Title: Figment of Reality
Author: Ryuk-chan
Rating: T (currently)
Chapter: 10

Disclaimer: About Naruto...You think Kishimoto-san is selling? Not that I can afford to buy but whatever...

Warnings: Future SasuNaru, some profanity, OOCness, slight Sakura-bashing, awkwardness, etc.


Chapter 10: Where We Live


We dropped Sai back off at the high school, waiting for him to drive away.

I was fingering the photo in my pocket when Sasuke asked me.

"Do you want to live with me?"

"Live…with you?" Honestly, I didn't know what to think at that point. I mean, at first I thought he was living with me before. But I realized that he'd never actually slept at my house. And his actions were too confusing… one minute he's ignoring me and the next he wants me to stay with him.

But, it wasn't like I had any better offers. It was Sai, or Iruka, both of which would nag me endlessly.

So I accepted.

"Sure!" I squeaked, surprising myself. "I mean, sure." Voice a little deeper. He chuckled at my nervousness and put the car in drive.

"Alright then." Ugh, I'm still too edgy around this guy. I bet he thinks it's because of that kiss. I wonder why he still hadn't brought it up.

"Sasuke…where are we going?" I whined.

"Does it matter?" he said uninterestedly. "You aren't driving."

"So?" I retorted. "I wanna know ahead of time. So if you're taking us over a cliff, I can write my will ahead of time."

"Right," he agreed sarcastically. "Because only allow the dead to live in my house."

"Isn't that like an oxymoron?"

"You are the moron."

"And you are the bastard," I bit back playfully. "Now where are we?"

"We're here." I looked out the window, taking in the building in front of us. It was pretty big compared to what I was used to, but small and quaint in its own right. It was actually endearing. And I was slightly surprised.

"Wow. You live here?" I laughed quietly as I climbed out. "I expected something super huge and flashy."

"Hn." He locked the car doors and led me up the driveway. I looked around, taking in the neighboring houses and the unusually empty road. I wondered what part of town this was.

When we got through the front door, the interior reminded me a little of my own. Simple. Brown couch, television, old photographs and knickknacks adorning the shelves. The kitchen was rather spacious, the bathrooms were too, but the office upstairs was small and filled to the brim with books.

"You're such a bookworm, Sasuke," I grinned, pulling a hardback off the shelf.

"Are you mad because you can't read?" he smirked.

"I'm just mad all these books are written in your native language, Bastard-ese."

"Ha, ha. Have you seen where you're sleeping? Before I decide to kick you out?"

I laughed. "Your hospitality knows no bounds." I followed him toward another room, this time with a bed in the middle. There were a few recognizable paintings on the walls, and an antique sword or two hanging on the walls.

"Are these real?" I asked, pointing to the various wall ornaments. He nodded.

"The early work of Pollock, and inherited katana. The katana are around a thousand years old."

"Wow," I gasped, pulling my hand back. Now I was afraid to look at it, let alone touch it. With my luck the thing would end up falling off the wall.

"You can sleep in here," he stated, changing the subject. "There are clothes in the closet… not as gaudy as the clothes you wear, but hopefully you'll survive."

I ignored the insult.

"This door leads to a bathroom," he continued, "that's where we shower. You may want to try it once."

I ignored that insult, too.

"Downstairs is the kitchen, also known as food. Unfortunately, I don't keep ramen so you'll have to find another type of poison to consume."

That was the last straw.

"Hey, you can insult me, but you can't insult my ramen!" I shouted. He smirked, apparently satisfied at my outburst.

"I'm sleeping downstairs if you need me," he finished. He turned to leave the room when I stopped him.

"Thanks, Sasuke. I always end up owing you."

He shrugged. "Don't sweat it."

I shifted uneasily. "Um, while we're all buddy-buddy, can I ask you a question?"

He leaned back against the door pane, crossing his arms. "If you'd like."

