Chapter Fourteen: Unexpected Interruptions

Author's Notes: -head desk- I'm just going get on with the chapter. The author's note at the end is very important.

Warnings/Disclaimer: Been done.

Dedication: For Akiru. This would still be incomplete otherwise.

Chapter Fourteen: Unexpected Interruptions

Journal Entry:

Day Eleven/Day Twelve: December 14th/15th
Status: You know, status-y
Personality: It's there.
Excitement Level: High Enough.
Chemistry Level: Interesting.
Sexual Experience: Enough to get me fired up, not enough to get me money.

Naruto shuffled into class ten minutes late. The professor didn't say anything but gave him a concerned look. The blond wasn't gloom and doom like his aura was now. His professor knew right off that bat that he was a little ball of high, positive energy.

He took his seat and flipped open his notebook, diligently coping the notes that were already on the dry-erase board. His mind drifted in and out of the class. Occasionally he'd registered what his teacher was lecturing about, and the rest of the time he replayed the situation with Sasuke over in his head.

What happened was sudden and unexpected. It was full of bottled up passion. It felt completely right, like they were made for each other. Just a kiss had left Naruto's head spinning before the rug was pulled out underneath his feet. Sasuke probably felt nothing. It was probably something to fill the proverbial void and nothing more. Probably a little experiment gone wrong.

That's what touched a nerve with Naruto.

He never imagined with starting this job that something so simple could get under his skin. He thought it would be easy to do intimate things with a stranger. No connections or feelings. No baggage. He suddenly didn't understand it all. How he could feel certain things stirring in his chest and Sasuke was shrugging everything off.

Naruto wanted to know how, when and why these things started eating away at him. He was supposed to not feel anything. He was supposed to not be bothered by this. He wasn't supposed to give a damn about it.

Damn if it wasn't happening.

It was the first time in his life that he felt like a complete and all around idiot.

Now, of course, he was doing something even dumber. Apparently his genius had run away and swore to never come back again. He instantly blamed Naruto.

"I've never seen you so perturbed." The man sighed, sipping his coffee. "I have to say I'm impressed."

Sasuke's eyes flicked up in a glare, his head resting in the palm of his hand, and his deranged brother stood across from him.

Sasuke dropped his head and held it in between both his hands and stared down at the marble top.

"Not that I don't enjoy these visits with all my heart." Itachi said with a dead tone, inspecting his nails. "But why on earth are you here?"

Sasuke let his glare drop as he just barely rolled his eyes and looked away. He hadn't really thought over the explanation he was going to give to his brother.

"Problems with the mail?" Itachi asked sarcastically.

His very perceptive, sarcastic brother, he might add.

He picked his head up and laced his fingers, turning his head away. His face was void, blank and dead. Sasuke had always been good at hiding his emotions, he was hard to figure out. Always close to impossible. It was easy for Itachi to figure him out though, to read him, only because he was the same way, if not worse.

"It's obvious you're troubled. You haven't made one 'sadistic brother' comment since you got here. I'm worried."

Sasuke shot his brother with a dirty look. His tone was blank, as was his face. He wasn't stupid, he knew he didn't give a damn.

"Don't play me." Sasuke growled, sliding his coffee away from himself. The smell was starting to make his nauseous. Just thinking about the past few hours made his stomach churn.

"You look pale." Itachi droned, "But you know, more so than usual."

"Would you stop beating around the bush, you sadistic fuck." Sasuke spat.

The one side of Itachi's mouth twitched in the slightest, enough to be considered a smirk at least, and then it was gone once again.

"You sure you want a lecture? An Uchiha lecture no less."

"Whatever it takes. I just need someone who can talk some sense. Even though your sensibility is warped, I just need it."

Itachi's eyebrows raised in the slightest, obviously a bit shocked. "Haven't you heard your words of wisdom form our young friend, Shikamaru?"

"Hence why I'm now here."
Itachi gave a small, barely recognizable nod. "I suppose I should stop then."

"What? You being, well, you? I daresay it would be less fun." Sasuke snorted.

Itachi barely shook his head, his eyes closed. "Far worse that I thought then. Let me make you your tea."

Sasuke looked over at him with a furrowed brow, "Your green tea? The bitter crap."

Itachi turned, shooting his brother a look. "It is far from crap."

Sasuke barely held up his hands in mock surrender. "Right. It's the nectar of the Gods."

"Ambrosia is disgusting compared this." Itachi confirmed. "Now spill your guts so you can get out of my face."

Sasuke didn't even flinch at the statement. He knew it was hollow. If Itachi was taking the time to make tea, he was concerned. Despite the insults, snide comments and blank face he wanted to help. In his own asshole-ish ways of course, but he was going to help nonetheless.

