A little late, but better than never. . .
Enjoy!
Chapter 12: Fantastic Greetings, Meetings, and Ends of Days
Why did they call me down today, of all days?!
I glared at the wall in the nurses office, waiting for the senile old woman to finish making tic marks on her cards.
The bell rang, letting me know second period was over, and I started fidgeting. I needed to be in class third period. It was more important than anything.
After having spent the last two weeks in our house, Sasuke was going to go to school with me. He'd taken all sorts of tests, and was permitted to enter my grade. No one had any clue how someone who should only have a seven year olds education could possibly know more than your average seventeen year old.
Well, except for me. I knew why. But saying that would. . .complicate things.
This morning, Iruka had driven Sasuke into school so he could get everything sorted out. The first class he would be in would be third period English with Kakashi.
I was supposed to meet him there, too, so he wouldn't be alone. He technically had all my classes, so he would never be by himself.
But now she's taking so long. . .
"Alright. . .you're free to go to class. It's third period, so I hope you have all your books."
I know what period it is!
"Thank you. Yes, I have everything." I said, backing out of the office.
The bell signaling the start of class rang, and I almost started running.
"Hey, Naruto. I didn't know you were over here third."
I turned around, continuing to walk.
"Niel, hi. Uh, no. I'm going across the building. I have English, but I was at the nurse."
"Are you feeling alright?"
"Yeah. Just a physical. Aren't you going to be late?"
"Nah." The brown haired boy held up a pass. "Bathroom."
"Oh. Alright. I really have to hurry. Sorry."
"Okay. See you at lunch, then." He called after me.
I flat out ran down the hall, ignoring the fact that I'd probably get in trouble for it. I came to a halt outside Kakashi's classroom.
I smiled and leaned over. "You waiting for me?"
Sasuke's head snapped up in surprise. He stared for a moment before blinking, focusing on me. "I-I didn't want to be alone."
I nodded, reaching out to gently give his hand a squeeze. "I don't want you to be by yourself. Are you ready to go now?"
". . .yeah."
"Don't worry." I said as I began pushing Sasuke's wheelchair. "He probably isn't going to. . .he's here."
"Well hello to you too, Naruto."
I saw Sasuke duck his head and I knew he was trying to keep himself from laughing. I poked him between the shoulder blades and he jumped, jerking his head back up.
"Ha ha." I said sarcastically. "Why are you on time today?"
Kakashi smiled down at Sasuke. "I have a new student. Would this happen to be him?"
I nodded. "This is Sasuke."
The boy stared at Kakashi for a moment. "He's wearing a mask."
"Adds character." I said.
Sasuke glanced up at Kakashi. "I suppose."
"Don't bash my mask-edness."
"That's not a word." The raven pointed out.
"Well. . ."
"Leave him be, Sasuke. Kakashi's got a few screws loose, but that just works to our advantage." I had whispered the last sentence, and Sasuke quirked an eyebrow at me.
"So wait. . .this is Sasuke?"
Shikamaru was looking toward the three of us in the front of the room.
"Yup. This is him."
"Well. . .Hi there, kid. Naruto hasn't stopped talking about you."
Sasuke blushed, tipping his head so his bangs hid his eyes. "Y-you're Shikamaru?"
"It amazes me that he's said anything about me. What about her?" The pony tailed boy tilted his head toward the dark haired girl beside him.
"H-Hinata?"
"Y-Yes. I'm pleased to finally m-meet you."
Sasuke nodded slightly.
"Wow." I said with a grin. "Between you and Hinata, I can't decide who's going to stutter and blush more."
Sasuke looked up at me sharply.
"What? It's true. Unless you-"
Sasuke punched me in the ribs. It wasn't extremely hard, but it was enough to hurt. Just a little.
"Ah. . ." Kakashi chuckled. "He's spunky. So I take it you two are friends."
"Yeah, we are."
"Well, I'm glad. I hate having new students who no one gets to know. The most depressing thing in this line of work is lonely children and failing people."
"I didn't know you thought that."
Kakashi shrugged. "Yeah."
"You know you were late on my first day, right? And you don't seem to mind handing out detentions."
"There were. . .complications on your first day. As for detentions. . .detention and failing are two completely different things."
"My mother doesn't seem to agree." Shikamaru muttered.
"Your mother is a very sensible woman, then."
