A/N: Wow! People like it! Thank you all for you favorites and reviews, they were greedily gobbled up. I love, love, love this story and have already started the third chapter because I'm so excited to be writing this. One thing to mention before you guys start reading that is important is that I have changed the time frame Naruto is training with Genma from three weeks to two months. Sorry, I know, changing things already. XP It just didn't seem like enough time. Anyway, onwards!
Warning: for a tiny hint of lime ;P
Chapter 2:Lessons pt 1…
The information was valid; he had checked it himself thoroughly as he always did and had felt a sting of excitement when his careful inquiries confirmed the rumors.
There was indeed something happening within the borders of the River country; something dangerous and possibly volatile. The new Feudal Lord had only come into power a few months ago and was exercising the full weight of it, calling all the rouge ninja to him that he could as if he, too, wanted to build himself up into a powerful shinobi nation.
It could not be allowed to happen.
Should it, the entire balance between nations would be thrown off kilter again and would result in a war similar to the conflict between Earth and Fire nearly twenty years ago that threatened to tear apart more than just the two countries involved.
Sasuke shifted on his high perch in a tree that overlooked the outpost protecting the River country's borders with his native country. The sun was a fading point of red light in the warm, summer sky, turning everything rich and gold, reflecting off the snaking stream that separated the two nations.
By this time the tomorrow, he would be on the other side, infiltrating his way into this new Lord's trust and no one would be the wiser. After all, he was just another rouge ninja of superior skill looking for a place to make a name for himself. No one would realize that he was, in fact, going to do just that by being the one to stop this new threat before it could grip the world in its claws and rip it apart.
Before he could rethink the impulse to interfere, he took a deep breath and leapt from his perch.
Bright flowers made from fire dashed across the dark night sky, the colors of them blue and red and yellow, like millions of shiny jewels. The sharp, booming explosions that accompanied them filled the air, adding to the already charged atmosphere that seemed to buzz with a colorful energy that was so strong he could practically feel it humming against his skin. Even though he had chosen not to go out and enjoy it, as he normally would have, he could still feel the celebratory atmosphere the village had been thrown into. Usually he would hang out with a few of his friends, enjoying the vendors, the decorations and the general feelings of well-being. Especially this festival; it was the one that he tried to make sure he never missed.
Tonight, however, he watched the fireworks screech through the night and was grateful he was not being forced to look his friends in the eye or pretend to be enjoying the festival. He was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to that and he didn't want to think about the reason why. Not today. Though, if he were to look within himself, he realized he wasn't upset or angry or anything at all, really. A huge numbness had settled over his mind that seemed even less inclined to focus than usual. What was worse, he knew that his answer would have been the same if he had known before hand. Perhaps that was what bothered him the most. With everything he had learned today, he still wouldn't have said no.
Just then a particularly big firework roared to life over the village and even from his perch on the back steps of Genma's house he could hear the resulting "ooohh"-s of delight. It hung in the air, glittering and spitting like giant fireflies. This was his favorite kind because they seemed to refuse to give into their inevitable fate of fading away into nothing but sulfurous smoke. Yet even this failed to bring out a smile onto his face though he was grateful for the distraction it offered. Every time his thoughts revolved back to the conversation at the kitchen table within the bright house full of sunlight, something in the pit of his stomach twisted painfully.
Naruto knew he couldn't keep avoiding it but for the moment, he let himself drift away on the warm summer breeze that lifted his neat, borrowed yukata the color of deep water and clear skies.
A soft step behind him drew his attention a moment later but he didn't turn. The fireworks continued unabated, though they were probably almost over as they had been going for a while already and he propped his chin up on his knees, the bright, glittering light reflecting in the clear color of his eyes. Doubtless Genma wanted him to know he was there or he wouldn't have heard anything at all but there was still the feeling of someone else's presence tingling along the back of his neck. It was unassuming, just waiting and perhaps the older man had simply come out to catch the tail end of the show. Finally the blond sighed, knowing that he should at least say something.
"It's my birthday today," his voice sounded far away as if it didn't actually belong to him and he almost wasn't aware of the words he had actually decided upon until they were tumbling from his mouth. Another bright explosion lit the sky, this one violet and then another, a glittering gold and it was the only thing he could hear for a few moments, the towering sound pressing on his ears. Finally the man behind him moved, footsteps accompanied by a soft shuffling before he was seated beside the blond.