"Uh…" I hesitated. I wasn't sure if I wanted to ask anymore. "You know… that ki-kiss from earlier…" I gulped audibly.

"What about it," Sasuke said dejectedly, looking away.

"Why?" I looked up at him.

He frowned. "Does it matter?"

I scowled. "Of course it does! You kissed me first, and then you practically ignore me afterward! What did I do to deserve that?"

"You didn't deserve – "

"Then why'd you do it? To mess with my head even more? To make a point? To be an asshole or something? Why?!"

"Ugh, I don't know!" he huffed, exasperated. "It wasn't even supposed to happen!" He sighed."I'm sorry I even tried it. I'm not sure what came over me. It was as if…" he ran his hand through his black hair. "…as if I lost control or something. So afterward I was mad at myself, not at you."

I nodded, comprehending a little better. I would have asked why he was so mad at himself. It wasn't as if I hated the kiss or anything… but I refrained. He certainly felt out of place now, I didn't want to make it worse.

"I get it," I whispered. "Sorry about all that. I was just being an idiot. I'm good at that, remember?"

He smiled a little. "I remember."

"Good. And don't forget I said that. I am never saying it again."

He chuckled. I was immediately thankful for the lightened atmosphere.

"Sleep tight, then, idiot." He began to close the door when I stopped him again.

"Sasuke, I don't wanna put you out of your own bed…"

"No, I insist. I rarely sleep up here anyway." He looked at me with a gentle look. "Just get some rest. A lot's happened to you."

I shook my head wordlessly in agreement. "Good night," I muttered as the door was closed behind the boy.

I quickly changed into a pair of shorts I found and slept.

----------

"Naruto," I heard a whisper. I cracked open my eyes slightly, blinded by the light of the sun shining through the windows.

"Ugh, early…"

Sasuke sat on the side of my bed, and pulled off his shirt. I froze.

"Um… Sasuke, what are you doing?"

He turned back and smirked at me. "You."

Just the idea sent shockwaves to my groin. "Am I dreaming again?"

"Does it matter?" he asked mischievously, pulling me up to meet his face. He kissed my lips teasingly.

"Nope, not at all…" I smiled against his lips. The kissing continued as he slid my shirt up, revealing my chest as well.

He ran his pallid fingers against my tan skin as he deftly sucked at my neck.

I was panting at this point, biting my lip, wishing his hand would travel a bit lower…

"Naruto," he mouthed against my neck. I swallowed harshly.

"You have to get up now," he went on. "I'm not coming in here again."

"What?" I asked, confused.

I could feel something shaking me, accompanied by this bizarre pulling feeling. Then everything started fading away. The Sasuke against my chest started disappearing.

"What the hell?" I muttered incoherently.

"What the hell indeed." It was Sasuke, the real Sasuke, pushing me to wake up.

Which meant it was a dream. Of course. I doubt I'll actually get another kiss from the bastard in real life.

"What do you want, Sasuke?" I asked, exhausted. I saw the phantom's eyes glance downward before meeting mine.

His cheeks were a little red. "…School today." He got up and strolled toward the door. "If you wake up now you've got time to shower." He left. I sighed, feeling relieved.

That is, until I looked down.

There was a freakin' tent in my sheets.

I was hard, and Sasuke saw it.

No wonder he mentioned a shower. I needed a cold one, asap.

I blanched in absolute embarrassment. Maybe I should make that shower extra long and extra cold.

-----

Twice. Two times I've had a dream about that bastard already. Now once is a fluke. But twice? That's just overly convenient. As badly as I wanted to chock this up to random hormones, I figured I should actually start considering the alternative.

I'm actually attracted to Sasuke.

I frowned at the thought. Nah, I'll just call this a coincidence and forget the whole thing. Much easier.

"Want to share?" Sai said, staring at me. I forgot I get oblivious when I'm deep in thought. I wondered how long I was standing there, aimlessly at my locker. The brunette beside me had a puzzled look on his face.

