Title: The Arranged Marriage

Author: Praecipula

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Rating: M

Pairings: SasuNaru

Authors note: I'm glad you like the story so far. Thank you so much for reviewing. And though Sasuke will be possessive in this story, it isn't much than how a regular lover treats the other. Meaning he will not be overly-possessive to the point of being downright creepy. They're still kids so please be patient with me. He will, on the other hand, deal with his emotions stupidly.


Chapter 2: Just Like Butterflies

The class of Grade six Section one in Konohagakure Elementary School assumed the roles of mummified zombies. While it is in Naruto's opinion but one lone bastard was making that idea seems unconvincing when he was listening to their Science professor intently. Who does that in Science class? But of course, Sasuke was one of those grade conscious students despite being friends with Naruto and he seemed stubborn in excelling in everything. The pain.

Naruto glowered when Sasuke continued ignoring his small whistle. He tore a paper from his blank notebook and crumpled it. Pretending to having made a mistake when Ebisu glanced at him suspiciously, Naruto waited for his right chance. Ebisu turned his back and continued drawing a diagram. It was then that Naruto, ever a genius kid, threw the crumpled paper in Sasuke's back. Their classmates briefly shook their head, not daring to say anything because they knew better than to mess with the two boys.

Sasuke's back tensed but remained stubbornly taking notes. Naruto's lips tightened. "Hey, you bastard, look at me!" he hissed but the duck-butt styled hair only gave a slight twitch.

Crumpling another paper, Naruto threw it at his friend's back again. Three. Four. Five. If Naruto weren't so focused in tearing five papers from his notebook, he would have noticed the foreboding aura that Ebisu was exuding. The teacher grinned in a way that made his other students shiver in fear except for the Uzumaki kid who threw another paper at a now pissed Sasuke.

"Naruto! Get out of the room!"

"But Sasuke-"

"Sasuke, you too. Get out of the room. Now."

"I'm not even doing anything!" The Uchiha debated and remained glued to his seat.

"I said now, or would you prefer I send you to the principal office, again?!"

The other students watched as Naruto almost happily skipped to the front of the class and snatched a growling Sasuke to the door. The students remained silent, Ebisu's angry huffs the only constant sound. After a minute, Ebisu plastered on a fake smile and returned to drawing his diagram. The class released a relieved sigh, Ebisu usually rage war on them too whenever he was disturbed from his lesson.

Outside the class, Naruto was busy prying off Sasuke from the door. "Sasuke-come on, you can have Ino's notes afterwards!"

Sasuke tried to shrug off the incessant hands, beyond annoyed. "Stop it Naruto, we have a quiz tomorrow and all I can do is listen from here since you stupidly made Teacher Ebisu angry again!"

"But I'm so boooored~~~" Naruto dramatically fell down on his feet and gripped Sasuke's pants. "Come on, I have something to show you in the Leaf field!"

"Will you keep quiet?" Sasuke snapped angrily. "Or he might hear us again."

Blue-eyes blinked owlishly. Sasuke had a minute to regret having said that before the blond moron screamed at the top of his lungs. "Teacher Ebiiisuuuuuu, please let us in!"

The door to the classroom opened with a bang, making the two kids scrambled back. Ebisu looked a maniac as he snarled at them. "Go to the garden or I swear I will be saying things not appropriate for a teacher!"

Naruto's lips curved into a grin as Sasuke gripped his arm and dragged him away hurriedly. "T'was what I have been saying."

They walked through the hollow corridors of the school. It was naturally deserted because it was only one pm, two hours before dismissal and all the students just got back from their break. Naruto could feel his friend's irritation as they went out to the garden.

"Come on S'uke, I have something to show you." He beamed and run towards the direction of Leaf Field.

Sasuke debated with himself whether he should just ignore the other but his curiosity in finding out what was the thing that Naruto was so excited about. He followed the blond to the Leaf Field which was actually a forest underdeveloped by the school. The teacher always said it was off limits but since kindergarten, they always managed to sneak off the broken barbed wire. It was not like they were bears in it or anything. He could remember confessing to Itachi about it when they first discovered it and feeling guilty. Itachi just poked his forehead and told him what a great child he was in breaking rules and may he continue to do so.

