Author's Notes

Thank you for reading so far, I hope you're still interested. I leave you to enjoy now! Also, thanks to my wonderful beta, RaccoonMama13, for her amazing work on this chapter! :D

"He's nowhere to be found."

Naruto frowned at Sakura's words and a puzzled look rested on his disheveled morning features. He tried tucking some hairs to their original position, before answering her worried sentence. "It doesn't make sense; Dad never leaves without telling me… this is the first time it's ever happened."

"You two need to calm down and halt that way of thinking, Minato's just fine, he probably forgot to leave a note or something. What we need to worry about right now is breakfast," Sasuke's voice cut through their thoughts as he continued care-freely asking "Who's cooking?"

Sakura glared at the raven, who seemed to have zero interest in her morning findings and stated. "Minato-san isn't the type of person who leaves without giving prior notice to anyone, let alone his son, so something must've happened for him not to be in at this time! We need to find him before thinking about something as insignificant as breakfast!"

"Sakura's right, we need to call the police on this."

Finding no reason to their little freak out act, Sasuke looked at the pink-haired female and annoyingly stated out a reply to his nephew's unreasonable words.

"And tell them what exactly? 'Oh I woke up and my daddy wasn't here, can you please find him? He's a grown up man with a brain to think, but I'm having this senseless worry so find him, please'? Naruto, this is too idiotic even for you."

The blond grimaced at the sarcasm but couldn't hold back the hint that somehow it was true. His father wasn't a child, so what if he wasn't in his bed when Sakura checked? So what if he wasn't inside the house? It didn't mean something bad has happened to him nor did it deserve them freaking out this much over it.

There were more than one reason why Minato would be out of his bed so early, and million others to state why he didn't tell a soul. So instead of making a mountain out of a molehill, they should just act normal and wait until he comes back. Sighing, he ruffled his already messy locks and stated to the two humans with them.

"Okay, Sasuke, I see where you're going with this. Sakura-chan," He looked at her. "He's right, there's no need for all this. Dad could have gone for a little errand or something. He doesn't need to inform me of everything all the time, so let's go wash up for now and have breakfast. If evening comes around and he's not here, then we can start calling around. But for now, there's no need to overreact."

The female nodded to his words, seeing that perhaps she has gone a little bit far in worrying and left to the bathroom. Even though she wanted to believe that nothing bad has happened, the clench in her heart couldn't stop and no matter what, she couldn't shake off the worry she held inside. As she closed the bathroom door behind her, Sakura hoped that Naruto's words were spot on and Minato was alright somewhere.

"Your friend is a worrywart." The raven commented the minute she was out of sight.

Naruto smiled and walked towards the other bathroom. "That's because she likes Dad and whenever she comes over, he would make this really amazing, special breakfast for her. Over the years, they'd developed this little habit of chatting early before I wake up. So I guess, when that didn't happen, she freaked out thinking something bad has happened to him." The blond opened the bathroom door, before continuing. "Yet you're right, we are not being sane. Dad won't just vanish without a trace like that; he must have gone to get grocery, so it's a good idea we didn't run to the police or something like that, right?"

Sasuke nodded to his nephew and turned heading to his room. His face took on a distressed look as butterflies played inside his stomach. Whatever lie he'd just fed the two teens, he'd need to make it the truth or he'd have to answer to those heated jade orbs that felt as if they were about to expose him to the daylight of truth.

The handsome male sighed and calmed himself, this just needed some thinking and he'd be able to know the jest of what had happened to his big brother. He really wished it had nothing to do with their other brother… because if it did, then all his plans were doomed to failure.

The day continued on like nothing has happened, Naruto decided to put off worrying 'till he really needed to. But when the clock hit nine PM and there was no trace of Minato whatsoever or even a single phone call to indicate his whereabouts, his worry was creeping on him. Sitting on the living room, he addressed his uncle.

"Sasuke, don't you think it's time we started calling someone?"

"I already tried calling his phone, but it's not connecting."

"You called him?" Sakura's voice resonated from the kitchen. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Because there was no need to, if you worried too much, you won't think objectively."

The girl emerged from the kitchen and sat beside the two. Her eyes looked Sasuke straight in the face, before she asked with a hint of sarcasm. "So what now? We waited like you wanted us to wait, what do we do now? He hasn't shown up and his phone isn't connecting, can we call the police now?"

"I still think it's too soon for contacting the police, besides they have the twenty-four hour interval. Even if we did call, they will have us wait for another twelve hours – that is, if we assumed he has actually disappeared before you'd woken up."

"Sasuke-san, you're missing something extremely important in all this analysis of yours, the police exist to service the people and ease suspicions. If we continued sitting idly and something bad had already happened, we are simply wasting valuable time."

"You're correct, but unnecessary anxiety was never the action to take in these situations."

His words seemed to hit a nerve in her and Sakura was soon to counter back. "You know, this has been bothering me since morning, you keep saying that worrying about this is simply overacting to a simple situation, but don't you think you're 'under-reacting'? Normal people would worry under these circumstances, but you simply accept it all… as if… as if you know Minato-san's whereabouts."

Sasuke rolled his eyes at her foolishly accurate words, the spark that went inside his systems the first time he met her and told him that she might be a future annoyance proved right at that moment. The girl was too sharp for her own good, and if she continued being this sharp, it'd threaten his plans… something that he didn't want happen.

"No, I do not know where he went to." Sasuke defended himself. "However, I know that the best thing to do in a situation like this is to remain calm. By behaving rationally rather than recklessly, we may be able to conclude his location. So before we go around calling anyone, we should exclude the possibility that he didn't just forget to contact us."

Since his words held reason to them, the pink-haired teen didn't find any purpose to argue, so she nodded. "Alright, this time I agree with you, what do you suggest we do first?"

"Well, let's check his workplace to start off. If I'm not wrong, Minato often goes to different universities around the country to teach, right Naruto?"

At the mentioning of his name, the dazed blond woke up from the worry bubble Sakura had inserted him into and asked. "…What?"

