Title: "Ask Me Instead"
Author: i gaara
Disclaimer: Kishimoto owns NARUTO. I'm merely toying with the characters.
Author Notes: Words that are italic and within single quotation marks ('blah blah') are thoughts and the Kyuubi talking. And since this is an AU, I shall make the Naruto gang four years older. I can't picture them as twelve year olds throughout this ordeal.
Chapter 2: 4:34 AM
The smoothness of Sasuke's skin formed goose bumps as another shiver rippled and enveloped his slouched body. It was faint, but he could sense someone close, watching them - breathing down his neck. It made him feel uneasy.
"Sa-Sasuke, can you...get off now?"
Sasuke was half certain he had heard Naruto's meek spoken words and turned his attention back to the blonde, only to find Naruto's gaze on him.
It wasn't the first time he caught Naruto staring at him with such intent, and it wasn't the first time he felt compelled to return the gaze.
Sasuke never regarded the action more than twice before now; it was simply a method of communication between the two, one in which he was peculiarly pleased with. It provoked fewer headaches since no one was subjected to the silliness of insults.
At the beginning, Naruto would glare - a show of his determination and resentment when Sasuke performed better during missions and training sessions. The glares then shaped into bigger grins from Naruto and smirks on Sasuke's part. And in spite of everything, Sasuke couldn't help but be surprised each time Naruto got a reaction from him. Perhaps it was a result of rivalry but Sasuke couldn't understand why he kept following his lead, or why it didn't bother him with the way it was now: the silent stares.
Sasuke scanned Naruto, taking in the almost dried blood plastered upon his hair, the dirt smudged across his cheeks, the light quivering of lips, and the dispirited cerulean eyes. Out of all features Naruto possessed, his eyes attracted the most attention because they were rare - they spoke volumes. And right now, they were telling him someone was around. But before Sasuke could search his surroundings, a familiar voice called their names.
It was their Sensei.
Sasuke quickly removed himself off Naruto and made his way towards Kakashi, but not without surveying the area. There was no one in sight.
"There won't be a mission tomorrow but we will still meet in the morning for further instructions." Both boys nodded in agreement and waited to be dismissed. "Tsunade-sama will want to know you got home safely, Naruto. Come with me."
Naruto looked at Sasuke, his face worn with defeat and fatigue, and trailed after Kakashi without objection. Sasuke observed the two as they walked away, occasionally sparing quick glances elsewhere for the unknown prowler. He still couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
And then, faster than the pair had left, Kakashi came sprinting back.
"I need you to watch Naruto tonight."
"Why me?"
"You're his teammate, and better suited for the job than Sakura. Can I count on you to do this simple task?" Kakashi smiled underneath his mask; he was certain Sasuke would take the bait.
"Of course," Sasuke huffed.
"Good. Gather your things and be there before sundown."
"Yes sir."
"Oh, and Sasuke - be nice," Kakashi warned before retracing his steps back to Naruto. Moments later, Naruto sent a nod towards Sasuke, an act to confirm his consent. He had expected Naruto to shout, outraged by the arrangement, but the blonde appeared unfazed. Perhaps the news of Iruka's death was finally weighing on his mind.
A shadow in Sasuke's memory stirred. Just how many restless nights had he spent replaying the horrific night his clan was murdered? His thoughts would churn simply by being in the estate. It was torture, and he knew it would be for Naruto as well.
Maybe he could play nice.
Chilling but placid breezes mingled with blanched curtains as they gained entry into Naruto's unkempt bedroom. Clad in orange shorts, Naruto stretched across his bed with a thin blanket draped over his body. He shuddered in anticipation, waiting for another swift flow of air, and quickly shoved the blanket off his limbs.
He couldn't welcome warmth when Iruka was somewhere ice cold, and dead.
Naruto groaned, curled into a ball and focused his eyes on the first object he could distinguish in the dim room.
His Chuunin vest.
Without a delay of hesitation, Naruto secured his eyes shut and buried his face into his pillow.
He despised the vest. It was a reminder of Iruka and everywhere he turned, it was there. Naruto couldn't bear it. He had already tackled down a passer-by that wore the vest and suffered the consequences when Tsunade found out. Since then, he was rarely assigned missions around the village. Not that he minded.
Naruto grumbled once more and tossed over, facing the opposite direction of the dreadful vest. What was he supposed to do? He had Tsunade, Kakashi, Sakura and Sasuke but the list seemed so wrong without Iruka. He was the first person to truly embrace him with the knowledge of the Kyuubi and the others were forced into it. Kakashi, Sakura, Sasuke… they had to tolerate him since they were placed in the same team. They couldn't possibly care for him, not like Iruka.
A loud hammering on his front door broke Naruto out of his reverie. He knew it was Sasuke but remained on the bed, hoping his stoic teammate would leave. However, Sasuke was persistent and continued his abuse on the door. So, throwing both legs off the bed, Naruto gained his footing and journeyed to the source of ruckus.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Regardless, the hammering continued. "What the hell is your problem? People could be sleeping!" he yelled as he slammed the door wide open.
