Calm Steps.

I dont own Naruto in any way. All rights go to the makers of Naruto. Thank you

This is it my first story please review as harshly or as nicely as possible! :)

Thank you for reading everybody I hope you enjoy this story as I do writing it :)

In Chapter 12 Sasuke still upset about hitting Naruto, prepares for a rough few days at school. But what about Naruto?

Chapter 12 Amends

Sasuke woke up the next day feeling terrible, he had cried himself to sleep. Sasuke had never cried as hard before. Why am I so upset? The idiot deserved it…but why do I feel so bad? Sasuke thought as he sat up on his bed letting off a loud yawn, lack of sleep was obvious.

Kakashi calmly steeped into the room. 'Hey Sasuke…are you feeling any better?' the man asked nicely with a tone of sorrow. Sasuke looked up at his uncle and nodded solemnly. 'Sasuke…I'll understand if you don't want to go to school today. I can take the day off if you need?' Kakashi asked just as nice with a caring smile on his face.

Sasuke shook his head slowly. 'No don't worry uncle. I'll be fine in school. I got to ask my friends about my birthday, if they want to do something.' Sasuke replied calmly. Kakashi looked back at his nephew with a surprised look He does recover quickly…Kakashi pondered

'What about Naruto? What are you going to do?' Kakashi said slightly worried. Sasuke sighed at this before getting up to get changed in his en-suite. Kakashi was about to leave but then heard Sasuke say something. 'What?'

'I said…don't worry It'll be fine.' Sasuke replied as he shut the door to wash up.

The morning went swiftly and Sasuke got dropped off quickly by Kakashi. 'Are you sure you want to go in today?' Kakashi asked again to make sure. Sasuke just nodded a bit irritated and waved him off. Kakashi just shrugged as he drove off. Sasuke then breathed out before making his way to class. Okay I hope Naruto isn't too mad.

Sasuke walked into the classroom calmly with everyone else. Sasuke went to sit down, he saw that Naruto was already sitting in front of his chair. Sasuke looked at him sadly, as he noticed he was trying to hide the bruise on his cheek, which Sasuke gave him last night. It looked pretty bad as the cheek had swelled up into a dark purple. I must have really hit him hard. Sasuke pondered before hastily taking his seat, Naruto kept his head down but gave a few glances to Sasuke entering the room.

A few students looked over at Naruto while whispering to each other. Two students walked up to Naruto who started to sigh at the attention. 'Ouch Naruto you okay? What happened to your cheek?' one of the students asked him confused. Sasuke froze, his face started to go red as he tried to hide it from Naruto. Naruto glanced at the raven slightly but moaned to himself lightly.

'Oh it's nothing…I uh…fell over, on the way to school hit my cheek I guess!' Naruto laughed faintly at his excuse. The students just laughed with him while calling him silly before going back to their seats. Sasuke looked up slowly at Naruto, surprised that Naruto didn't say what really happened. 'Thanks Naruto, I'm sorry about yesterday.' Sasuke leaned forward to whisper.

'Just shut up.' Naruto coldly replied before facing forward ignoring the raven for the rest of the lesson. Sasuke felt terrible the whole day, but it wasn't his fault, Naruto was pushing him too hard, he wasn't ready for it. However Sasuke completely blamed himself and decided to apologize to Naruto although it was getting extremely difficult as Naruto was avoiding him as much as possible. At lunch, everyone sat down at a table to eat their food. Naruto sat as far away from Sasuke as possible causing Kiba to give a confused expression at Naruto then glancing back at Sasuke. Sasuke looked down sadly, guilty at what he did and started eating his food quietly.

'O…Kay, guys? Naruto what's going on? Why are you sitting away from us?' Kiba asked loudly still very bemused. Shikamaru sighed as he told Kiba to leave it, Shikamaru quickly understood what was happening. They obviously had a fight…but why would Sasuke hit Naruto like that? Shikamaru pondered whilst analysing Naruto and Sasuke's body movements. Naruto sighed loudly as he began to eat his lunch, whereas Sasuke kept glancing over at the blond while eating. Maybe they're in denial? Hmm. Shikamaru concluded in his mind.

Lunch was awkward as there was very little conversation as Sasuke and Naruto were both too moody causing Kiba and Shikamaru to sigh irritated. 'So…uh…yeah…what's happening after school? Or anytime?' Kiba woefully tried to bring up a topic, but failed as nobody answered. Before long Naruto had enough of the tireless pointless conversations and stormed out of the canteen with anger. Sasuke looked up sadly at Naruto as he left, he then looked away disappointed with himself.

'Okay, for god sake guys, get over yourself! What's going on with the both of you?' Shikamaru blurted out all of a sudden, totally out of character causing Sasuke and even Kiba to look at him shocked.