"It was a sad day to be born on," he commented finally and Naruto tuned so that he could study the older man's profile. It was sharp, lit by the rapidly changing light in the sky, every detail standing out in relief and the grey of his eyes was washed out so they looked nearly colorless. He had to agree with the man's statement; though with his birth, the entire village had been saved. Too bad that was the same day his own father had died. A sad day indeed. Genma turned to him then, expression guarded by the inconstant lighting but the blond could feel the weight of his gaze even if he couldn't read the emotion behind it, "How old are you today?" It was a strange question, as everyone knew how old he was; it was hard to forget as it was the same as the anniversary of the death of the revered Fourth. Naruto answered anyway.
"I'm seventeen," those sharp eyes glittered for a moment before Genma turned back to watch the blooming fireworks. It felt weird to say that; made him feel old. Had it really been that long ago that he had lost his best friend? So much time had passed but it still didn't feel like that much. Since that day, he had been marking the passing of time by the day Sasuke had turned his back and it felt like it had happened only yesterday.
Yesterday felt like a lifetime ago.
"Just that? You're very young, aren't you?" the older man's words surprised him and he looked at him again, wondering what he could have meant by that. Genma didn't look like he was all that much older than Naruto himself but he remembered that he had known Kakashi for a long time so he had to be closer to his former sensei's age. He managed to refrain from asking, though. It didn't matter anyway, not really. The man was his teacher now and that was then end of it, not that he would object anyway. He had been given a chance for that and he had made, what he thought, was the right decision.
They watched in silence until the last shimmering blossom of fire faded from the sky, leaving the night dark once again. He could still hear the excited murmur of voices sometimes punctuated by excited shouts and he had no doubt it would go on for some time. It was strange to feel so unattached from everything. He liked being the one that everyone was watching, with his loud voice and perchance for pranks because it made him feel included, like he was a part of something. After spending so many of his younger years completely alone, he had found a little place in the village where he could see himself belonging.
"Naruto," the sound of his name brought him back to the present and he glanced at the older man who was to be his new teacher. Genma watched the flickering dance of the shining fireflies that lit up the expansive garden, their small lights looking like stars within the depths of the single eye Naruto could see, "Though this would be a difficult thing for anyone to do, you should know that your courage in accepting has not gone unnoticed. It is an admirable thing you are going to do," the older man turned to him then, a small smile curving the corners of his lips as he took in the blonde's somewhat flabbergasted expression, "Think about it in a positive light, as it would not do to end the day discouraged," numbly, Naruto nodded, feeling like he should say thank you but finding himself unable to find the words. Genma greeted the nod with one of his own before he stood, stretching leisurely, "Very well. I suggest you get some rest for you will be starting your training at dawn," and before he could even think to voice any of the thousand questions that suddenly crowded his mind, Genma had retreated back into the house.
The warm, heavy air, filled with the warring scents from the garden and a thicker, headier smell he had always associated with summer kept him company for the long moments he sat upon his hard, wooden perch and he wished that there were some answers in the droning voices of the bugs hidden in the foliage. Problem was, he couldn't seem to be able to sort out the jumble enough to figure out what question he should ask first.
Later that night, when the buzzing of his mind refused to let him fall asleep, Naruto stared up at the blank, unfamiliar ceiling and found himself pondering the shocking and still somewhat unbelievable conversation he'd had with Genma after finding out the reason for him being there in the first place. It wouldn't do him any good to keep denying the reality of the situation and the more he fought against it, the less he was likely to learn.
That, of course, would result in the failure of this mission and then everything he had done would be for naught. Then he grimaced and fought down a familiar ache that clenched around his heart.
He would do it because he must…
There were a few long minutes were he sat there at the table, staring blankly at the older man, feeling as if he had been transported into a different reality. He couldn't even make any half-hearted sputtering protests like his mind seemed to be doing. Disbelief rendered him absolutely speechless for the first time in his life and he wondered absently if he looked as much like he had hit over the back of the head with something hard as he seemed to feel. The last thing Genma had said swirled around and around in his mind until he wasn't sure he had heard the man properly.
"But I…I'm not…" he could remember blinking rapidly then, eyes huge as he tried to find somewhat sensible words to put together so that he might form a feasible sentence. The bright grey gaze remained unwavering as the older man watched his reaction carefully. Finally the blond sat back on his heels and ran an unsteady hand through his hair, scrunching up his face as he tied to say something, anything, "WHAT!?" was the best he could come up with but it seemed to convey the turmoil of his feelings perfectly well. The older man sighed and set down his cup of cooling tea, face once more closed off.
