Author's Note: So sorry for the delay you guys. The reason behind the wait is due, in part, to my own decisiveness. I could not figure out how I wanted to separate these next two chapters. I did not want this chapter to feel like a filler, but if I put the next major scene in it the chapter would have been ridiculously long. The next chapter may still end up being kind of long; depending on how I edit it. Anyhow, hope you understand what I am trying to say and enjoy this chapter even if it is a bit less action packed than some of the others. Got to get some character development somehow, right? Haha.
What's Wrong Heart?
"What…are you talking about?"
There is another brief pause in where the calculating man scans his withered body with what seems like disinterest. If were not few words Sasuke would think that the adult did not actually anything by his previous question. "I am talking about whatever narcotic you are taking that is making you go through such a high degree of withdrawal." Withdrawal? Is that what has been going on with him? But how can that be when he is not addicted to anything! Surely three doses of Orochimaru's experiment is not enough to cause an addiction…right? That would be ridiculous, no, that would be impossible. "Judging from your symptoms it is probably not an opioid, so I can rule out heroine and probably meth as well."
"This is not what you think—"
"If I had to guess I would say alcohol or tranquilizers; headaches, fevers, nausea—does any of that sound familiar?"
"You are wrong."
"Do you know what withdrawal from those types of drugs can cause?"
"I am not—"
"Heart attack, seizures—"
"I am not on any—"
"Then there's hallucinations, strokes, and—"
"Stop, you are not listening—"
"And of course death—"
"STOP DAMMIT!" He does not have to listen to any of this shit. He, Uchiha Sasuke, is not some pathetic junkie and will not be made out to be one! "I AM NOT ON ANY OF THAT SHIT!"
"…" The silence makes him realize just how worked up he has gotten. His breath is coming out in short huffs and he can almost feel the heat radiating off his pink face. This is only made more apparent by how cool, calm, and collected the elder appears. They could be having a conversation about the weather as far as he's concerned. "Then why don't you save me the trouble by telling what you are on?"
"…" This is chaos. Everything is falling apart. What is he going to do? If Kakashi thinks he is on drugs, will he turn him into Shizune? If that happens, where will he end up then? Will they do something as ridiculous as to send him to rehab? What if he spills all he knows about Orochimaru? What then? No that would not benefit him at all. They would still treat him like an addict, but…will the others being held at his compound be freed then? The few nights that the troubled teen has dreams, they are always filled with the faces of the children still trapped in that living hell. No matter what he does, he cannot shake the image of Sakon and Ukon's dismembered body from his mind. Is that the fate of every person there if he does open his mouth and speak out against Orochimaru? No. He knows better than to be this naïve! Orochimaru is a cunning bastard. He has not gotten away with his heinous crimes all the years by being reckless. It obvious that the wretched old snake has the system in his back pocket. And if someone like his father, back in his prime, could not bring him to justice then no one can—let alone him; an abused, "drug addicted", foster kid. Who in their right mind would believe him? Shizune already believes the vermin to be Kami's gift to earth. They may end up putting him in some type of mental institution if he tries to speak on the horrors he has witnessed while in the old man's care.
"Sasuke, how about we take this one step at a time, hm?"
"…" Although what he is saying would sound patronizing out of anyone else's mouth, there is something strikingly serious about the man's demeanor that somehow does not antagonize the already riled up youth. "Like I said before, I do not know what you are talking about." Of course, that does not mean he is going to receive the elusive boy's cooperation.
"Right, I'm sure you don't. I have heard all about your uncooperative tendencies, but let me tell you first and foremost that tactic is not going to work right now. Silence will only earn you unwanted results."
"And I will tell you, one and for all, to mind your fucking business."
"Sorry to be the bearer of unwelcome news, but for at least the remainder of this week you are my business Sasuke."
"Get over yourself. I take care of myself."
"And what a grand job you are doing." His dark eyes narrow into angry little slits, but the man does not allow him to retort before he starts speaking again. "Listen Sasuke, I know you have no reason to trust me and I do not expect you to. Actually it makes perfect sense that you don't, but that does not mean I am going to sit here and not do everything in my power to help you. IF you even want to discuss the possibility of not going to the hospital, I need to know what drugs you are on so I can get you the necessary medications to address those symptoms and prevent those serious complications I mentioned before."