"I'm not sure if I've made a mistake or not."

Itachi raised his hand up to silence his little brother, digging through his kitchen cabinets as Sasuke sat a few feet away just inside the dining room.

"You messed up already. Not everything is about you."

"I didn't say it was about me." Sasuke shot impatiently.

"Hm, then I don't recall hearing about another person." Itachi replied dully.

"You didn't give me the chance..."

"Then just listen." Itachi began leisurely going about his kitchen, making his tea. "The world doesn't revolve around you. As much as you want it to, it doesn't, and it never will. Stop thinking about yourself, and think about whoever else is involved in your dilemma."

Smile inducing laugh, heart stopping smile, soft lips, gorgeous bright blue eyes, silky tan skin, enticing moans...

Sasuke let his head drop harshly on the bar counter. He wish he wouldn't think about the other person.

"I know that. But I'm questioning so many things...I mean, come on Itachi, I ended up at your house." The younger pointed out easily.

"And you aren't going to tell me what you're questioning?"

Sasuke quickly shook his head. "Never."

Itachi let out the smallest, quietest, barely visible hint of a sigh. Sasuke caught it; no one else would have been able too.

"I suppose as your brother I'm suppose to give you some divine advice and send you on your way with a hug and a kiss."

"With what? How much acid will you have taken at that point? All you need to make it my worst nightmare is pink panties and a tiara." Sasuke grumbled. "The day you hug me is the day the world ends."

"Hmm." Itachi thought. "I should hug you sooner rather than later, I suppose."

"Get on with what you have to say."

"Of course." Itachi pulled out two mugs from his cabinet. A bright, lime green one that read Be a bitch today, and don't stop because it's tomorrow. The other one was jet black and plain. He poured the tea into the two separate mugs and passed Sasuke the black one.

"You need to stop questioning so many things. Follow your gut. Hesitation brings loses. You don't want to hesitate and let him get away?"

Sasuke struggled to swallow a lump of steaming hot tea, his eyes growing in size and he slammed down the mug. "The hell do you mean?"

Itachi let a small, all-knowing smirk grace his face before he hid it behind his mug. "A little birdie told me."

"I'm going to rip off Shikamaru's wings."

"As much as I want to tell you that you are, in fact, an idiot...I really can't. Feelings, Sasuke, are unavoidable."

"Like my hate for you."

Itachi gave a small nod, "And the feeling of an upset stomach when I see your face." He replied dully. "The point I'm trying to make here little brother, is that feelings shouldn't be taken for granted or left to hang dry. Regret follows us for our whole lives. Don't let it stalk you. As much as I despise seeing you happy, don't deny that feeling to creep into your life. If it's in front of your face, you'll be a fool to let it go."

Sasuke was staring into his mug, thinking deeply. Itachi, of course, stole him from his thoughts.

"I hate to say it, but if you mention this to anyone I'll have to kill you." He added dully.

"I know."

"And..." He hesitated as he set down his mug on the counter. "Don't let the little blond idiot get away. If I have to deal with you moping, I'll kill the both of you. Not to mention, it takes a lot of talent to make you happy and murderous all at the same time. I like him."

Sasuke sighed, "I can't believe I'm about to talk to you about this. What...what if it's just lust?"

Itachi barely raised an eyebrow. "So many insults, not enough time. I digress. You're smart enough to tell the difference Sasuke. I hate to think you've actually done this..."

"I haven't had sex with him." He hissed with a menacing glare.

"No." Itachi began to walk out of the room, "I meant smile. If you've smiled because of him, truly smiled, it isn't lust. It takes true, real, raw feelings to make an Uchiha smile."

Sasuke smirked. "No wonder you're destined to be single. You'd horrify the poor woman if you did something like that."

Naruto pushed open the door to the apartment, dragging his backpack on the ground behind him. As soon as his eyes picked up off the floor, caught a glimpse; he immediately turned the hell back around.

"Where are you going my precious little Ken Doll?"

Naruto hung his head, if possible, even lower. He turned to give a menacing look over his shoulder at Kakashi, who was lounging on the couch like he owned the place.

"Look at that, you're so happy to see me! I'm thrilled."

Naruto turned, yet again, back around to start walking back into the apartment. He kicked his bag along the way, trying to take out some aggression formed from annoyance.
Kakashi swung his legs around and sat up, glancing at Naruto before turning his attention back to the television.

"As your boss, I'm supposed to tell you how unhappy I am to know you're acting like this. That is, of course, if you're acting like this around the client. As your friend and pseudo-father. I want to know if you're alright."

"As my boss, I'm not acting like this around anyone. As my pseudo-father, it's none of your damn business." Naruto shot, slamming the door behind him.