"Kakashi explained to you the situation, I trust?" it wasn't really a question but he had nodded anyway before the brunet continued, "The position you need to secure not only has to be long term but needs to be foolproof. You need to get in and stay there and a normal shinobi of your personality and particular skills will only arouse suspicion. Make sense?" and it did. He didn't like having to sneak around to get things done but he knew that he could if the need arose. This, however, was completely different.
"So I have to, what? Pretend I'm a…a whore?" he finally managed, tripping over the last word because he never really liked using it. Yet he had no idea what else to call what he was being asked to do. At least, that's what it seemed like to him; he was selling himself for information, even if the person he was extracting it from didn't realize his true intent. A sharp tapping of thin, tempered steel was the only sign of Genma's irritation.
"A courtesan, Mr. Uzumaki," his displeasure had made the younger shinobi wince, though he still didn't understand the difference, "The word whore suggests that you are solely selling yourself out for sex," the blond had tipped his head to the side, once again baffled.
"But, isn't that what it is?" he'd ventured, hating how ignorant he felt then. Sure, he had thought about sex before. As a matter of fact, being a teenage boy, he thought about it rather a lot but he had never really gotten the time to learn all the things his peers had and it remained a rather elusive mystery. Thus he was feeling rather flat-footed and somewhat stupid. Thankfully, the older man was patient, even offering the blond a rueful smile as he explained.
"No, it is quite different. Where a whore give's up their body for a few moments or even a few hours of simple, carnal pleasure, what I will be teaching you is so much more than that. Yes, that will include seducing and pleasuring another person which is, in this case, your target but you will also learn how to keep their attention once you have gained it. You have to act a part and not deviate or break away from the persona you have created even for a moment. In this, you will be given a set of skills, which will include conversation, etiquette and entertaining that will add to your appeal past what you do in the bedroom," by the time Genma paused, Naruto's mind was reeling, realizing he really had not understood at all. He took a moment to think this through, blushing slightly when he looked back into those stormy eyes.
"You know, I've never really…done anything…that is, I…" the heat had crawled up his neck and suffused his face, causing the older man to regard him with some amusement, especially when he couldn't finish what he had been trying to say.
"I figured as much, especially considering your reaction. But not to worry, all of that will be worked into your training," it was with a calm voice Genma spoke, as if he did this kind of thing all the time and then the blond realized, he probably did. For a long moment he just alternated between blinking and staring into the cold remains of his tea. Then he lifted his head and regarded the older man as if he was seeing him for the first time.
"But…you're a guy!" he rasped, gut clenching painfully. The brunet just smirked and lifted the senbon from the table, flicking it expertly between the fingers of one hand.
"Yes," was all he said because, after all, the younger shinobi had only stated the obvious. Naruto did sputter then, feeling his face heating even more at the thought of being taught those kinds of things by Genma.
"What if I'm not…you know, don't like that sort of thing?" his voice had been a little higher than normal and then his mind had supplied that he did, in fact, like that sort of thing if the fantasies he'd had about his missing teammate was anything to go by. Thing about that, though, was that he was the only person the blond had felt that way about. The older man seemed to be thinking the same exact thing because his amused expression didn't changed as he answered.
"Believe me, Naruto, all of that has been taken into consideration. In fact, Kakashi informed me that you are quite…attached, shall we say, to that missing Uchiha of yours," the blonde's heart had leaped at the mention of Sasuke but he didn't get a chance to speak, "In this line of work, we don't get to choose our targets, whether they be male, female, young or old. It is about getting to the target without arousing suspicion. Typically it isn't about killing them, either, but about what they know. You would be surprised at what kinds of information people are willing to divulge to the one that shares their bed," It all made perfect sense when he thought about it. This was one instance where, though his strength as a ninja was imperative, he still wouldn't be able to go in, weapons drawn and wreck havoc like he usually did. Even he knew what had to be done couldn't be obvious or it would never work.
"So," he said slowly, frowning at his hands that were pressed against the cool table top, "You're going to teach me how to do all of that…what if I'm terrible at all of this? The only thing I have ever known is being a ninja. I've never had to be anything else," Genma's expression unexpectedly softened then and the blond realized that the man really was good looking only to blush madly at the thought.