He…will not turn him in if he cooperates? What makes him think he would believe such bullshit like that? Any other rational adult would take him straight to Shizune or the hospital. Why should he trust that he will not betray him in the end? It is not as though betrayal is a foreign concept to the teen. He has learned earlier on that adults are especially prone to it. They will say anything to you in the that moment to get what they want out of you and as soon as they have it…you are no longer needed. "Start making some sense Kakashi. Why am I to believe you will not drag me to the hospital or rat me out to Shizune in exchange for my compliance?"
Although any other adult would be affronted by the casual use of their first name by such an insolent youngster, the fair-haired teacher does not bat an eyelash and has no problem providing an answer. "It is simple; if you tell me what you have been taking then I can get you the care you need without involving unwanted attention."
"How?"
"…"
"So, you expect me to trust you, when you cannot answer such a reasonable question?"
"…"
"Nothing to say now? Because you know you are just going to stab me in the back as soon as—"
"Do not misunderstand Sasuke. I am being kind by providing you with some options. I can provide you with these options because of certain resources I have at my disposal. You do not have to trust me. That is perfectly fine and something I can live with. It does not matter in this point in time. But I am telling you right now; I am not letting this go. This is not just going to disappear. It will get resolved. Where my kindness comes into play is allowing you to influence how it gets resolved." How dare he! Where does he get off telling him what to do?! Before he can voice out any of his discontent, however, he speaks up again in a tone considerably less callous. "That being said…I know it really must be difficult for you to put your confidence in anyone, especially adults, given the circumstances you have endured thus far—"
"Do not speak on my circumstances."
"So," He continues without missing a beat. "I will reveal something about myself that may or may not ease your mind, but will at the very least dispel your questions."
"Go on then." Of course, nothing he says will make him trust him, but the young Uchiha still needs to know about the man's influence. What are these resources that could get him medical help at the drop of the hat without being admitted for care? How and why does this middle-class teacher have access to them?
"Teaching at Konoha High is only a day job or moreover it is a cover job."
"A cover job?"
"That's right. My real work is as an undercover agent—now don't go making grand assumptions." He adds on when he sees the growing skepticism on the teenager's scowling face. "It is nothing as glamorous as you see on T.V or anything. I am stationed here in Konoha and receive missions as needed. Nothing too serious usually. For the most part I spy and do undercover operations. Because of my job I have access to many different services, therefore I can get you the treatment and medicine you need to at least get you through drug detoxification. Depending on whatever you have been taking, this should help you through the worst of it which typically last 24-72 hours. Then follows the post-acute phase which should not be nearly as difficult and can last a few weeks. Then of course there is relapse prevention and therapy to worry about."
"A few weeks? Therapy? How long do you think I am going to stay here! I am only going to be here six more days and then I never have to see any of you again."
"Six days is long enough to deal with the worst of this. So I say let us work on the detoxification."
No way he is just going to deflect the subject like that. "And after that, then what? Are you going to blackmail me into choosing to stay here when the time comes for me to choose a permanent?!"
"Let's just say we will cross that bridge when we get to it."
"If you think you can—"
"And no." His cool tone is somehow still firm enough to cut the teen off mid-rant. "I am not going to blackmail you into doing anything. Like I stated before, what happens from here on out is all dependent on your actions and choices."
"And if I chose that you are full of shit and want nothing to do with you?"
"Then I check you into a hospital right now and leave your welfare into Shizune's hands. I am assuming that whatever it is you are on was not detectable in your bloodstream for one reason or another, but I am sure if I tell them to admit you for a while they will soon see you exhibiting signs of addiction."
"So, you are threatening me! Either I tell you everything or you turn me in?"
