One Year
NaruBaby2496
A/N: HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! Okay, let us just pretend that it really is not Christmas Eve Eve, and that it is really Halloween.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Warning: The fluff fairy decided to stop by again! (sorta....)
Chapter 11 and 12
October 31
Sakura giggled lightly as Sasuke squirmed away from her, complaining that the black paint she was using to paint rectangles under his eyes was too cold. She grabbed his shoulder forcefully, but not too hard, since he would probably complain about that too (who knew he was such a whiner), and she coaxed, "Come on, Sasuke. You will not look like a football player unless you have those weird rectangle things." Staring blankly at her, he refused to believe that was even half way correct. He had the helmets, excessive amounts of pads, and Sakura even convinced him to wear those tight nylon paints, even though they made him feel more than uncomfortable. What he would not do, under any circumstances was let her paint on him. At least not until the cursed paint was warmer. He grunted, bluntly, ripping the brush out of her grasp and into his, "No."
She pouted slightly but quickly thought of an idea that would get any male to do what she wanted them to do, even if they were Uchiha. Smirking, she rose from the leather couch, "I will be right back. Wait here." Sasuke watched her go to her small knapsack she had brought with her, and pull out her own costume. He lifted an eyebrow at her actions. What type of idea did have to she come up with to make her that excited. Whatever it was confused Sasuke. Why had she told him to 'wait here' when this was his house; where else was he going to go? He propped his foot on his coffee table, and continued picking off dried paint from yesterday off his skin. He finished the task quickly, it taking him only about four hours to put on the primer and color, because Sakura's apartment was so small, or at least that is what he thought. It did contain a bathroom, full kitchen, family room, a small dining room, and a guest room, so it could be considered large, if you did not live in a mansion.
Sakura tied the second ribbon around her pigtail, and assessed herself. No man can resist this. She, of course, was wearing her cheerleader costume, but what most people did not know was that it was two pieces. She wore short top white top that stopped around the mid rib area showed off her toned abs and had 'KONOHA' written across her chest in big pink glitter letters. On the bottom, she wore an average cheerleading skirt with ruffles that was colored white, with a pink trim on the bottom, which showed off the five-star legs that she had worked so hard to get. Picking up her pompoms, she felt a little self-conscious, but soon reminded herself that she deserved to be able to wear whatever she wanted to do, and if somebody wanted to call her a whore she had the right to knock them out. People her age usually wore costumes much more obscene anyway, like a playboy bunny outfit. In her mind that was much worse.
Sasuke continued sitting on the couch as Sakura told him to, but not because of the obvious reasons. He did not have to listen to her, and it was not as if she would ever hurt him anyway—at least not on purpose. He turned his head at the sound of crinkling vinyl metallic material, and the squeaking of newly worn gym shoes against the marble flooring. Soon enough, Sakura skipped toward him, smile even brighter because of the red lipstick, pigtails bouncing all over, pompoms shaking—Sasuke looked her up and down, his face growing redder, though he concealed it.
God, she has a body…
His eyes widened, when she stopped bouncing and leaned over, cleavage all in his face. Being a normal male, of course he was aroused to an extent, but he had better control than that, right? Sakura smiled wider, and asked in a sweet, pleading voice, "Sasuke-kun, can I please finish what I already started?" At first he blushed brightly at what he thought she meant, but seeing her lean over for the paintbrush as she sat back on the couch, he shook his head, crossed his arms, and stuck to his original answer, "No." Sakura stared sadly at him, upset her plan did not break down his strong Uchiha wall. It was starting to work, however, even she could tell, so she tried to think of something else to do. Reading her mind, Sasuke scoffed, "Don't try to persuade me." Plan B failing before it even was launched, Sakura pouted while sighing, leaving the living room once again, stomping, "Stay there."
Sasuke grunted, "I have no where else to go." Since when did he need somebody to tell him when and when not to leave the comfort of his own couch? When did Sakura have the right to do that? Sasuke grimaced when his inner started yelling at him for being so oblivious and dense, and he flicked on the television hopping that would ease his thoughts. Of course, that did nothing, because his inner was just as stubborn as he was.
Sasuke…
What?
Do not what me when you know what.
Dumbass
You are calling yourself a dumbass…
What do you want?
You know why you listen to Sakura.
Sasuke smirked to himself replying, Yeah, I have ears that work.
You love her.
No, I do not. I listen to Kakashi, and that does not mean I love him.
He is your sensei; you have to listen. Besides, that is not the only thing I have noticed.
Oh, really, what else have you noticed, all knowing conscious?
Fine, do not listen to me. You will see for yourself soon enough.
Right, just like I will let Sakura finish painting on my face.
As if she were on a timer set by his mind Sakura came stepping back in from the bathroom, having finished put on a pink ninja mesh on under her shirt, a defeated look on her face when she begged one last time, "Please, Sasuke? You look like a fool with only half of your face painted, and the paint ought to be warm by now." When she plopped on the couch, he started to protest once again, but then noted the dreaded puppy dog lip and sighed, upset that all it really took to get through to him was a simple sad face from the rosette. Growing impatient toward how long it was taking Sasuke to give in, she whimpered, leaning in closer toward him on the couch, big pleading green eyes begging for surrender. Waving in her face, he groaned, "Fine."