". . .she is?"
"Quite. If I had a child, I'd treat them the same way if they failed as I would if they got detention."
"I thought you just said that detention and failing are different."
"They are. The punishment for either should be the same, though."
I threw my hands up in defeat. "You can never win with adults."
Kakashi shrugged. "Why don't you go take your seats?"
"Alright."
The silver haired man grinned. He pulled out his orange book, using it to give us a mock salute as he went to his desk and sat down, tipping his chair back on two legs.
I began pushing Sasuke toward the back of the room where I sat with Shikamaru and Hinata. The raven had a small frown on his face and was looking in Kakashi's direction. He jumped suddenly and grabbed the wheels of his chair, stopping its forward motion.
"Kakashi? Kakashi Hatake?"
The man looked up, a twinkle in his eyes. "Yes?"
"You. . .you're. . .why. . ."
"So you do remember me. I was positive you were too young."
"What? You know each other?"
"Kakashi. . .he-he knew Itachi. I-I think they had a class or two together."
"I can remember going to your house. You used to cling to Itachi like your life depended on it. It was unbearably cute."
I saw Sasuke give Kakashi a small, strained smile. "Do you. . .have you. . .have you heard from him since. . .?"
"No, I'm sorry, Sasuke." Kakashi had a genuinely apologetic look on what was visible of his face.
The raven nodded slightly, folding his hands in his lap and staring at them.
I looked between the two of them, unsure what I should do. I shifted my feet uncomfortably and Sasuke twisted his neck around, looking up at me. There was a smile on his lips and it hurt because it was so obviously fake.
"You want to go sit down or is standing in class something you do all the time?"
I returned to maneuvering Sasuke through the tables and chairs. By the time I'd seated myself, I heard the familiar voice at the door.
"Oh my God. You were on time. Again."
"Well, yes. I was. And so, you are late. And so are you. . .and so are you. . .and-should you be late? Why not. Late. Late. Late. . .Hey! Late people get to use that fun thing called a textbook!"
I poked Sasuke lightly in the arm. "See what I mean about him not minding the detentions?"
"Is that what he's doing?"
"Yup."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Shikamaru eyeing Sasuke. I frowned at him and he shrugged.
"Sorry."
Sasuke turned his head in Shikamaru's direction. "What?"
"Your friend is glaring at me."
". . .he's your friend, too, right?"
"Yes. I think he's protective of you, and I've offended him, though."
"What? How?"
"I'm not sure. Perhaps it was something to do with me looking at you."
Sasuke tilted his head, peering at me. "Are you protective of me?"
"I don't want anyone to do anything that could hurt you in any way. If that's being protective, I guess I am. I'd like to think that I'm something more along the lines of caring."
Shikamaru shrugged. "I was just wondering why he was in a wheelchair."
"Aren't you supposed to be a genius? You should know."
"Genius only extends to things I've learned before."
". . .oh. Well, with Sasuke here, you have competition."
Shikamaru snorted. "Really? I doubt it. No offense, but even though you got into this class, it's probably going to take some work to get up there with your grades."
I let my lips twitch into a smile. "There's going to be competition, isn't there?"
Sasuke shook his head slightly. "No, Naruto. He's right. I'm not going to just be able to pick everything up."
"Liar." I turned to Shikamaru. "Did you have any of that Chem homework?"
"Chemistry? I thought we were in Bio." Sasuke frowned at me in confusion.
"Shikamaru is in some accelerated program thing. So he has Chem."
The boy frowned before flipping open a folder and handing a sheet to me. I looked it over quickly. "You didn't answer this one."
"It was too troublesome. Too much work. . .and I didn't feel like finishing it."
"You couldn't finish it?"
Shikamaru frowned.
I nodded with a small grin on my face. "Alright. Here's one that you did do, so you can check his answer. How many pounds of sulfur will be produced from the decomposition of 318.2 pounds of copper (I) sulfide to produce 254.0 pounds of copper metal and sulfur?"
I looked up at Sasuke. He frowned, turning his eyes toward the ceiling in thought. He mouthed something to himself with a small frown on his face. Finally, he turned his eyes on me, a small scowl on his lips.
"Why are you asking me?"
"What's the answer?"
". . .64.2 pounds."
I showed the homework sheet to Shikamaru. The boy frowned, then glanced toward Sasuke.