The two exchanged a look and silently Sasuke told Sakura of the effect her excess worry had on Naruto, something that she started regretting soon when she looked at his lost eyes. Sakura put a hand on Naruto's tan one and smiled comfortably.

"Naruto, don't worry, I bet your father's fine, you know how aloof he is. So the possibility of him leaving his cell behind or missing to tell us stands correct. Don't start worrying until we have a reason to, okay?"

The teen nodded to her words and took a deep breath; he sucked up all his worries and cleared his head. Sakura's words made sense, there was no need to worry when nothing has been proven as of yet. He should move his head to think instead of spacing out in midst of concern.

"You're right, sorry. So what did you want to know?"

"Minato," Sasuke repeated his question. "Does he teach in different universities all around the country?"

"Yes, he does. But he only goes when it's the end of the month and I have someone to stay with me the time he's away. Usually I'd stay over at Sakura's or Gaara's houses …or Kakashi-sensei would come stay with me."

If the raven wasn't holding his nerves tight enough, he'd have dropped the mask he was wearing at the mentioning of that name. He coughed and asked in a normal tone.

"Kakashi as in… Hatake Kakashi?"

Naruto tilted his head to the side and nodded. "Yes, you know sensei?"

Sasuke mimicked his nephew's nod and elaborated on their relationship. "…He's an old acquaintance of the family."

That was the best way to introduce his knowledge of Kakashi, since he was still unaware of how much information Minato has shared with his boy regarding that man. Therefore, a neutral method was his finest choice for now.

"Oh."

"What?"

"I didn't know you know him, as well. Dad always said he was an old friend, I just didn't realize how old… until now."

Sasuke smiled somewhat relieved that he didn't say anything that Minato hasn't. "Well, it's best to call him a pupil of Minato rather than a friend; since Minato was his senpai at school if memory doesn't fail me."

Naruto's eyes glittered with the new information that was being presented to him. "They studied in the same school?"

"That they did."

"And they spend their times together?" Somewhat excited, the blond asked.

"I won't know that, they were senpai and kouhai so different years." Sasuke offered. "However, since Minato called him a 'friend', that means they were close."

A giddy smile plastered onto the blond's lips as he demonstrated. "I didn't know that."

"…I can tell. Anyway, I just got an idea, wait here."

As Sasuke made his way towards the phone to call whomever he had in mind, Sakura took the chance and came close to her best friend. Having kept quiet when they were discussing something that somehow felt family related, she asked in confusion.

"Hey, Naruto, since when has Kakashi-sensei stayed at your place?"

"Oh, it started last year. Dad introduced him to me one day and then every once and a while he'd come over. That's why when dad used to go on his long work trips; I didn't need to go stay with anyone."

"I just thought he stopped going to them… didn't know you had someone stay with you."

"Well, I did… weird, I thought I'd mentioned it once or twice to you."

"No, you didn't, and it's alright, don't fret about it. Kakashi-sensei should cut you some slack if he's an old friend of your dad's."

"It's because he's an old friend that's why he's not cutting anything for me." The blond groaned aloud, disliking the silver haired sensei's thoughts. "He believes I don't need special treatment, but rough one."

A chuckle escaped the girl's lips and before she could speak her mind, Sasuke walked in.

"Naruto, I need to go out for a bit."

"Huh?"

"I'll be back before late."

"Weren't we going to confirm that Dad's okay?" The teen quickly retorted with a question.

"I just did." Sasuke answered his worries. "He's fine, and I'm going to pick him up right now."

Naruto blinked at the words and walked behind his uncle who swiftly changed into his jacket and took the car keys by the stand.

"Wait, wait, and wait. What?"

"He's passed out drunk at Kakashi's."

The sentence didn't even seem real to him, and the blond frowned in disbelieve. "Okay let alone the fact that Kakashi-sensei's apartment is on the other side of town, when did he get time to go out and get drunk!?"

"Last night, when he left to his room."

"None of us saw him leaving."

Sasuke smiled softly as he murmured. "There's more than one way out if you really wanted to leave without anyone noticing."

Sighing at the stupidity of his father, the blond buffed his cheeks and hooked his hands onto Sasuke's jacket, just before the raven could step foot outside the house. Exclaiming in frustration, he tightened his grip.

"I'm coming with you! I need to give him a piece of my mind! We are here worried sick about him and he leaves off getting freaking drunk!"

Sasuke gave the teen a smile then pulled him over, and without any words or warnings, he delivered a deep kiss to bewildered lips. Naruto's head froze over from the tongue being twisted and turned inside his mouth and couldn't comprehend what had just happened, or when Sasuke's body heat has left him. The last thing he knew was the sound of wheels screeching away from his house, which woke him up from the semi-coma Sasuke's lips had placed him in.

"OH. MY. GOD, NARUTO! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?"

Now, with the freaking-out girl beside him, he had no time to be angry at Sasuke for pulling such a stunt on him. Naruto sighed and closed the front door, before taking Sakura by the hand and guiding her to the living room. All this time thinking of means to explain why, for the love of him, had his uncle just Frenched him on the front step of their door.

"You lied to me!"

Easily, Sasuke dodged the drunken punch that was aimed at his head the minute he walked in. He had to give it to his brother, being drunk and still giving such an accurate punch was indeed befitting of his old status. Though still, a drunken punch would do him no harm, and all individuals in the room knew it. Sasuke sighed as he tried to reason and talk his way out of this mess.

"I didn't! How the fuck would I know he was his teacher!?"

A stressed looking blond shouted at the top of his lungs as every muscle in him tensed. "It was your job to know! You promised no Family would come after my son! And now two members of the freaking Hyuuga are after him!"

"We still don't know that." Sasuke lied through his teeth. "Hyuuga Neji is very smart, he won't endanger himself so obviously and hurt Naruto."

"Hell he would! You and I know perfectly well what he's capable of! He can make Naruto disappear in a second if he wished it!"

"And we can make him disappear in a second if we wished it." Sasuke retorted sternly, reminding Minato of the power behind him.

