Hey, nice seeing you again. Thanks for reading this far and the reviews are much appreciated. Heh, I just kind of realized something, I made Sasuke out to be a creeper in the end of the last chapter, didn't I? Marvelous.

Disclaimer: These charming characters don't belong to me but the plot does.

Warnings: Rated M for language, some lemons later, and mature(ish) subject matter. This story is YAOI!...obviously. (boyxboy, if that sort of thing is not your cup of tea...LEAVE), the story is alternate universe.

Also: '-' Indicates someone's thought, italics are the past, and the line across the page are changes in POV's. So...to the story?

{So sorry, there seem to be more typos in this section than the rest of the story *facepalm* Just saying, I cannot spell for shit, so just bear with me.}


'Why am I here?' Sasuke wondered to himself as he stared up at the three-story tall complex. It was cold and he shivered, his hands shoved deep down into his jeans' pockets. He was pacing to and fro in front of an electrical pole, his head turned down. He muttered quickly to himself in frustration. The black haired young man stopped every few seconds to gaze back up at the complex. 'I'm fucking insane.'

Only thirty minutes, after intense online searching, Sasuke was able to find the writer Uzumaki Naruto's address. And now he felt sufficiently stalker-like. Never in his life had Sasuke felt so helplessly insane. Never. This was a horrifying first.

What did he expect to happen? Uzumaki would welcome him in with open arms, offer him some tea and they'd get right to it, then? Sasuke shook his head. 'No, he'll have no idea who I am.' This thought made Sasuke come to a halt and put an arm up to support himself with the pole.

"Fuck!" He groaned loudly.

"Hey!" A male voice called from behind him. Sasuke's head whipped around quickly to see a medium-height teen with poofy brown hair glaring at him.

"Yes?" Sasuke asked warily, having a feeling he was near getting his ass handed to him by this teenage punk before him.

"I don't know who you are, but you shouldn't loiter about. You look highly suspicious and this is my boss's place, you should go away." He said in a loud voice, pointing at Sasuke. In turn, Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"Highly..? Who the hell are you?"

"Konohamaru, who's asking." Sasuke instantly made up his mind. 'I'm leaving, I can't do this.'

"No one." Sasuke said curtly before he shuffled down the sidewalk. 'I'm a failure. This little shit scared me off. Good god.' The boy stared after him with some satisfaction on his face. Ridding the world of creepers was all in a day's work for Uzumaki Naruto's self-proclaimed subordinate.


"BOSS!" Konohamaru screamed, slamming the door to the cramped apartment open. He walked out of his shoes, stomping loudly on the wood floor of the flat. He made his way in, only to find the lights out. With a flourish of his hand, Konohamaru had the lights on and glared down at Naruto, who slept on his futon in a strange-fashion. His arms and legs were outstretched far from his body and the sheet twisted around on of his legs, leaving the rest of his body exposed. Konohamaru gently nudged Naruto's stomach, his orange t-shirt had ridden while he slept.

"Go away," Naruto mumbled, rubbing at his eyes as he spoke. Konohamaru pulled the backpack from his shoulders and sat with a loud thud. He looked around the cluttered mess of a room and took notice of the laptop. It was open, yet the screen was dark, it looked as if it hadn't been touched in days.

"How's the writing going?" Konohamaru asked, he was answered with a swift kick to the chest. "Hey!" He cried, coughing. Naruto stood slowly and ignored the whimpering teen.

"You bring me anything?"

"No."

"You should probably go home, isn't it a bit late for young, innocent boys like you to be out?" Naruto asked with a taunting edge, still not looking down. He scratched inside the front of his gray sweatpants audibly.

"Haa, there was this man outside—looked really creepy—I made him go away, just by intimidation. I'm practically a man now." Naruto paid him no attention and stepped off the futon, moving toward the corner that served as the kitchen.

"A man outside?" Naruto looked back at the boy sitting on his floor. "You sure he doesn't live here or something?"

"No, I don't think so. He was walking around quickly and talking to himself."

"Oh really?" Naruto's interest was vaguely piqued. "What did he look like?" Konohamaru looked up at Naruto in confusion.

"What does that matter?"

"If you want to be a writer like me, then you're going to have to work on your observational skills."

"Che, when was the last time you wrote anything, boss?" Konohamaru asked with a sly smile. Naruto rolled his eyes.

"If you don't have any food, leave." The blond grumbled, his writers' block finally getting to him. It had been days since he'd laid a finger on his keyboard. Tonight was the night, he was going to write, whether he liked it or not. Konohamaru was struck by his idol's tone.

"Are you feeling okay?" Konohamaru asked lightly, standing slowly. He'd seen Naruto like this on a few occasions. The last time had been when a manuscript had failed to be accepted and he was about to lose his shit. His breathing was heavy and his face growing redder and angrier with every passing second.