"Fine. I might have competition. How did you know that?"
Sasuke shrugged slightly, glancing discreetly in my direction. "My brother used to tell me about all this stuff."
"And you remembered it from when you were little?"
". . .ummm. . .yeah?"
"You four in the back may want to pay attention now." Kakashi called. "Alright, where were we? Ah, yes. . .vocabulary, unit six. The first word is ameliorate. Can anyone tell me the definition?"
Sasuke glanced at me.
"If you know it, raise your hand." I whispered.
Sasuke shook his head. "I don't want to."
I grinned, raising my hand. "Kakashi, Sasuke knows, but he's too afraid to raise his hand by himself."
The raven blushed, hiding his face as several people turned toward him curiously.
"Ah, yes. Sasuke, please let us know the definition. It would seem that at least one of my students is intelligent enough to look through their workbooks. Answer?"
"To-to improve or m-modernize."
I turned toward Shikamaru. "See? Competition."
0o0o0
By the time lunch came around, Shikamaru was actually complaining about how many times people had mentioned 'that new kid who knows everything'.
"Sasuke. . .you might need to hide from Shikamaru."
The raven frowned, then turned to look at Shikamaru. He reached out and poked the other boy in the side. Shikamaru frowned down at him.
"What?"
"Sorry."
The pony tailed boy blinked. ". . .why?"
"You're angry with me."
"Oh. No I'm not. Not with you, really. Just. . .everyone who feels the need to tell me that you're intelligent."
"Why would everyone tell you. . .that?"
I leaned forward, my arms resting on the back of Sasuke's chair as we continued walking. "Rumor has it that Shikamaru is the smartest person to ever pass through this school."
". . .no offense, but so what?"
"As the new rumor has it, you're going to give Shikamaru a run for his money."
"I'm not smarter than he is, though. I just. . .know this stuff. I've already learned it."
"Yeah, that's what you said earlier. I just don't get how." Shikamaru was staring at Sasuke, as though daring him to try and lie.
Sasuke had a slightly pinched expression on his face before I saw his eyes light up. "That's what it's called. . ." He murmured. "Someone. . .I guess it was Iruka. . .used to come and visit me when I was in the hospital."
". . .so?"
"I was semiconscious for a long time, so when he would sit there and tell me about all these things, I could hear."
"Oh." Shikamaru looked surprised for a moment. "That explains it."
"You thought he was cheating?" I asked.
The boy shrugged slightly. "I didn't know what to think. That he cheated was one possibility."
I smiled down at Sasuke. The raven had turned his head slightly to look in my direction, as though seeking approval.
No matter what he says, he is pretty smart to come up with something like that in such a short amount of time.
"Sasuke, are you ready to meet the perverts?"
Sasuke blinked in surprise. "We're going to see perverts?"
"Well. . .kind of. They're just a bunch of Freshmen we're friends with. You know them. They're really nice, and I think they'd like to meet you."
"Have they said that?"
"Well. . .no. I don't think I ever mentioned that you were awake to them."
Sasuke nodded as I pushed him into the deserted cafeteria. Being able to leave class early was a perk to escorting a temporarily 'handicapped' student.
"How's this work?" I asked with a frown.
"How does what work?"
"Here." Shikamaru nudged me to the side, taking control of Sasuke's chair. "I'll get him to the table, you go get lunch for the two of you. I'll stay with him until you get back."
"Thanks." I hurried toward the kitchen area. I had given Sasuke a small wave before hurrying away, but I could still feel his eyes staring holes into my back.
"Aren't you a little early?" The woman behind the counter asked.
"Yeah. I was helping my friend down. I have a pass somewhere. . ." I gestured toward the door.
"It's alright. Here."
The woman pushed two tray's across the counter.
"Thank you." I nodded my head and then hurried to pay, because the bell had just rung.
The second I stepped out of the kitchen, I felt Sasuke's eyes on me again.
I think he's going to be like this a lot. Maybe I should talk to Iruka about it. He's. . .clinging. He really doesn't want me to even leave his sight. I smiled warmly at him and saw him visibly relax. Maybe he's like that because. . .he likes being cared for? Kakashi said he clung to Itachi like his life depended on him, so maybe. . .I'm his new Itachi?
"Alright. I give you. . ." I frowned at the food I'd gotten. "Chicken. . .something. I don't know what it's called, but it's actually the best tasting thing they serve, so you're lucky."