Tche-ing at the sentence, the blue eyed professor denied. "If you're referring to Itachi then forget him, he cares too much about his dear 'family' to go hurt it in an endless fight over my son's safety."

"Minato, you're family! For God's sake, just because Father has disowned you that doesn't mean we did! You're still my big brother, my flesh and blood and I care for your safety as well as Naruto's so stop treating me as stranger!"

The blond tried to control the alcohol in him to gain a degree of sobriety, before he continued with the same untrusting tone. "I might be that to you, but not to Itachi, he hates my guts. If I'm not mistaken, he has already taken leadership of the group so Hyuuga being here and sniffing about, just explains how he doesn't plan to do anything to protect Naruto."

Sasuke looked at the side and bit his lower lip, he didn't want Minato to find out so soon, actually he wanted to keep this secret a little bit longer in his pocket… at least until he was sure Naruto was going to go with him and won't leave his side no matter what. But as always, life didn't go the way he'd planned it to. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair and addressed his brother.

"…How did you know?"

"Just because I left the family, doesn't mean I lost my powers and intelligence. He would've never allowed you to come to me, so he's either dead or dying… and judging from your reaction," A bone seemed to stay inside Minato's throat as he whispered the last part out, almost afraid that it'd be true. "It's the former."

The way Minato was talking about their parent as if he had nothing to do with him – but still feel sorrow that he wasn't in this world anymore – demonstrated to Sasuke just how much mixed emotions his big brother was shouldering inside.

Would it be wise to tell the truth to an emotional Minato right now? Or was it best to lie like he's been doing from day one? Could he master a perfect lie that Minato's senses won't pick up on in this condition he was in? How would it affect his plans and the progress he'd made with Naruto? These questions swirled inside Sasuke's head, but he kept on a cool exterior, refusing to allow anything to pour to the outside.

He knew he had to be very careful with this particular subject. He needed to be precise and not give too much, yet give enough as not to arise suspicions inside Minato's heart and endanger everything that he'd worked so hard to establish. With every bit of concentration in his head, he finally came to a decision.

"…You're not wrong, father has passed away."

Minato took a seat on the bed presented to him, feeling like finally, he could have a ground to base everything on. He told his own internal turmoil to wait as he gently asked.

"When?"

From the corner of his eyes, Sasuke could detect the presence of Kakashi and he nodded for him to leave. The silver-haired handsome male rolled his visible eye and left them alone, noting to his younger cousin not to make a mess of his apartment, for he cared little about what went on between brothers and more about his valuable antiques. It took him ages to get them after all.

"Four months ago. The family needed Itachi to take a step forward or we'd be left in chaos."

"No one was against him taking the stage?" Minato questioned.

"Yes, there were some voices, but –"

"He silenced them."

"…"

Minato put his hands over his face and felt drained to the max. He was actually grateful that Sasuke had sent Kakashi away. Because in his current condition, he didn't want anyone to see him being pathetic, especially not someone who'd considered him a role model.

"I didn't want him to grow up there, Sasuke, that's why I never tried to go back or fight father for his decision. I also did the best I could to make him forget about my side of the family. I want him to continue living life as carefree as he is now and to grow up into a writer, a doctor or whatever he wants, as long as it's a regular and normal everyday job. I don't want him to see what we saw… or be subjected to the suffering and the pain we had encountered."

Sasuke smiled at the opportunity that had presented itself to him and put his hand on his big brother's, before sitting close to the tired blond and coaxing sweetly.

"Don't worry, I also want him to continue as he is now, gentle and happy. Believe in me, Minato, and give him to me. I swear on my soul that nothing bad will ever happen to him while I'm around. You may not be able to protect him all the time, but I can. No Hyuuga or any other family will take hold of him. I put my life as my guarantee."

The adult blond didn't know what it was, be it the gentle tone or the genuine words or simply Sasuke's mysterious nature that made him believe in someone else beside himself – someone else who could be there for his son when he couldn't and aid him throughout the difficulties of the unforeseen future. Yet regardless of the reason, Minato chose to squeeze that awfully cold hand holding his and trust in his little brother.

The little brother whom gentleness was overpowering all other traits.

"From now onwards, he's in your care, Sasuke, so please… hold him dear."

As exhaustion and apprehension have finally gotten the best Minato to, he allowed the stress to finally lull him to sleep. Having no idea how much he'd come to regret that decision of his. For unknowingly, he'd just thrown his precious son to the hands of the beast.

His blue orbs seemed to flicker with deep stars as Naruto slowly pinched his right cheek, trying to make certain that he wasn't just dreaming like Sakura had said. But she was still here and didn't disappear, which cemented the notion that he didn't dream her up. So… if he didn't, then she was right here… in front of him… shining like an angel out of the sky… staring so sweetly at him... he gulped down the nervousness and tried to make his voice as solid as it should be. Yet the minute she smiled at him, all his self-control seemed to fall out the window.

"Uzumaki Naruto-kun?"

"Huh… err… ye… YES!" Strange looks were directed to him from the students sitting in the cafeteria and, before he could make an utter fool of himself, Naruto coughed to try and correct the girly high pitched tone that his voice had taken. "Yes, I am U-Uzumaki Naruto. Was there something you needed?"

Actually, he didn't mean to ask that question, because to him, it felt like he was kicking her away. As if politely saying 'get whatever you want from me quick and get the hell out of here!'. Yet the tender smile that was given to him later proved that the girl didn't think of his question the way he did.

"There actually was, I'm thinking of transferring to this school next autumn, and I was told that you're the best to give me a through guide to everything. And show me the ups and downs of studying here, since the official tour guide would only show the good in here."

He did feel strange about the request and wanted to ask who her source was, but at that moment, he just labeled it as divine intervention and God sending him a little help from above. Since it wasn't every day that the girl of your dreams comes up to you on her own two beautiful legs asking for help, he didn't find any need to play Sherlock.

"O-Oh! You heard right~!" At this, Naruto left the chair he was on and walked up to her. "I know every crook and cranny of this place! Let me take you to the tour of your life!"

The beautiful girl chuckled and bowed slightly. "Alright, thank you very much for helping me."