Sakura hopped up, her face immediately brightening, and she grabbed the small paint jar and brush, straddling herself across his lap, something she would not have done if she had no shorts underneath her skirt. He frowned when the soft feathers tickled his cheek and the paint was still cold, despite what Sakura had said. Even so, he let her paint until she was done, and soon after he realized he had let his conscious win the argument, even though it was always right anyway. The girl smiled at her work, "Okay, I'm done, Sasuke. Let's head off to the party now." She grabbed her jacket from the coat hanger and draped it over her shoulders, curious as to why the 'football player' was just staring at her curiously.
Zipping her coat she inquired, "What?"
Rising carefully, still not used to the tightness of his pants, since everything he wore was either normal fitting or baggy, he pulled the hood out of her coat for her, answering her question, "I thought the party didn't start until 6:30. It's only six." Sasuke's statement was correct in actuality, but Sakura shook her head, grabbing her pompoms and his helmet, "We have to drop of his cake, remember? It is in the refrigerator—can you carry it? Oh, and real friends go early just in case he needs any help. Do you still have his present I gave you?"
Sasuke strolled over to the refrigerator, grabbing the container, which contained the plain vanilla pound cake with Skittle sprinkles on top spelling out 'Happy 19th Birthday, Naruto-kun! —Sakura', the sweetness of it almost making him sick. Walking back toward Sakura with the large cake in both of his arms he silently answered her last question, lightly kicking the hard white helmet. She peeped inside and saw the orange wrapped box she vaguely remembered from a few weeks back and whispered, "Oh, cool. Let's go then." He nodded, motioning for her to open one of his grand house doors for them, later locking it when he was adjusted to the weight of the cake, balancing it in one had. He only locked the door out of habit, even though no one would dare even imagine enter the main Uchiha household. The first floor was great, but the second and outer courts were housing mysteries Sasuke did not want to discover himself.
Sakura noticed Sasuke's distant stare, and started to ask him what he was thinking about, but she stopped herself, soon realizing that whatever she was thinking of was personal—most likely something he would never tell anyone.
"Hina-chan, zeh fampire feef von't vit!" Naruto complained, his Count Dracula impression already working on being permanent for the night. He had his hair slicked back and brushed by the blue-haired beauty, since Naruto did not even know what a brush was and sure did not use one, and the gel stuff—it made his head feel like a rock. Still, though, it made him look more realistic with the added help of fake blood on his cheek and some coming out of his mouth and some black eyeliner he had borrowed from Gaara. His high collared red lined black cape covered his button done gray shirt and feel to the floor, wear he wore some of Neji's 'fancy shoes' that don't fit him anymore. He pulled at the plastic in his mouth one more time, before yelping in his accent, "Hinata-chan! They won't come out!"
The girl, who was busy stirring punch, groaned, "N-Naruto—I put the glue in there earlier, don't you remember? They're supposed to stay in f-for at least four hours!" She herself was a dark haired Marilyn Monroe, wearing the infamous light and airy deep v white the Hollywood starlet became known for wearing, a fake diamond necklace filling what would have been her bare chest. Her long hair had been curled in big Shirley Temple curls earlier, making the tresses look like they flowed no further down than her chin, though they were starting to fall slowly. Her lips were stained red and glitter was covering her eyelids, a light pink blush brushed across her rosy cheeks, making her look redder than usual whenever she blushed. She had to ask Ino for help with make-up and accessories, but everything else was her doing, even the strappy white heels and red nail polish on her nails and toenails.
Naruto laughed loudly as he realized his fault, "I forgot, sorry." The door was knocked three times, and the golden haired teen went to the door to answer it, because he was closest. Unlocking the door, he was delightfully surprised to see Sakura in a cheerleader outfit—yeah, Hinata was his girlfriend, but he was trained under the two biggest perverts in Konoha, so what else could one expect? Sasuke noticed his teammates watch on Sakura and pushed his way into the house, bumping the cake box into his chest, and blocking Naruto's view of the girl. Sasuke grimaced at Naruto muttering, "Happy birthday, Dobe." They glared at each other, something that could last for hours if someone let it last that long, and Sakura shoved her way into the small apartment, tired of being ignored in the hallway.
She pulled Naruto into a hug, helping break the 'intense' contest, and squeezed, "Happy birthday, Naruto-kun! Where do I put my present?" The vessel squeezed back, sending Sasuke one more glare as he won for once in his life. When the brotherly hug was released, Naruto pointed toward a corner already filled with about three presents, but Sakura smiled, "My present is the cake, silly."
"Oh, cool. You can just put in the refrigerator then. There should not be that much ramen in there."
Within the hour guests starting piling into Naruto's small apartment, filling it up without difficulty. The music made the walls vibrate, and everyone danced and talked, gossip echoing through the room. The orange, yellow, and white disco balls made the atmosphere more like a Halloween night, so did the holographs of ghosts and trees showing on the walls, and all of the guests wearing their costumes, much to Naruto's pleasure.