Sasuke tilted his head, looking at the food questioningly.
I hate to say it. . .but I think it's staring back. . .
"You might want to eat it before it decides to run away."
Sasuke frowned at it and poked it with a fork I handed to him. "It's dead." He announced, looking up. "Unless it's a vampire or zombie thing, it shouldn't try to run away."
Shikamaru shook his head as he stood up. "Cute. Very cute. I'm going to get something before everyone shows up." He began to walk away and people began to enter the cafeteria.
I picked up my lunch and looked for a way to take a bite out of it without getting tomato sauce all over myself. I glanced up to see that Sasuke was watching me.
"What? The food really isn't as bad as I was making it out to be."
". . .no. People are staring at me." He whispered.
I glanced around and saw someone quickly look away. "Do you want me to sit next to you?"
"Please? I-I don't like it."
I nodded and pushed my things across the table. "So what's so bad about people staring?"
Sasuke bowed his head slightly. "I don't like being stared at. . ."
"Why not?" I sat down and inched a little closer to the raven.
"I-I was always. . .that kid who would come into school with-with bruises, who-who sometimes could barely walk. I. . .people used to stare at me. . .and they wouldn't. . .they would never do anything. They would just stare."
I nodded slightly, unsure of what to say.
"Hey! Naruto, who's this?"
I looked up and smiled. "Hi guys. Remember when I asked about getting that picture drawn of my friend? Well, this is him. This is Sasuke."
The raven glanced up, the painful look in his eyes dissipating. He let the corners of his mouth twitch up into a near smile.
"Nice to finally meet you."
The three freshmen waved on their way into the kitchen area.
"We'll be right back!"
I nodded, turning my eyes back on Sasuke. As soon as the others had gone, he'd let his eyes drop again, his hair hiding his face. I bit my lip and placed my hand on his leg beneath the table. The raven turned his head slightly, but I still couldn't see his eyes.
Two weeks ago. . .I think he would just let me know everything. He's still like that. But. . .I think he's. . .not as much like that. He's starting to close up a little, maybe. Like. . .he'll tell me things, but not everything.
I pulled my hand away and stared forward. Carefully, I picked up my food and took a deliberate bite. I glanced in Sasuke's direction, and saw that he'd lifted his face a little.
I need to make him a little less dependant on me. I want to take care of him, but what if I can't? What if I do something stupid and completely mess things up? It would be bad. Really bad. He'll talk to me when he needs to, but I'm not going to put any pressure on him. I'll just be. . .here. If he really needs me. . .
I heard Sasuke chuckle softly and looked up. There was a twinkle in his eyes as he pointed at my lap.
"You almost got sauce all over your leg." He informed.
I looked down to see red covering my chair. "Thanks."
"No problem." Sasuke took a cautious bite out of his food.
"Yum!"
The two of us looked in the direction of the kitchen. Shikamaru was leaving the kitchen, followed by our other friends.
"We had to rescue Shika from some crazed jock." Rhiannon explained. "I think the guy either wanted to eat him or take every meal he could lay eyes on."
"As if you declaring you were thirsty enough to pretend you were a vampire is any better." Alexis commented.
The other girl shrugged. "I was thirsty. I still am. Watch out, I might suck your blood." She hissed for effect.
Sasuke stared at the girl for a moment and then turned a questioning look toward me.
"She doesn't normally bite."
"I do normally bite. Taliesin annoys me, and I tell him 'Stop or I'll bite you.' Then he annoys me more, and I just bite him. It's usually in the middle of Wal-Mart, too."
"Remind me never to annoy you."
"Will do." Rhiannon sat down beside Sasuke. "You're sitting across from Niel today. Watch out. He might confuse you for me and play footsies with you."
I could see the question in Sasuke's eyes and chuckled. "If you feel something randomly crawling up your leg in the middle of the period, let us know. We'll beat Niel down for you."
"Something randomly crawling up my leg?"
"Yeah, like this." I inched closer to the table and tilted my body sideways so I could clumsily demonstrate.
Sasuke straightened up, blushing slightly. "O-Oh. Alright."
Niel snorted. "I'm not gay, so I won't be doing that any time soon."
"We need to introduce Sasuke to the world of explaining to Niel that he is in fact very gay and very in denial."
