~Chapter Nine~
Naruto walked into the Gym on Thursday morning and took his usual seat on the bleachers next to Sasuke.
"Morning 'Suke." He said cheerfully and gave him a big grin. When Sasuke smiled in return, Naruto was confused to feel butterflies come from nowhere and start tickling his insides.
"Good Morning Naru." Sasuke replied. He looked over Naruto's shoulder and saw that Sai was looking at Naruto with a glare on his face. Sasuke inwardly hissed and began to send out waves of killer intent. The other demons in the class looked up warily and all looked away quickly except for Sai, who smirked. Sasuke took this as a challenge and went to stand up when Naruto suddenly waved a hand in front of his face.
"Hello? I've been calling your name for ages now. Why were you randomly glaring in that direction?" Naruto asked tilting his head to the side in question. Sasuke instantly relaxed and smiled gently.
"Just thinking about Itachi." He lied quickly. He was rewarded when Naruto grabbed his hand and began unknowingly rubbing it sensually. Sasuke still remembered the day he had told Naruto his family history.
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Flashback time!
Naruto was lying on Sasuke's bed watching him read a book when he suddenly sat up and looked at Sasuke with his head tilted to the side.
"Sasuke if you don't mind me asking but how did your parents die?" Naruto asked innocently. Sasuke stiffened at the mention of his parents and contemplated on the best way to explain what Itachi had done. He motioned for Naruto to lie back down and put his book on the bedside table.
"I was ten years old when it happened." He began slowly and Naruto scooted closer "I'd just gotten back from school and was really excited about telling my mother that I'd aced my latest test. I remember knowing something was wrong as soon as I stepped foot into the house." Naruto grabbed his hand and began rubbing reassuring circles into it "My mother was hosting the annual family reunion so everyone was staying at our house, there were about forty-five adults and twenty or so children ranging from seven to fourteen years old. I went to the kitchen first and was surprised that it wasn't crowded with people and that my mother didn't have my regular snack for me. I remember hearing a strange noise coming from the back yard, so being the curious child I was I went to investigate." By now Sasuke's voice was a monotone and he'd wiped all emotion from his eyes "It was horrible Naruto. Every single person in my family was lying dead on the ground and there in the middle of it all was my sixteen year old brother Itachi. He'd killed every single one of them." He looked down. "They took him to the mental institution and Kakashi was the one to adopt me. Kakashi insists that it wasn't Itachi's fault and that he went mad with his demon powers. So every now and then he makes me go visit him. I've wanted to kill him ever since." Sasuke finished and was surprised to find that somewhere through the retelling he'd ended up cradled in Naruto's arms. He sighed and buried his head deeper into Naruto's baggy shirt, ashamed that he was the one being comforted by his mate to be. He looked up sharply when he heard Naruto sniffle and was surprised to see tears falling from Naruto's chin. "Why are you crying Naruto? I'm fine." He asked weakly, hating seeing his beloved cry.
Naruto nuzzled Sasuke's neck and Sasuke was surprised by the action yet it sent shivers up his spine and warmth settled in his chest. "Sometimes it's alright to cry Sasuke." He heard Naruto whisper and felt the vibrations from his voice go through his heart. Naruto cradled Sasuke to his chest again and started stroking Sasuke's hair all the while whispering sweet reassurances into his ear. And suddenly Sasuke was crying for the first time in six years; not only for his deceased parents and relatives but for himself.
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Sasuke immediately felt guilty for lying to Naruto and shook his head.
"Don't worry Naru I've forgotten it already." He said gently and smiled. Suddenly the Gym doors slammed open and Gai quickly followed by Lee came flying in.
"GOOD MORNING YOUTHS!!!" he shouted cheerfully and Naruto could just imagine the sparkles coming from his teeth. This caused him to giggle cutely and Sasuke to smile at him. "Today we are going to test our most youthful kick-boxing skills. I know we have only been learning these for a few days, but I want to see how much you have taken in. Today my students of youth we will test the will of fire!" He cried, sending Lee into inspirational tears. "Now who will go against whom today in this mighty test of strength and youth?" He asked with a pose. Sai instantly put his hand up.