The TV was stuck on ESPN, a football game was on, ironically, Sasuke's team was the one who was winning, Lee insisting that Sasuke do a victory dance every time his team made a touchdown, and of course, all he got was a glare. Laughter erupted from every corner, and Sakura's eyes lit up as Temari informed all the girls on all the gossip from Suna, "—and I was like 'what do Kankuro and his puppets have to do with marshmallows, Gaara' and do you know what he did? He yelled at me, complaining that I didn't listen to him—who would listen to their sulking little brother when he was droning on and on about puppets and marshmallows!" Naruto and Choji were having a ramen eating contest, Kakashi being judge, Gai being timekeeper. Reni was still trying to beat Shikamaru at shogi (she was this close), and overall, the atmosphere was happy and bright, a little spooky, but tons of fun. Thankfully, though, Tsunade brought no alcohol whatsoever with her, content with drinking so much punch until she reached a sugar high almost equivalent to that of being drunk, almost scaring Shizune.
After Naruto was announced winner of the ramen eating contest, much to the judges surprise, everyone gathered around the counter and sang 'Happy Birthday' for Naruto, who had a smile plastered on his face all the while. He had so many friends; they almost filled the vacancy created by the lack of his family. He blew out the nineteen candles all at once after wishing, and everyone clapped loudly, Hinata the loudest, her smile almost reaching her ears. Pulling her closer, Naruto quickly kissed her on the lips. The room erupted with 'aw's and 'oh's. She blushed brightly, stammering, "U-Um, time for presents?"
Still laughing, Naruto accepted each gift humbly. He got some scrolls from Kakashi, a green jumpsuit from Gai and Lee, some extra kunai with his initials engraved on them from TenTen and Neji, a plush fox from Reni, a new jacket from Kiba (his mom made it), Tsunade gave him a big guide on 'How to Become Hokage', Shino gave him a pair of his very own glasses, and Choji some more ramen. The only present left was one from Sasuke and Naruto mused, "Let's see what the Popsicle got for me…," when he opened the box his mouth dropped, laughter soon coming out of everyone's mouth. It was a picture of when he and Naruto first kissed in a frame, it signed, 'Because we'll always be best friends' in Sakura's dainty handwriting.
Sasuke's eyes widened as Sakura leaned on his shoulder laughing, and she giggled, "You should always open presents before you give them to make sure they're okay, Sasuke-kun." His embarrassed face reddened even further, and he was upset that his stupid football pants did not have pockets. When the laughter died down, Naruto laughed nervously, "I guessed that explains why you never hooked up with one of your many fan girls, right?" Sasuke glared, "No." Seconds ticked in silence as the crowd waited for Naruto's next comeback, when Kiba made it for him, pointing a finger toward a paper bat hanging from a string on the ceiling, "Then kiss Sakura-chan under the Halloween mistletoe."
Now it was Sakura's turn to be embarrassed and she stammered above all of the 'do it's, "W-What'll that prove—"
"You're passing up a chance of a lifetime!"
To be honest, she was, I mean, who else would get this opportunity? Even still, she did not want to kiss him in front of a crowd, but the strong hands of Kakashi pushed his two students under the bat, and egged, "Come on, you both know you want to." The crowd hushed and circled around the two, and Sasuke cleared his throat, leaning in closer, closer into Sakura as if he were just going to get it over with, but whispered, "This is your entire fault," his face as red as a tomato. Her face mimicked his, her cheeks tickled pink. Sakura sighed, "Whatever. Just get it over with."
Softly he tilted he chin up and he kneeled done lower, until there noses were touching. He was millimeters from her lips, and she gasped inwardly, heart pounding so hard it almost felt like it was going to bust out of her chest any second now. He moved closer, nervously, so nervous he was shaking and he could not do it. All he had to do was swallow all his fear. He was scared to succumb to the temptation Sakura was. He was afraid that he would be taken away from him to if he cared enough for her, just as his whole family was. Rubbing her cheek, he changed direction and kissed her softly on there, letting out the breath he was holding the whole time.
When his surprisingly soft and warm lips left her cheek, he stared at her reproachfully, then turned away, muttering, "Walk Sakura home, Dobe." Then he stormed out the apartment, slamming the door when he was fully out, leaving Sakura there alone, on the verge of tears, embarrassed. She smiled softly, "Okay, Naruto. What's next?"
Sasuke, though, stormed through the halls, upset he could just kiss her. He knew he wanted to; he was not going to deny it now. "Hey, Sasuke-kun, I think you just scored a touchdown," A fan girl hummed, showing up from around a corner. She winked at him, and he almost gagged at how ugly she was compared to Sakura. He threatened, Sharigan swirling, "I am not in a good mood. If you were smart you'd back the hell off and let me go home." She stared back at him scared, lip quivering. His concious and inner were giving him the mouthful of a lifetime.
A/N: I made Sasuke so mean! LOL, poor fan girl. Okay, review about how you feel about this super long chapter (which is really two, by the way, I just smashed them together). Tomorrow, I'll upload another one and then on Christmas—SASUSAKU CHRISTMAS!! Or will it be….?
Lol, review and junk
~NaruBaby2496