"Don't worry, I am confident enough in my teaching skills that you will be able to pull this off. Of course, there is only so much I can do in bestowing you with the knowledge. What you chose to do with it is entirely up to you," then he had smiled, the expression assessing and intense, "But I think we both know what you are going to do, am I right?" Naruto hated that he was but he hadn't said anything else. He just gulped down the rest of his cold tea, fighting back a grimace and tried not to wonder what they would do if he really did prove inept.
He hadn't really said much to the older man for the rest of the day and they had eaten dinner in relative silence, their earlier conversation completely avoided, for which he had been glad. If only he could understand; if only this could be solved another way. Even so, he wouldn't give up and he wouldn't run away. That was worse than failure; it was a betrayal to both himself and the people who were relying on him to be successful.
When he closed his eyes, he dreamed he was smiling up at a man whose face he couldn't see and in the background, familiar black eyes watched on…
Genma was dressed in normal shinobi garb, all dark clothing with his hair pulled back into a bandana, when Naruto stumbled into the kitchen the next morning after being rudely awakened sometime at daybreak while rubbing sleep from his eyes. There was a light breakfast already waiting for him on the table but he was more interested in the pot of steaming coffee. He plopped down across from the older man and poured himself a cup of the dark, caffeinated drink, knowing it was going to take more than that to wake him up. He had never really been much of a morning person unless he was on a mission and then didn't have a choice. This, he thought dully as he clutched the cup of coffee to him like it was a lifeline, was not training. It was torture. Perhaps, he realized, he might have been more excited if he hadn't had such a shitty night's sleep filled with confusing nightmares and wasn't so terrified over what he would be learning. When he had said he liked to learn, a situation such as this had not once crossed his mind.
The older man's cheerful smile that was directed at him a moment later only served to strengthen that notion and the blond just blinked blearily at him, wondering with ill disguised disgust how the hell he was so…happy.
"Not a morning person, I see," the brunet teased, calmly eating his breakfast as the blond nursed his caffeine fix and chuckled when all he received in answer was a low groan, "Well, get used to it because we will begin training first thing every morning. I have a schedule that you will follow which must be adhered to if you are going to learn everything you will need to know in time. Two months is not nearly long enough but that is all we are given so we will have to make the best of it," Naruto, already feeling the coffee starting to do its job, nodded obediently.
"What are we doing today?" he asked, starting to warm to the subject and the older man calmly sipped at his own cup, eyes even more grey as they were hidden behind the pale, curling steam.
"First we work out. A four mile run around the village wall, then I always go to the training ground for an hour or two. At least now I have a sparring partner," his grin had been somewhat feral but the prospect was rather appealing and Naruto couldn't help but return it, "Then I will begin teaching you about adopting a persona that is not your own but other people will believe is. First, I think, you will need to know how to act around all kinds of people without offending more delicate sensibilities," the blond blinked at that, wondering what the hell that was supposed to mean.
"Huh?" he questioned inelegantly, which earned him an exasperated rolling of pewter grey eyes.
"Manners, Naruto. For instance, you will no longer address a question you might have with 'huh'. It shows a lack of respect and upbringing," the younger shinobi stared for a few seconds, a feeling of dread overcoming him. How was he supposed to remember that? He never thought about what came out of his mouth; how was he going to start now?
"I was never really taught any of that stuff," he said with a pout, pouring himself more bitter coffee in hopes it would wash away the last of the cobwebs that lingered in his mind. Although if some of his friends were to be believed, that was a nearly impossible task.
"I know. That is why I am going to teach you. Well mannered people are much easier to be around than people who just blurt the first thing that comes to mind or is inconsiderate of others," he knew he was staring but he couldn't seem to find anything to say to that. Swallowing a thick mouthful of the scalding black brew, he studied the patterns of the grains in the table, something he did when he was distracted or bored. All of that didn't sound so terrible, he supposed, though he wondered how he was going to retain everything, except the man hadn't really answered the one thing that he was mainly concerned about.
"And when are we…are you going to…to teach m-me…um…" he squirmed, not daring to look up and see what kind of expression was hiding in the grey depths. Genma hadn't laughed at his uneasiness about the whole sex thing but it still felt awkward, especially since they didn't really know each other all that well. Normally he didn't really have a problem speaking openly to people he didn't know; it was the result of being as utterly alone as he had been when he was young, he supposed. Yet even with Sakura, who was his closest friend and teammate, he didn't really talk much about his personal life. The older man snorted into his coffee and when the blond finally did look up, face blazing, the grey looked silver in the morning light.
