Chapter 6: The change
Disclaimer: I do not own okay? I borrow! I borrow!
Sasuke returned to the den in a better mood. Some of his fellow rats seemed to notice and sighed a breath of relief. Sasuke ignored them and a grinning Kakashi, who seemed to want to scream 'OMG WHAT WAS NARUTO WEARING THAT MADE YOU SO HAPPY?' Sasuke ignored them all, even the swooning glances from some of his fellow females. He trotted over to a different tube and climbed up it. His home was much higher up; one was for privacy, and the other was for comfort. He quickly climbed up the make-shift ladder to his own living quarters. His nest consisted of shredded newspapers and grass straw. He only held a few things, some dead crickets in the corner for midnight snacking, a mirror to help him groom and a small torn out piece of newspaper clipping. The clipping was of Naruto's face, cut out from an article about the restaurant he worked at and how it was steadily becoming famous. It had originally been a full staff photo, but Sasuke only wanted Naruto's face. He carefully picked out the clump of hair from Naruto and set it next to his nest, patting it down and making it part of his little Naruto shrine. He sighed and went to his nest and laid down. It wasn't a few moments that he started to drift off that he heard scratching at his lower-level make shift door. He picked his head up and glared at the tunnel. The scratching continued and seemed much more persistent. He growled and sat up, climbing down his tunnel; he popped his head out and looked at who dared to bother him. To his complete surprise and...Utter disgust, there stood...
Sakura... he thought. The pink rat smiled and smoothed down her ears.
"Hi Sasuke-kuuunnnn..." she purred, swishing her tail back and forth.
Naruto woke up that morning feeling refreshed and happy. He ate a good breakfast and made his way out the door on time. He went to his first job at the out door top cafe called Le Joulie Du Chocolate, serving tables and entertaining the people. Even his fellow staff members noticed how light and cheery the honey blond seemed. Naruto made his way home after his first shift, showered and ate lunch before he had to go to work three hours later at the restaurant. He decided to go visit his usual spot for a while. He grabbed his duffel bag and walked across the bridge, enjoying the good weather. He made it and still had two and a half hours. He sat down and looked up as river boat's whistle went off in the distance. He sat at the edge and watched the river in the canal float by.
This reminds me of the night, I saw that shooting star...
Naruto closed his eyes and recalled the night.
I wished for . . . I wished for someone special to come into my life. So far, it looks like my wish is a dud.
Naruto sat there for another few half hours before his shift began in 20 minutes. He cursed and looked back out at the canal before running down the street toward work. Unknown to him though, another set of eyes were watching from afar.
"Naruto! We have some very important guests tonight! There of high class so I suggest you put your utmost heart into it understand?" the head chef bellowed, causing poor Naruto to have a constant ringing in his ears.
"I get it; I get it! Don't make an ass of myself is what you're trying to say. Okay, whatever, now let me work dammit!" the blond hissed, pushing his way from the kitchen to the serving room. The chef scowled and shook his head.
"To think that boy had such a respectable father, now look at his son. Shameful!" The man spat. He turned and made his way back toward the kitchen and the simmering dishes. Naruto worked his shift and proceeded not to make an ass of himself like he promised.
Though it's not like I ever did act like an ass in my work shift. That damn chef needs to get laid and quick!
Naruto smirked and made his way back to the kitchen to deliver another meal. Before he got the chance, however, someone caught the sleeve of his white work shirt. The blond stopped and looked over his shoulder. He expected to see a customer about to ask for something until his eyes widened. Sitting at one of the reserved V.I.P. tables was none other than...
"Leo . . . " Naruto hissed, wrenching his arm out of the other man's grasp. Leo smiled and casually move one of his tightly braided locks from his face. He was wearing an ordinary business suit and appeared to be sitting around a table with a few other people. Most likely, his usual trouble making gang he tended to hang out with, even in high school. Leo smiled and winked at the blond.
"Naruto . . . " Leo purred, causing the blond to shiver in disgust, "I had no clue you worked here!" Naruto knew better, that was the tone of voice, he used to mock people. Hell, he still mocked people.
