I'm so happy with those who have reviewed. I know the prologue isn't much but it was a stepping stone for me to start this story so I hope that I don't disappoint you readers. Any questions? Please direct it either through the review section by pressing the review button or to my email.
Warning: Rated M. Definitely not for the weak-hearted or those who like mild homophobic relationships. Contains lots of cursing and swearing and death as well. So, if you can't handle it, you might as well leave.
Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me.
Pairing: SasuNaru
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Chapter 1: Return To My Side
Hectic days were definitely not his favourite. All the bustling, noise and hustling didn't really suit his taste but what can he do? It was really stifling and it was hard to breathe. Naruto scowled at the amount of orders he was getting. It was another busy day at Konoha Restaurant and hungry customers were waiting impatiently for their empty stomachs to be filled.
"Naruto! Collect the plates on Table 5!"
"Hai!" Naruto ran towards the indicated table.
"Naruto! Table 14 order hasn't been taken!"
"Hai!" Naruto rushed towards the indicated table with a notepad and pen in hand.
"Naruto!" An irritated voice sounded from afar.
"Hai!"
Yep, he hated being ordered to do this and that. It was driving him nuts. Why did everyone love to pick on him? Was it because he was blonde? Naruto sighed as he took down the orders from one customer. While the customer was droning on about the kind of he would like to have and then changed his mind and ordered something else, Naruto looked around the restaurant.
How long has it been?
Since he started working here?
"Hey!"
Naruto was jolted awake from his thoughts. "Oh sorry, Konoha's speciality coming right up!"
The customer frowned, it was clear that he was not happy with Naruto's lack of attentiveness. "I said, I want braised pork with shark fins and not some Konoha speciality!" Boy, he was definitely in trouble now.
Three…
Two…
One…
"Naruto!" A very annoyed Tsunade with a twitching vein on her forehead appeared within Naruto's visual field. This time, he's definitely going to die. He laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head mindlessly. "Ehehe…Gomen ne, Tsunade-baachan. Itai!"
Tsunade, one of the owners of the well-known Konoha restaurant was a beautiful women with a very heavy sexual appeal and apparently she's really, really irritated at the moment. She twisted Naruto's ear again, earning another yelp of pain from the blonde. "We're really sorry, Mister Takano. It appears that one of our workers slacked off from his job." Tsunade's sweet voice coaxed the customer into a calmer mood.
"Well, you should really teach him some manners." The Mr. Takano turned his head away arrogantly to continue to look at his menu.
"Why you- ITAI!" Another twist of the ear and Naruto nearly cried. He whimpered and looked pleadingly at an angry Tsunade before he was dragged into the busy kitchen.
"Now," Tsunade released Naruto and had her hands resting on her hips. "How many times do I have to tell you not to be like this on days like today!" It was obvious that this was not Naruto's first time to get an earful from the notorious Tsunade. Pratically everyone feared her but at the same time, they also respected her.
"Sorry, Tsunade-baachan."
WHACK!
"Ouch!" Naruto rubbed the throbbing spot where Tsunade had hit him. "You didn't have to do that!" He pouted.
Tsunade sighed, defeated. "Naruto, this is a very critical time for us. Do you understand?" At Naruto's reluctant nod, Tsunade relaxed. "I would like to give you an earful but now is not the time BUT…!" Naruto winced. "Tonight, come and see me, understand!" At Naruto's nod, her temper calmed down. "Well, of you go and!" Naruto's eyebrow rose. "Don't call me baa-chan, brat!"
Naruto grinned and before he disappeared back into the bustling restaurant, he said, "Yes, Tsunade-baachan!"
The long haired blonde rubbed her temples as another headache was acting up again. This is going to be another long day.
-Flashback-
It was nearly one year ago when she and Jiraiya were strolling down their usual route when they came across a body. Both of them peered curiously at the unmoving body with every second passing by and making their nerves jumping with uncertainty. They had heard a lot of rumours where people had been kidnapped and found murdered on this particular route.
"Is he, erm, is he dead?" Jiraiya asked, poking the body.
"Stop that!" Tsunade slapped the latter's hand away. When the so-called 'dead' person groaned in pain, she tended to that person almost immediately. "Shit! Jiraiya!"
"Yes!"
"He's still alive." Tsunade's face then fell. "And he's going to die because he's running a very high fever."
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That was how they met the hyperactive blonde with no origin or any clue of his background. Both Jiraiya which was her husband and her decided to hire him when he was well enough and had went down on his knees to beg them. At first, the blonde had kept unusually quiet, refusing to eat or drink until Tsunade had practically forced something down his throat. She had observed him for a long time, trying in vain to get him to talk but the blonde had kept his mouth shut until she threatened to call the police.
"Please don't!" The blonde grabbed Tsunade's sleeve. "If you call them, 'he' will find me!" There was a note of urgency and panic in his voice and it hurt Tsunade to see him like this.
"What is your name, boy?"
"Naruto."
"Just Naruto?"
"Just Naruto." Naruto adverted his gaze but did not release his hold on Tsunade's sleeve. "I'm sorry."
