that he could probably find ways to force the boy to stay. No, Sasuke thought, those things were better left for after he got the boy to stay of his own free will.

"Stay with me tonight."

Naruto shamelessly writhed against Sasuke, pulling another low moan from the elegant alabaster throat of the man above him. God, how Naruto wanted to mark it. He wanted to scrape his teeth along the smooth skin of that beautiful neck and mark it for his own. He didn't know where all these crazy thoughts were coming from. He still didn't fully understand how Uchiha Sasuke was able to bring this out of him but he knew he wanted more. "I'll stay."

Sasuke raised his head and Naruto looked at him, the blond's agreement sending a rush of both relief and satisfaction through him. The heated lust within the deep blues staring up at him spiked his pulse as strong tan hands fisted into his hair. The doubt in his eyes were gone. Feeling the blond tug him down, Sasuke complied and met Naruto's mouth with his own. Giving in to the boy's passion, Sasuke let Naruto control the deep and slow kiss, sliding his tongue against his with the same languid pace.

When Naruto released the grip on his hair, Sasuke broke the kiss and slowly lifted himself off of Naruto and stood. He immediately began to straighten his tux and run his fingers through his hair hoping his actions would somehow quiet the aching erection pushing against his slacks. In a slight daze, Naruto raised himself off the couch and gave himself a moment before standing up.

"Come here, Naruto." Naruto looked over to see Sasuke watching him. With weakened legs, he walked toward Sasuke and met his gaze. Long graceful fingers reached out toward him and began deftly adjusting his suit.

Looking from his ruffled clothes and back to his bright blue eyes, Sasuke smoothed Naruto's shirt and jacket and fixed his tie. "It'll be dark in the club, so no one's going to notice if you're a bit wrinkled." He gave Naruto a small smile and the blond couldn't help but smile back.

The previous heat was finally fading and though highly frustrated, both men couldn't help but feel a bit relieved they wouldn't have to contend with an aching hard-on for the rest of the night. Sasuke tried not to think about how good Naruto had felt writhing beneath him and Naruto tried not to think about anything at all. It was all they could do to try and keep their feelings in check. Naruto didn't trust himself to think about how Sasuke's tongue tasted against his, so he reached for the whiskey still left in his glass and downed the rest in one go.

Setting the empty glass back down, Naruto headed for the door, when Sasuke's voice abruptly stopped him. "One more thing." Sasuke turned back and disappeared behind the room divider. Naruto could faintly see him walk to one of the nightstands and stop in front of it. A small metallic sound reached his ears just before Sasuke returned to where he was waiting.

Sasuke reached around Naruto's neck and smoothed his collar before moving lower and threading a red rose bud into his lapel. "There." Sasuke took a step back. Trying to hold onto his indifferent composure, his jet black eyes danced as he marvelled at how ravishing the blond looked. And the most attractive thing about him was that the street rat had no awareness of his looks at all.

"Why?" Naruto held Sasuke's eyes to his.

Sasuke regarded the blond for a moment and then pulled on his tuxedo jacket and began to absentmindedly adjust his cufflinks. "A flash of color is always a nice addition to a suit." Sasuke's eye's lit with amusement as he looked back up to Naruto, even though his face gave nothing away.

"Bastard." Naruto turned and opened the door.

Sasuke's lips twitched in response to Naruto's insult as he followed the blond out the door.

Sasuke had led Naruto to the table where Gaara was waiting, just as he said he would. Not that Gaara was all that surprised. He had a feeling that Sasuke wouldn't lower himself to do something so common as lie. The man had the power and influence to do pretty much whatever he wanted. Not to mention his ego would probably relish every opportunity to tell the truth to whomever thought they might get a chance at provoking the crime boss. So why would he ever need to lie?

As the Uchuha and Naruto had approached the table, the dark-haired man had simply met the redhead's steel green eyes with his own gaze, before giving him a slight nod and then turning his attention to Naruto.

I have to see to the club but will return before the show begins." Sasuke's eyes locked onto Naruto's. Once he saw a light blush reach the blond's cheeks, he knew his message was received. The boy would wait for him and he would be back to collect him before the end of the night.

As a small smirk tugged at his mouth, Sasuke casually turned from the two men and left them to their evening.

"Nice flower." Gaara had waited for the Uchiha to leave before commenting on Naruto's sudden floral garnishment.

Gaara scanned Naruto's face looking for all things he knew Naruto wouldn't be able to tell him. His friend was trying to keep his face low, taking his time positioning his chair and inspecting the silverware, leaving Gaara with only the reddening of Naruto's face to tell the story Naruto would never say aloud.

Naruto sat firmly in the chair next to the redhead and felt his cheeks flush at Gaara's words. He didn't know how to process what was happening, much less explain any of it to Gaara. The clothes, his feelings, the damn flower, or the way he would've given anything to taste Uchiha Sasuke just one more time. That single thought quickly brought a heat to settle in his groin and he knew if he let his mind go there there would be no end to Gaara's teasing. Trying to breathe and wishing the waitress would bring some booze already, Naruto shifted awkwardly in his chair. Fumbling with his napkin, Naruto tried to wait out the awkwardness he knew Gaara was probably already reading all over his face.

