Title: Figment of Reality
Author: Ryuk-chan
Rating: T (currently)
Chapter: 8

Disclaimer: Naruto isn't mine. There! I said it! Happy now?

Warnings: Future SasuNaru, some profanity, OOCness, slight Sakura-bashing, unexpected wetness, confusing favors, etc.


Chapter 8: Favorful


The bell rang loudly, alerting every student that the school day had finally ended. We all rushed up and grabbed our bags, while a few lingering fangirls still flocked around Sasuke's desk.

Speaking of fangirls…

"Naruto!" Hooray for Sakura and her impeccable timing. Just when I thought I could get out of the building a little early. I had to work this afternoon and Tsunade's been nagging me about my tardiness lately. I gave her a bright smile despite my annoyance.

"Hiya Sakura! You working today?"

"Nah, not today. I just wanted to know if you put in that good word for me with you know who…?" she waggled her eyebrows, hopeful. I was supposed to talk to Sasuke for her! I had honestly forgotten all about it.

"Ah, well, not exactly…" I rubbed the back of my neck nervously. I saw her glance behind me and blush. It must've been Sasuke approaching. She squeaked anxiously.

"Naruto," he said to me, "are you ready to leave?"

"Um, sure, but first," I slid behind Sakura and nudged her forward. "This is my friend, Sakura, and she's been dying to meet you."

The girl waved dumbly. Sasuke nodded slightly, barely acknowledging her presence. I assumed he already knew of her, seeing that he tailed me a while before I met him. I wanted him to say something to the poor thing. I gave him a pleading look.

"Nice to meet you, Sakura," he added as he walked past her. Sakura waved at his leaving form a second time.

I gave the pinkette a quick apology and goodbye as I followed him. I should've expected Bastard-Man to be hostile.

"You know, making new friends isn't a bad thing. Some people actually like being nice," I frowned when I caught up with him.

"I'm not some people, now am I?" I knew that had to be rhetorical. So I didn't bother answering.

Instead, I changed the subject. "I have to work today."

"So I hear," he replied, "I planned on dropping you off."

Dropping me off? "You won't be sticking around?" He shook his head no.

"I have an errand to run." Of course. I didn't like his errands…they made me nervous. I told him so.

He smirked at the concern. "If you keep this up, I'll start to think you actually want me around," he chuckled. I didn't know what to say after that one. Did I actually enjoy his company?

Probably.

We walked to his car in silence, avoiding the rest of the student body. That way, we wouldn't have to answer any irritating questions about Sasuke's relationship status or the applesauce incident. We did, however, bump into Iruka on the way out the school building. He took the opportunity to nag me about the lunch episode. A great deal of time was spent convincing him I learned my lesson.

I got to the coffee shop late.

"Naruto, do you know what time it is?" Tsunade nagging, as expected.

"Yeah, yeah… I got it, old hag." I motioned toward the clock on the wall. "Only ten minutes late. I apologize for being a young person and going to school like I should."

She huffed. "And I apologize for having a business to run. Now get to work, brat."

I snickered and threw my blue apron on, noticing the contrast between it and my orange shirt. Sakura would have a heart attack.

The customers were my usual, so the night seemed pretty routine. I felt a tad anxious, though. Maybe I was waiting for Sasuke. I grumbled at the realization.

The bells above the door jingled, and dark hair came into view, along with wide colorless eyes.

"Hello, Naruto."

"Wow, Neji, hey there." He was one of the last people I thought would come into the shop. And greeting me of all people. I thought back the moment he waved to me in class. "Don't see you 'round here often."

"Yes, well, it's best to try new things now and again." He ambled up to the counter and looked over the menu. "What would you recommend?"

"Me? I suppose the Caramel Apple Cider Latte is good," I answered, hoping he'd order it To-Go.

He thought about it, and then stared at me. "What does the Uchiha get when he comes here?"

"Huh?" I assumed he must've heard the lie I made up before. Sasuke's never actually been in the store to order anything. However, I did recall the time he ordered coffee at the ice cream shop. "Black coffee," I responded, proud of my quick thinking. "You want that?"

"No, I was just being curious." He fiddled with the napkin holder on the countertop. "How much do you know about him?"

I didn't like that question either. Coffee preference was one thing, but this was something else. "What's up with the interrogation?"

"You should be careful trusting strangers, Uzumaki." I wanted to ask him what that meant when the bell at the door jingled. It was Sasuke.

"Sasuke!" I called out, very thankful. All of Neji's "curiosity" was making me extremely nervous. I hated the feeling. Neji grimaced at the boy's arrival.