Naruto imitated her bow and commented. "My name's – oh, you already know it, and my friends just call me Naruto, so you should do the same. How about you?"

"Oh dear God, excuse my rudeness. My name's Hyuuga Hinata, nice to make your acquaintances."

"Hyuuga? Are you a relative of Neji-sensei?"

The girl's face lit up at the name and her smile brightened. "Yes, he's my cousin. His father and mine are twins."

"Ahaa, you two have the same eyes."

Her smile fluttered into another melodic chuckle, sending harmonious music down the blond's ears. "Our whole family does… it's kinda a blood thing."

Naruto felt happiness swirl inside of him at her cheerful personality and flattered. "Well, your family members must all be very pretty then."

A slight blush appeared on Hinata's cheeks, before she beamed. "You're too kind, Naruto-kun."

"I told you to call me without honorifics." He insisted. "Naruto's just fine."

"I can't do that, dropping your last name was a big step for me as it is. The least I could do is keeping the honorifics."

"But –"

"I won't feel right if I don't."

The blond sighed but smiled, thinking that it's better not to force her too much and endanger coming off as a 'pusher'. "Alright, Hinata-chan, as long as you're happy with it, I don't mind."

"I am, thank you."

On the other side of the school, Gaara sipped on his juice while looking out the window. His eyes just so happened to lie on his best friend, who was strolling around school accompanying a face that he hadn't seen before. Judging from the casual clothes she was wearing, that girl didn't go to their school. The thing that caught his attention was the exquisite color of her eyes, he knew of only one person with matching irises and, something inside of him rose screaming 'suspicious' at her relation to Naruto. However, his contemplation didn't last long as in a matter of two seconds, the hyper brunet friend of his known as Kiba leapt onto his shoulders and groaned at him.

"Come on, Gaara! Let's go play some ball!"

"I don't want to," The redhead argued, not pleased one bit by the dead weight on his back. "Go play by yourself."

"I don't and can't!"

"Get Shino then."

"He's busy with class work!" Kiba shook his always emotionless friend as he continued whining. "Come on! You can't be a friend for nothing!"

"Friends are for nothing."

"No, they're not! It's just you who is so darn lazy!"

"I'm not lazy; I save my energy for something worthwhile."

"Playing ball is worthwhile!"

"A total and absolute waste of time." Gaara countered immediately.

"Man! On what planet were you raised!?" Kiba snorted out at his friend and stopped shaking him, so he could fold his hands in wonder.

Gaara ignored his annoying friend and returned his eyes to watching Naruto and the new face. Kiba's interest soon followed his sight and he barked, annoyed at being ignored, for the thousand time that day.

"Hey! Don't just turn your face on me! Where are you looking anyways?"

"Hn."

Kiba's eyes scanned the crowds and in a minute his eyes found Naruto. "Oh, spying on Naruto, eh –"

However, his thoughts stopped inside his brain as his eyes fell on the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. In mere seconds, his heart was hooked. Kiba knew that in this moment, at this place, if this girl – the one who had so easily captured his heart – had asked him for his own life, he would give it to her; because from that moment onwards, she was his own life.

Gaara watched as in the next two minutes, the boy disturbing him had left. Then a few minutes later, his viewfinder spotted him walking towards Naruto and the girl who was related to his love interest. On the inside, he released a groan at the complications that are coming his way, while on the outside his face maintained his always composed mask, helping hide all of his insecurities and aches.

Sakura kissed her best friend goodbye on his cheek and ran quickly to enter her mother's car, before the sky poured down once more. She had bid the sleeping Minato goodbye from within the car silently, and felt somewhat unhappy that they didn't have time to chat like they usually did. The most joyous part of visiting Naruto was enjoying the company of his dad, he always knew what's new with the world and his stories never bored her. Really, if he was only ten or fifteen years younger, she'd have totally gone for him…. not that she didn't try her luck right now.

With those thoughts as her parting wave, Sakura looked away from the house and listened to her mother's chat.

Naruto closed the door and walked to the inside. He yawned as his stomach complained about the lack of nutrition. Feeling sluggish due to the humid air, he deviated to the kitchen and roomed for anything that could munched on until his father wakes up and actually makes food. A sloppy sandwich that was filled with mayonnaise and ketchup was making its way into the inside of his mouth moments later. Happily, Naruto's stomach welcomed the junk food.

"Hey."

The cool tone and the hand that so casually ruffled his hair had Naruto smile up to his uncle "Sasuke."

Sasuke nodded at his name and commented on the mess Naruto was gulping down. "What's that?"

"A sandwich."

"More like a heart attack waiting to happen."

"It tastes good, want some?"

"No thank you, I want to live to see my thirties."

"So…"

The raven got a bottle of juice out of the fridge and mimicked. "So?"

"What exactly happened there?"

"Where?"

"At Kakashi-sensei's apartment."

"What makes you think that something'd happened?"

"Because you didn't want me to go." He glared when he said this.

Sasuke leaned on the fridge as he took a sip from his juice. "What makes you think that?"

At the smirk and the inviting wink, the blond looked away and mumbled softly. "The… k-kiss."

"Hmmm? I didn't quite hear you there."

He recognized he was being toyed with, but if he wanted answers, he'd have to extinguish this silly embarrassment of his. So against every pulsating vein in his body, he blurted out. "I said the damn kiss that you shouldn't have initiated! Sakura was there for God's sake!"

Coolly, his uncle answered the outburst. "She was?"

Naruto glared as he placed his sandwich on the table, before he continued his speech. "You knew she was that's why you kissed me! You saw that she won't allow me to leave until I explain everything about the kiss! She nagged me about the reason – and since there was none and you just did it for the hell of it – I was stuck for two straight hours being drilled alive by her questions! So thank you very much!"

In a flash, Naruto felt pale arms circle him and stand him in position as Sasuke brought their faces close to each other. Like always, he wasn't given a minute to reply when his uncle smashed their lips together, causing his protests to come to an end. Yet this time, Sasuke moved his right hand in a way that relaxed the burden of Naruto's body onto him, so the teen was able to fall back in ease. The intruding tongue of the raven parted the soft lips, and went through the half closed teeth into the inside of Naruto's mouth. The kiss made sparks flicker all around Naruto's vision and when Sasuke deepened it, he felt his eyes fail him and close halfway to concentrate on the new emotions.