Crawling under the barbed wire, he called out to Naruto to slow down but the blond was already hurrying ahead. He sighed and ran faster. He frowned when Naruto went deeper into the woods. They haven't explored that far yet and he was uncertain in going past in their limits.

"Naruto, this isn't safe anymore!" he yelled but Naruto's laugh was the only answer.

He pressed his lips together. The blond was getting more and more delinquent. Sasuke had no trouble going with his little adventures but his grades were his priorities too. But if he could choose one, he knew Naruto would always be at the top. Frowning, he actually did get a bit worried when he could no longer hear Naruto's steps. He fastened his steps as tree leaves around him seems to grow larger. Heart-beating fast, he was about to scream for Naruto's name again when he was greeted with a clearing and...a tree house?

Naruto's smile was unmatched, perfect white teeth showing as he beamed down at his stunned dark-haired friend from the treehouse. "So, whadya think?"

"You built this?" Sasuke's voice croaked, overwhelmed.

Naruto blanched. "Of course not, idiot. I found this when I got bored yesterday." Sasuke was absent then from school because of a mild flu that refused to go away in the weekends. He was bored to death in class again so he sneaked off and decided to explore further in the forest.

Clearing his throat from the mild out-of-character reaction, Sasuke moved to the small wooden stairs and climbed upwards. The tree house looked old but was still looked sturdy and awesome, the only words to describe it. He peeked inside and saw a small bed, a bedside table, a table but without chairs. The leaves from the trees fell majestically around the house that gave it the Christmas like atmosphere. He stepped towards the small balcony Naruto was sitting and sat beside him.

"It's beautiful." Naruto raised his arms and leaned against the wooden pillar. He was startled though when he felt Sasuke touching his ear, only to find a small flower tucked inside.

"It's beyond beautiful." The raven gazed at his blond friend intensely, his hand cupping one cheek.

"Yeah?" Naruto asked breathlessly, mind going blank. He always feel so treasured when Sasuke become like this, act like this. He wasn't sure if Sasuke knew it but this tender expression appears on his face, so different in how he looks at other people. Naruto would never get tired of being looked at like this.

"Can I kiss you?" The raven asked out of the blue, leaning closer.

Naruto's breathe hitch. "What?"

"I want…you to be my first kiss." Sasuke's other hand came up to wrapped around his back, pressing their chest together as he gazed at the blond with determination

Lids already fluttering close, he bit his lip and nodded. "Okay.." he said softly.

It was just a peck though but for the two, it felt like an explosion. Naruto's heart was racing as their lips separated, still uncertain on what will they do next. The raven seemed content enough though and buried his face between the blonde's neck.

A small butterfly incidentally appeared and landed on Sasuke's shoulder. Naruto was struck with the image of cheesy movies, but was too far giddy to scold himself. He smiled at Sasuke and snuggled closer. "Don't ever stop making me feel like this S'uke."

"Like what?" The littlest Uchiha murmured in his hair.

"Like…butterflies.

"Why? Why butterflies?"

"It feels like…" Naruto's cheek reddened in his embarrassment. Why does it feel like he's confessing all of a sudden? "There are butterflies in my stomach whenever you hold me like this."

Sasuke's hand stilled for a moment before pulling Naruto even closer. "Me too. It means I'm precious to you as much as you are to me."

Naruto eyes fluttered sleepily. He felt so comfortable in his friend's arm. If there was a song currently playing, he would sure fall asleep. It was like Sasuke read his thoughts exactly when he pulled out his phone and played a song from the blonde's favorite local band.

"Don't do that~~" Naruto nearly whined, but half of his body was draping against the raven. "I'll fall asleep."

Sasuke released a contented sigh and leaned back, arms still around his friend. "Then sleep, idiot."

It was almost three o'clock when Sasuke woke with a jolt. His eyes widened when he saw the time on his wrist watch. He shook the still sleeping blond in his arms gently.

"Naruto..." he tapped one cheek. "Naruto, wake up, it's almost three. Father is going to fetch us in the gate for the dinner tonight, remember?"