"I'm not in denial. I am not. Does he even know what it means to be gay?"
Shikamaru frowned at me for a moment. "It would probably be a good idea for him to know that, with the people he knows."
"Know what?" Sasuke frowned at all of us.
"Ummm. . .I'll tell you in a-"
"Do you feel any particular attraction to other guys?"
". . .what?"
"Have you ever wanted to kiss another guy, see another guy without clothing, touch another guy, or do something totally inappropriate with another guy? Am I missing anything?"
"How about strangle the gay guy sitting across from you who is being insensitive?"
Niel frowned. "Have you ever wanted to. . .you know. . .have sex with another. . .boy?"
Sasuke was staring at Niel in shock. If that wasn't answer enough, I don't know what was.
I don't think his brain has even considered giving him teenage hormones yet. . .
"I don't think he is. Welcome to the club." Niel held out his hand, and Sasuke looked at it like it might try to eat him. "Alright. . ."
I laughed slightly. "Being gay isn't a bad thing, Sasuke, so don't pay attention to him." I caught Shikamaru frowning at me and gulped slightly.
I can't tell Sasuke that that is exactly what I am. The way he's looking at Niel, I think he'd probably freak out. I mean. . .we've been sleeping in the same bed for weeks. He would freak out. I know it.
"Just ignore him. Finish eating, your food is getting cold."
The raven ducked his head slightly and picked up the chicken. He frowned at it, then took another cautious bite.
"Congratulations." Niel said. "It hasn't bitten you yet."
"This meal is awesome, Niel. I don't know why you like to be mean about it. You happen to like the chicken patties. Danny tested those in the middle school cafeteria, you know."
"How did he do that?" Alexis asked as she began picking at her food.
"He stood on one side of the cafeteria and chucked it at the opposite wall."
"And?"
"It bounced back and hit him in the face."
"You're kidding."
"I kid you not. Tal and Fox both did a couple experiments. They both said at different times that simply dropping a chicken patty gives you a bounce factor of three feet."
"I'm glad that I take your advice and never get those things."
"Imagine what they do to your stomach."
Sasuke had finished most of his meal by now and calmly put down the last few bites. "I'm done." He murmured.
"You're looking a little green." Rhiannon noted.
The raven nodded. "I know."
"Drink your milk. It helps."
Sasuke nodded again and proceeded to chug down the milk on his tray.
"See? It helped a bit, didn't it?"
". . .yeah."
"Good. I was about to steal your drink, by the way."
Niel frowned. "If you're really that thirsty, you can have some of this." The brown haired boy pushed a bottle of iced tea across the table.
The girl eyes it for a moment. "You want it back?"
"Yeah."
"Alright." She took the bottle and took a few swallows. "That's good enough for now."
Everyone shuffled to grab their trays as a woman walked past, pushing a garbage can.
"Everything going alright, Ashley?"
I frowned at her, looking around the table. I was about to ask who she was talking to when Niel ducked his head.
"Yeah. And with you?"
"Good. See you next week."
"Ashley?" I asked as soon as the woman was gone.
The boy looked mortified. "Ummm. . .she came looking for someone named Ashley one day. I said 'Do I look like an Ashley?' and for some reason, she now knows me as Ashley."
"Nice." I glanced at Sasuke to see him biting his lip to keep himself from laughing aloud. "You're allowed to laugh." I told him.
He shrugged slightly before snickering. "I'm sorry. Just. . .Ashley?"
Niel scowled. "Well, so what girly?"
Sasuke sobered up instantly. "What?"
"Girly. You look like a girl. I'd rather have a girls name than look like a girl."
"Not sure what's better." Alexis commented. "I'd rather be an effeminate guy than one who is questioning his masculinity."
"Personally, I think an effeminate guy is much hotter than one of those robot men with so much muscle they can't move." Rhiannon added.
Alexis nodded. "I agree. A little muscle is one thing, but there is a point were it gets to be too much."
"Naruto? Do you agree?"
I nearly blushed as Sasuke turned his head in my direction. "Effeminate. Body builder guys creep me out."
"Hey Niel. On a scale of one to ten, rate Sasuke's hotness."
"What?! Why would I do that?"
"Because you're my brother and I love you so much."
Grudgingly, Niel glanced at Sasuke. "Eight." The raven blushed and Niel frowned. "Nine."
"Why not ten?"