"No, it's cool," I lied, "Just tryin' to figure out where I left my homework…" There's no way I'm even hinting at it with Sai around. He'd murder Sasuke in cold blood if he knew.

Not that I'm attracted to him. And not that he could kill Sasuke, anyway.

"You didn't leave it at your apartment, did you?" Oh right. Sai knew about the fire. Quite frankly, everyone knew about it. The story was plastered all over the news as a freak accident. Some people started to believe I started the fire myself for the insurance money. However, when it was discovered I had no insurance, the theory was dropped. If Sasuke hadn't paid for the damages, I'd probably be selling my soul to the devil right now.

"No, I don't think so," I answered, hopefully without much delay, "I probably just didn't do it. No big deal." I shut the locker door, already wishing the day was over. Odds are I'd be interrogated in every class. Oh joy.

I looked down the hallway, and saw Kiba chatting with Sasuke by the water fountain. Well, more like Kiba chatting at Sasuke…. The Uchiha was just standing there, and I could tell he wasn't focusing on the conversation at all.

I still felt weird around him, even though there was no reason to be. So the guy I'm supposedly attracted to saw I had a boner. Not like he knew the cause of it.

And hey! The bright side is that this dream wasn't as vivid as the first one. Thank goodness.

But anyway, it was then I decided to skip class. At least until lunch time.

I ducked into the all too familiar rusty door to the left of the bathrooms, knowing Sasuke would notice and follow. Not that I needed him with me… I just didn't want the bastard to be all worried and such.

Upon reaching the roof, I sighed contentedly, knowing the day I was avoiding. All the apathetic attention – the questions about the fire would only be to satisfy their own curiosity, and not about me. Not like they actually care.

I slid down the wall to rest on the pavement, and closed my eyes to enjoy the breeze. The sun warmed my already tanned skin. Then I heard the roof entrance shut, and immediately knew who it was.

"What are you doing up here?" came the dull remark, as the boy approached me. I told him the reasoning, and he rolled his eyes. "Is that all? You care about what those idiots will say to you?"

"I should've known you wouldn't understand," I mumbled with a scowl. "You don't really need anybody."

"That's not—" he stopped himself and bit his lip. I tipped my head, confused. "You know, I never finished telling all my special phantom abilities."

I frowned, noticing he was changing the subject, but my curiosity let it slide. I grinned with intrigue.

"Well," he continued, sliding down to sit beside me, "you already know about the super sensitive hearing, but along with that we have sharp eyesight, and a special touch."

"Touch?"

He nodded, "We can touch anything and instantly know how old it is. For example, this building is thirty-seven years old, the bed in your room seven, and your shirt," he said, running his fingers at the hem of the fabric, "is four years and eighteen days worn out."

I laughed at the accuracy. "So? What good is that power?"

"Think about it," he replied, "if I touch someone, and see that they're extremely aged, I know immediately that they're a phantom."

"But what if they aren't old yet? What if they're like a new phantom or something?"

"That's a little more difficult," he shrugged. "But usually newer phantoms dwell with older ones until they are more experienced, so there's no need to tell them apart. "

"Oh, okay… I guess that makes sense. What else can you do?"

"Each phantom gets a special ability," he said, "One all their own."

"Really?" I squealed with enthusiasm. "What's yours?" He shook his head no, as if he didn't really want to tell me. I begged him, shaking his arm with my plea.

"No, no," he said. "Or at least, not now. I promise I'll show you eventually though. When the time is right."

I huffed but smiled anyway.

----

"Where've you been, Naruto?" I heard Kiba ask. He wasn't alone at the lunch table; Choji and Shikamaru were seated there, as well.

"Skipping," I replied languidly as I sat down. "Just thought I'd eat something. Hunger takes a break for no one."

Kiba shook his head, completely understanding. "I know exactly what you mean, my friend."

"You both are weird," Shikamaru muttered without lifting his head up from the table.