"Gai! I'm going with Naruto first up, no matter what!" He shouted. Gai burst into tears and gave Sai a manly hug.
"Oh Sai! Such youthfulness!!!" Gai cried while Sai struggled to rid himself of his grip. Unfortunately he was unable to win against Gai's strong 'Will of Fire' and had to endure Gai's Hug of Youth™ After about five minutes Gai released Sai. "Okay Sai. You and Naruto are first, everyone clear a space in the middle of the room for this burst of YOUTH!" he shouted.
Sasuke growled but allowed Naruto to get up and walk towards the smirking Sai.
"That's right nerd; your little boyfriend's not here to save you now." He said loudly. Naruto titled his head cutely.
"Huh? Since when have I had a boyfriend Sai?" he asked innocently. Everyone laughed and Sai growled loudly. Gai walked between the boys and grinned brightly.
"Okay, everyone knows the rules! I don't want any unyouthfulness so no demon powers, broken noses or bones. LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!" He shouted loudly as Naruto and Sai squared off with each other. Naruto looked up expectantly at Sai and began circling him dutifully. Sai smiled cunningly and Naruto grinned back. Sasuke watched on warily and carefully watched Sai's movements. All of a sudden Sai was in front of Naruto and was aiming a fist at his head. Sasuke half stood up but saw that Naruto was smirking and sat back down. Naruto ducked the swing quickly before shooting straight up and hitting Sai squarely underneath the chin; making his neck snap back roughly. Sai cried out and fell backwards; landing on the floor. Naruto tilted his head and looked at Sai with a bright grin before stamping his foot roughly onto Sai's chest. With a low growl he knelt down and punched Sai across the head. Grabbing Sai's leg he painfully pulled it upwards into a correct pinning position. Sai lay stunned from the last punch and Gai slid across the floor before counting loudly to three.
"One!" He said, slamming his fist to the ground. "Two! Three!" He finished loudly. Everyone cheered and clapped as Naruto cheerfully stood up. Sai groaned in pain and cursed under his breath as he stood up. Naruto walked toward the edge of the ring and Sai ran forward before swinging his fist at Naruto's head. Before anyone had time to react Naruto swung around and knocked Sai's fist away with his left hand before connecting a solid round-house kick to his chest. Sai stumbled back in surprise and he fell heavily to the ground. Naruto knelt down next to Sai and grinning cutely said loudly for everyone to hear.
"I thought I told you to stay out of my way Sai. Contrary to popular belief I'm not a weak nerd and you should understand that now." He said before standing up and making his way to sit beside Sasuke again; the class watching in amazement. Sasuke looked proudly down at his mate to be. Stuff that nonsense I thought about Naruto not being right for me. I know he's smart and now I know that he's powerful. That's two out of three of the Uchiha requirements he thought happily.
The fights continued for the rest of the lesson, but none finished as quickly as the first fight had. Eventually the bell was ringing to signify the end of class and the students rushed out to lunch.
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Lunch found the usual gang sitting in the shade of the birch tree, happily chatting away to one another. Sasuke sat with his back against the tree and his knees propped up, while Naruto leaned back against them. Sasuke was gazing in wonderment at his little mate to be, remembering the speed, strength and skill he'd shown in the Gym earlier. Against Sai as well, Sasuke thought who is usually a tough demon to beat. Sasuke was pulled from his musings when Naruto shifted slightly; sending his scent and warmth through Sasuke's body. He sighed in pleasure and tuned back into the conversation.
"Kiba I am not letting you buy me p-po-por- naughty books for my birthday." Naruto stuttered cutely. Kiba looked at him in disappointment.
"But Naru, it's your birthday tomorrow and you're turning sixteen! The big one-six! You have to do something wild or crazy. It's like the rules." He said convincingly, but Naruto wasn't buying it.
"No way, I just want to sit at home or maybe go over to Kakashi and Sasuke's house." Naruto replied firmly and Sasuke grinned. Suddenly Naruto yawned and sheepishly covered his mouth. "Ah sorry, I didn't get much sleep last night. I guess I'm still really tired." He said. He yelped cutely and flailed his arms when Sasuke's legs suddenly parted and he fell back with an 'oomph'. His head looked up from Sasuke's stomach in confusion. Sasuke smiled gently and shifted to make himself more comfortable.