Yes, he was royally being Frenched to oblivion… again.

Just when Naruto felt air leave his toes and heaven's doors literally open up to take him inside, his uncle let go and released him to fall like sweet jelly on the ground. Two seconds later as the raven continued sipping his drink like nothing had happened, Naruto hit himself mentally at being too weak to resist the sweetness that kiss has poured into him.

"Fuck you, Sasuke."

"I take it you enjoyed it."

If his tone wasn't clue enough on how right he was, Naruto knew his blush was. Yet swiftly, he changed the subject before something else in him gets molested.

"N-Never mind this, tell me, what happened with you and dad over there?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes at the persistence and walked towards the living room. "Dobe, nothing happened, stop insisting that something did."

Quickly, the teenager took himself off the ground and followed his retreating uncle – sandwich long forgotten.

"Because something did! I can see it in your eyes and in dad's behavior."

"What behavior?" Unable to hold it in, Sasuke sarcastically tsk'ed. "The man came asleep and went straight to bed; just when did you get time to analyze him and conclude that some shit went down over there?"

"I know for a fact that Dad never leans on anyone when he sleeps, even me… it took him time to be able rely on me right, and for him to allow his passed out self the leisure to lean on another human being tells a lot on its own. Not to forget the look inside your eyes." Naruto explained his theory briefly.

The raven raised a fine brow at the last sentence, before wondering himself a question. "What look inside my eyes?"

"…You've been awfully giddy since you came back."

"Now you're just making stuff up."

"No, I am not." Naruto countered with a scowl. "You're happy. Like normal people happy… just your version of it."

Sasuke plopped on the living room sofa and ignored his nephew for a minute as he searched through the channels, yet a sudden lightning jolt had every station turn black and a sigh escaped his lips. He could act like the teen wasn't there, but those azure orbs burning at his back told him to think again. Grunting inwardly, he offered a bone to the hungry dog beside him.

"Alright, let's say something did happen. If it's making Minato trust me more and allowing me a moment of happiness, why is it something bad?"

"I didn't say it was bad," Naruto started as he sat down next to the male who'd dropped his pretendence. "I just want to know what it is."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"Naruto, there are some things in this world which are best left untold. What would you do with unnecessary information? What went down between me and Minato is our business. You are right, if I wanted you to know, I'd have taken you along with me. However, I didn't and I doubt Minato will tell you anything about this… so it's better to just forget and let it be."

Naruto bit his lower lips so hard that he sensed blood seep from it. He felt the whole of his body shake with those words. Clearly, he was being told that there was no need for him to know, to get involved and to be a part of the family. He was being kept in the dark for nothing. Being alienated away from the only family he's ever known just because….

Because what?

He wasn't even given a reason for being estranged, but was still kept at an arms' length for absolutely nothing.

"Why do you always say this?"

The shaking tone made alarm go off inside the raven's head. Just as the alarm told him, his eyes met with angry and frustrated azure ones. Sasuke looked deep into Naruto's troubled eyes and a sting hit his inner darkness. At that moment, he thought that drowning inside those heavy seas was possible. He held himself at pay when his body screamed at him to dive in head first, and shifted intentions to pay his distressed nephew a closer look. For after all, drowning right now would only lead to problems.

"Why do you keep saying things like this? Aren't I family? Don't I matter enough for you to tell me about something that made everything alright between you and Dad?" Naruto frustratingly asked; face scowling with a trembling tone. "Why do you insist on keeping spaces between us? Why do you want me to feel like this? Why, Sasuke?"

When the blond was about to leave after the words he'd just spoken, Sasuke took hold of his hand and steadied him in place. He felt like if Naruto was to leave feeling like this right now, he'd lose something very dear to him. Even though he wasn't able to put a label on what he might lose just yet, he knew he'd regret it dearly. So he grabbed him as tightly as one would grab to dear life.

"You're wrong! You're my family and a very important part of it! No matter what, I can't replace you since you're one of a kind." Sasuke defended with absolute honesty. "I didn't want to tell you; because there's literally no need to. However, if not telling you will make you spurt such nonsense, then I'd rather tell you,"

The teen looked at his distressed uncle and his anger disappeared in a flash. He wanted to open his mouth and speak, but Sasuke was faster.

"He just agreed to allow me to help him a bit. He'd finally seen that I mean well and that I won't disappoint in taking a very good care of you, Naruto. That's all that'd happened between us… I swear."

It took Naruto a minute to have the information sink into his skull and when that happened; he raised hopeful eyes to his uncle. Frustration long gone.

"…Really? Was that all that had happened?"

"Yes. Nothing else." Sasuke affirmed without a doubt. "I'd never lie to you, in that please believe!"

His wild eyes met fierce darkness that sent shivers down his spine, and Naruto felt his heart give a loud throb that he'd never felt before. As of a sudden, the places his uncle's hand was touching were burning up with no need. His whole body shuddered. Naruto was certain that something inside of him had changed… and before he could pinpoint it, the cracked tone of his father's tired voice jolted him awake.

"Naruto, Sasuke, why are you staying in the dark?"

Taking advantage of the darkness surrounding them and the few seconds his father had taken to open the lights, Naruto swiftly removed himself from the sofa and gave an innocent smile to the golden-haired adult.

"No reason, we just didn't pay attention to it. Anyways, how are you feeling now?"

Minato staggered his footing to the nearby chair and groaned out loud. "Head… aches."

Naruto made his thoughts clear as his annoyance at his father's previous actions took over. "And whose fault do you think that is? Who is the idiot who went out hammering himself in the middle of the freaking night? Who ha!? WHO?!"

"…Umm… Naruto… not so loud, please."

The teen scoffed at his old man and rolled his eyes as he made his way to the kitchen. Only to return about twenty seconds later with a glass of water and some aspirin. He handed them to Minato with a scowl.