But whatever. This lunch period was exceptionally weird: I actually had another engaging conversation with Sasuke at lunch. This time about human things. I learned his favorite food (tomatoes), and his favorite movies (Kings Row, and more recently, Children of Men), and his favorite author (H.G. Wells). He absolutely hates sweets, reality TV shows, and what he calls "empty-headed sheep that obey absurd laws created by out-of-touch hypocrites." Yeah, I was about to ask what the hell that one meant until our table had a visitor –

"Hello, Sasuke," Sakura greeted timidly. Once again, she didn't pay attention to anyone else but the Uchiha.

Sasuke was not happy, I could tell by the way he was staring at a spot on the table. I was sure the stain would melt under his glare.

"I was wondering if you were busy…" Wow. She is definitely bold. I honestly didn't think she'd have the courage to ask him out for another two or three months.

"Actually, I am busy," Sasuke replied curtly. I looked back at Sakura, and noticed the sadness in her face. My sympathetic intuition kicked almost instantly.

"What he means is," I amended, "that he's busy right now but is totally free tonight."

Yeah, the glare he was giving the stain on the tabletop was now directed at me. I flinched inwardly, but kept my smile unwavering.

"Is that true, Sasuke?" Sakura giggled. I swear she just liked saying his name.

The phantom sighed, giving up. "Apparently."

She squealed, clasping her hands together in delight. "So you'll go out with me?!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Once. That's it."

I swear, the girl practically pissed her pants. She squeaked something totally unintelligible and ran back to her friends' table.

Kiba was doubled over in laughter. Even Shika found it humorous, drowsily chuckling at Sasuke's unfortunate situation. For some weird reason, I didn't find it funny at all.

In fact, the knots in my stomach proved otherwise.

"What. The. Fuck." Hostility was dripping from the Uchiha's voice, venomous and deadly. I cringed at the bitterness, and pouted for a bit of mercy. Sasuke didn't give it.

"You know I can't stand that girl! Any of them! I just finished telling you that! That was the stupidest thing I've ever had the misfortune of being a part of! You are an absolute idiot!" He was pissed. Yes, I know. But I couldn't sit there and watch her hopes get shot down.

"One little date won't kill you…" I would have added "since you're already dead" but I avoided it.

"With Sakura?" Kiba continued laughing, "Oh yes it will! It'll start out as one date, and then she'll think you're going steady by default. She'll start sending you gifts and Valentine cards, even if it's not February. Then she'll cling to you all the time, especially around her little friends. She'll nickname you these bizarre pet names, like "Pookie Bear" or "Llama Muffin Pants" or some shit like that. Next thing ya know she'll be warping you into marriage!"

The entire table sat wide-eyed at the tirade, a little confused.

"What?" Kiba asked coolly. "Happened to a guy I used to know. He had to leave the country to get away from her."

We all rolled our eyes.

"Like I was saying," I continued, as if Kiba never spoke. "A pity date won't kill you. It'll actually be good for you! So just go and have a little fun. For me?" I looked up at him with puppy dog eyes.

He caved. Naturally.

"Fine, fine. Whatever." He crossed his arms defiantly. "But I am not doing this ever again. Don't even think about it."

"I won't!" I reached over and squeezed his hand, thankful for the agreement.

Maybe Sasuke would actually enjoy himself. Sakura isn't a bad girl when you get to know her.

And with any luck, I can get over Sasuke at the same time!

Everybody wins!


Yeah, I'm so sorry about the late updating! And this chapter isn't even all that great. I had no time to reread and beta. My apologies. My flash drive deleted all the future chapters I was working on, so I had to start them over. And then my desktop computer's monitor died so I can't even use it. Gomen! Please forgive me!

I was searching "sasunaru" and I came across this story! I was so astonished! 1383! Page 28! Haha, just thought I'd put that in here. heh.

Graduation is tomorrow! I'm nervous....! Gah!

Feedback is much much much appreciated. Love and peace, my enchiladas! (don't ask, lol)

~ Ryuk-chan