"All in good time," if Naruto didn't know better, he would have said the expression he was fixed with then was more like a leer than anything else, "Not to worry, you're going to be kept very busy in the next couple months," the blonde's forehead hit the table with a thunk which was followed by his rather pitiful moan.
"That's what I was afraid of," He found he didn't like Genma's laugh nearly as much when it was directed at him.
Training with Genma the first day wasn't as horrendous as he had first thought.
He had found, once he woke up enough, that he rather liked spending the crisp, warm mornings outside engaged in familiar tasks such as running and working out. Practicing his tai-jutsu with his sensei had been rather exhilarating as the man was fast and had a grace he hadn't seen on anyone but Neji and Kakashi. Not only that, he was sneaky, getting past Naruto's defenses many times before they conceded a time out. It had surprised him, though, how well he was able to hold his own. While he had never bothered to take the exams, he knew he was well past Jounin level; the only rank he really cared about was the one that came with the title of Hokage. It was nice, he noticed, to have a different sparring partner. It kept things alive and interesting and judging by the snarling grin on the older man's face, he was enjoying his change of pace just as much.
Naruto had been correct in assuming he wouldn't retain the slower lessons very well and found relearning grammar and how to speak dull. Thankfully, it didn't require a great deal of thought process but he had a problem remembering when he actually had to put into play the things he had learned. They sat cross legged on the floor of one of the large, airy rooms in the front of the house, books and scrolls spread around them, some belonging to Genma and the rest having been checked out of the village's library. They reminded Naruto of the books Sai read and the similarity both annoyed and amused him.
The older man was a pretty laid back teacher but he kept the blond on task when his attention wandered, which was often and then plied him with all of those book to read, informing the younger shinobi that there would be both regular tests and Naruto needed to start incorporating what he learned into every day interactions. It was the only way it would work, he had said and the blond could understand how that would be true. After all, he had always retained things best when he actually did them, rather than just being shown or reading them over and over in a book. And then, just as the sun started to fade, a small table was placed in front of him, upon which sat several blank scrolls, a bottle of black ink and brushes like he had never seen before.
"What's this?" he asked as Genma stepped back momentarily, swirling around that ever present senbon. It made him wonder if it was just some kind of oral fixation or if he really used it the way they were supposed to be used.
"This is a writing desk. You will be learning calligraphy. Though Kakashi has assured me that your handwriting is atrocious, by the time two months is over, you will be more than proficient," the blond had stared at the blank paper already spread out in front of him until the older man huffed a soft sigh and gracefully sat on the other side of the table.
"Watch carefully," his strokes were beautiful and until that moment, Naruto hadn't seen what was so special about writing. As he watched the brunet neatly and precisely pull the soft brushes over the white parchment, what he realized he was seeing was art. The grey gaze was unreadable when it met his own wide and blatantly fascinated cobalt, "I do not expect you to get it on the first try but it is an important skill and it will help solidify your identity. Thus, you will practice this until dinner every day," and he had turned and left.
Despite feeling somewhat discouraged, he was still rather intrigued by the whole thing. The older man had made it look so…effortless and he as he turned the page around to face him, he found he wanted to learn this. It wasn't like learning how to throw a kunai for the first time or anything terribly demanding but by the time Genma called him into the kitchen for dinner, his hand was cramped and a slew of horribly scribed characters littered the floor around him.
Strangely enough, he seemed to have forgotten all about those skills he would be learning during his stay.
It wasn't until after a dinner that had been particularly long as Genma had seen it fit to start teaching the younger man table manners in the middle of it, that he was standing before the open window in the kitchen while absently drying a bowl. It was a beautiful night, just as they had been all week, filled with the scent of green, growing things and rich, heady soil. Tiny little lights flashed among the shadowy leaves and the humming of the summer bugs drowned out any sounds that might have floated in from the busier parts of the village. It wasn't so terrible, being here, he found himself reflecting; everything was quieter, slower and though he knew he couldn't forget the reason why he was here, he drank in the peaceful feeling that permeated the air. At least it was better than being alone in his apartment.
"Naruto," Genma's voice caught him by surprise with its sudden close proximity and he turned, unsuspecting, with a wide answering smile. He caught himself right before he opened his mouth as he remembered one of the lessons he'd been grilled on earlier.