"I'm fine!" Naruto snapped. He stomped to the kitchen and pulled cabinets open, slamming them shut again forcefully. Konohomaru slung his backpack over a shoulder and started toward the door. "Where are you going?" Naruto called.

"To get you some food, calm down and write, you crazy bastard." Konohamaru murmured back dully. The front door closed loudly behind him. Naruto peeked around the corner at the closed door and felt somewhat bad. 'I should go easier on him.' He grudgingly faced his laptop. He tapped it to life and was surprised to see an email from an unknown address waiting for him. '? Who's that?' Naruto opened the email anyway, despite his confusion. He'd use anything to distract himself from writing at this point. Naruto skimmed the email quickly, puzzled, he read it more slowly, thoughtfully.

'Dear friends,

It sure has been a while. The other night, at that party organized by Xxxxxx (Naruto did not recognize the name), I was pleased to see many of the friends and peers I went to highschool with. ('The bitch is lying. She was drunk and saw nothing') This email is being sent out to all of the addresses I could find in regards to the faces I saw. If you don't remember me, I'm Haruno Sakura from Konoha High. (I had pink hair). I recognized this as a perfect "get-together" time for all of us. It's been five years since we've graduated and it pains me to say, I haven't stayed in contact with most of you all.

Anyway, I am arranging a party is upcoming Saturday at my place, the address and more information will be in the attachment provided. Please come, all of you. If not for the fun of seeing old friends, the food will be great (Naruto's eyes had widened at this point).

Please come,

Haruno Sakura'

Naruto's was confused. He had always believed Haruno was a little off. What with her pink hair and scary demeanor, who couldn't be a little unsettled? Naruto pushed the thought of going out of his mind instantly. He already spent time with the high school peers he'd chosen to keep and he didn't see a reason in going. But before deleting the mail from existence, Naruto caught sight of something in the top bar. A name. His name. 'Uchiha Sasuke'. His name, along with dozens of others were in linked in the address bar. 'I could see him again.' Naruto looked up from his screen to the wall behind it. 'Maybe if I see him, I'll be able to clear my head.' Naruto smiled. For the first time in a long time, Naruto was looking forward to a party.


"What the hell is this?" Sasuke asked his pink-haired co-worker, holding up a printed sheet of the email he'd received late the night before. The young man had gotten in late after wandering the streets of the city in the cold, avoiding his apartment like the black plague. He was a mess of shame. 'If it weren't for that stupid kid, I would have walked right up to his room and… And what? And nothing, that's right, you pussy.'

"That, Sasuke is an invite." Sakura said in a snobbish tone, looking back at her computer screen.

"But you see all of us everyday." Sasuke mumbled, looking across the tops of the cubicles. Sakura snorted. Sasuke raised an eyebrow and the girl twisted her chair around to face him.

"I see Shikamaru, Choji, and you. No offense, but you all are not everyone."

"And by everyone you mean?"

"Yes, all the kids from our year, Shino, Kiba, Hinata, you remember them?" She turned back to her computer, typing away furiously. The names had a vague resonance in his brain but Sasuke wasn't entirely sure. He didn't remember much from his high school days for some unknown reason. It wasn't that he had any bad experiences, actually it was quite the contrary. Sasuke was popular, even though he never wanted to be. People, especially the girls never seemed to leave his side, much to the disdain of Sasuke.

"Are you going to go?" Sakura asked, still not taking the time to look back at Sasuke.

"I don't know…" Sasuke said noncommittally, scratched the back of his head in practiced humility.

"You're going. Uzumaki Naruto will be there." Sakura flashed him a knowing smile.

"Who!" Sasuke yelled, causing many heads to perk up from their cubicles, glaring in the direction of the noise. But by then, Sasuke had already leaned into Sakura's space.

"I'm pretty sure you know who." Sakura said meaningfully. "Get back to work, Loverboy." Sasuke gaped at her as he straightened up. He'd never been called that in his life. 'What did she see?'


By the time the two pulled apart from their kiss, Sasuke was already high on Naruto's touch, wanting, needing, aching for more. Naruto's blue eyes danced and he stepped back, a hand still holding Sasuke's gently.

"Let's go dance." He said, his voice surprisingly steady for someone who was definitely drunk. Sasuke nodded weakly, unable to take his eyes away from his lips. Those lips. Sasuke wanted to reach out and feel them against his own. They moved back out into the hall only for Sasuke to collide with an incoming person, them running at full speed.

"Whoa, get out of the way, fag!" He yelled, pushing past Sasuke. Naruto turned on the now-closing bathroom door, a pissed look in his eyes. Sasuke watched, amazed as Naruto moved quickly past him, slamming the door to the bathroom open.

