Naruto POV

I sit next to Sasuke in last lesson, history. Our teacher isn't very attentive so we talk most of the time. I can't believe how lucky I am! Today at lunch I was totally shocked, in a good way. In a very, very good way. I mean the hottest guy in the school, in my opinion (and Gaara agrees) just happens to sit at our bench. And after school he's coming out with me and my friends for birthday ramen. Lady Luck loves me today, guess she feels bad for orphaning and alienating me.

It's a good job we aren't expected to do any work in history because I'm pretty sure my concentration would be even worse than usual. I swear I'm just so aware of how close Sasuke is sitting, I never notice it when I sit next to Gaara and it's got to be about the same distance. But with Sasuke I'm constantly aware of his presence, get butterflies in my stomach when we make eye contact and jump every time his leg brushes mine!

When the bell goes we push our way through the usual mad rush for the exit. Outside we lean against the wall, side by side until the others show up. As a group we make our way towards the car park. Sasuke seems to be looking for someone and when we pass the old oak at the school entrance I immediately see who. A guy with pale skin and a long dark ponytail is leaning casually against the tree trunk, chin hidden in the high collar of his coat and dark eyes following us. He could only be Sasuke's brother. Sasuke leads us over to him and I notice the only thing that mars his image of dark perfection are the dark bags under his eyes. I suddenly feel nervous; this close to him I can feel an aura of menace radiating from him.

Sasuke POV

I stand in front of Itachi trying to look more confident than I feel. I know that look; he doesn't like them. He sweeps his eyes over my new friends taking in Naruto's ripped jeans, Gaara's unique attire and the strange places they're all wearing their school patches. I give him a warning look.

"Hello nii-san."

"Have you had a good first day, little brother?" I scowl, he knows I hate when he calls me that and I just heard Kiba snigger.

"Fine." I answer shortly. "It's Naruto's birthday and he invited me to go with them for ramen, so I'll see you later."

"Hn. Make sure you're not out too late."

"Yes," Then feeling daring, I add. "Mum!" I turn away, but not before I catch Itachi's glare; I'm going to pay for that later. But right now I don't care because Naruto is failing to smother a snigger.

I lead the others quickly away. I don't know which way the ramen place is, so once out of site of Itachi I slow to fall into step beside Naruto. We walk along the main road into town and then up the high street all the way to the end. The hanging outside the shop reads: 'Ichiraku Ramen' and we push through them to sit on high stools at the counter. Ramen isn't usually my favourite food but I have to admit it smells good in here; my stomach begins to rumble as I sit between Ino and Naruto.

We order our ramen and when it comes it is as delicious as it smells. I would enjoy the meal more if it wasn't for Naruto's table manners; he's on his 3rd bowl and showing no signs of slowing down. It's hard not to stare; I don't think I've ever seen anyone eat with such… enthusiasm!

Pretty soon there's a large stack of ramen bowls in front of Naruto and he's sitting back patting his full stomach. Kiba starts to moan about the cost of feeding Naruto but he shuts up when Ino hits him hard on the head.

Naruto yawns widely a contented look on his face. "Mmm, having a belly full of ramen always makes me tired."

Ino laughed lightly. "Well don't go to sleep yet, you've still got your presents to unwrap!"

Naruto perked up at that. "Wicked! Come on, let's see!" I suddenly realize I don't have anything to give, but he won't mind, right? I mean I didn't exactly have much of an opportunity!

Ino reached into her school bag on the floor and pulled out a neatly wrapped gift with a purple ribbon on the top. The neat wrapping was soon disposed of when she handed the package to Naruto. A wide grin spread across Naruto's face as he held up a clear box, in which were visible, fluffy orange fairy lights.

"I thought they'd look good in your room." I wonder what Naruto's room must be like.

Ino smiled as Naruto as he jumped off his seat and runs around me to give her a big hug. "Thanks Ino, I love them!"

"Okay me next, it's only small but Happy Birthday!" Say Tenten handing him a small package which turns out to be a pack of orange hair dye. What is it with this guy and orange?

"Thanks Tenten, it's going to look so cool!" He says excitedly whilst hugging her. Then, as an afterthought, he adds, "Though I might need a hand with this; I've never dyed my hair before."

"No worries, Ino said she could do it for you." Ino nods her agreement.

"Brilliant! Who's next?"

"Here you go mate!" Say Kiba shoving a large present under Naruto's nose. His evil grin has me very curious about what his present is.

Tearing the wrapping off his present, Naruto's grin suddenly drops. His face turns bright red and he stops pulling to paper off so I can't see what the box says. He turns on Kiba and the other boy has about two seconds to run before Naruto leaps off his stool yelling, "WHAT THE HELL, MAN?"

The rest of us immediately gather around the present and Ino peals back some more of the paper. Ino and Tenten immediately burst out laughing; the content even gets a smirk from Gaara.

"That's so Kiba!" Laughs Ino.