"I am not threatening you. Sasuke your view on the world is so jaded right now that you seem to be unable to understand that I am not doing anything to harm you. You may not like it but, I am not going to sit back and ignore your obvious condition. Something will be done. What? Is entirely up to you. So, what's it going to be?" This is ridiculous! He is being threatened and there is nothing the adult can say to talk his way around that fact. But what is he going to do? What can he do? Of course, accepting whatever help the suspicious man has to offer is preferable over being turned into the system, but…how can he trust that Kakashi won't just backstab him and turn him in anyway? He cannot trust him…hell he cannot trust anybody. "So, by simple deduction." The older man speaks up suddenly, breaking the youth away from his thoughts. "You must have had access to drugs under the supervision of Fugaku or Orochimaru. If I had to guess; I would say Orochimaru. If I had to speculate any further, I would say Orochimaru probably administered it to you." How did he deduce all of that from his silence? Maybe he is some kind of government official. "All I really need to know is." A wave of unease washes over the pallid boy when the deductive spy stands and crosses the room to loom over him by his bedside. "What did he give you?"
"I—you! I…don't…don't know." He really wishes the man would not stare down at him like that. It is unnerving and is making him want to hop out of bed in case he needs to get ready to defend himself.
"You don't know?" That one beady eye seems to analyze every part of his being before finally coming to the conclusion that the boy is probably telling the truth. "What did it look like?"
"It…was purple."
"Purple? How was it administered?"
"…Injected…by a needle."
"Hmm. Did he ever reveal to you what kind of injection he was giving you?"
Deciding that it is his turn for a question he ignores that one to pose one of his own. "How do I know you won't just use me for information, turn me in, and cash in on a new lead for your investigation?"
"You don't know."
"Tch."
"Well?" They both know the man has him. All the teen is doing now is stalling.
"He never told me what it was…"
"Hmm…I have never heard of any known drug being purple…this must be another one of Orochimaru's inventions."
"I never said I got it from Orochimaru."
"So, you are saying your father gave it to you?"
"…"
"Right, didn't think so. Now can you tell me anything he may have said about it? Anything you may have overheard? Any bit of information is useful."
It all seems so long ago. It is almost physically flooring how much has changed in the last few months. How much he has changed. "He told me…it would make me powerful."
"How do you feel when you take it?"
"Invincible." He cannot believe he is divulging all of this to the shady character before him. "Like I can take on anyone. It makes working out a breeze… like my stamina is infinite and I can keep going forever." Even as he sits there talking about it, he can feel the burning desire for more growing with every word. It is like an agonizing itch that no amount of scratching can sate. It's starting to make him fidget uncomfortably. Could he really be…
"Sounds like a steroid which makes sense since the symptoms do include fatigue, decreased appetite, psychological dependence, weakness, nausea, and the like. Sound familiar?" When all he receives is a frown for a response he takes it as his cue to continue. "The good news is that treatment for steroid withdrawal is simple enough. It cannot be stopped abruptly or else you will feel the way you have been. We just need to give you a controlled amount of another well used steroid while slowly decreasing the dosage over the next few months." Months?! "What is bothering me is that I know Orochimaru. And I cannot believe this is some simple steroid that can be treated so typically. Is there anything else you can tell me about it?"
As much as it is hard to admit, he knows little to nothing about the drug he was allowing the serpent of a man to inject him with. What was he thinking? No, no he cannot think like that. It will all be worth it when he destroys Itachi…right? "I do not know anything else. Just that he gave it to me three times."
"Three times?!" Despite his calm composure he can see his beady eye widen in disbelief. "Are you sure about that?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Usually this kind of severe withdrawal either comes from prolonged periods of abuse or multiple doses in a short span of time. Were these very large doses in this needle?"
"No not really."
"Hm no, that would have probably killed you right? Not that Orochimaru would have cared, but since you are not his to manipulate freely I am guessing that there is nothing lethal about what he administered. He knew you had to come back eventually so it is likely that what he gave you is just highly addictive and should not pose a threat to your life. He was probably planning on making you mad with lust and these cravings would push you right back to him…and then you would probably never be heard from again."
"…" Why does he know so much about Orochimaru? Now he is really starting to believe that he indeed may be a secret agent. How else could he have this kind of insight on the situation at the compound? It is almost as if he has been there himself.
"Do you know if anyone else at that facility was giving the same experiment?"
"I was the only one who received that strand according to him."
"So, there were others who were given these experimental drugs?"