Piece of shit!
Naruto scowled and straightened his tie.
"Did you need something sir? If you don't mind, I have tables to wait on!" the blond hissed, striking false politeness. Leo raised an eyebrow, and the men around his table chuckled.
"I need something all right. He is a clueless blond, whose name starts with a N, and ends in an O. Sound familiar?" He asked, only causing the men around his table to snicker more. Naruto felt a vein pop somewhere.
"Fuck you!" The blond whispered in a hiss. Leo only grabbed his arm and pulled his closer.
"Oh come on baby, don't be like that. How about I leave you a nice tip for a little loving, huh?" Leo asked, pulling the fair-haired close and raising his other hand to run smoothly across the blond's ass. Naruto swallowed and attempted to pull away. The men laughed again.
"Damn Leo, you sure can pick um, I wouldn't mind some of that!" One of the men said, his brown eyes looking over the blond up and down.
"Tell me about it! Come on Leo, how about sharing huh?" Another man asked, faking kindness and hoping to just get an all out with the blond. Naruto finally managed to pull himself back and away from the table; he growled and smirked. He kicked a table leg on the side under the table. A full pitcher of water shook and toppled over, coating all four men with water, soaking them. They all sprang up and two of them in the process, hit their heads off each other. One fell out of the chair, and the other fell backwards out of his chair. Naruto was a safe distance away from it all, just playing the innocent waiter. Leo scowled a little and looked at the four.
"Quit whining, it's just water!" He hissed, pulling one man up by the neck of his collar.
"Leo! That kid is a prick! How could you fall for that ass hole?" the man hissed.
"Yeah really, there are plenty of chicks back at the den for us to go at. Stop wasting time with this cock tease!" the man with brown eyes hissed, pointing at Naruto with his index finger. Leo scowled and tossed the man back on to the floor. Naruto watched wide-eyed at the scene.
"Best learn not to say that in front of me Henry, that goes for you too, Gerald. It might cost you a couple of teeth." Leo turned his attention back to Naruto. The blond shivered and took a fearful step backward. Leo was looking at him, danger clear and evident in the man's eyes. He knew the type of person Leo was...
A man who doesn't take no for an answer...Shit!
Leo smiled at the fearful look in the blond's eyes.
"Aww, don't look at me like that baby. You know I would never hurt you, and I'll not at any time let my boy's hurt you either. Come here and let me soothe ya babe, make that look go away." Leo opened his arms and smiled. Naruto frowned and narrowed his eyes.
"Not in a million years! Believe it!" Naruto said, turning around and heading back to the kitchen. Leo scowled and dropped his arms. By then, all his men were back at the table complaining about wet pants and ruined suits.
"Shut it!" Leo spat. All the men instantly stopped whining and looked at their boss.
"What now, Leo?" Henry asked, casting looks at his fellow table mates who were staring intently at their boss. Leo watched Naruto walk away, his eyes roaming possessively over the boy's frame. His eyes landed on Naruto's black-clad ass before he disappeared toward the kitchen. Leo licked his suddenly dry lips and replied.
"We wait."
Sooner or later he will be mine.
Mine and Mine alone.
"Sasuke...Why?" Sakura
asked, attempting but failing to hold back tears of rejection. Sasuke sighed and rubbed his left ear in annoyance. He felt a migraine settling.
I've been at it for half an hour now! This is one persistent female!
"Because I told you already. I'm not interested in taking a mate right now or ever!" He hissed, red eyes gleaming and scaled tail moving back and forth.
"But I . . . " Sakura looked at the trash covered ground, "but I love you; I've loved you the moment I saw you. I've tried so hard to for you to notice!" She squeaked. If Sasuke wasn't so pissed every time he went near this girl, he would have felt sorry for her.
"Look, Sakura, this might in human language be called a cliche' but honestly...I'm just not willing to take a mate. It's not you all right? It's me . . . I'm not willing to start a family anytime soon." Sakura looked at him with a weird look.
"But I heard that you had fallen in love with someone!" She accused.