"I'm not gay."
"If you were?"
". . .ten."
"Success!"
The brown haired boy scowled again. "I hate you."
"But we love you."
"I hate you." He repeated.
"No you don't."
"Yes. Yes I do."
"But you don't. . ."
As Niel and Rhiannon continued arguing, Alexis shook her head.
"So Naruto. You wanted me to make a picture of him?" She pointed at Sasuke, and I nodded.
"Yeah. I wish I'd been able to find a picture, but he's here now, so you know what he looks like."
"You wanted a picture of me?" Sasuke asked with a frown.
"Well. . .yeah. She's a good artist and I thought it would be a good idea. I mean. . .I didn't get to see you all the time. And. . ."
". . .you missed me?"
". . .kind of? I asked for it after. . .I had that dream about your brother."
Sasuke nodded slightly. "Can I have a picture of him?" He asked.
Alexis smiled faintly. "I'll see what I can do. Although right now. . ." She turned to the side. "Niel! As your older sister, I command you to shut up!"
The brown haired boy frowned. "I hate it when you pull age."
"You know. . ." I said thoughtfully. "You never explained that whole brother and sister thing to me."
"We didn't?"
"No."
Rhiannon pointed around the table. "Anyone who has been deemed one of my closest friends has been given the title of brother or sister. It's really as simple as that."
"So. . .I'm a brother?"
"Well, yeah."
"Huh. How many older siblings do you have?"
"Just two. Kiara and Alyssa. You'll be my first older brother. And I guess Shikamaru is a brother as well."
The pony tailed boy looked up from where he'd put his head down to sleep. "Good for me. . ." He rested his head back on his arms, closing his eyes.
"I don't know you that well yet, but you're probably going to be a brother, too, Sasuke."
The raven blinked in surprise. "I will?"
"I imagine."
"Welcome to the family, to everyone who didn't know they were already in it." Alexis said with a smile.
Niel leaned back in his chair, stretching. "Yeah. Welcome to our dysfunctional family."
I saw Sasuke sit up a little straighter, and I thought for a moment. . .I'm not sure. That he was happy to be a part of a 'family'? Well, anyway, that was until I saw the blush on his cheeks. I glared across the table at Niel, who had just finished stretching. He jumped, yelping, and I had a moment of intense satisfaction knowing he'd been kicked.
"Tisk tisk, Niel. You just welcomed Sasuke to the family. What you're implying there would now be called 'incest'."
"There will be no incest!"
I nearly died laughing as people from the surrounding tables looked at Niel.
"So troublesome. . ." Shikamaru murmured.
"But. . .incest? I'd never do anything like that."
The bell rang, cutting off Niel's pleading for innocence.
"Ugh. I was late for Math on Friday." Niel grumbled. "I can't be late today or I'll get detention. See you later." The brown haired boy hurried away.
"Bye!"
The rest of us slowly got our belongings together and began to walk toward the door.
"You realize he's just trying to get away because he's embarrassed, right?"
"It doesn't take a genius." The girls waved over their shoulders with a call of 'Can't be late. We'll walk with you tomorrow!'
I tugged lightly on a lock of Sasuke's hair, carefully steering his chair with one hand. He turned to look over his shoulder at me.
"Hmm?"
"What'd you think?"
"They aren't bad. I was kind of surprised that they. . .accepted me like that. It's like they didn't even care that they'd never met me before."
"They're like that."
"And they didn't even look like they noticed. . ." He gestured downward, and I understood that he was talking about being unable to walk.
"That's another thing they really don't care about. It doesn't matter what you look like to them. It's your personality and your actions that they care about. I haven't known them for all that long, but that's what I've learned."
"Then they're good people?"
"Basically. They're the kind of people you wish more people were like."
"I wish there were people like that around when I was younger."
"There had to have been some."
Sasuke shrugged slightly, facing forward. "I don't know. No one ever really. . .cared. You're. . .you're my first friend."
"I'm glad. You're my best friend."
"You've said that before. . ."
"It's as true today as it was five days ago. And it will be just as true five years from now, unless you say otherwise."
"I don't think I will."
"I didn't think you would."
0o0o0
We had movie Monday in Global, which was alright except for how much it bored me out of my mind. Sasuke didn't appear to realize he was the only one who seemed to be paying attention. I had the feeling I was going to be able to ask him about the movie and he'd answer all my questions correctly.