His mouth snaps shut when he realizes what he has done. He did not mean to divulge that much information. It would be a blatant lie to say he does not care what is happening to the other people at Orochimaru's hide away, but he cannot say anything. He does not care about any of them personally, but he still has nightmares of all of them ending up like Sakon and Ukon. Especially Karin and…Suigetsu. When he first arrived, they did everything in their power to accommodate him. He is not so sure about Suigetsu anymore, but at least Karin is still an innocent girl stuck in a nightmarish situation. Loud and obnoxious, but innocent…reminds him of a certain blonde he knows.
"In any case I think I know enough. I will go meet with my contact and get some treatment for strong steroid and possibly tranquilizer withdrawal."
"Wait." The man had already stood up and grabbed his wallet to leave the house, but stopped short when Sasuke called out. "You said you will give me treatment in secret as long as I cooperate, but what about Iruka? Actually, where is he now? Isn't this his room too?"
"He did not come back home last night…had some business to attend to. I won't tell him…for now. But do not be confused by what this is Sasuke. If I believe, for even a moment, that what I am doing is not adequate to help you and you do not show sign of improvement, I will be informing Shizune before your next home trial. You will get proper care one way or another."
He can feel the blood boiling in his veins so he decides not to address the obvious threat and instead ask another question nagging his mind. "So, someone like Iruka is a government agent too?"
"I never said I was a government agent…not anymore anyway. I work for the mayor; Tsunade-sama. Iruka, well he is not as involved as I am and unofficially gathers data and may brief new recruits on information. But don't you worry about any of that. What you need to worry about is rest and recovery. I am going to go make the necessary preparations for your medicine." His hand reaches for the doorknob, but once again he stops short and glances back at the bedridden teen. "I have kept Naruto away and told him you need to rest, but it is very likely that when he sees my car pull away from the house he will come in here."
"Oh? Worried his poor little innocent heart will not be able to handle the harsh realities of the world? Want me to tell him I have a nasty cold to save him the horror?"
Despite the obvious contempt in the boy's voice the elder stares back at him in cool indifference. "You are sorely mistaken if you believe that you are the only one who has known pain and tragedy Sasuke. I will let you keep thinking that Naruto is a naïve boy who has never seen the ugliness of the world if that helps you cope with your problems. What you chose to tell him or not is entirely your decision. I was only warning you that he will barge in here, probably." And with that he leaves the scowling boy to his own devices. He does not like that man. He has a way of making the highly intelligent Uchiha prodigy feel stupid. Not to mention, that no matter what he wants to say he is threatening him and they both know it. What did he mean by that cryptic message? Sure, he knows Naruto is not has happy and go lucky as he portrays, but it is not as though he has experienced true suffering…right?
Before he can ponder that any further the boy in question comes charging into the room as predicted by his father. Sasuke remains indifferent as the blonde dashes to his side and stares at him with those wide baby blue eyes. They stare at each for longer than necessary before the Uchiha breaks the uncomfortable silence. "What? What is it? Do I have something on my face?"
"Ah, um…"
"What? You came running in here like a bat out of hell and have nothing to say?"
"No…not really." Red stains the boy's cheeks as he lets his awkwardness consume him, but he still forces his gaze to remain on the sickly teen at his side. "I only wanted to know if you were alright."
"Of course I am alright. What a stupid thing to worry about."
"Eh?! How is it stupid? Last I saw you, you were—"
"Worry about yourself." The statement somehow comes out like more of a threat which prompts a haughty glare from the shorter youth.
"Bastard. I have been up all night wondering if you were going to alright and all you can say—"
"I never asked for any of this pointless concern Naruto."
"Pointless? You were the one in my lap and clinging onto me for dear life and you feel that my concern is pointless?"
Sasuke's eye visibly twitches as he recalls the way the other comforted him through his distress. He really wishes he had not. Even though, at the time, it was very welcomed now it is nothing but an embarrassing reminded of his weakness. He, Uchiha Sasuke, had to be coddled like some little brat by Naruto of all people. It is almost enough to make him slide under the covers and never come back out again. But of course he does no such thing and musters up all the indifference and aloofness he can despite his face turning a darker shade of red with each passing moment. "J-Just forget about that and mind your own business."
"As if I could."
"I suggest you try."