Shit
"Those are...Rumors...To, keep the other rats at bay..." Sasuke tried, straightening his ears and twitching his tail nervously. Sakura didn't buy it.
"I think you're lying! Sasuke please! Give me a chance!" she begged, coming closer and touching her nose to his cheek. Sasuke hissed and aimed a clawed paw at her. His ears went behind his head in anger, his eyes glowed and burned at her. She leapt back with her tail between her legs.
"Sasuke..." she began to cry. Sasuke ignored her and went back up into his tunnel. Sakura watched him leave, and her ears drooped. She turned around and trotted back home crying, causing her fellow rats to stare at her in sorrow or wonder. Sasuke returned to his nest and sat. He stared at the wall for a moment and then turned his attention to the clump of hair next to him.
Naruto...Naruto...
Sasuke picked it up and pet it, letting out a sad sigh. He heard rustling and smelt the air. Kakashi was coming up his tunnel. Sure thing, Kakashi poked his head in and smiled, whiskers bouncing in the process. Sasuke looked to the side and continued petting the strands of hair. Kakashi frowned and looked down the tunnel.
"You must have said something to upset Sakura...Wanna talk about it?" he asked, itching a spot behind his ear. Sasuke scowled and sat down into his nest, resting his head on the edge.
"No, I just want to sleep. Good night Kakashi." Sasuke closed his eyes and started taking deep breaths. It wasn't long until Sasuke fully fell asleep, Kakashi watching him slumber peacefully.
No doubt tired from following his obsession all day. I wish I had the ambition he had.
Kakashi silently exited and crawled around the grounds of the lower floors. He watched all his fellow rats laughing and scavenging. In the crowds, he could see some of his own children and their mates wandering around. He almost wished in a small way that he had found someone to stay with for life. Someone to always be by his side and follow him in search of food or just a plain good old time. He was still quite young, eight years in human years and twenty two in rat years. Kakashi looked around one last time before heading back to his own burrow for some much-needed rest and relaxation.
Naruto was just about scared stiff throughout his whole shift. He would do anything to avoid going into that area within the room where Leo, and his pals were. He even went as far as to beg Shikamaru to take that side. However, after a round of calling the blond troublesome, he agreed because of the look on Naruto's face.
He was scared...
Shikamaru took out the dishes and didn't even ask why he was supposed to. Naruto heaved a grateful sigh and took over Shikamaru's tables. He would often wonder though through his shift why Leo, and his pals were at the V.I.P table. He based it on the fact that Leo's dad owned half the harbor and more. He had the money to flap around with.
However, not the manners.
Naruto even went beyond the limit of dodging the head chef to avoid any confrontation. When work finally ended, it was a huge relief, at least it felt like it. He quickly went to his work locker and stared at it for a moment. He opened it slowly, hoping...
Not this time...
Naruto sighed; it would have been of some comfort to know his admirer was nearby. That someone would be watching out for him. Naruto packed his duffel bag and quickly left through the back door, just in case.
Sasuke woke up, feeling a little refreshed and glad. He was starting to feel like his old self now, the one that was Naruto obsessed.
Speaking of Naruto...
Sasuke looked at the small wrist watch propped up against the wall. He saw that Naruto's shift was over. Sasuke had slept through the night since he got home from looking around Naruto's apartment.
Naruto's walking home soon! I'll be able to see him!
Sasuke quickly groomed and practically ran down his tunnel. He made his way to the sewers were some of his fellows were watching garbage flow in the river.
"Hey Sasuke. Check it out! It must have been a good day for business! Look at all the garbage flowing! It's eating good tonight!" Kakashi said, helping a honey dew colored rat fish something out of the river. Sasuke grimaced and trotted past him.
It smells awful! Don't they know what else flows down this river? Yuck!
"Hey Sasuke? Heading toward the surface? Mind if I come? I want to look through the cans up there!" The silver rat asked, his eyes looking like little smiley faces. Sasuke growled and looked down the tunnel he needed to go in with urgency.