"Go to sleep." He said simply and turned back to talk to Neji. Naruto smiled warmly and snuggled into Sasuke's lap before letting his eyes close. Within seconds he was asleep; Sasuke looked down at Naruto and smiled, a strange sense of completeness spreading through his body. Naruto mumbled something in his sleep before hugging Sasuke's thigh and nuzzling it cutely.
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The next morning found Iruka cautiously entering Naruto's room. Naruto will go through 'Maturity' today Iruka thought to himself nervously. Maybe I should keep him from going to school? No I can't do that Sasuke will kill me. I just hope everyone's prepared. He crept over to Naruto's bed and sat on the edge; he carefully reached over and swept Naruto's bangs off of his face. Iruka started when he noticed that Naruto's whisker-like marks were bolder and thicker then they usually were. Before he could touch them though, a hand suddenly shot up and grabbed his wrist in a bone-breaking grip; Iruka looked up in surprise at Naruto's glowing red eyes.
"Naruto? It's me Iruka." He said squinting from the pain. Naruto's grip weakened and the red quickly flooded from his eyes leaving them their usual brilliant blue. Naruto blinked sleepily.
""Ruka?" He asked sluggishly and Iruka nodded. Naruto groaned and reached for his glasses only to find that when he put them on they in fact made his vision worse. He frowned at the glasses and set them back onto the table.
"Happy birthday Naruto!" Iruka suddenly said smiling down at his young charge. Naruto's eyes grew impossibly wide and he leapt from the bed.
"It's my birthday! I'm sixteen!" he shouted, happily dancing around the room. He pulled Iruka into a cheerful hug and spun around in a quick circle. Iruka chuckled happily and led Naruto out of his bedroom and into the kitchen. Kiba greeted Naruto cheerfully and wished him a happy birthday and there on the table was a wide spread of ramen as well as three wrapped presents. Naruto hugged Iruka quickly and dove into the ramen, devouring it all surprisingly quickly. He then turned to the presents with stars in his eyes and Kiba slid a messily wrapped box in his direction. Naruto thanked him profusely and hastily ripped the wrapping paper from the box. He opened the lid and peered in to find a large white cloak. Naruto pulled in from the box and eyed it appraisingly; it stopped about mid-calf and had flames licking up from the bottom hem. It had short sleeves and when Naruto turned it around he could see four Japanese kanji sowed into the back (Think: Fourth Hokage's cloak). Naruto set it down carefully and tackled Kiba to the floor in a hug. Kiba chuckled and patted Naruto's head.
"You're welcome Naruto!" he said cheerfully and Naruto silently thanked him for not buying what he said he would. They stood up again and Iruka gave Naruto his gift. Naruto opened the neatly wrapped box carefully and took off the lid. Inside was a necklace, threaded onto a black cord were three pale blue crystals, the middle one being the longest. Naruto felt warmth spread through his entire being and it felt as in he had just gained a piece of his soul back. He gazed at the necklace in wonder and looked up at Iruka for an explanation. Iruka saw the look on Naruto's face and smiled at him.
"That necklace was your mothers Naru." He said gently and Naruto jerked in surprise. "Kakashi did some research and found out that she had it left to you. He went and got it yesterday." He continued. Naruto looked up at Iruka again.
"You know who my mother is?" he asked urgently. Iruka grimaced.
"No I don't but I might be able to find out for you one day Naru." He whispered gently, lying through his teeth. Naruto nodded at him and hugged him tightly with tears in his eyes. Iruka felt heat prickle behind his eyes as well but refrained from crying.
"Thank you "Ruka!" Naruto whispered sincerely. He quickly put the necklace over his head and it settled neatly next to his heart. Naruto looked over at the last box. "Who's that from?" he asked. Iruka went over to the table and handed it to Naruto.
"It's from Kakashi." He said happily. Naruto grinned happily and tore open the wrapping. He looked inside and could only see black silk and lace. He cocked his head to the side and pulled it out. Iruka looked over to Naruto and was surprised to see him holding up a naughty French maid outfit. Naruto looked at it in confusion and Kiba burst out laughing. Naruto searched through the box and pulled out a hand written note.