"Hyuuga, what're you doing here?" Sasuke clearly sounded displeased. I wondered why the two were so hostile. Please tell me this isn't like the whole Sai versus Sasuke thing.

"Leaving." And with that, Neji turned on his heels and waltzed out the door.

"I don't even want to know what that was about," I said after a moment. Sasuke pretended nothing happened.

The rest of the night was standard. Usually I complain when nothing happened, but tonight I was relieved. Sasuke sat around, reading books from the shelves. He went through them quickly, even the long ones. We made conversation here and there, but we couldn't talk long because I had customers.

Many of the patrons took notice of Sasuke… especially chicks from our school. Occasionally, a brave girl would try to sit with Sasuke at his table, but he would get up and move to another one. It was fun to watch.

They made me think of Sakura, all desperate and clingy. Speaking of which… Sakura would be mad when she finds out he was in the shop.

"You know Sakura would kill me if she knew you were here." I chirped, sliding into the seat by the Uchiha. He barely looked up from the thick book he was reading.

"Why is that?" he mumbled.

"Because she would die to be in the same room as you," I smiled. "And breathing the same air as you. She'd have an orgasm on the spot."

Sasuke snorted. "Funny."

"But true. Years and years of dodging women? How do you do it?"

"Tch," he snorted. "It's harder than it looks."

"Harder than it looks?" I repeated disbelievingly. "How can it be hard? Just pick a chick you can tolerate and the rest should leave you alone. It's that simple," I stated, as if I had all the answers. He raised his eyebrow at me.

"Actually it's not," he flipped a page in the tome and continued, "Not only do I doubt there's a girl out there I can tolerate, but I also can't believe that a girlfriend will discourage the others. They'd probably terrorize her and chase after me even more."

I shrugged. He had a point. Especially if the girls are like Sakura. When she's angry, she has to be the scariest person on the planet. Sasuke's girlfriend would be murdered in cold blood.

"I guess you're right." I sighed. "That must suck."

"Not really. I already told you ---"

"Yeah yeah. That whole brother thing. I swear," I huffed, crossing my arms. "That whole policy is getting on my nerves."

He mumbled something I didn't catch and went back to his book. I rose to finish cleaning up the shop. Ten o'clock had rolled around, which meant time to close up.

Tsunade came from her office in back to check on me.

"Hey brat," she called out in her boisterous voice. "Make sure you close up right this time, since it isn't my job."

"What do you mean, lady? This is your shop, isn't it?" I retorted just as loudly. I heard her footsteps come to the end of the hall and stop.

"Who's this?" she snapped, looking at Sasuke, "Can't he read the 'closed' sign out front?"

The brunette glanced at her impassively and returned his eyes to the large book he was finishing. Tsunade stomped her foot.

"Don't worry, Haggy, he's with me. He drove me here." I continued to wipe the counters as she gave me an incredulous look.

"He's with you? Brat, did you finally admit to swinging that wa---"

"What!? There's nothing to admit, you senile old woman!" I knew my face was completely red now. I could see Sasuke smirking from his seat.

"Oh, well, whatever. I'm leaving now. Lock up right." She walked out the front and threw a wave behind her.

I squatted behind the counter, hiding from Sasuke's view. My cheeks were still pink and I knew facing him would make it worse. Of all people to overhear that, it had to be him.

…And how many people think I'm gay? Honestly?

I felt a presence close by and froze.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" I could hear the amusement in his voice. I covered my face with my hands.

"No, asshole." I said, muffled. He laughed and slid down beside me.

His warm shoulders were against mine, and I felt them move up and down with each breath.

"I have one more favor, right?" he whispered.

I thought about it. I wasn't sure if he had one left or not, but I did owe the guy a great deal. My life, for instance. I shrugged, "Sure, I guess. What is it?"

He slipped his hand into my own.

My heart sped up as I nervously awaited his request.

"A kiss."

A… "Kiss?" My eyes widened as Sasuke positioned himself in front of me.

He gave a quick nod. "One simple kiss."

I flushed. This was not how I envisioned my first real kiss. On the floor, at my job, with a boy. With no romance or anything. I should be feeling awkward. But the butterflies in my stomach proved otherwise.

Maybe one wouldn't hurt.

Sasuke's face lingered just above mine, cheeks slightly reddened. Slowly his lips touched mine, but the simple motion sent electric pulses through my body. I leaned in more, wrapping my hands around his neck. I felt him smile as we put more pressure into the kiss. His tongue swiped my bottom lip and I whimpered.