"Yes?" something glittered in the older man's eyes for a moment and the knowledge he had done right filled him with something inexplicable and warm. Then he was taken back when Genma gently slipped the bowl and the towel from his fingers, moving them to the counter before turning his attention to the younger shinobi. Naruto found himself nervous under the intensity of that silvery gaze.
"The first thing about being with another person is accepting their attentions. Especially with someone you don't know. You mustn't do anything to discourage or show that you don't want it," he took another step closer, confusing Naruto further. He didn't realize what the older man meant. That is, until, he opened his mouth to say as much and had a warm, slender finger pressed against it. Oh. "Later you will know how to return such attentions or even be the one to initiate them but, for now…" and he stepped even closer so that their half a head height difference became glaringly obvious and the blond could feel his body heat right through his clothing.
The finger slipped away but instead of pulling his hand back, the older man slipped it up, around the blonde's neck and into his thick abundance of golden hair. The gesture was strange as he wasn't really used to people touching him and his heart was slamming against the inside his chest as if it was trying to beat its way free. He knew it was coming, of course; learning this kind of thing was part of the whole deal. He just wasn't…expecting it to happen quite so soon. Another hand was gliding up his chest, pressing against the contours of muscle beneath the thin material of his t-shirt. He watched it in morbid fascination, eyes widening when it joined its twin in his hair. Shining pools of silver unveiled, meeting his gaze and trying to draw him in. The blond found himself unable to move or breathe, staring down at the older man as his mind went completely blank.
"Relax," Genma breathed, offering him a small smile as the fingers of his one hand gently massaged the skin at the nape of his neck and he found himself shuddering, struck by the way the brunet's voice seemed to have deepened. Another step and they were touching down the entire length of their bodies. The contact surprised him, making him draw in a sharp breath and he found he couldn't keep looking into the man's eyes. A moment, later, though, there was a hand on his chin, forcing his head back up, "Don't drop your eyes; keep them on mine. And relax. I'm not going to bite," that low voice was hypnotizing and he couldn't look away, couldn't tear himself from the sight of that gaze flickering over his own features as if the brunet was memorizing him. It was disconcerting but not awful, not really. There was no doubt that Genma was very good at what he did.
They just stood there like that for a moment, the older man allowing Naruto to get used to how close they really were, fingers moving slowly against his scalp and neck. He could feel firm, solid muscle pressing into him, strong arms curling around his shoulders and hot breath ghosting over his chin and he realized he was shaking, eyes wide and breathing unsteady. All the while, he was caught in the sharp, pewter gaze, unable to even wonder why he didn't want to pull away.
Then Genma started talking.
"The first time I saw you standing at my front door, I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. You're not what I thought you would be, when Kakashi first contacted me. But I must say I'm definitely not disappointed. You have grown up to be quite beautiful, Naruto," the blond made a small noise in the back of his throat when the older man leaned in and pressed warm lips against the line of his jaw. Between the heat of the other man molded against him and the embarrassment at the way Genma was talking, he was beginning to feel too hot, like he was suffocating, drowning, "It is strange that you have never had any offers before; surely I'm not the only person to have noticed," another kiss then another and Naruto felt like he was drowning.
"I-I'm not…I…" but the finger was back again, stilling the half-hearted attempt at a protest before it traced the line of the blonde's lips, making him gasp. The vibration of the older man's throaty chuckle rumbled against his chest followed by warm, dry lips pressing another line of heat into his skin, this time over one of his cheekbones.
"You're fine. Put your arms around my back…hmm, good," he tried to do as he was told, finding solace in the directions because he was lost in this storm that was brewing inside of him. There was fear of not getting it right and uncertainty that came with an experience he had never felt before but there was something else there, too, that he couldn't name as readily. It was like a glowing warmth curling in the pit of his stomach, similar to desire, though it was still too mild for him to call it arousal. The words and the touches made him feel…significant and even though he knew that the older man was just trying to relax him, he also knew that Genma wasn't lying to him. He didn't know how he knew that, he just did. Besides, what did he have to gain by lying? So he slid his hands against the material at the back of the older man's shirt and tilted his head to the side with a little sigh as those soft lips found more places to touch upon.
It was startling and strange and good. He still felt awkward and he knew he was thinking way too much but he clung to the older man, his musky scent that the blond hadn't noticed until now wrapping around him like an embrace, reminding him of rain and grey starlight.