"Then I'd suggest next time you don't open the door so loudly." Sasuke's lips stretched into a smirk at the immediate scowl Naruto gave him. Not even a minute together and he was already bickering.
"You don't have to be here, you know?"
"I know." A wave of silence passed, and Naruto believed Sasuke would in fact leave until he asked, "Are you going to let me inside?"
A small smile occupied Naruto's lips as most ill feelings faded with his question. They both knew he wouldn't tell Kakashi if he disobeyed these specific orders, but Sasuke decided he would stay anyway. It was… nice. Therefore, he stepped aside for Sasuke to enter.
Once inside, Sasuke's eyes batted around the two-in-one living room and kitchen, and was amazed at how adequately clean it was.
Naruto motioned Sasuke to sit down on a couch discolored in a run-down green, and sat on a kitchen counter near an opened window. Sasuke stationed his backpack beside his leg and settled down on the couch, not before noticing Naruto's lack of clothing.
"Do you, uh, want something to drink or...to eat?"
"What do you have to eat?"
"Well, I have Ramen… and…" Naruto paused as he tried to remember a list of foods. None came to mind.
Sasuke's face broke into a brief smile as the introspective silence continued. Of course Naruto would only have his favorite meal.
"Is this where I'm sleeping?"
"What?" Naruto twisted his body away from the window, confused at the change of subject.
"Am – I – sleeping - here?" Sasuke slowly rolled out each word, making sure Naruto would hear every one.
"Oh. Ohh! Yeah."
"Well, we should get some rest then."
"Okay, but my room is off limits!" Naruto didn't want Sasuke to see the big mess in his bedroom after seeing the only uncluttered room in the apartment.
Just before Naruto locked himself in his bedroom, Sasuke called out his name.
"What do you want now Oh Mighty Sasuke?"
"You'll be fine, right?"
"Huh? Why? Would you cuddle me or watch as I slept if I said no? I thought you wouldn't pity me."
Sasuke grimaced at Naruto's mocking smile, and turned away. "If you're not ready on time in the morning, I'm leaving without you."
"Yeah, yeah. I got it," Naruto said before he noisily shut the door.
Sasuke tossed and turned on Naruto's faded couch, still unable to find a comfortable position. The cushions were so flattened that it caused Sasuke to wonder why Naruto kept such a worthless piece of furniture. It made sleep nearly impossible.
But it wasn't long before Naruto would be awake, Sasuke thought. The sky once again glowed with a hue of orange, creating gold above the horizon. It was a signal of his triumph and Sasuke savored the image before facing the clock hanging high on the wall. It read 4:34 AM. Only an hour and twenty-six minutes remained, and then it was mission complete. It was an easy -
A noise caught Sasuke's attention and he spun around to where the sound originated: Naruto's room. It wasn't loud, but it was loud enough to be heard in the muted apartment. Nimbly, Sasuke's feet rose not to make a sound as he advanced across the room. He pressed his head against the door, listening intently for any movement or sound.
There was nothing.
Sasuke wanted to assume Naruto was now stirring awake and had struck something in the process, but it was never safe to assume anything with the idiot. He would just have to see what Naruto was doing.
Sasuke firmly wrapped his hand around the doorknob and before he could twist it open, a bestial screech penetrated his ears. Sasuke immediately pushed against the door, but to his dismay, it was locked.
"Naruto? What's going on in there?"
"Go...aw-way!"
Naruto's response triggered Sasuke's imagination of the worst and a rant of profanities that would make even Tsunade cringe.
"If you don't open the door right now, I'll break it open!"
Sasuke waited for a reply - anything that would confirm the blonde was fine. But only silence greeted his ears, and so he resolved to make quick work on the door. If Naruto refused to heed his warning, he would just have to reinforce his words by opening it forcibly.
Sasuke gritted his teeth with every ram he dispensed on the thick wooden door. He repeated every shove with equal amount of force as the last and soon enough, the door flew open.
Sasuke's eyes searched the room and immediately rested on the metallic object on the floor, next to Naruto's bed. Wearily, he went to pick the kunai, his palm soon slippery with what covered the sharp tool.
"I thought I told y-you to...go away."
Sasuke wheeled around and sighed at the sight he saw: Naruto sat curled up in a corner with blood painted on his hands.
Sasuke threw down the kunai on the bed and asked, "Where is it?"
Naruto refused to make eye contact with Sasuke, but still answered his question knowingly. There was no way Sasuke would leave him alone anyway.
"It's...in the bathroom."
Sasuke stood briefly to examine Naruto, wondering how severe the wound was, but quickly turned away to retrieve the first aid.
Only an hour and twenty-six minutes were left and he failed.
Author Comments (Edit):
I had a hard time editing this chapter for some odd reason. I ended up removing a lot of parts, such as Naruto's rage fit (InARealPickle pointed something out to me and I realized they were correct, so the scene doesn't really work), replaced the dialogue between Sasuke and Kakashi, and expanded more on things that are crucial to the story. But all in all, it's still the same chapter. Although I'm not entirely pleased with it, I think this version turned out better. Everyone seems to be in character more.
Anyway, please continue to review! It means a lot to me!