"Okay whatever, but don't bother me, got it?" Kakashi nodded and followed Sasuke to the surface.
Naruto was just about to the bridge when he heard some rustling behind him. However, when he looked, all he saw were tourists or stray cats. He shrugged it off and took a short cut through the pharmacy district. No one was hardly there at all. Most of the shops were closed or shut down for good. He felt a cold chill run down his spine when he heard a gang of footsteps behind him. He chalked it up to his thick head. To others taking the same short cut or simple going into the shops. Nevertheless, when they started coming closer, he happened upon a solution...
Run.
Naruto did just that, he looked behind him to see about three guys running after him.
Wait, where is . . . ?
Naruto suddenly bumped into someone. He looked straight ahead and saw...
Gerald!
He quickly avoided the man's grabby hands, and side stepped him. He ran further out of the district and past the park.
The bridge isn't too far away! I can lose them in the housing district as soon as I cross the bridge!
Naruto ran with Leo's boy's hot on his tail.
Sasuke finally made it to the surface and took a deep breath. The sewer seemed even worse today. Kakashi popped out behind him and took a deep breath himself.
"So my mighty Sasuke, did you come up to see your Naruto come home from work?" The silver rat asked, flicking his ears in amusement. Sasuke ignored him and sniffed the air.
"Naruto hasn't been by yet, but he is coming fast. I wonder what's..."
"AAHHHHH!" a voice yelled. Sasuke and Kakashi looked around the corner and saw...
"Naruto!" Sasuke squealed, watching as the blond zoomed past him and to the bridge. Sasuke saw at least four men behind him, chasing him.
"Sasuke! It looks like your boyfriend is in trouble!" Kakashi hissed. Sasuke felt like his fur would catch on fire. He quickly ran after them in amazing speed, taking a short cut through a storm drain and climbing vines that grew against the wall of the bridge. It seemed like the canal was flowing faster today, boats in the harbor were hardly seen in the distance. Sasuke quickly made it to the foot of the bridge and watched as Naruto came straight at him. Kakashi arrived behind him, huffing and trying to catch his breath.
"Pick a leg!" Sasuke hissed, waiting as Naruto passed them. The men were running together when they finally headed toward the two rats. Sasuke hissed as he leapt out and latched on to one of the men's legs with his teeth. Kakashi did the same with the man next to him, digging deep into a shin bone. The two men screamed and Naruto turned to see two men hopping up and down, clutching their shins. Naruto quickly made his way half way across the bridge.
Home free!
Naruto was caught half way by three more men at the very end to the bridge. Naruto stopped and noticed he was surrounded. Both ends of the bridge were cut off by men. Naruto panicked and looked over the edge of the bridge. The water was going way too fast, and he was way high up to jump. Naruto looked over the men and shivered.
What now?
Kakashi and Sasuke ran off to the side and spat the men's taste out of their mouths.
"Naruto! Naruto! NARUTO!" Sasuke squeaked, helpless to the fact that rats don't speak human. He was either unheard or ignored. Leo popped up from behind his three men at the other end to the bridge. Naruto took a step backward and growled at the man.
"Leo you prick! Don't you have anything better to do with yourself?" The blond yelled. Leo only smiled creepily and walked toward the frightened blond. Sasuke hissed and attempted to move forward toward Naruto. Kakashi caught his tail and pulled him back.
"Sasuke! Are you suicidal? We are rats! They could kill us in under a minute!" The silver rat hissed.
"I don't care! I don't care! NARUTO! NARUTO! AH! NARUTO!" Sasuke yelled, throwing a rat sized fit from the end of the bridge. Leo advanced on the blond, smirking at how frightened he seemed.
"Times up Naruto, I think it's obvious to what you need to choose. I'm sick of waiting. We played this bullshit routine in high school remember? It's about time I made you my lover..." Naruto dropped his duffel bag and held up his fists. Leo raised an eyebrow as his boys circled around them. Naruto cast glances at them all.
I can only take about two, maybe three. I'm in shit crick here! Five guys could easily manhandle me!