We pulled apart, and I sighed, eager for more. He quickly covered my mouth with his own again, but this time plunging his tongue in as well.

I moaned as he ran the appendage over every crevice in my mouth. I shuddered, pulling him as close as possible. Sasuke's flavor filled my mouth, tasting like coffee and mint. I moved my tongue with his, encouraged by the deep groan I felt from his throat. Our lips melded together and our bodies shifted against each other, desperate for more contact.

"Sasuke," I gasped as we separated. I rested my body on the wall behind me and looked up into the Uchiha's face. His pale face was pink and his lips were swollen and panting. I smiled, satisfied. I imagined I appeared the same.

Those parted lips over me gave a smile, and I felt the urge to claim them again.

"Thanks," he breathed, carefully moving away from me.

We didn't make eye contact as we got off the floor. It was around ten thirty now, the latest I've ever left the coffee shop. I grabbed the keys off the counter anxiously.

"Guess it's time to close up," I said quietly. Sasuke followed me toward the door, holding it open as I switched all the lights off and locked it. We left, neither of us speaking.

The car ride was quiet.

I felt like Sasuke regretted asking for the kiss. Not that it wasn't enjoyable – I knew he liked it just as much as I did. I just didn't want any harsh feelings…it was his idea anyway!

Why are we pretending it never happened?

-------

"You ever noticed that 'taste' and 'state' are spelled with the same letters?" I said, poorly attempting to break the icy silence.

Sasuke didn't say anything.

"And that real life moles don't have eyes at all," I tried again.

Still nothing.

"And rabbits will eat their young if they feel they're in danger," I went on, "which is really ironic because---"

"Naruto," he cut me off. "What is your problem?"

His curt tone startled me a bit. "I don't do well in silence," I whispered timidly.

"Right. How could I forget."

Luckily we were close to home. I idly wondered where Sasuke would sleep. Or if he'd even sleep over at all.

"Are you coming?" he asked, shaking me out of my thoughts.

I nodded, and climbed out the car, allowing him to lock the vehicle behind me. Sasuke started up the stairs and I followed, feeling beyond awkward.

This is why kisses always end badly. No matter how good they start.

I ate a bowl of ramen for dinner, while Sasuke downed a coffee and left to watch the news.

I might as well be alone in the room.

I sighed and mumbled a good night, not caring whether he acknowledged it or not.

After trudging to my bed, I fell face down and practically passed out.

-----

I'm pretty sure a few hours passed before I heard a knock on my door.

I squinted at the digital clock at my bedside. The first number looked like a three…but I wasn't sure of the last two. Darkness was still beyond my window.

The door creaked open and a shadowed figure made its way over to my bed. Every motion was silent and accurate. I rolled over to get a better look.

Then, I felt a hand brush against my face. It was gentle, and I instantly felt comforted. I opened my mouth to speak when a pair of lips collided into mine.

They tasted like Sasuke.

The form repositioned itself; straddling my waist and bringing our half hard groins into contact. I gasped into his mouth.

He pulled away, and even though I couldn't see it, I knew there was a smirk on his face. He grinded down once, slow and satisfying. I moaned.

"Sasuke," I panted. "What are you doing?" I could barely speak. I was sure all the blood in my brain had gone straight to my pants.

"I want you," he said roughly, grinding down again.

"Ah," I groaned. "I want you too, Sasuke…"

Our lips connected again, and it didn't take long for my release. I cried out his name as he sprinkled kisses down my neck.

I came down from my high, barely listening to his voice.

"Can you do me another favor?" he said softly into my ear.

I nodded dizzily.

"Wake up."

Shit.

I opened my eyes little by little, greeted by sunlight and a sticky wet feeling in my sheets.


Yeah, what was up with Neji? He should've ordered something. A Frozen Green Tea with a squirt of vanilla. *mouth waters* And all those random facts Naruto came up with are surprising things I learned recently.

Also, I changed my time skip lines to the centered dashs, in case I forgot to point that out. Tatsu pointed out that I make a lot of new paragraphs all the time. I do that because to me, it gives things more emphasis. In case anyone was wondering about that, too, there's my reasoning.

Let me stop this pointless author note.

Did you enjoy this chapter? Honestly, I did. Probably a lot more than I should have. XD But I want to know if /you/ liked it. Should I do more of this kind of thing, or less? See anything that needs improving?

Please please review! This entire exploit was worthless without your feedback!

~ Ryuk-chan