Shinobi Secrets

Disclaimer … I don't own Naruto or any of these characters... Which makes me a very sad girl... Because if I owned Naruto there would be a lot more free cable+ than anyone could handle.

--+ Free Cable: A very odd term my sister and I use for yaoi. Ninjas make good friends... they can jump from roof to roof and get you free cable... ;)

Chapter 7

Place Values and Conversion

Naruto decided that after a month of having Sakura follow him around everywhere, it wasn't all that bad. "People notice me now… It's like…I'm finally a person. Even Ino smiles at me when I pass her in the street. I like this feeling… a lot." He smiled. "I'm so glad Sakura finally likes me… I hope she's looking forward to spending the day with me." He looked up at the sun. "Man, I'm late… I should hurry."

He was three houses away from Sakura's front door when he felt an all too familiar presence behind him.

He turned, finding himself face to face with Sasuke.

"It's so nice to see you here, Uzumaki."

"I don't really wish I could say the same." Naruto said, stepping back from him. Sasuke took a step forward, putting himself back where he was, his face an inch from Naruto's.

"You can't run, and you can't hide. I've come to take what's mine." Sasuke smiled, with a malicious and evil twinge at the corners of his mouth. Naruto's eyes went wide with subconscious fear. "I've got you now." He leaned in and caught Naruto's mouth in a passionate kiss.

Naruto's body reacted the way he feared the most. His arms wrapped themselves around Sasuke's waist, pulling him closer. Sasuke made a pleased sound, running his hands down Naruto's back. "I can't believe I'm going along with this…It just feels…right. I hope Sakura doesn't come outside any time soon…" He pulled back from the kiss and smiled. "Took you long enough, Uchiha." He hugged him, sighing softly as he leaned his head against Sasuke's shoulder. "I can't fight it any longer."

Sasuke leaned his head against Naruto's. "I think you're the one who took too long."

"Honestly, I think it was me who took too long." Came Sakura's voice, full of emotion. Naruto pulled back from the embrace and turned to look at her.

"I… I can't hide from myself. I really care about you… Both of you…" Naruto's voice trailed off, an uncomfortable silence growing between the three of them.

Sasuke stepped up behind Naruto. "You'll just have to learn your place. Can't you see that you never had a chance with MY Naruto?"

Naruto turned to face him. "You don't own me, Uchiha." He turned away from him and walked over to Sakura. "When you learn your place, we can try this again." He grabbed her hand and walked away, leaving a stunned silent Sasuke behind them.

Things were rather uneventful over the next few days. The only real difference was Sakura's marked change in attitude towards Naruto. She became caring, appreciative and very forgiving. She constantly asked him if he was happy, or if he felt boxed in. She was afraid of making him feel like she wanted to own him as well.

Naruto couldn't help but think about Sasuke on a constant basis, wondering if he made the right decision. He knew he couldn't give up on Sakura; she had been far too good to him and made him way too happy for that. He lost nights and nights of sleep, trying to figure out which way to go.

He was waiting on a bench on the bridge for Sakura, his legs absently swinging under him. He sighed and leaned back, looking up at the sky. "If only neither of them liked me… but then I'd be even worse off… "He sighed, staring back down at the ground.

"Why the long face?" Sakura asked, walking up to him.

"Oh..." He looked up. " I didn't hear you coming. How was your walk?"

"I told you not to do that."

"What?"

"Avoid my questions like that."

"Oh. Sorry. What was it again?"

Sakura sighed and sat down next to him, snuggling against his shoulder. "What's the matter?"

He looked down at her and smiled softly. "I'm just having a hard time deciding something."

"Does that something involve me?"

"What decision do I ever make that doesn't involve you?"

"Very true. Have you decided yet?"

"Yes." He leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. She tilted her head back slightly, running her tongue along his lower lip. He pulled back slowly, looking into her eyes.

"If your decision was whether to kiss me or not... I think you made the right choice." She smiled, leaning against his shoulder again. "You know, I could spend my whole life this way…"

"What? With your head all tilted to the side? That would be terrible for eating ramen."

She laughed, poking him softly in the ribs. "No, silly. Sitting next to you."

"Oh.. Yeah." He looked down at her again. "Me too." He smiled softly, putting his hand over hers. "These past few days have been great… I just hope you aren't sick of me yet."

She kissed him on the cheek. "Never."

"Oh, how touching. You know.. you two really should get a room." Sasuke said, walking up to them.

"Who invited you to crash our party?" Sakura asked, giving him the evil eye.

"I invited myself. Is there a problem with that?" He asked, walking over to the bench and taking a seat next to Naruto, pressing up against his side.

Naruto coughed and squirmed a little in his seat, putting an arm around each of them casually, not wanting one to feel left out. "So… What's… going on with everyone today?"

Sakura sighed and stood up. "I have somewhere I need to be. I guess I will see you two later."

"Wait.. no. Don't leave." "Don't leave me alone with Uchiha…" "Where do you need to go? I…Uh…we can walk you." Naruto looked at her, his eyes pleading.

"No, it's alright." Her eyes flashed daggers at Sasuke. "I can handle myself, love. Don't worry about where I'm going. I'll be over at your place at 7. Don't forget." She leaned down and kissed his cheek then turned and walked away quickly.

"Wonderful. Just lovely. I'm going to get mind raped." Naruto sighed and turned to look at Sasuke, whom he still had his arm around. "Well, I guess that just leaves us…"

Sasuke grinned evilly. "She doesn't need you until 7. Can I keep you company until then?" He leaned his head against Naruto's shoulder and looked up at him innocently.

Naruto looked into Sasuke's eyes and his heart melted, butterflies coursing through him once again. "I guess so… Just behave yourself." He leaned down and kissed Sasuke's cheek. "I mean it."

"Promise. I'll be a good little boy." Sasuke stood up and held his hand out to help Naruto up. Naruto took his hand and allowed him to help. Sasuke pulled a little too hard and Naruto fell over, pressing his body against Sasuke's. Naruto blushed, standing up straight.

"You said you were going to be good."

"Oh, I will. Just let me get you alone… You'll see just how good it can be." He leaned over and kissed right below Naruto's ear.

Naruto stepped back quickly, blushing a deep red. "You are just cruel, you know that?" Sasuke smiled and grabbed Naruto's hand.

"Come on." He started walking, pulling Naruto along behind him.

"Where are we going?"

"I have you for three hours. I'd give anything to get you naked." Sasuke said, laughing a little.

"What!" Naruto said, struggling to keep up with his captor.

"You'll see when we get there. Don't be such a baby, lover."

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--Chakra Kitten