"Naru." Gaara waited patiently for his friend to meet his gaze.

Naruto looked up at his best friend but had no remark for him. He didn't know what to tell Gaara. He had never been this rash with the few lovers he'd taken in the past. He knew this was risky. But his dark desire for the Uchiha had surprised him and the need that had engulfed him during their private escapade in the suite had his head spinning. There were too many questions and confusions rolling around in his head to make sense of anything, so how in the hell would be able to vocalize it to his best friend of twelve years?

The confusion and slight panic Gaara saw in Naruto's eyes, pulled at him. "Okay." He forced a slight lift of the corner of his mouth. "You'll never guess who's part of the show tonight." Changing the subject seemed the most merciful tactic at this point.

"Wha… ? ...Show? Who?" Naruto was so grateful Gaara was letting him off the hook that he stumbled over his words in surprise and eagerness to follow the change in conversation.

Lifting up his sake cup, the redhead steeled his gaze and nodded to Naruto. "To life's little surprises."

Naruto always marveled at Gaara's ability to crack a joke without cracking a smile. It was definitely something Naruto would never be able to accomplish. He looked at his lifelong partner in crime and lifted his glass; a knowing smirk growing on his lips. "Cheers, fucker."

After dropping off the blond as promised, Sasuke headed down from the VIP balcony and to the main office entrance located behind the bar to check on Tenten and the box office receipts.

The box office window was located in the main office and Tenten managed things there for him. She had originally been brought on as a waitress, until one day Sasuke had overheard some of his security detail talking about how one of them had lost to her during a knife throwing contest. To see for himself, he then invited the small statured woman to his home and asked her to show him what skills she had with the blade.

Not only had she surprised him with her knife wielding abilities but it turned out that Tenten was an expert in quite a few other areas of weaponry as well. From knives to the tommy gun he kept stashed and loaded just for her in the office, Tenten showed flawless command with them all. A valuable asset in this line of business.

After the box office, he would make his way up the stairs opposite of the VIP balcony to the main entrance of the club that led out to the front lobby of The Tokyo Palace Hotel. This was his nightly routine. From the club to the front desk he would be able to get an idea of how many guests would be arriving to the club and how many would be staying that night.

The Palace was only a two story hotel but Sasuke had made sure that each of the twenty rooms they had available were posh and filled with all the amenities befitting of the Uchiha name.

It had been Itachi's idea. He had told Sasuke all about catering to the wealthy one night after a heated discussion over bath soap. "There are only twenty rooms, Otouto. We must raise the standard for each and every one." Itachi had leveled his piercing eyes at Sasuke. "Extravagance is always about the little things. You feed their taste for the finer things and they'll keep coming back for more."

But it hurt to think of his brother right now. He pushed at the thought and it went without much protest. It was far better to think of Naruto.

As the front desk clerk handed him the registration book to look over, Sasuke allowed his mind to play with the thought of what he would like to do with the blond after the club closed tonight. Their earlier tryst had ended far too soon and Sasuke was looking forward to see just how far he could push the blond. During their first heated exchange, Naruto had lost his temper and the act of defiance had tantalized Sasuke like nothing before. Like a child with a new toy, he felt eager to see just what it would take to break him. And with it being Saturday, it meant there would be no need to work the club in the morning giving him countless hours to play with the boy.

A small smile formed on the Uchiha's lip before he remembered himself and quickly quelled it. Lucky for him the desk clerk took it as a sign that business was good and he'd be keeping his job.

Sasuke handed the guest log back to the clerk and strode toward the hotel front entrance. As he walked out of the front doors of The Palace Hotel he glanced over at the box office line to his right. The cool May evening seemed to have only encouraged the excess of high collars and fur coats from this evening's clientele. The lavishness that surrounded Sasuke on a daily basis, bored him to no end. He couldn't deny that he loved the affluence and power his position offered him, but the constant bragging and flashing of opulence by his regular guests weared on his nerves. Once his older brother had figured out the desires of the higher class and ultimately the key to catering to them, Sasuke found nothing else about them worth discovering.

Sasuke had always been far too intelligent for his age. At only twenty years old, his father had chosen him to take over management of the club. Of course Madara was the current head of the Clan, but it was his father who was listed as the owner. He had originally groomed Itachi to run the hotel but now that Itachi was gone, the burden fell to the younger brother. Sasuke's innate sharp intellect had won his father's praise and rather than passing him over for his older cousin Obito, Fugaku had decided to leave the handling of the The Tokyo Palace to his son, Sasuke.

A few minor staffing changes and a strict schedule had allowed the young Uchiha to take over operations and step into the role smoothly, rapidly exceeding everyone's expectations. Not that Itachi hadn't been sufficiently qualified for the job but Sasuke had always sensed a restraint in his brother. Where as Sasuke saw the benefit of using his influence to garner favor with the meat distributors and local law enforcement, Itachi had always held back from using intimidation to accomplish his goals. He had preferred to use his cunning perception and sharp intellect whenever haggling with a vendor or a cop who was interested in making a little more than the other guy. While it was always fun to watch his brother verbally take these people down in a matter of minutes, Sasuke had no patience for the tactic.