No, Naruto was not in the mood to remember but he woke up and rubbed at his sleeping eyes. Nodding, he got up and moved behind Sasuke to go down the treehouse. He was in mid-yawning when his foot accidentally caught up between one of the narrower step. His eyes widened briefly before he came tumbling down.

Sasuke was already on the ground and was walking towards the exit when he heard the pained yelp followed by a loud thump. He whirled around and screamed Naruto's name in panic when he saw him curled in half on the ground.

"What happened?" He was instantly by his friend's side. Trying to touch the blond' head, he froze when his hand came back with blood.

Naruto winced at the hotness he felt in his cheeks. He looked up at the shocked raven before gently touching the cuts caused by the fall. Pale hand seized his owns. "Don't." Sasuke breathed out in fear. "You might get them infected. We need to go to the clinic now."


The school's clinic was located ironically just beside the principal office. Shizune, the doctor in charge, had suspicion it was because students will soon need to explain to the principal whether why they got injured or why they would need to sleep freely on the bed. Fortunately, most students didn't find it themselves to lie having a fever just so they could skip lass and brawls never required clinical assistance, in fear of facing the school's principal and having their parent's called.

Shizune was in the middle of washing her hands when the door to the clinic opened. She turned off the faucet and went to the entrance. Her forehead immediately knotted when she saw the Uchiha kid fussing nonstop in front of his blond friend.

"Sasuke? What happened?" she moved closer.

Sasuke turned to her, panic clearly visible in his eyes. "Naruto fell and he cut his cheeks."

Shizune shook her head when she saw three cuts on each tanned skin. She smiled gently to ease off the Uchiha and Uzumaki's worry. "Let me take a closer look, okay?"

Naruto nodded as Sasuke moved beside him, arms still on his shoulder. It didn't sting that much anymore but the raven was in full panic mode, making the blond nervous too. Shizune gripped his chin and looked at the cuts. Sighing, she moved to the drawer with medical supplies and got out the necessary equipment.

"Can you move to this bed?" Shizune motioned to one of the clinic beds as she sat on it. Naruto nodded and transferred, the raven still attached to his hips. She almost gave out a teasing smile but decided the two were definitely not in fooling mood today. "The cuts are not that deep so you don't need to worry. Even so, Sasuke can you call his parents?"

Sasuke looked reluctant but nodded in defeat. He was sure it was the doctor's way of warning them for the consequences of being out of the school when it was clearly class time.

"Why were you out of the class?" Shizune asked the blond innocently when the Uchiha left the room. She was confident that he would answer truthfully.

Naruto fidgeted a bit but stayed still when the alcohol finally met contact with his cuts. "Ebisu ordered us out of the room." He answered when the cotton balls were gone.

Shizune's brow arched. "Oh? And you didn't report this to the principal? That's against our school policy, you know?"

Blue eyes widened in panic. He didn't want to get his teacher in trouble but by Shizune's expression, he knew this would reach the Principal's office. "No, it's because of me. I deliberately made him mad so he can throw me and Sasuke out!"

Shizune sighed while she unwrap the bandages. " Naruto, your parents are paying for your tuition. You might not have realized it yet but the money they are spending on you is from their hard works. They wouldn't want to know that their son, whom they give everything to, is just skipping classes."

"I'm sorry." Naruto mumbled, bowing his head in apology. "It won't happen again."

Shizune finished off putting bandages and ruffled the blonde's head. Smiling, she got up from the bed. "No need to apologize Naruto as long as I know that you're sincere."

"You bet!" Naruto beamed.

Their eyes shifted to the door though when a crying girl made her way inside. She was probably a sixth-grader like him. Her mid length dark hairs clung to her face, wet by tears. Shizune was already by her side.

"What happened?" She tried prying off the fingers pressed to the girl's eyes but it refused to budge. "Who made you cry?"

"I-I.." The girl was now visibly trembling from head to toe and release yet another loud cry as she slump to the floor.

Naruto's heart clenched. He didn't like it when he saw other people cry. He moved beside the girl and tried to cheer her up. "What happen? Why don't you tell your big brother who made you cry and I'll bet him to pulp!" In support, he thrust out his fist.

The girl peeked from her fingers and stared at the brave blond. She looked hesitant but her eyes flashed in anger in remembering the event. "My classmate N-Natsume peeked into my skirt! And and..and my father said that..if-if others s-saw my p-panties, I will never ever get married!" On cue, her crying resumed, with more vengeance a.k.a trashing around.