"I am not going to make fun of you or anything, if that's what you think."
"Oh I know you are not that stupid."
Again, they take a moment to glare at each other but puzzlement clouds the brunette's brow when the tanned teen looks away with a crestfallen look painted uncharacteristically across his face. "Well whatever, as long as you are alright…I don't know…I was really scared that, mm." He cuts himself off with a quick shake of his head. "Never mind, it does not matter now. As long as you're okay."
The Uchiha does not understand this boy at all. He is an complete enigma when it seems like he should the most unassuming person on Earth. Why does he worry about him so much? They were barely friends to begin with and he can hardly say that now at all. So why? Why can the question of his wellbeing bring this hurt expression to his usually cheerful face? And moreover, why does he, Sasuke, want to make that expression go away? Since when did he care about the idiot's feelings at all? Even as he thinks this he cannot stop his hand from reaching out a pinching his nose. "Don't make such a face loser. I am fine now and I am going to be fine. It will not happen again, so go back to worrying about things you should like; your next serving of ramen, those sorry grades of yours, working up the nerve confess to Sakura, Kiba…"
"Baka!" He is not too surprised when he slaps his hand away with an indignant frown. Sasuke watches on in amusement as the red returns to his cheeks and he turns his back to him. His smug smile falters at his next few words though. "Don't forget that you are also on that list of things I worry about!" Bathump! And with that he storms off in a huff and slams the door behind him.
All Sasuke can do is stare at the door wide eyed. What was that? Just now…his heart…Did it just skip a beat?
….
The next three days pass by in an interesting hazed blur. As promised Kakashi has been regularly administrating the young addict medicine which has helped a great deal. Somehow, they managed to convince Iruka that he has a cold and so the lit teacher has picked up nothing unusual about him staying in bed most days and not really having an appetite. But he can honestly say he has not felt this good in weeks. He can hold food down and he does not feel the crippling anxiety that has been plaguing him until he is ready to go to sleep. As promised, the first two days were definitely the hardest. He felt just as he did that night he had the mental breakdown, but the medicine kept him grounded despite his extreme discomfort. As much as he hates to admit it, Naruto has been helping a great deal in that regard as well. No matter how late the Uchiha stays up, the blonde will stay up with him and just talk or convince him to play a game or two. Although the aloof teen would usually shun such advances it has been a welcome reprieve from his loneliness and anxiety. Naruto has that weird way about him that makes him forget for a moment how shit life can be.
He is just coming out the shower when he notices Iruka dragging a duffle bag down the stairs. When the man notices his curious stare, he pauses to smile and greet him. "Good morning Sasuke-kun, feeling better?"
"Hai. Need any help?"
"Ah no, thank you. Will you come down after you dry your hair though? There is something I need to discuss with you." Panic consumes him immediately. Could it be that they have been found out? How? They were so careful. But wait a minute…Kakashi did tell him that Iruka is an agent too after all. It would not be strange for him to see right through them, would it? No, he must calm down. Iruka is the type that he would have called Shizune or taken him to the hospital at once. He would not bother to try and talk to him about it. Right? Even as he thinks this his heart is thumping away in his chest. He does a poor job of drying his ink hair before rushing down the stairs to either confirm or expunge his fears. He is more than a little confused when he comes face to face with a scowling Naruto. The blonde is slumped down in the couch with his arms cross and a look as sour as spoiled mild on his normally grinning face. Iruka spares him a sympathetic look before trying to remain cheerful. "Oh that was quick. Have a seat Sasuke." His eyes do not leave his roommate as he takes the seat across from him. The boy in questions pays him no mind though and continues to glare at the floor in disdain. What has him in such a foul mood? This is different than just his bratty behavior. "Naruto is already aware of this, but I have to go work every Christmas Eve. I usually leave the day before and am back by Christmas day."
"Christmas Night." The blue eyed adolescent interrupts with a voice full of scorn.
"Eh right, usually Christmas night. I have been meaning to tell you before, but I know you have been resting all week and I did not want to disturb you. Kakashi usually tries to make sure he is home too, but he will not be back until Christmas as well." The silver-haired man in question left the night before under the guise of attending a "teacher's convention". Of course now that Sasuke is aware of the man's true profession he knows that this was a blatant lie. A lie that could not fool anyone, but Naruto really. What teacher works on Christmas? He can only assume that Iruka is also on his way to do some undercover work for the mayor since he is being just as secretive as his partner.