"Here. Take these and return to bed."

Minato was able to crack open a little smile, before he thanked his boy. "I knew I raised you well."

"Shut up, you drunk! Don't forget to get your ass to bed!"

The adult wanted to comment on the usage of the language, but somehow being this hungover didn't really allow him position to preach. Letting it go, he substituted with. "I can't. I need to start packing."

"Packing?" Azure orbs blinked at the familiar words. "You going somewhere?"

"I just got a phone call from the university; they need me to conduct a conference out of town for three days. I was supposed to leave today morning, but since they couldn't reach me by phone, they made it a night flight."

Having been silent for a while now, Sasuke cut in with a question before his nephew would. "When do you leave?"

"In two hours' time."

"And you'll be back after three days?"

"Yes," Minato smiled with a nod that buzzed him in all the wrong places. "This conference shouldn't take long."

"Why is it on such a short notice?" Naruto cut in, showing his confusion. "They'd always give you time to prepare before these things, why not now? Why so sudden and out of nowhere?"

"They did, I was told about this a month ago. However, what they changed was the timeline, it was supposed to be next week. Thankfully, I have everything organized and ready to go, or else I'd be in trouble."

"This is so unprofessional of them!"

Minato stood up and disheveled his son's hair, trying to relief the frustration in him even for a bit. "No, Naruto, they had troubles of time. I do admit they needed to inform me a bit sooner, but everyone has problems and we shouldn't judge simply based on our own point of view; remember to always look at the other person's side."

Naruto bit the nasty words that were threatening to break free from his lips and simply stayed silent as his father left to his bedroom. The only sentence that echoed through his departure was a faint whisper that Naruto knew wasn't meant for him.

"I leave him in your hands."

"…I'm tired."

Naruto spread his hands on the ground he was laying on and simply allowed his words to break free. A lot of things were happening to him and he had no idea how to make sense of the situation. First, Neji-sensei's weird incident with him that day, he had no idea what the beautiful raven was talking about… something strange with his personality? As far as he knew it, his personality was normal. There was nothing wrong with it and his body was top notch. Then what did his sensei mean by saying if there was anything out of the ordinary going with him? And on what scale? How did he hypnotize him that time? Was it actually alright for him – a teacher – to hypnotize a student?

The teen felt a headache forming with those unanswered questions then another thing popped out. His father's odd behavior. He had actually chosen to skip this point because a lot of irritation would automatically build up within him when he recalls it. It was crystal clear that his father was hiding a lot of things from him. Be it family related or anything else. Naruto was familiar that he wasn't getting the full story all the time, but he didn't think he was left in the blue about a lot of things that concerned him until Sasuke came to visit –

A groan left his lips at the third issue. Sasuke.

Sasuke was a huge problem by himself. He'd do stuff that would puzzle the teen to no end! First the unexpected, sudden, totally out of the blue kisses. A part of him was trying to convince himself that it was alright where the raven had grown up to kiss your relatives on the mouth, but the major part in him knew it was a big fat lie. He'd looked it up on the internet to try and clear everything, and results were confusing. However, the general public said it was only between lovers that mouth kisses would embark, which drove the teen crazier.

Were they lovers? No, they weren't. They were family and family doesn't do that… right?

He'd never had a big family before so he doesn't really know the right way of interacting. Besides, Sasuke's way of acting every time he'd bring it up would ensure that he'd shut his trap, and never ask about the kissing-spree another time. It left the blond to just ignore it and allow it to be. Because, until he is able to meet a different family member than his father and uncle, he won't be able to make a solid measure on the type of those kisses… another thing that was bugging him to no end… he didn't entirely hate them.

Naruto felt a faint red transit to his cheeks and tried to shake it away. There was no one watching and honestly, there was no need to lie to himself, he was, yes, confused about the nature of those abrupt kisses, but he never disliked them. Sasuke's kisses had this particular print… this feeling to them… they relaxed his insecurities and somehow felt like a smooth reminder that everything was alright or going to be alright rather than anything else.

Therefore, he didn't make a lot of effort to have Sasuke stop that quirky habit of his.

Another sigh escaped his mouth and his head turned to the side as a chuckle echoed from behind him. Strangely enough and to his surprise, the girl who had captivated his heart rather than his mind was sitting neatly beside him. Puzzled out of his wits, Naruto blurted out.

"H-Hinata-chan! What are you doing here?"

The girl continued smiling as she explained. "I came to your classroom to talk with you but you weren't there. So your friend, Haruno-san, told me that you'd left in the direction of the rooftop. I did call you a few times, but you were in deep thoughts so I waited until you were done to notice me."

The blond corrected his position and grinned to her with a sheepish smile. "Sorry there, I just have a lot on my mind lately, is all. So tell me, what did you need to talk to me about?"

Hinata shook her braided long hair, causing Naruto to be caught entranced in that simple motion. "It doesn't matter anymore; you clearly have more worries than I could ever bear."

A serene smile transcended onto his face and he commented softly. "Yeah… I have accumulated a fair share of worries."

"Like I said, Naruto-kun," The beautiful girl stretched her hands to gently lay over his. "If there's anything I could do to help, then by all means."

He put his hand over hers and his smile stretched. "Thank you. But I don't think anyone could do anything to help me except two people, and they aren't willing to even talk the subject with me."

"Then I can listen to you. Perhaps just offering a hearing ear wouldn't help you to actually solve anything, but seeing you like this… with that troubled look on your face and being unable to even take a fracture of it off… hurts."

When Hinata's eyes slowly cast downwards, Naruto felt his heart skip a beat and he gulped down. "I-It's not that I don't want to tell you… I just…"

"Then?"

"Umm…." His eyes looked everywhere but to hers and something inside him told him that telling her wasn't the smartest decision to make when he himself didn't know what the right thing was. However, the minute his eyes locked on hers again, his heart took over his unexplained fears and he blurted aloud.

"No reason, I'll tell you."

Hinata clapped her hands together and grinned charmingly. With a happy tone, she re-asked her question. "So Naruto-kun, what were you thinking about before I came up here?"