"To Naruto." He read aloud "Happy Sixteenth birthday! Wear this for Sasuke; I'm sure he will enjoy it thoroughly. Love Kakashi." Naruto looked from the card to the dress and back again. "I don't get it. Why would Kakashi give me a slutty dress and tell me to wear it around..Sa- OH MY GOD!" Naruto blushed deep red and threw the dress onto the ground. Kiba burst out laughing again and started rolling around on the ground. "Iruka!" Naruto shouted "What the hell?!" Iruka shrugged at Naruto.
"Well now Naruto you and Sasuke do spend a lot of time together. It's easy to confuse you both as a couple." He said with a smirk. Naruto gaped at him and growled lowly.
"Shut up." He said pouting "I don't like Sasuke like that." As soon a he finished he felt as if he'd been slapped in the face. "I do like Sasuke like that." He said uncontrollably. What the hell? He thought why would I say that?! Iruka looked at Naruto in surprise before his gaze fell on the necklace which was glowing a soft pink. He smiled.
"See that necklace Naruto?" he asked cheerfully. Naruto pulled his hand away from his mouth and looked at his now pink necklace.
"What? Why is it a different colour?" he asked holding it close to his face.
"That necklace makes you tell the truth even if you don't know what the truth is." He said and Kiba looked on in wonder.
"How is that possible?" Kiba asked "I mean I knew that Naruto liked Sasuke but a necklace that makes you tell the truth?" Iruka nodded and Naruto scowled.
"Trust me there are weirder things in this world." Iruka said knowingly and decided to change the subject. "So Naru are you going to put on that dress for Sasuke?" he asked deviously. Naruto squeaked and blushed bright red.
"Uh I'm late for school I'll see you this afternoon, BYE." He stuttered and ran upstairs to change into his uniform. Kiba smirked and wished his Dad a good day before walking out the door to walk Hinata to school.
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When Sasuke met Naruto at school he knew that something had changed. Naruto no longer smelt like oranges and summer but instead he smelt of crisp snow and cinnamon flecked honey, also Naruto was avoiding him slightly. He kept his head down whenever he spoke to Sasuke and was blushing constantly. By English Sasuke had, had enough.
"Naruto what did I do?" he asked confusedly and Naruto looked up at him in surprise.
"You didn't do anything Sasuke." Naruto said quickly and shook his head.
"Then why are you avoiding me?" Sasuke asked angrily.
"I didn't mean to, I've just been thinking a lot lately and I feel really weird today." Naruto answered truthfully. He had been thinking a lot about his new found feelings for Sasuke. Also his head felt like it was growing and shrinking at the same time and sometimes he had a random spark of anger for no particular reason. He's also suddenly smelt thousands of different things and the next second they were gone. Sasuke looked at him carefully.
"So we're still friends?" Naruto nodded "Are you okay?" he asked in concern. Naruto nodded again.
"I'm fine." He said and glanced towards the front "Is it just me or is Shikamaru looking at me more then usual?" he asked Sasuke. Sasuke followed his gaze and sure enough saw Shikamaru studying Naruto.
"What do you mean more then usual?" he asked protectively. Naruto looked over and blushed.
"Uh well ever since I started I noticed that Shikamaru is always looking at me and now today he seems to be studying me." He said nervously. Sasuke growled fiercely and put an arm around Naruto. Naruto blushed deeply and looked down at his lap. Shikamaru lazily slid his eyes towards Sasuke and Sasuke bared his fangs at him. Shikamaru shrugged and laid his head down onto the desk to get a quick nap. Sasuke reluctantly slid his arm away from Naruto.
"He stopped." He whispered. Naruto grinned at him, blush still on his face. Sasuke nodded smugly and returned to his schoolwork.
Uhg I can't believe I stopped it there! Part of me really wants to continue and the other part is telling me to make you guys suffer. But yeah today's the much dreaded Friday! I also need help with whom to pair Gaara with. I know the most common pairing is Neji and I want it to be a guy. So would you guys be okay with Neji?