Sasuke had enough. He dislodged from Kakashi and ran straight forward to one of the thugs. He easily barred and latched his large teeth in the man's thigh. The man screamed out, and everyone turned to look at him.
"Damn rats! Probably get rabies from these things!" he hissed, managing to shake Sasuke off. The little rat was thrown in to one of the stone walls of the bridge. The force caused him to hit his head and feel faint. Kakashi ran forward and checked him over.
"Sasuke! Please just forget the human! There is nothing we can do! We're only...We're lone rats..." Sasuke shook his head and shakily tried to stand.
I won't give up! Naruto needs me and I won't leave!
Sasuke began to see black along the edges of his vision. He watched as the men surrounded Naruto, two grabbed the blond's arms. Naruto swung his arm out and caught one man in the jaw; the other was brutally kicked in the stomach. More ganged up on him and Naruto was forced to the side of the bridge. The men continued laughing and toying with the blond as Sasuke began to lose his vision.
Naruto...I...I love you...
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"Do you want to be with him?" A voice asked.
Sasuke woke and found himself in a dark place. He looked around and saw nothing. He twitched his whiskers and sniffed the air. It smelt like sea water and honey. His ears twitched, and he heard a presence behind him breathing. He spun around and saw a man in a large cloak hovering over him.
"Who are you?" Sasuke tried. The man stared at him, his yellow eyes not moving or blinking.
"My name is of no importance. What is important though, is I will be able to grant you your wish? Do you love that human?" Sasuke nodded and scowled.
"Of course! Naruto saved my life! He let me go when most humans would have killed me! I want to be with him! I want to be with Naruto more than anything!" he squeaked, lashing his tail back and forth in impatience. The cloaked man smirked and nodded. He reached out a hand and touched Sasuke on his back, running a gloved finger down his spine. Sasuke shivered and felt his body go numb, as if he was being submerged into cold water. His body jerked violently, and the cloaked man stood back.
"So you wish it, so shall it be, Sasuke Uchiha. You wish to walk among humans and long to be in love with one. This is a wish that you have made. I will grant this to you..." The man folded his arms and watched Sasuke in fascination. Sasuke felt his body jerk and twist. His tail felt like it was being pulled. He looked back and saw it getting shorter, disappearing into his backside. Sasuke hissed when he felt his head change shape, his spine straightening and his hands losing claws for fingernails. Sasuke's skin began to change. His fur only spread over the top of his head and nether regions, his skin turning pale and flawless. His once red eyed went dark and mysterious. Sasuke panted and stood, looking at his human self. He flexed his fingers and licked his new pale lips. He had muscle, complete with abs and strong forearms. He flexed them and marveled in his new body. He laughed and tried his legs. He felt light and much faster now. Even the thing between his legs was impressive...
"Do you enjoy this body?" The cloaked man asked. Sasuke nodded and felt the smoothness of his chest, not caring about his nakedness.
"It's perfect! Naruto will love it! I know I can win him over now!" The cloaked man smirked and moved his hands through the air. A pile of clothing appeared, and Sasuke smirked at the color.
"This body of yours has some extra benefits..."
"Benefits?" Sasuke asked, starting to dress and smiling at the dark-blue tank top he had in his hands.
"Yes. You possess strength that no other human has. A superman if you will, but not as strong as to lift a car per say. You have more energy and stamina. Not to mention you still have your animal instincts such as sight, hearing and smell."
"All that, huh?" Sasuke asked, slipping on the dark jeans and belt. He looked at the jacket for a moment and shrugged; it was plain ebony with a strange fan on the back. As soon as we was dressed, he turned toward the man.
"How can I ever thank you?" The hooded man pulled back his hood. Sasuke gasped and took a step back. The man's short silver hair hid his ears. A long jagged scar reached from his forehead to his bottom lip. The man looked like he had shark teeth. He smiled and replied,
"Just give me a show. The dead zone is such a boring place nowadays . . . " the man snapped his fingers, and Sasuke felt his head swim. He grabbed the sides of his head as his vision blurred.
TBC
R&R