Tsunade peered curiously at him. She wondered what could this 'he' Naruto was talking about but she was no busybody. If he won't tell her then she won't ask anymore. "So, Naruto." She said the name slowly. "You need to call your parents. They would be worried about you."
"They won't." Tsunade's eyebrow rose. "They're dead."
She was shocked at how calm he answered that. "Naruto. I'm sure you have a guardian."
Naruto shook his head almost desperately and trembled violently. "No, no, no." He clutched his head and fell back. "He's not my guardian! He's NOT!"
"Ah."
Naruto looked at her with wild eyes and clutched the hem of her clothes. "Please hire me! I'll do anything! I'll wash clothes, the dishes and anything else you want me to do! So, please!" Naruto's voice dropped to a whisper. "Please don't let me go back there."
Seeing how painful Naruto's mysterious past was, Tsunade closed her eyes momentarily before opening them again. "Okay, you're hired." When joy flickered in the normally dead-looking eyes of Naruto, Tsunade felt a pang in her heart, warning her of her dangerous gamble but she chose to not heed its warning.
-End of Flashback-
"I have finally found you." The figure in black stood before the grand entrance to the Konoha Restaurant. He had his hands in his pockets as he stepped out of the black and sleek limousine and strode towards the entrance doors.
"You sure he's here?" The cold voice was sharp like knife. His very appearance made everyone trembled in fear and awe.
Kabuto nodded as he pushed the doors open. "Yes, sir."
When they entered, everyone turn to look at the men in black. The busy and noisy restaurant now turned deathly quiet as they observe the newcomers. Some shifted uneasily on their chairs while some were drooling over the raven-haired young man who seemed to have an air of authority surrounding him. His eyes behind the dark lens studied those who are fair-headed and blonde, searching for a particular someone.
"Ne, okaa-san (mother), are they yakuza (gangster)?" A little boy whispered. Immediately, a hand was clamped on his mouth to prevent him from saying more. Even the little boy didn't understand why his parents were so scared of someone he has never met before.
Suddenly, the kitchen doors burst open and in came Naruto, the hyperactive blonde who was grinning happily, followed by a fuming Tsunade. It took them a couple of seconds to register how quiet the restaurant had become. "Is it just me or the restaurant is devoid of any noise?" Naruto asked as he looked around when he caught sight of someone familiar and shivered.
"I have come for you, Naruto." The sunglasses were taken off and folded neatly. Sasuke smirked and his onyx eyes beckoned the blonde to run if he dared.
Naruto nearly screamed.
"Just who the hell are you to barge into my restaurant and take authority!" Tsunade was angry, no, she was furious. Why did this have to happen when that baka Jiraiya isn't here?
Sasuke didn't even bat an eye. He was just staring straight at the fidgeting blonde who was hiding behind Tsunade. He continue to smirk in an arrogant manner, earning him squeals from the female workers and customers. "I do have authority." He pulled out a pile of money from his coat and threw it to the floor. "This is for all the inconveniences caused by him. If you want more, just ask."
Indicating to the shivering blonde, Sasuke said, "He belongs to me. Don't you, Naruto?" His voice dropped to a lethal purr, causing the blonde to wince as painful and dreadful memories came flooding back.
"Stop it!" Tsuande shouted, breaking the trance that seemed to have held Naruto. "Can't you see that he is in pain!" She hugged Naruto in a protective manner, soothing the blonde from going into hysterical mode.
Sasuke frowned and gritted his teeth. He didn't like one single bit that someone else was touching his property but he kept his cold exterior in check. He held out his hand towards Naruto. "Come, Naruto." The blonde shook his head, tears running down his cheeks. "You know what would happen, don't you?"
Naruto stiffened. It was obvious that Sasuke's words had hit bullseye. "Sasuke, please don't make me go back." Words of plea did not work on the stoic man. Naruto knew that well when he accepted Sasuke long ago.
Patience was running thin. "Come, Naruto." Without another word, Naruto pushed away from Tsunade's embrace and stumbled into Sasuke's. "Good boy." He had wrapped the blonde under his coat, sharing his warmth.
Infuriated, Tsunade did her best from strangling the arrogant bastard. Whatever hold he had on Naruto seemed effective because Naruto was no longer shivering nor trembling and was smiling a sad smile. "Naruto?" She asked questioningly. Where's that stupid Jiraiya when you need him! At this point, Naruto in the other man's arms didn't seem like the Naruto she knew anymore.
The blonde looked at Tsunade and everyone else. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I have caused, Tsunade-baachan." Then, he mouthed something before turning away with Sasuke and disappeared into the awaiting vehicle which drove away half a second later.
"Thank you."
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A/N:
Gomen, gomen for the late update. I was busy with my other Naruto fic so I had no time to finish this. I seriously didn't mean to learn you all hanging like that so please forgive lil' ol' me. Haha…
This story is progressing into something I didn't plan and is probably going out of hand, expanding into a plot so different from I have envisioned. So, give me some feedback whether it is sarcasm, critics or praises. If there were any mistakes, please forgive me. I'm still new to this and is still trying my very best to brush up my skills. Hopefully, the next chapter will be better.
Until then, bye.