Naruto blinked at the sudden change of his emotions, like one minute he was having doubts about saying a simple letter, then the next, he felt a genuine desire to tell her everything about him, that which he knew and that which he didn't. As if a switch had been pushed and so suddenly his mind was altered.

He didn't have time to think too hard as the sound of Hinata urging him to voice his troubles had him halt that process, and as if lost in a trance he told her about his worries. He talked about his father's weird actions, about the uncle who had rattled everything in him and finally about the weird incident with Gaara's homeroom teacher, Neji-sensei. The girl stayed silent for the whole time that he was complaining about everyone's behavior and how it was unfair to hide everything from him.

As he talked, Naruto noticed how easily everything was flowing out of him, as if his body just wanted someone to sit and listen, to hear him out with a genuine interest and desire to help. With nothing attached and nothing for him to guess, estimate or predict.

By the time he'd finished, recess has already finished and his heart seemed to calm down. He took a deep breath and looked at her, finally realizing that he'd just poured every little problem he had for the last month and so to her ears.

"That's all of it, Hinata-chan. Thank you for hearing me out 'til the very end."

Hinata shook her head and gave him a smile. "I should be the one who needs to thank you, Naruto-kun. I know it wasn't easy to tell me, a total stranger, some intimate information about you and your family's situation, and I appreciate it."

"Strange enough, it wasn't so hard."

"Well, that makes me happy. So…" The girl tilted her head to the side, cutely highlighting her pale neck. "Should I tell you something, Naruto-kun?"

The blond blinked at her and nodded, ignoring how adorable she looked to him right now. "Yes, please do."

"I think what you're really lacking is knowledge. I had learned from a tender age that knowledge is power. So if no one is going to give it to you, you should attain it by yourself."

"…I can't do that."

"Because of your father?"

"If he wants me to know –"

"Yes, Naruto-kun, I get that part. However, you're forgetting something rather important." She interrupted him, highlighting what's significant in her sight. "This is your family. You have every right in the book to know everything about it. Be it good or bad. You have to know and then decide if you want to be part of it or not. It's not your father's place to make that decision for you. Maybe I'm just doing the same thing he's doing and applying my own morals onto you, but you can never attain freedom if you keep asking it from others."

Naruto took time to think about her words and Hinata allowed him this time. For after all, what she was asking of him was something that he didn't even think about. Going behind everyone's backs and dig by himself? That notion wasn't even in the recycler of his mind. What if he was caught? Was that information so important? Did knowing what they were hiding deserve seeing his father sad or angry?

…Can he do something like this to his old man?

Naruto put a hand on his chest as a picture of a totally devastated Minato flashed through his eyes and he shook his head. "I… can't… sorry, Hinata-chan… I can never do something like this to him. If I was the reason for hurting my dad like that… I won't be able to continue living. I'm sorry… I'm very sorry."

The girl stood up; neatly she dusted her skirt and shook her head. "You're mistaking something here, Naruto-kun. The one who you're supposed to apologize to isn't me, but your oppressed self that will just continue suffering more and more this way."

With that, the girl left a very distressed looking blond on the rooftops and Naruto didn't know why suddenly he felt a storm coming his way. He just gulped down his own insecurities and following her, he went down for the fifth period that dreadful day.

"Sasuke, it's better not to get too close to that boy."

The raven allowed the smoke to leave his lips and coolly commented. "Says the one who sneaked himself into Naruto's high school as a teacher."

Kakashi rolled his eyes and explained his situation better. "I didn't sneak anything. I was searching for a job and Minato happened to know a vacancy there."

"…Right."

"I don't care if you believe me or not. However, you need to keep your distance if you really want to carry out your orders accordingly."

The raven looked outside the window at the clouds building up and groaned. "Don't worry; I never mix personal matters with missions."

"But this is the 'family'. It's already mixed. Your mind can't possibly hold on if you continue like this."

"Like I said, no reason fretting over me, I'm keeping it together, besides I'm not using 'it'."

"There's no need for you to even use 'it'." Kakashi argued, not liking the fickleness his cousin was showing. "If you asked me, Itachi is just being a suspicious brat. Naruto has no interest in inheriting anything or taking anything from him, he's a pure kid who just wants to meet his family, so you two better leave him alone and not mess anything in him."

"…I know." The raven put the cigarette out on the ashtray and stood up. "You don't need to tell me that. I know him."

"Do you? Staying with someone for only one month doesn't mean you get the whole of the person. Sasuke, I'm telling you this before it's too late for remorse… don't do anything to that child that you will regret."

"I never regret my actions." Sternly, those words were said.

"No, believe me," Kakashi shook his head as he escorted his guest to the door of his apartment. "This time, you definitely will."

"Hn."

"Take guidance from your older cousin."

"Someone who left the family has no right telling me what to do."

With those bitter words, Sasuke left Kakashi's apartment. The silver haired male sighed and leaned on the frame, watching his cousin run to his car before the early rain changed its notch. Softly, he allowed a whisper to leave his lips.

"Who was it that came to my door step just because he was feeling anxious, huh, Sasuke?"

Yet his question was washed up by the rain as Sasuke started his car and in matter of seconds left the area of his apartment complex. Kakashi sighed and returned to the inside of his apartment, for after all, Sasuke wasn't the only one feeling anxious about all this. And those clouds gathering in the skies did nothing to ease the restlessness he felt inside.

In a matter of half an hour, Sasuke has traversed the long distance between the two houses and was finally driving on the road leading to his brother's house. From the sideways mirror, he spotted a flash of gold move swiftly between the paved trees, trying to avoid the rain as it hit hard.

He stopped driving and just looked at his nephew, ducking from the rain and then jumping to another site to shelter some more. A small smile embarked on his lips and he just continued like that, watching Naruto's distressed face that would flare to a momentarily happiness when he'd avoid the rain right, then twist in frustration when he'd get slightly drenched. When he saw him take the turn to the house, Sasuke woke up to his fascination and started the car again.