The teasing line of heat and even breaths reached the little hollow behind one of his ears and it sent a jolt through him, making him forget everything but that strange sensation sending ripples of warmth through his entire body. He didn't realize he had already melted into the embrace, his head falling forward onto the older man's shoulder so that he was nearly overwhelmed with his scent and his presence until soft strands of honey colored hair tickled his nose. Gentle words of praise and flattery were whispered into the curve of his ear and he liked them, wanted to hear more of them even if they really couldn't all be true. And when the lobe of his ear was slowly, expertly sucked into the wet suction of Genma's mouth, he heard himself breathe out a low moan, a strange sensation of liquid heat pooling in his belly.
"Very well, Naruto…" the words, still spoken in that deeper, husky drawl drew him back into himself, helping him center on reality again and he blushed furiously when he realized he was practically wrapped around the brunet. But the older man didn't laugh or mock him when he lifted his head and met that sharp gaze. Indeed, the expression in his eyes was hot, nearly searing the blond in its intensity. He wasn't sure if he should step away or not but Genma seemed fine with their continued proximity so he held still, still feeling somewhat overwhelmed.
"It will get easier with time, I assure you," the grey eyes narrowed slightly as the man smiled, sweeping one hand against the side of the blonde's face in a reassuring gesture, "And I meant it when I said you are very attractive. I find myself feeling rather fortunate with this arrangement," now Naruto's entire face blazed and he dropped his eyes, fingers twisting convulsively in the brunet's shirt.
"T-thank you…" he stammered and it earned him a soft, gruff laugh. A strong hand curled in his hair, forcing his gaze back up again and the heat suffusing him was comprised entirely of embarrassment and uncertainty.
"Don't drop your eyes. There are times for submission but this is not one. You have nothing to be ashamed of," the grey looked like steel behind the surprisingly long, soot colored lashes and he was already becoming familiar with the expression, "Remember this; even if you are humiliated or uncertain, do not let them see it. The only times you should ever look down is when you want them to have control. Yes, submitting is important but that is a lesson for another day. First I must teach you not to be put off by someone else's advances," finally he loosened his grip and Naruto swallowed hard, nodding. It was all so confusing that he was sure he could never get it all straight in the two months he had been given.
Soft lips brushed against the corner of his mouth, then, shocking him into immobility so that he could only watch as the older man stepped back and regarded him with some amusement.
"I think that's enough for today," the blond licked his dry lips, catching a hint of something sweet and unfamiliar as the older man walked calmly to the table where he had discarded one of his ever present senbon, slipping it back into his mouth. Then he nodded to the younger man, completely poised as if nothing at all had taken place, "Goodnight, Naruto,"
When the blond blinked, the man was gone.
He didn't know how long he had stood there for, staring at the empty room in front of him, feeling his heart rate slowly calm to its normal pace while his mind remained completely and utterly blank. What was he supposed to make of this? Everything else Genma had shown him that day he had done without even thinking about, even the lessons on manners, taking it all in stride. Though he may not have excelled on the first try, especially when it came to the writing, and he may have had to ask the older man to repeat the concepts a few times, he still threw himself at the task as best he could. It was no different, he reasoned, from many of the things he had learned while he was with Jiraiya, though the lessons themselves might be on a different subject.
How did one learn, though, doing…that, though? He could barely think strait when he was so close to Genma, so many emotions whirling through him that he could only just respond to the soft directions being whispered in his ear. And the man hadn't even kissed him! Not for real, anyway. It had all just been the close proximity and those teasing, fleeting touches. It wasn't like anything he had felt before so how was he going to do this and still be able to focus? It seemed an impossible task.
Then he thought of actually having sex with Genma and the resulting blush nearly scalded the top layer of skin from his cheeks.
With a soft groan, he sunk down to the floor and leaned against the table with his head in his hands. This was not at all how things were supposed to go. He was supposed to go out, find Sasuke so he could drag his sorry ass home and then become as strong as he possibly could so one day, he could finally become Hokage. This was unexpected and, frankly, unwanted, deviating from the plan he had set. Yet even as he sat staring at the darkness of the inside of his eyelids and watching his dream slowly become smaller and smaller as it retreated from his grasping fingers, he knew he would follow this through until the end. Even if it meant learning how to seduce another man so perfectly they couldn't see past his mask to the spy underneath, then that was what he would do.
Naruto whined pitifully against the cradle of his hands.
What had he gotten himself into?
...To be continued
yes, for those of you who didn't read the author's note, I did change the time frame. The two months was not a mistake and I did fix it in the first chapter too.