'Don't worry Shikamaru, it's nothing…' Sasuke calmly replied back, dismissing the accusation.

'Clearly not Sasuke, you're both acting all moody and depressed, and Naruto just stormed off. Also the fact Naruto has a bruise on his face and both of you have been avoiding each other all day. Something is up Sasuke don't deny it. Tell us dude we're your friends.' Shikamaru summarized in detail in a sharp tone.

Sasuke looked up at Shikamaru still amazed at his analytical skills, completely understanding what was happening unlike Kiba who was looking like a bewildered dog. 'Okay Shikamaru, something is wrong…' Sasuke paused, thinking about the consequences if he told them what was happening. 'I…don't want to say. I'll tell you one thing though…I hit…I hit Naruto, and now I'm feeling terrible. Naruto I think is still angry at me, even though it was his fault.' Sasuke stuttered his sentence and mumbled quietly the last part.

Shikamaru just nodded knowingly, Kiba was still confused, he was about to speak but noticed Shikamaru glaring at him as if to say 'not now Kiba.' Kiba hummed quietly whilst agreeing. 'So, Sasuke what are you going to do? With Naruto I mean, are you going to talk to him about it? I think that would be the best option.' Shikamaru asked with a slight mumble.

Sasuke sighed slightly at the thought but he realized the lazy boy was right. 'Alright, I'll go find him. I should apologize. Oh yeah by the way, I know it's all of a sudden but umm…it's my birthday on the weekend. Just wondering if you guys wanted to do something? Like a party maybe I dunno?' Sasuke muttered shyly. Kiba's face lit up from the depressing topic before and almost jumped out of his seat.

'YES! WE GOT TO HAVE A PARTY! Have it at your house surely? It's your birthday Sasuke it's up to you!' Kiba shouted bubbling with the excitement. Shikamaru changed his attitude as well to the thought of a birthday party.

'Birthday Party eh? That sounds cool I should be allowed to go…for once. Anyway what about Naruto will you invite him?' Shikamaru asked with a bit of a disappointed look, as Sasuke didn't even realize about the possibility of Naruto still being upset.

'Oh…yeah. Well it depends if he calms down a bit. Hopefully I'll have a party either way.' Sasuke smiled brightly before leaving to go find Naruto, waving to Kiba and Shikamaru as he did.

Sasuke quickly checked the toilets but was surprised not to find the blond there. Where could he be? Sasuke thought to himself whilst tapping his finger on his chin as he walked along the corridor.

'Hey Sasuke! What happened to Naruto? I just saw him run out of school, I think he was going home? Have you seen the bruise on his cheek? Looks painful.' Sakura called to Sasuke from behind, she was with Ino as well they were making their way to the canteen to meet the other boys.

Sasuke's eyes widened from shock. Home? But school isn't over yet? Is he really that upset about it? Oh Naruto why do you act this way you idiot! Sasuke exhaled aggravated by Naruto's actions. 'Uh yeah…he's was going home you said? T…thanks girls!' Sasuke stuttered slightly before running off out of the school doors to chase after Naruto. This left the girls completely bewildered at the raven's attitude.

Sasuke started running towards Naruto's house along the grassy playground. Thinking about what to say but was interrupted. Something caught his eye. A large tree quite close to Naruto's house, Sasuke went to inspect it. He moved around the back of the tree noticing Naruto sitting there, hugging his legs tightly. Sasuke breathed heavily from the running before sitting down calmly next to the blond. 'I've been looking for you Naruto…Why did you run off?' Sasuke muttered lowly as he relaxed a little on the comfortable grass and soft bark of the tree.

Naruto gave Sasuke a glare of anger. 'You know why Sasuke.'

'No I don't Naruto, why are you always acting like this? This was your own fault. I told you to stop but you didn't listen! What was I meant to do?' Sasuke scolded the blond.

Naruto froze at the comment before looking away annoyed. 'Tch…well I'm sorry. I can't help that I find you really attractive…I mean! Oh no I uh…I don't know…what?' Naruto blushed intensely whilst stammering and totally losing his cool.

Sasuke gave Naruto a strange look. Did he just say he found me attractive? Sasuke thought whilst watching Naruto struggle to change topic. 'Naruto…shut up. I came over to find you because one, you ran off and two…I wanted to…say sorry about hitting you, I shouldn't have done it. I'm really sorry, can we still be friends?' Sasuke said sorrowfully whilst reaching out a hand to the blond.

Naruto stared at the gesture curiously before accepting it. 'Okay friend.' Naruto smiled broadly before getting up.

'By the way Naruto, I'm glad we cleared this up because I didn't want you missing my birthday party…' Sasuke said nonchalantly walking back to the school. Naruto paused before gasping incredibly

'BIRTHDAY? Yes! Thank you Sasuke!' Naruto shouted loudly before hugging Sasuke quickly catching the raven off guard.