We were standing in the entry hall after the final bell had rung, waiting for Iruka to show up, because Sasuke couldn't ride the bus just yet.
"Here. Wait here for a second. I'm going to check and see if Iruka's over there, and we just can't see him from where we are."
Sasuke nodded, and as I turned away and walked over to the doors, I felt his eyes on my back.
Iruka isn't here yet. . .he promised he'd be on time. . .
I turned around and my heart nearly stopped. Someone, a certain sandy haired, scowling someone, was standing behind Sasuke, glaring at me. I cautiously walked forward and stood in front of the raven. He peeked up at me, and his eyes clouded for a moment.
"Is something wrong?" He murmured.
"No. Not anymore." I waved a hand. "Kakashi! Hi!"
The silver haired man looked up from his orange book. I saw his eyes wander toward the person glaring over Sasuke's shoulder.
"Sam. You have after school detention, if I recall. I would get going before it was increased another three days."
The boy hurried away.
"I think he's out to get me." I murmured as Kakashi got to my side.
"It's likely. Most people don't bother trying to discipline idiots like him. It just doesn't work."
"But you bothered."
"He was bothering one of my favorite students."
"Well that explains it, doesn't it?"
"Of course. So Sasuke. How was your first day back?"
The raven frowned in thought. "Enlightening." He said at long last.
"I'm glad. That's normally what school is for, you know."
"Mmmm." Sasuke looked down for a moment, the frown still on his lips.
"Is something wrong?" I asked with a frown of my own.
"Oh. . .no. . .I'm just thinking." Sasuke looked up with a faint smile. "Don't worry."
"I'll try not to. I can't make any guarantees."
"You're hopeless."
"As I've been told countless times before, by you and others."
"Well then, it must be true."
"It would seem that the two of you have everything under control." Kakashi said, amusement in his voice. "I'll be going. I have a date tonight. Maybe I'll get lucky."
I snorted a small laugh. "You need a lot of luck for that to even be a possibility." I teased.
"I'm taking that as a direct insult. I'm making you fail your next quiz."
My mouth hung open for a moment as my teacher began to walk away.
"Hey! Wait!" I went to hurry and close the few steps between us, but my foot caught on the edge of Sasuke's wheelchair. I made a small sound of shock as I fell. I caught the back of Sasuke's chair. . .
. . .and froze. I stared straight ahead into Sasuke's eyes. They were as wide as mine were. I swear that neither of us breathed for the full two seconds before I hurriedly stumbled into a standing position and fell back a step.
"Ummm. . .sorry. I. . ." I watched as Sasuke ducked his head. I caught him bringing his hand up to his lips for just a second, but then his hand dropped back into his lap and he blushed fiercely.
"No. . .I. . .I was in the way. I'm. . .I'm sorry. . ."
"It-it's alright. I. . .I'm fine with it. . .I mean. . .it's not a bad thing. . .I'd be fine if it happened again. . .I'm shutting up now." I nodded my head furiously.
I heard Kakashi chuckle in amusement from where he had stopped. "Embracing your gayer side?"
I glared at him until he laughed aloud and continued walking away.
Well at least we got that out of the way. I thought sarcastically. I just more or less kissed my best friend. Accidentally kissed, but kissed none the less.
I glanced at Sasuke. He was still blushing and refused to meet my eyes.
Did he hear Kakashi? I hope not. Please. . .I don't want him to be mad that I didn't tell him I like guys. He can't be mad at me.
The next few minutes passed in awkward silence.
Finally, the door swung open and Iruka looked into the building.
"Hey boys. Did you have a good day?"
I nodded and began pushing Sasuke outside and to the car. When we had gotten settled, we both returned to silence.
"Is something wrong?" Iruka asked in confusion.
"No." Sasuke said from the backseat.
". . .no. Everything's fine. Just. . .tired. That's all. Right?"
"Exactly."
I glanced back to see Sasuke staring out the window. I could see his eyes reflected in the glass and could tell that he was thinking. Without seeming to notice, he let one hand reach up to carefully touch his lips.
I abruptly looked forward.
Why am I trying to convince myself that Sasuke liked that?
Review please! I live off of reviews!!
So. . .for the next chapter, I need some help. What could Kakashi give Sasuke as a gift, and what would Sasuke give Naruto?