"You said that you were both going to try and stay home this year."
"We did try but, what can we do? We have to work."
"You're the only teachers I know who have to work every Christmas." Maybe he is not as dumb as people think.
"I have already explained this to you. Every year in fact."
"Whatever."
"Naruto…" The brown-haired man can only watch as his son stands to make a mad dash to his room. A very audible door slam and loud thud inform them of his arrival in which Iruka just sighs at before addressing the remaining teen. "I am sorry about that. He gets really upset with us about this."
"It is fine." Honestly there is no reason to apologize to him. He is not the one who is upset. He could care less about Christmas or the teachers' absence. It has nothing to do with him.
"I just wanted to let you know that you two will have the house to yourselves for a day or so, but house rules are still very much in effect."
"Of course."
Iruka smiles again and reaches out as if to ruffle his hair, but thinks better of it and allows his hand to return to his side before adding. "Oh and Sasuke…I hope this is not too much to ask, but please take care of Naruto. This will be the first time in a long time he will not have to spend the holidays alone. I am sure after he gets over my leaving he will be so glad that you are here."
"…Yeah." What is he supposed to say to that? With nothing left to say the undercover agent spares one more regretful look towards the stairs before shaking his head and taking his leave. The conflicted Uchiha sits there for a while contemplating what the adult said; please take care of Naruto. How is he supposed to do a thing like that and moreover, why would he even want to? There is no reason why he should care about anyone's feelings let alone a brat's like Naruto, so then why? Why are his feet guiding him up the stairs? Why is he already knocking on the boy's door then?
"Go away dad."
"It's not dad, it's Sasuke and I am coming in." Not caring whether the other teen would rather be alone right now, he enters to find him with his back pressed against the back board of the bed, arms crossed, and looking as bitter as can be. "Your dad already left."
"Whatever."
With a heavy sigh, he makes his way over to sit next to him on the tiny bed. "What are you so upset for anyway? If they have to work then it cannot be helped, right? You that already don't you? You are acting like a little kid."
"You wanna' know something? You are the WORST at cheering people up!"
"I am not here to cheer you up. I am here to talk some sense into you. Something you obviously do not have."
"Just go away. There's no way you would care anyway. Da—I mean Iruka probably put you up to this anyway."
"Why do you do that?" He wastes no time in seizing an opportunity to distract the sulking blonde. And it is something that he has been wondering about for a while now.
"Why do I do what?"
"Every time you go to call Iruka or Kakashi dad or something, you correct yourself and call them by name. Why is that?"
"Oh um." Mission accomplished…sort of. All at once the angry pout leaves his face, but he cannot say that the melancholy expression that replaces is all that better. "That's because…no never mind, it's not important."
Now it is his turn to scowl. "It may not be important but, I asked so, that means I want to know."
"…"
"Well? Out with dobe."
"…" That's weird. The Uchiha was fully prepared for the blonde's outraged outburst of bastard, or teme, or…anything really. He must really be upset. "I just…I don't know. I've trained myself not to call them dad or pops in front of other people…it can make some people uncomfortable."
"Hah?" Naruto averts his gaze sheepishly when the brunette's fine eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Are you serious? I would never think someone like you would care about such a thing—"
"I don't! Well…" He trails off for a moment before sighing in defeat. "I didn't at first, but…I realized that it was not just me being affected. People would talk about Kakashi and Iruka and I felt so angry. It was so unfair, but they never looked affected by it."
"Really? They both seem like respected members of their society despite their lifestyle."
"Yeah well turns out that plenty of people are open to accepting same-sex relationships, but…"
"But?" He prompts after the blonde trails off with an even deeper frown on his tan face.
"But when you through a kid into the mix, it becomes unacceptable. I watched neighbors and friend who adored them turn on them after they learned of my adoption. I guess some people think that gay people can be together and that is all well and good, but when they start playing house it's disgusting."