'Yeah yeah now come on let's hurry back to class before we get told off!' Sasuke started to run quickly away from Naruto who took it as a race challenge.

The rest of the day was a lot smoother than the morning, the boys discussed what they would do for Sasuke's upcoming birthday, with Naruto complaining about how boring Sasuke's house was, therefore the party would be as well.

'Well what are we going to do then guys?' Sasuke asked bothered by the remarks made by Naruto.

'We could go to a restaurant? Or see a film? Or the park or…' Kiba droned on with many ideas but never sticking to one, causing most of the group to chuckle lightly.

Naruto suddenly looked up enlightened. 'How about we go to a swimming pool? I haven't been in ages!' Naruto shook with the excitement.

Kiba agreed that it would be good. Shikamaru just shrugged at the idea but conceded nonetheless. Sasuke however didn't really like the idea, he never enjoyed swimming because he didn't like being half naked, especially in a public place, even though it was a swimming pool and it was natural to be.

'Uh, I don't know guys…but I guess there isn't much else to do is there?' Sasuke mumbled slightly disheartened. Naruto and Kiba grinned with delight while Shikamaru still kept a cool demeanour.

The bell went signalling the end of school, the students did the usual routine of running out leaving Iruka speechless from the unexpected energy boost out of nowhere. The boys met outside by the gates and were met by Sakura and Ino.

'Hey girls! You busy on the weekend? It's Sasuke's birthday and we're going swimming! Care to join?' Kiba excitedly but rudely asked, not even getting Sasuke's opinion.

The girls both squealed with excitement 'SASUKE'S BIRTHDAY! AWWW! We need to get you present Sasuke!' They seemed like the old girls they used to be, swooning over Sasuke. Shikamaru groaned a bit peeved at Ino's sudden attitude change. Sasuke just sighed before agreeing to invite the girls

Everyone discussed about maybe getting a meal after for Sasuke's birthday, the girls talked about a really good restaurant they've been to. All the boys complied with the idea, making the girls smile happily before walking home. Everyone else started walking home to. Sasuke started walking too. He was suddenly stopped by Naruto who placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. 'Naruto? What is it?' Sasuke inquired.

'It's um. I just wanted to say…I'm sorry too about yesterday…I shouldn't have acted that way, I didn't consider your feelings.' Naruto apologized kindly.

'Oh…It's okay, but thanks.' Sasuke accepted the apology before smiling nicely at him. Naruto then waved to the raven but had muttered something under his breath with a mischievous look on his face. Sasuke didn't quite catch it, but it sounded like something to do with 'swimming?' Sasuke shrugged as he began his walk home.

Sasuke hastily got home, dumped his school bag down before proceeding upstairs to his room. He was halted as Kakashi was standing at the top looking down suspiciously at him.

'Uncle? What is it?' Sasuke questioned.

'That boy…Naruto, is he the one in this picture?' Kakashi asked back, holding Sasuke's complex camera and showing him the cute picture of him and Naruto.

Sasuke stood there stunned at the question. 'Um…yeah it is, took that on the last day. Naruto is quite…friendly.'

So that's why Sasuke hit him…hmm. Kakashi thought to himself while staring at his nephew. He quickly shook out of the slight daze. 'Okay oh yeah, how did it go today? Did you make amends with Naruto?' Kakashi asked slightly worried.

Sasuke just grinned a little before nodding. 'Yeah everything is okay now I think. Also for my birthday the guys and girls want to go…swimming.' Sasuke looked down, a bit sad about it.

Kakashi gave a shocked look. 'Swimming? Can you even swim Sasuke?' Kakashi questioned even more worried.

'Well I can keep afloat…and the doggy paddle, but that's about it.' Sasuke nervously chortled. Kakashi gave a look of caring. 'Don't worry uncle I'm sure I'll manage.'

'Alright Sasuke. Are you going in the afternoon? I've got presents to give you.' Kakashi smiled brightly, letting Sasuke pass to go to his room and gave back his camera.

'I assume so uncle, so you can give me my presents in the morning?' Sasuke asked, a bit excited by the anticipation of presents. He then walked passed swiftly to head into his room.

Sasuke entered his bedroom, then jumped onto his bed and started to relax on the soft delicate mattress. He let his mind drift off about thoughts of his birthday. Do I even have any swimming trunks? Hopefully the swimming pool isn't too deep. I wonder what presents Kakashi will give me? I wonder what everyone else will get for me? Sasuke smirked at all these thoughts. He couldn't wait.

Aww. Well done boys you've kissed…and then made up. (I'm sorry for my poor humour :P) Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Not as long as the others, I didn't want to have Sasuke's birthday crammed into this chapter, but rest assured that will be the main focus of the next chapter! Again thanks for reading and reviewing! Very much appreciated! ^^