Shizune felt relief that it wasn't anything serious. She tried hugging the girl for comfort. "It's okay, nothing wrong with not getting married."

The girl's cry only got louder. "Noo! I don't wanna be an old maid!"

Naruto's shoulder dropped when the doctor continued convincing the little girl that she wouldn't need a husband to make her happy. From his experience though, he couldn't imagine being happy without Sasuke. Their parents told them that they would marry each other in the future and that was one of the things he really looked forward to. The little girl deserved to have that happiness that he imagined too.

He laid his arm around her shoulder. "Can I ask for your name?"

"H-Hinata." She sniffled, turning puffed eyes to him.

"Don't worry about it!" Naruto put up a thumbs-up. "I'll find a man who will marry you no matter what!"

"But-But what if..there isn't?" Hinata looked in the verge of crying again.

Naruto thought for a minute. Is it okay if he marries two people? Deciding that there was no harm in saying it, he tucked a stray hair from Hinata's cheeks to her ear. "Then I'll marry you."

"Really?" Hinata's eyes brightened. "Will you promise-"

"Naruto."

Three pair of eyes snapped towards the source of the voice. Sasuke was standing by the door, face impassive. Shizune knew he heard what his friend said and recognized the undoubtedly jealousy on the raven's face. Hinata looked frightened but Naruto, used by his friend's mood swings, just grinned.

"Did you call mom?" He jumped to his feet then grabbed Hinata's hand to pull her up.

Sasuke stared in silent anger. Really. Always like this.

"What did she say? Is she angry?" Naruto continued asking. He was surprised when the raven just turned his back without saying anything else.

"Who's that?" Hinata curiously pointed a finger to the strange boy.

A blush appeared in the blonde's cheek. Scratching his head, a habit he have when he did when nervous, and murmured. "My future husband."

Hinata's newly found smile dropped. "Then you can't marry me."

"Why?"

Shizune wanted to face palm. These kids are talking about marriage without even having voter's IDs! "Naruto, you can't marry two people at the same time."

"Oh." Naruto's shoulder dramatically sagged. "Then I'm so sorry Hinata-chan, it's only Sasuke I can marry."

The little girl nodded in defeat, tears coming up. "I will really grow up alone."

Drawing the girl inside her arms, the nurse patted her back. "Don't worry Hinata-chan. You are so beautiful, I'm sure you will have lots of suitors."

Naruto was about to further comfort her when his mother's voice startled him. He didn't have time to face her as she was already hugging him tightly. Red-hairs tickled his nose, making him sneeze.

"What happened Naruto?" Kushina pulled back a little, enough to see the bandages on his cheeks.

"I wouldn't advise you to do that!" Shizune intervened when she saw the red-haired woman about to peel the bandage in her need to see just how much injury. "Don't worry, Ma'am, they're minor cuts, I'm sure they'll be fine as long as the bandages are changed regularly."

Kushina finally breathed in relief. "Oh thank god, I was so worried! I drove here as soon as possible. I haven't even told your dad."

"Mom, it's okay." Naruto beamed. "Sasuke and Ms. Shizune took care of me."

"I know. I'm glad." The red-haired hugged her son again before standing up. She gave the doctor a thankful bow. "Thank you for treating him as soon as possible."

"My job Ma'am."

Kushina smiled back and ushered her son out of the room. Naruto looked back his shoulder and gave Hinata a small wave which she returned with a small smile. They walked towards the parking lot, Naruto noticing his mom hadn't even had time to call Kisame and drove alone.

"Mom, how about Sasuke?" he inquired, looking around to search for the familiar hair style amidst the students on their way home.

Kushina pushed open the car's door and waited for Naruto to get inside. "He said he has something else to do and that you can meet up tonight at the dinner instead."

"Okay." Naruto fished out the phone in his pocket and sent a quick text to Sasuke asking what he had to do.

But they already arrived home and the raven still hadn't replied.


TO BE CONTINUED…

Please review! And oh, I'm gonna shamelessly advertise my newest NaruSasu one-shot so you can check it out. :D