Sasuke had understood his brother's approach. He and Itachi had had many discussions and heated arguments over whether or not they should get out of the crime business. His older brother had been adamant. Crime was not a necessary element of success, he had said and the tarnishing of the Uchiha name was inexcusable. But the reality was, to survive in the world they were operating in, you had to play the game. Sasuke had taken this lesson to heart at Itachi's grave.

He wondered if it would have been different if any of Itachi's elaborate plans to get them all out of New York and back to Japan had succeeded..

Sasuke remembered those early arguments, going back and forth on why they had left Japan in the first place and why Itachi had this sudden desperation to go back but Itachi had wanted out.

He had finally convinced Sasuke to join him in finding a way to get them and their parents out and back to Japan when Itachi had been taken out by an explosion down at the docks. With Itachi gone, Sasuke felt no desire to hold back the way his brother had. Any innocence Sasuke had had about playing by the rules had died with Itachi.

His mother had taken the loss hard. Once his father had drilled into Sasuke just what he expected of him now that Itachi was gone, both his parents pulled back from the business and began spending most of their time in Long Island. Occasionally, his uncle Madara would insist on Fugaku's cooperation relating to syndicate matters but for the most part, his father now tried to minimize his association with the hotel and most of the Uchiha Clan business. It was all on Sasuke's shoulders now.

With a dark scowl beginning to settle on his brow, Sasuke watched the line outside the box office begin to fill. Why couldn't he just let the memories of his brother go? What was the point in dwelling on the matter now? Itachi was gone. Whatever plans they once had about escaping New York were now lost and he was on his own.

Trying to shake himself free of the still raw memories, Sasuke adjusted his bow tie and smoothed his features as he walked over to the box office line to greet a few of the patrons already waiting there. Turning up the charm, he let a small smile rest on his face. He didn't usually enjoy the necessary interaction with the club guests; the American guests were always annoying him with their crude mannerisms with slaps on his back or putting a rough arm around his shoulder either in flirtation or to let him know what a fabulous establishment The Palace was.

But tonight would be different. As he shooed away thoughts of his brother, his mind effortlessly went to the blond who was waiting for him at his table. No, tonight the small smile on his face wouldn't be hard to hold at all.

The nightclub came alive almost immediately. As soon as the first wave of clubgoers started being ushered in, the band broke into their rendition of Benny Goodman's new hit, Room 1411. The waitresses started rushing to and fro, grabbing drink orders on the fly while fur coats and shawls were tossed without care onto tables and chairs, as the men pulled their dates to the dancefloor.

Naruto had never seen anything like it. He glanced over to Gaara and raised his eyebrows in excitement only to have Gaara rolled his eyes back at him. Naruto let out a laugh and knew that even if the redhead would never show it, he was just as fascinated at the sight of how the rich entertained themselves.

Naruto couldn't keep the smile from his face. It had been a long time since he and Gaara had taken an evening to just relax and enjoy themselves. Hell, not since those days working The Lower East Side and sharing a few stolen pints with Shika and the gang had he and Gaara spent a night out drinking and laughing it up.

On and on it went. The sake kept flowing and Gaara and Naruto were enjoying the sights and sounds of New York's elite. Both of the friends easily picked out the Manhattan money that had just arrived to the club. Two of the wealthiest exporters of Asian antiques were winding their way to a front table and Naruto nudged the redhead with his elbow at the sight of them. The two men were well known in New York and Gaara and Naruto had them on their do not touch list.

It sure was tempting though. Gaara turned to Naruto and they exchanged a knowing glance at the money being thrown around. The way the rich tossed their fur coats and handbags without looking back had both men wondering just how secure this place really was.

Gaara couldn't help but feel a slight tingle of unease. Sure the the Uchiha were ruthless and seemingly untouchable but easy money always attracted trouble. He brushed the thought aside, chalking it up to residual tension from their earlier run-in with the Chinese. Either way, he and Naruto were used to handling themselves. Chances were that, the only thing laying in wait for him tonight was a quiet walk home alone. Gaara watched Naruto light them each a cigarette and comically wondered just how his best friend was planning on breaking the news to him.

The band had just finished playing Tommy Dorsey's Boogie Woogie and the crowd erupted with applause. The band leader then announced The Pink Lady would be taking the stage later in the evening and that they wouldn't want to miss it.

Naruto passed one of the two cigarettes he had lit to Gaara. "The Pink Lady?"

His friend twitched an eyebrow back at him causing Naruto to roll his eyes this time. "Fine. I guess we'll just have to stay for the show then." He shot a mocking look to his friend.

"Like you had plans to leave anytime soon." Gaara teased and watched as a heated flush set into the cheeks of his blond haired friend.

To be continued...