"…" Judging by the way those venomous words came from his tight lips, this obviously something the hyperactive teen has heard from someone. Or maybe someone even said as much to his face. Ridiculous. The Uchiha cannot help but scowl. Some people really are just fucking idiots. "Well…do not worry about stuff like that. Iruka and Kakashi obviously don't."
"I know you have a point, but…it's just easier to conform and blend in sometimes."
"…Oiy." His pale hand reaches out and latches onto the shorter's nose before yanking as hard as he can.
"Heey!" He only let's go of the appendage when the blonde slaps his hand away. "What the hell is that for teme?!"
"That is for putting me in the same boat as everyone else."
"Huh?"
"There is no reason for you to call them anything different that you are used to in front of me idiot. I could care less about their orientation or you being adopted. I do not care about any of that. I dis—"
"You dislike everyone equally?" Wide obsidian eyes meet mirthful cerulean ones as the blonde giggles slightly. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
It is so strange. Just like all those months before he cannot help but think Naruto really does not forget a thing he tells him "I am just surprised you remember so much. You must really hang onto my every word, huh?"
"Huh?!" Sasuke smirks when a predictable red blush stains the other's cheeks. "D-Don't flatter yourself teme. Y-You just don't say much, especially about yourself, so when you do…"
"You have to make sure and use that little brain of yours to focus."
He almost laughs at the way he rolls his eyes at his snide remark. When the blonde leans in to face him eye to eye the smug smirk on his face disappears entirely. "Sure if that is what you want to hear Sasuke. But really, you are always teasing me and cracking jokes so I rarely get an insight into the real you."
"…Sometimes learning can be dangerous. Especially for the likes of you."
"Tch, likes of me? Danger is my middle name." At this point they are almost nose to nose and Sasuke cannot help but feel the change in atmosphere. It is alarming. They are speaking in hushed tones and their eyes half lidded. It is just like that time, all those months ago. They were sitting on this same bed and he can feel the same desire from then building in him now. Why? He thought that was just a weird, one time urge that he squashed long ago. But even as he thinks this, the space between their lips are slowly dwindling. What is about this brat that makes him lower his guard? The other's head tilts to the side and just as the Uchiha was going to close his eyes and allow whatever was to happen, happen; his eyes shoot open instead. He turns his head away and narrowly avoids the plush lips in front of him. Naruto's previously closed eyes shoot open and he backs away when he sees the pale teen looking the other away. "S-Sorry I don't—"
"What will it take to cheer you up?"
"Huh?"
He forces himself to get off the bed to get out of such proximity of the confused and flustered blonde. "You are sad about your parents not being here for Christmas, right? I will do one thing for you this weekend. What do you want it to be?"
"Er—um…" Sasuke has to look away from those boring eyes to keep his indifferent composure in place. The shorter teen is obviously trying to figure out what just happened. No doubt he is confused by the sudden shift in mood. The aloof teen is acting as though nothing just happened. After a moment to clear his head he hops onboard to save himself from additional embarrassment. When he speaks it is obvious that he is trying to sound normal and not as mortified and mystified as he truly feels. "Well, uh, Shikamaru is throwing a Christmas Eve party tomorrow. His mom and dad had to go out of town to visit his sick aunt so me and some of the other guys convinced him to throw a house party without them knowing. Erm—"
"And you want me to go with you?" Instead of verbally responding he settles with a simple determined nod. "And that will cheer you up?"
"Hai."
"Fine then, I'll go. I am going to go take my medicine now."
"O-Okay." Even before the other can respond the Uchiha is already at the door. The whole time they spoke he was avoiding direct eye contact by keeping his head turned to the side. When he closes the door behind him, his eyes widen as his right-hand settles on his chest; right over his heart. He can feel his alabaster cheeks starting to burn as he listens to the odd beating of his heart:
Bathump! Bathump! Bathump! Bathump!
Author's Note: So yeah, hopefully this did not feel like a filler chapter and was still somewhat as enjoyable as the others. This ended up being near 6500 words. If I added all of what I had been contemplating it may have ended up 16500 words, haha. When I do things like that my editing tends to suffer (not that it is that good to begin with) and the chapters take even longer to come out. Anyway, Thanks for Reading. See you in the next chapter.