I raise an eyebrow at the writing on the box that reads: 'Inflatable Girlfriend'. I don't miss the joke, by now I'm pretty sure Naruto is gay.

When the two boys return Naruto is rather flushed and Kiba is nursing his head. Naruto quickly picks the half-wrapped gift up and pushes it under the counter, shooting suspicious looks at us.

"Here." says Gaara holding out his gift.

"Thanks." mutters Naruto, taking his seat next to me again. He pulls back the red wrapping paper and a black leather collar with silver studs falls onto the counter. "Nice." He says immediately putting it on. I have to admit it looks good on him.

I suddenly feel bad about having nothing to give him. "Sorry I haven't got anything to give you Naruto."

He turns in my direction. "Don't worry." Then a mischievous glint washes over those bright blue eyes. "You can give me a kiss instead."

I freeze and feel Gaara do the same behind me. I can feel the stares of the others all resting on me. "W-what?!"

"Only joking! You don't have to worry about getting me anything, I only met you today!" Naruto smiles, but there's something in his eyes that tells me that smile isn't quite real.

"Oh… okay."

I don't know if I'm relieved or not, that was totally out of the blue and in my opinion a strange thing to joke about. Well at least I know he's defiantly gay; no straight guy would joke about something like that! But what about Gaara, what is that situation; surely if he was going out with the guy he wouldn't say something like that right in front of him and Gaara seemed pretty tense. In fact he seems pretty pissed, he's glaring at his lap. Oh, scratch that, he's glaring at me! What the hell? It's not my fault Naruto made an inappropriate joke! I glare back at cold, green, heavily-lined eyes but Gaara doesn't seem phased.

When we leave Ichiraku's there's much hugging and saying goodbye, I hang back a little. I can't help but feel like I've intruded, they have all been friends for so long and they've invited me into their group without a second thought. I mean I'm always popular at new schools but there's always a feeling like they only want me because of how I look or how clever I am. I'm glad this time I got to chose rather than just allowing myself to be dragged into the first clique that asked. It'll take a little while to belong but it'll be better than all the other schools. I just have a feeling that there's something for me here with Naruto and the others.

Everyone goes in their own direction; Ino and Tenten to catch the bus to Ino's uptown house, Kiba to take the subway to his house which is just outside the city and Gaara to walk to his downtown flat. The girls call goodbye, Kiba nods but Gaara completely ignores me as I turn to walk beside Naruto who is going the same way as me.

Naruto POV

I walk beside Sasuke still holding this damn inflatable doll because it wouldn't fit in my school bag. He's silent, but it doesn't bother me; I have plenty of practice dealing with silent types from Gaara.

It was really fun this evening but I'm a little worried I upset Sasuke. I mean I only did it because I wanted to find out if he was gay, you know just in case I had any chance. I saw my chance and I took it. But it looks like it's going to be a look but don't touch situation. Sometimes I forget to think before I speak and I think this was probably one of those occasions when it might have been best to keep my mouth shut, but then I'm not known for my tactfulness.

I shoot a sideways glance at him. He's got his hands in the pockets of his long coat and has his head bent so his black bangs fall over his eyes. As though he senses my gaze he lifts his eyes to mine. I open my mouth to say something but with those intense black eyes on me my mouth is suddenly devoid of moisture. I swallow, hard and try again.

"Sorry." He raises a perfectly defined black eyebrow. "For putting you on the spot like that. You know I didn't mean anything by it, right?"

He nods slightly looking away again, this time at the sky. It's starting to get dark. "You're gay, aren't you?"

My eyes drift to the pavement. I'm not surprised he picked up on it, I've never bothered to hide it, but I hope Sasuke isn't one of those people who hate me for it, I don't think I could bare that. I nod to the pavement, then realising he can't see me I say, "Yes."

"Hmm…" I give into the urge to look back at those perfect features but they give nothing away. "Are you with Gaara?"

My eyes widen at the unusual question. I know people assume that but it wasn't what I was expecting. "No, he's my best friend, but not my partner."

He nods slowly eyes still on the sky. I watch that impassive face, I'd love to know what he's thinking right now but I know he wouldn't tell even if I asked. Instead we walk in silence through the darkening city streets. It occurs to me that I probably stayed out too late; I told Iruka I was going out with the gang after school but I didn't tell him what time I'd be back, I hope he's not mad.

We reach Sasuke's building first. It looks like one of the more expensive buildings. Mine and Iruka's is pretty average, all we could really afford on Iruka's salary. It gets me wondering just how Sasuke's parents afford this place.

"Hey, Sasuke?" I ask as he rummages in a coat pocket for his keys.

"Hmm?" His dark eyes survey me under the porch light.

"What do your parents do for a living?"

Something flashes across his eyes, but it's gone so quickly I wonder if I imagined it. "They're dead." He says without feeling.

"Oh… Sorry." Shit this is awkward, why'd I have to ask that? "I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Hn." Having located his key he turns away and I walk away.

I really wonder how him and his brother afford that apartment now but I don't think I'll be asking.