Chapter 2

Sasuke was awakened by loud clangs and crashes. He turned to his side wanting to see if the Uzumaki boy had heard them as well. He wasn't in the bed. The Uchiha's mind raced. Shit! I bet that blonde twerp is freaking robbing me. That little—when I get my hands on him I will—

"Sasuke-kun!! You're awake!!" The loud greeting made it impossible for Sasuke to think.

But what was Naruto doing in the kitchen with the lights off? At five AM, he grimaced inwardly. Uchihas may have been known for starting the day early, but this Uchiha was determined to sleep until noon. Why didn't the whiskered boy let him sleep late a Saturday?!

The kitchen light flicked on and Sasuke gazed upon a table of food. "But… What the…?"

"I made you breakfast!" Naruto grinned at Sasuke who was now drooling. He figured it had been years since food had appeared without him needing to lift a finger. For one thing he did live alone in this place. It made Naruto wonder if he wasn't on good terms with family members. Or maybe he doesn't have any... Naruto cringed at the thought as he turned back to the stove.

"But what I don't understand is why. You know you didn't have to do that." Not that Sasuke wasn't grateful; he'd be a fool if that were true. But the 17 year old had grown accustomed to skipping breakfast and occasionally lunch. He laughed. "You look tired. Come sit down at the table and eat. Hell, you were the one who made all this."

"Thanks…" He grinned. Naruto already had a mouthful of waffles in his mouth before he even sat down. Good thing I made a lot of food, he thought. I'm not sure how big of an appetite he has, but boy am I starved! Within minutes the teens had manage to scarf down every crumb in front of them.

Stretching, Sasuke started taking dishes to the sink. Naruto followed closely behind with utensils and glasses. Washing them had been simple enough. Naruto washed while Sasuke dried them off and placed them in the correct cabinet or drawer, cutting down on time.

When it was over, Naruto sheepishly smiled at Sasuke. "Umm… Sasu-kun. I kinda… Uhm… I kinda used all the food in the pantry this morning." He paused to look at his host's expression. He stared down at his feet once he realized Sasuke was matching his stare.

"Come on." He took Naruto's hand in his own and dragged him up to his bedroom.

"Uhh... Sasu-kun…?" The blonde was confused. Why had Sasuke brought him back to the bedroom.

Sasuke's replies were muffled as he searched the dresser. After a few minutes he had found what he was looking for. "Here," he said, tossing fresh clothing at his guest. "Get changed, we're going out."

Several minutes later the two were walking down the street towards the plaza. Why does it feel like I've been here before? I don't even live in this city! Nonetheless, Naruto was baffled. It was so alive, full of people running errands and children playing. It made him the happiest he had been in a while. You could read from his expression that he was amazed.

They passed so many different stores. It was quite obvious that Sasuke was giving him the scenic route. Then it hit him. Why the square had seemed so familiar. A feeling of déjà vu washed over him as his mind told him to run. Why aren't I running?! Why won't my legs move?!, he frantically screamed to his mind. He was on the verge of having an emotional meltdown. He had to get away. Sasuke…He can't see me… like this… He'll… He'll leave me if he did…Like mom! He ran. He wasn't sure how he had made his legs carry him away. But he did it. He had left before Sasuke could do the same.

Sasuke stared at his back as he ran. Chasing down the blonde was the only way to know what happened. So he ran after him. Several minutes of running made Sasuke feel he was on a wild goose chase. That is, until he saw a familiar blonde curled into a ball at the heart of the city. The fountain. Hearing the boy cry made Sasuke's stomach twist and knot up. What happened back then? Why did he come here?

Naruto continued his sobs with the occasional cough. He had run here for one reason. Ironically it was the same reason he had been beaten by the gang. Mom… His mind wouldn't let him forget that day. He had been young but it felt like yesterday to him.

The confused Uchiha intervened when Naruto started pounding his fist into the ground. He scooped the crying figure into his arms and held him close. Closer to him than he remembered his family or friends had been. He rocked the boy in his arms in an effort to calm him. Naruto's sobs slowed down until he had stopped. By now the front of Sasuke's shirt was wet from the tears but he didn't care. The only thing he cared about was Naruto.

He carried the boy back to his house. By the time he had reached the alley leading to the property, his blonde friend was long asleep. He continued to haul the boy until they reached the couch. The blonde was set down gingerly upon it and was soon covered in a quilt. Although he should be warm, Naruto shivered. "Better get another quilt," the raven-haired one spoke before heading to the linen closet.

Naruto flung himself off the couch. He wasn't sure what time it was but he was fairly certain the sun hadn't risen. And, although he couldn't see in the poorly lit room, he knew he hadn't hit the floor during the fall. As his eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness and felt his body rise and fall. As if he was laying on a person. Shit!! His mind rushed through the possibilities. Sasuke. It must be Sasuke. Who else could it be?

Sasuke felt something on top of him. And whatever it was had its leg between his and its face on his stomach. Naruto, he figured. But what is he doing? Then there was nothing. No extra weight pushing on his body. He saw the boy trembling on the chair. He sighed, "Naruto-kun. What's wrong?"

"Nothing." And the boy's eyes wandered off, searching the room. This would be an interesting night. The Uchiha was clad in a black shirt and lime green boxers and walking towards him. At least he was pretty sure it was li—walking towards him!? Naruto's mind was still trying to grasp why he hadn't been hit for falling on him.

Sasuke hugged him, pulling their bodies together. He felt Naruto and Naruto felt him. He mentally laughed. Whoever thought that Sasuke Uchiha—the same Sasuke who wouldn't let his own mother hug him—would be holding someone like this?

Naruto became uncomfortable. He wasn't used to guys, or girls for that matter, hug him in such a manner or at all. A blush crept up his face, giving his cheeks a pinkish tint. What do I do? What should I do? His mind was definitely in a vice. So he did the only thing I figured normal. He hugged back.

Sasuke smirked. Perfect. He made himself fall backwards dragging the blonde with him. He twisted his body so that when their bodies collided with the couch cushions he was on top. The blonde's expression, no matter how distorted from the absence of light, showed he was confused and startled.

Once he realized he was okay, he laughed. "Sasu-kuuuuuun." He wanted to annoy his tackler. There was no way they were going to sleep like this. Even if he wanted to.

"Naru-chan," he said with a mocking tone. "Go back to sleep. Seeing as how you woke me up, I feel I have the authority now to lay on top of you."

"But Sasuke." Was that a tinge of whining in his voice now? "I didn't mean to wake y—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Sasuke kissed him. Sure it was a spur of the moment kind of thing but it was refreshing. Never in Naruto's 16 years of existence had anyone ever love him in more than the platonic way few others had. So, much like with the hug, he returned the kiss full force.

His tongue was in the taller boy's mouth before he could even try. Naruto liked how Sasuke tasted. How he felt with his weight pushing down on him. It made him forget about the other day in the plaza. Sasuke pulled away from him, taking his pain, as well as his saliva, with him.

He leaned closer to the blonde's ear. "Now will you go to sleep?" The whisper was faint but the request was strong. There was no way the younger one could say no now. Not after what he had just done.

Naruto simply nodded in response. He knew the Uchiha would see his answer. Blushing tremendously, Naruto leaned up and kissed Sasuke's cheek before sinking back into dreams. Even with Sasuke laying on him, he was cold. As if reading his mind, Sasuke gathered the quilt and spread it over them before falling asleep himself.