It didn't take long for him to reach his destination after. Walking into the inside of the house, he secured his car. Sasuke didn't see a need to shout his arrival, seeing that his nephew was probably up in his room changing from the dirty clothes so he just continued on inside. However, the totally unexpected scene that greeted him told him that next time, he'd better announce just like normal.

A stark naked Naruto was standing in the middle of the living room, pulling his orange boxers down his feet. Sasuke's eyes wasted no time in scanning the tanned skin and lean body. His nephew had more fat than muscles really – something that distressed him slightly – but his body was fit for his age. No traces of unnecessary fats, but still a bit chubby in his own special way. The raven watched until every little edge, notch and turn was carved inside his skull with hot steal. When he's finally taken his full, a pleased tone left him mouth, making his presence known to the oblivious blond.

"Who knew your body would be so nice to look at?"

Naruto felt his skin literally leave his body and was about to fall over flat on his face had the sofa wasn't there, supporting his weight. His face turned beet red as he tried his best not to tackle on his own boxers. He looked with furious – and deeply embarrassed eyes – at his intruding uncle, before he shouted out loud on the top of his lungs.

"SASUKE! OH. MY. GOD! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE!?"

Sasuke raised a brow at the loud shout, seeing no obvious reason for it, then answered rather causally for the occasion. "Last time I checked, I was living here."

"I… I mean," Naruto coughed adjusting his voice and tone, hitting himself mentally for shouting like a girl being seen naked for the first time. "W-When did you get back?"

"Just now, I called you," Sasuke lied through his teeth for the umpteenth time. "But you were too preoccupied to hear me… now I know why. You waltz around nude when no one's around?"

"What!? No! I do not! I was just too disgusted with my clothes, so I took them off! Don't think anything weird, get me!? I never do this normally, and had I known you were coming right now or at home, I won't have done it!" Naruto denied as if his life depended on it.

Sasuke's smirk stretched and he threw the keys onto the nearby nightstand, before he commented. "So you were planning on taking a bath?"

Naruto didn't like the way those eyes were checking everything in him out and he tried to cover as best as he could without making Sasuke feel that he was doing it. Because he just knew it… if his uncle detected even the slightest hint of embarrassment in him, he'd be further embarrassed.

"Y-Yes… so bye!"

Before Naruto could bolt his way out of this situation, Sasuke took hold of one of his hands and jerked him backwards. He fell back to a weird position and let out a groan, showing his discomfort. The handsome raven quickly corrected the position, so Naruto was standing before him with his two hands held tightly in Sasuke's grip… and from the look inside those dark eyes, nothing good was heading his way.

"Were you running away from me just now, Naru-kun?"

The blond avoided direct eye contact and lied. "No, I wasn't. I just wanted to take a hot bath. It's cold like this."

"Ooh, if it's heat you're after, I have plenty of that."

"No! Wait –"

Naruto's lips were concealed within a soft kiss, followed by multiple small kisses that Sasuke chose as means to have his nephew open his mouth and give him total access. When he was permitted such, he inserted his tongue and in seconds, Naruto saw stars. He felt his power drain from him like all those other times, however he forgot himself and surrendered to the temptation.

With the thought that no one would interrupt their fun time, his hands – the ones that Sasuke was capturing as for him not to run away – were gently placed on each shoulder. Sasuke used his left one to pull Naruto closer by the waist whilst his right hand went to room the tan skin.

Yes, a sense inside both of them flared that they were trespassing the boundaries of normal family interactions. Yet at that minute, the only thing that was on either their minds was how to get closer to that sweet feeling welling up within their souls. Sasuke left Naruto's lips and softly nipped on his ear, causing an audible moan to break free from the younger of the two.

"Naruto…"

The mentioning of his name made the blond jerk his hips unintentionally and suddenly he heard a chuckle break free from his uncle. Half lidded orbs opened up slightly, and Naruto looked at himself with wide eyes, his penis was standing up right staring at him. His face turned brighter if possible. How on hell could he get an erection!? And from his uncle kissing him!? This was so wrong on so many levels that his brain chose to freeze.

When Sasuke saw the passing look of terror pass Naruto's eyes, he eased him into it and whispered. "It's perfectly normal for teenagers to get erections from foreplay. Don't think too much about it."

As Naruto was about to voice his complaints, Sasuke put a hand on the erect member and soothed the tip, making Naruto's eyes turn to the back of his head. He kept using one of his techniques that would ensure pleasure, but not too much to cause an early orgasm. Because at the end of the day, he didn't fancy this little adventure of theirs to end so soon.

His hand quickly memorized the shape of Naruto's dick. Sasuke wanted to cast his eyes downwards and give the hard member all his attention, but somehow he felt they hadn't yet reached that stage. Not to mention that if he removed his eyes from Naruto's, the blond might have a similar look to the previous one, which was something he didn't like at all. Skillfully, Sasuke pressed his thumb hard on the tip, then traversed to the areas surrounding the urethra, Naruto released a loud moan and his hands pulled Sasuke closer to him in a tight hug.

The raven smiled ecstatically and used his left hand to print stimulating touches all over Naruto's back and ass. The minute he grabbed a cheek and squeezed it in sequence with his thrusts, Naruto arched his back from the ecstasy that was swirling within him. The teen knew there was no one inside the house and that they were alone, however he just couldn't allow his voice to resonate out. Call it unreasonable fear or whatever; he just couldn't remove his teeth from his lower lip.

"S-Sasuke! Oh God! Stop…! Stop your hand!"

"When you're this sexy, there's no way I'd be able to stop."

The words weren't helping his excitement die down at all. Naruto reached a place where everything was too much to handle and suddenly, without any prior notifications or warnings, his cum was all over Sasuke's hand, his own exposed abdomen, and Sasuke's now totally ruined shirt.

The blond went limp onto his uncle's chest and the raven smirked. "I think we both need that bath of yours now."

Tiredly, Naruto allowed simple words to break free from his mouth, before he permitted Sasuke to drag him all the way to the bathroom.

"Just shut up, Sasuke."

Thank you so much for reading! Looking forward to reading your reviews~ ;D