"Hey, this fag is about to kick your ass!" He screamed, storming into the room. Something told the black-haired boy to stay out of the way and he leaned back against the cool wall, listening.

"Hey, what are you…WHOA! STOP! PLEASE! HOLY SHIT MA—" The other guy was yelling before Sasuke heard repetitive dull thuds. Sasuke wondered in his half-aware state if he should stop the assault taking place in the bathroom behind him. But, just as he leaned away from the wall, Naruto slowly opened the door, the large guy from before shuffled his way out. His face was bloodied and bruised and he squinted out at Sasuke through enflamed eyes.

"I-I'm sorry."

"And," Naruto coaxed, moving past him, causing the man to flinch ever-so-slightly.

"I-I'm an asshole."

"You'd better believe you are." Naruto chided, crossing his arms over his chest, smiling proudly. He glanced at Sasuke, who was still looking at the man, his face blank. "Hey, come one, I feel like dancing and getting wasted." He tugged playfully on Sasuke upper arm, turning him.

"But aren't you already?" Naruto rose an eyebrow. "Oh fuck it, sure." Sasuke shrugged, appearing nonchalant. But he was happy for any excuse to stay longer with him.

Soon, the two found themselves back on the dance floor, the music had swapped artists to Ratatat. The crowd was just as active as it had been before they left. How long had it been? Sasuke couldn't be sure. He was sure, however their kiss hadn't lasted long enough. He looked at Naruto in the flashing strobe light, surprised to see him peering back him. Naruto smiled faintly and, without thinking, Sasuke returned it. Naruto's mouth seemed to fall open and he leaned in close to Sasuke.

"Can I kiss you right now?" He asked into Sasuke's ear. The black-haired one felt a shiver travel down to his toes.

"Y-yes." Naruto laughed lightly, though it was nearly impossible to hear in the loud club. And, with dozens of people dancing wildly around them, the colored lights traveling over the contours of their connected faces, Sasuke and Naruto kissed.


Saturday morning found Naruto wide awake and ready to function. He showered as soon as he leapt from his crumpled futon. And, coming out of the bathroom, steam flowing off his still wet body, Naruto took in his mess of a room. How had he let it get to this? Clothes layered the floor, were draped over pieces of furniture, and some were serving as makeshift curtains made in Naruto's rushed attempts at creating eternal darkness.

Naruto took these on first, slowly peeling the articles of clothing off the windows, revealing bright, new light. His golden hair glowed radiantly. He was giddy, yet he didn't know why. 'Yes you do?' It was the anticipation toward that night. He didn't care about the fact it was a party and he'd be seeing people he hadn't for years. Old friends, foes, and flames (not like there had been any of those to begin with). He was aching to see him.

Naruto remembered back to the morning following his night with Sasuke. His place was empty except for himself. The room was in its usual disarray, but smelled faintly of a cologne Naruto couldn't recognize. He had stumbled to his bathroom, feeling the familiar soreness in his rear-end associated with rough nights with drunken straight guys. He could feel the growing dread in his body as he stared at himself in the mirror.

His face was still flushed. 'Strange.' Naruto had thought, feeling the warmness on his cheeks. He was soon taken over by a yawn. His mind was a blank about the night before and he looked down at his hands. The knuckles were scabbed over and Naruto raised an eyebrow. 'Interesting.' The blond was so accustomed to waking up without memories of the night before it scared him.

However, where he usually felt nothing but a throbbing pain and pangs of regret, Naruto felt different, he felt alive somehow. 'What the hell?' He tried not to think about it has he took a quick shower. As the warm water rained down on his body, he gasped as a thought struck him.

Black hair, dark eyes, pale skin, cool caresses, low moans. Naruto's blue eyes widened as he remembered fragments of that night. Though they were only short instances, they left Naruto wanting more. 'Who is this guy?' Warm hands held Naruto's and he couldn't believe what he was recalling. Naruto hadpunched the shower off and tumbled out of it.

"What the fuck?" He'd wondered aloud.

Now, two weeks later, the images were still fresh in his brain and Naruto was ready for that night. 'Now, if only tonight will come sooner…' And, to pass the time, Naruto did the unthinkable, he cleaned his apartment.


Unlike Naruto, Sasuke took hours to crawl from his bed. He lay under the thick layers of blanket and sheet, wallowing. His black hair was a mess around his face, yet he didn't care. Light was peeking through his curtains, a nice strip of light landing directly on his closed lids. Sasuke groaned low and long, covering his face. Never had he felt like this before. Feelings of dread and apprehension and excitement moved through him as he slowly sat up in bed. He only wore loose boxers and his pale upper body was covered in goosebumps, though he was pretty sure it wasn't from the cool air.

