This chapter is a filler BUT it may be the last chapter since I am entirely displeased with the amount of reviews I'm getting. Many thanks to the very few who have reviewed so far, but I'm still deeply hurt that so many of you have read this story and haven't even bothered to leave a little encouragement. Anyway, please enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor do I make any profit from writing this.
Why him? Of all people why him? Naruto was sitting cross-legged on his bed rifling through his bags from the day. He didn't want to see anyone, or talk to anyone, or even think about anyone but himself at the moment.
Seriously, how cruel could his lazy bastard of a coach be to do that? Kakashi knew that the pair hated each other. And what the fuck was Kiba doing looking so smug? Inuzuka ended up with Jugo, that quiet and rather hefty orange-haired guy that hangs out with Sasuke, for god's sake. If anything, Naruto should be the one being smug here, Kiba was going to get smashed and laughed at for not maintaining his time placement above Jugo's.
"OI NARUTO! DINNER'S READY, COME DOWN AND EAT!" Iruka's voice issued up the stairs.
"I'M NOT HUNGRY, 'RUKA, I DON'T WANT TO EAT!" The blonde didn't want to have to "'fess up" to his adopted father on Kakashi's latest cruelty. Last time Kakashi concocted one of his hair-brained schemes, Naruto had passed out from heat exhaustion after a supposedly 'helpful' and 'relaxing' visit to the hot springs, where they were not allowed to leave the water for hours on end. Iruka had nearly bitten the silver haired man's head off he was that furious.
A frustrated Uzumaki heard the light steps of Iruka padding softly up the stairs and slowly come to a stop in his door way. He looked up and scowled, turning back to unpacking his swimming bag from earlier that afternoon. When his towel was successfully flung out of sight and his bathers drying over a door handle, Naruto scouted around for clean things to pack.
"Naruto, stop. No, don't roll your eyes at me, stop. What's wrong?"
"Nothing! Butt out of my business! I'm just not hungry and want to go to bed, that's all." Naruto turned back to unceremoniously shoving a fresh towel and his goggles and cap back into the dark green backpack he used to keep his things in for training.
The blonde heard Iruka sigh and sensed the older man coming closer. Warm arms started to encircle him, threatening to take his manliness by means of a hug.
"OI! GET OFF OF ME, PERV! DON'T BE GROSS!" Naruto blushed furiously, trying to squirm out of the grip held on him.
"NARUTO DON'T CALL ME A PERV WHEN I'M TRYING TO BE NICE AND GIVE YOU AN INNOCENT HUG! NO DINNER FOR YOU TONIGHT, GO STRAIGHT TO BED!" Iruka stomped out of his room and slammed the door, leaving a smirking Naruto being given exactly what he wanted in the first place.
Sasuke smashed through his bedroom door, not even wincing at the resulting sharp pain that blossomed in his shoulder. Tossing his bags on top of the sleek black counter of his desk, the raven curled his shoulders inwards and walked around the room pretending to do things, trying to ignore the appraising eyes aimed at him.
"Sasuke, what's wrong? Why're you throwing a tantrum this time?"
His guardian sauntered over and sat on his bed, head propped up on two fists. "Hm? Not talking? What are you blaming me for this time? Is it something I've done? Or is it Suigetsu or something, he was giving you a funny look earlier at practice-"
A growl ripped its way out of his throat. Practice. The very reason for the downright bitch of a mood he was in. Through clenched teeth, the raven forced out, "It's not Suigetsu, goddamnit it's you. Pairing me with Naruto? Really? Do you want me to jump off the highest diving board onto the concrete or something?"
Sending a fixed glare over his shoulder, Sasuke stomped off into his adjoining bathroom, firmly locking the door. Being surrounded by white should be peaceful, right? Or…like being trapped in a mental asylum. Sighing, the raven reached an arm into the shower and flicked the water on, undressing whilst waiting for the water to heat up.
Why did Kakashi have to make it 2 places down on the board, instead of just 1? Sasuke tested the water with a tentative ivory skinned foot, stepping in when the water was at a satisfactory temperature. As the glorious feeling of silken water sliding over his skin took over, his tense muscles gradually loosened under the glossy jet.
Sasuke sighed. Surely being paired with your closest counterpart in skill would be challenge enough? Of course it is. So Kakashi must've wanted that dobe paired with me, the interfering bastard. But why?!
Kiba was just settling in for the night, making sure his dog Akamaru had full bowls of food and water before going back upstairs to his room, where the dog in question was sprawled out in the centre of his bed.
"Hey boy, how are ya, hm? Been a good boy today? Yeah, of course you have!" The brunette tousled Akamaru's white fur, nuzzling his face into his neck. "Naruto got a nasty shock today, did you know that? Of course you did, clever boy." Kiba chattered along conversationally. "Kakashi paired him and Sasuke-bastard up for the year. Haha Akamaru, shhh stop barking or mum won't let you sleep here tonight. I know it's exciting, but really, get a hold of yourself."
Kiba hopped up onto his bed and pulled his massive pet to curl up next to him under the covers. Battling the hot tongue trying to squirm its way into his ear, the laughing Inuzuka grabbed his dog's muzzle and hushed him, continuing with his story.
"Anyway Akamaru, this might mean we can do something. It's just so obvious I can't believe they haven't worked it out yet! You could cut through the sexual tension with a knife it's so thick when they're around each other. So if they're together for a year… that'll mean… Yes! Move, Akamaru, I gotta write this down!"
The excitable brunette scribbled down a steady stream of writing on a random sheaf of paper, tongue sticking out in concentration. Finally done, Kiba leaned back in bed and gave a pleased sigh, drifting off to sleep as an aura of contentedness enveloped him. Finally…
Please review, or I won't write anymore and I'll just delete this story.