"I can't go." Sasuke coughed into the phone five minutes later.

"Yes you can." Sakura mumbled back, her voice sounding as if she herself had just crawled out of bed.

"No really, I'm sick." Sasuke tried the coughing again, failing completely.

"Cut the bullshit, Sasuke. You just don't want to go because Naruto is going." Sasuke didn't reply. She was right. He was nervous, afraid Naruto would have no idea who he was. Or worse, he would remember the night Sasuke had forgotten, and Naruto's feelings wouldn't mirror his own. "He asked if you were going to be there." Sakura said, the sound of running water in the background.

"What?" Sasuke yelled, bewildered. Sakura chuckled.

"Yup. Listen, Sasu, I've got to go. See you there, and make sure you look good."

"Okay." He hung up then and stared out before him at the white, nearly empty closet space. 'Sasu?'

?

Sakura's house was surprisingly nice Sasuke noted as he strolled up to the front door. He'd ridden the train. Living in the city, Sasuke saw no reason to buy a car. People dressed in semi-formal attire made Sasuke feel out of place with his navy-trimmed cardigan and his archaic Chucks he'd gotten back in middle school, yet still seemed to fit. Girls turned to take in the new guy as he entered the house. Some squealed, remembering that inscrutable face, but most whispered. Sasuke nodded to guys he remembered and bowed faintly to girls he'd rejected.

The music was low and reminded Sasuke of the elevator music in his work building that always made him begin to nod off as he traveled up to his floor. People were drinking a wide array, varying from water to champagne and beer to sake. Sasuke found himself before the table of food samples, staring down at the platters of lame snacks. Sasuke was beginning to regret coming when he caught sight of them.

Red, round, ripe, delectable, the tomatoes were just waiting to be eaten. His stomach rumbled loudly, a couple faces turned in his direction. Sasuke reached out, groping for the tomatoes when he was nearly assaulted from behind.

"Uchiha!" A male voice screamed and Sasuke turned around swiftly, whacking his attacker in the side of the face. "What the fuck?" The brunet yelled, clutching his face. A faint blush colored Sasuke's cheeks as he realized who this guy was.

"Kiba?"

"Yes, it's Kiba. First, Naruto gropes me, then you smack me. Not a good week for me." Kiba muttered.

"Sorry." Sasuke said, looking to the ground. Kiba waved him off, taking his hand from his tattooed cheek.

"So when did you start hanging out with Uzumaki?"

"Uh…"

"I've never seen him try to get into a club that hard, not in a long while. You must mean a lot to him." Kiba said quietly. Sasuke said nothing. He really wanted to go now. He wanted to get away and never see any of these people again. But just as he began to back away from Kiba and the table of vegetables and fruits, Naruto came bursting through a doorway.

"This music sucks!" He yelled, causing a few people to start. They all looked in the direction of the voice to see the blond fury they all recognized.

"Naruto! Show some respect!" Sakura yelled back at him, following into the living room behind him. Her face reddened as she saw the majority of the party had congregated in there. "Oh, hello." She said weakly. The crowd welcomed her into the room and she flashed Naruto stinging glares. He paid her no attention.

"Who's that?"

"He's cute." A few girls whispered to their friends, only to get baffled looks back.

"Uzumaki Naruto. God, he's changed." It was the truth Naruto had changed since their time in high school. He was no longer the shortest guy around, having grown. His hair, once revered as a crazy mess now looked stylishly disheveled. Sasuke's memories of him did not do Naruto justice. He was, for a lack of a better word, hot. Yet, the blond didn't seem to be aware of this.

He wore a thin orange t-shirt with the words, "Believe it!" scrawled in large, loopy type and skinny black jeans, which looked reasonable on him. His blue eyes were playful as he smirked at Sakura.

"Come on, Sakura-chan, let's get some good music going." He whined fakely, crossing through the crowd toward the stereo system, girls' eyes following him wherever he went. Sakura sighed quickly in through her nose and walked away. Naruto grinned and he pulled his ipod from his pocket. He easily connected it to the system and hit play. Daft Punk's Face to Face soon hit their ears and people began to loosen up. Sasuke had to pull his eyes away from the blond to feel less like a stalker.

"Hey, Naruto, come over here!" Kiba yelled. Sasuke stared at Kiba with a look of horror on his face. 'Shitshitshitshitshit.' Sasuke's eyes quickly found the white-carpeted floor when he heard Naruto calling back.


^ If only Sasuke actually thought things like this that would just be perfect. Really, I wonder what he thinks most of the time. It's probably random shit along the lines of winning, winning, winning, Naruto, winning, winning, etc. Damn, I have an ear infection and possibly a sore throat. WINNING!

Currently listening to...All I Ever Wanted ~ The Airborne Toxic Event