Kakashi let out a tiny sigh and heaved himself up. "Naruto..."

He flinched. Using his real name instead of cheap, random, and ridiculous nickname meant a slew of things. He was serious, that was for sure. He was concerned. He was ready to kill someone to get an answer. He was a step away from snapping if he didn't find out the truth.

The blond quietly walked over to the refrigerator and gently opened it, grabbing two of the beers he was told specifically not to touch. He didn't care at this point, his mind too wrapped up in other things.

He reached the couch and passed one bottle to Kakashi and they took a seat; the two of them working off the caps with the coffee table in front of them.

"Everything will be off record." Kakashi said lightly, take a sip. "I'm just Kakashi, not your boss."

Naruto gave a feeble chuckle, put the browned bottle to his lips, and chugged. He pulled it away once half was gone, his eyes watering from the harshness of the cold liquid burning his throat.

"I'm not sure." The blond mumbled. His eyes were lost in a daze, his mind swirling. "Everything is just going so wrong."

"How is that?" Kakashi asked gently.

"There's something there." Naruto mumbled. "I notice it, I see it, I feel it." Tan fingers came up to brush at his chest before they wrapped around the bottle once more.

"And him?"

Naruto sighed, his face screwing up before relaxing. "I think he's starting to notice something. Whether it be he notices I'm feeling, or he's feeling something. I'm not sure. I mean, he's never been with a guy, it might just be the shock value. It might be curiosity. I don't think he's feeling anything remotely close to serious."

Kakashi hummed, acknowledging not only what he said, but for him to continue.

"I might just be looking way too into this for my own good. You know? Maybe it's because I haven't been with someone in so long. Maybe it's because I'm trying to fill some misplaced void. Maybe it's because he's the only son of a bitch who can keep up with me..."

"But you aren't sure?" Kakashi clarified. "If you are feeling something or not."

"Some days." He admitted. "Others, I'm sure of what I'm feeling. I just question it."

"Why?" Kakashi asked, clearly confused. "You never question anything."

"The seriousness and the depth of it. I question it for a lot of reasons."

Kakashi knew all the reasons. Any one who got wind of their situation could spot them. But knowing that of all people, Naruto was questioning his feelings, scared him.
But the older man let out a sad sigh, bowing his head. His eyes took in the bottle wrapped in his hands, his mischievous glint and smile were gone.

"I didn't come here for inspection." Kakashi said gently. "I came as another random guest."

"About what?"

"Iruka came to me yesterday." Kakashi said softly. "He said he was doing paperwork when he came across your contract."

Naruto smiled softly just at the mere memory of Iruka. It was like having another mother in his life. When he found out that Naruto had come to Kakashi in search of a job to pay his parents back, he was irate. So no doubt, he was going to his lover about his precious little Naruto.

Instead, Naruto felt like he was suddenly punched in the gut.

"He was reading it over, making sure it was still in date when he read it thoroughly. By that I mean, he practically went over it with a magnifying glass."

"So?" Naruto asked skeptically.

"Its the fine print and the tricky wording." Kakashi sighed. He seemed to struggle with the words for a moment, as if trying to figure out how to say them. "They hooked you, Naruto."

Naruto remembered hearing that term before. As in, they hooked him like a sucker, and they were keeping him on that line as long as they wanted.
"They told you you could work off your father's debts, yes. They never told you about the interest."

A sudden flash reminded him of someone telling him 'it's the interest that kills you'.

"What...interest?"

"From all the years he's been gone. Everyday tacks on more money. Its adding up."

It felt like his insides were growing cold and freezing over, little by little it began to fall apart.

"How..." He sucked in a great breath. "How much? I mean...how long am I going to be working for?"

Kakashi looked over him with sadden eyes. "Everyday your father is gone, is just another day you have to stay with us. You agreed to work off your family debt. Until he comes back, you stay with us."
Naruto swallowed the lump just as it formed, and quickly finished the rest of the bottle before slowly getting up to grab another. Quietly he came back and sat down, placing the bottle to his lips as he waited for Kakashi to finish.

"There is a simple loophole, but I doubt you'll like it."

He gave a small nod for him to continue, knowing that he most likely wouldn't.

"You can quit. Whenever you want, actually. Only if you turn in your parents."

Naruto sighed, finishing the new bottle of beer and tossing it on the table for it to clank and then roll away.

"If I don't pull something out of my ass at the office, you won't be working for us long anyway. Your reports are never good." Kakashi said gently, pausing to finish his own bottle of beer. "If you really do think something is forming, quit. I love them, but let your parents worry about themselves. Let them be the adults. Because in the end, that is what it will boil down to. Him or your parents."

Naruto gave a half a smile. Kakashi almost left the company for Iruka. He was prepared to run, just like Naruto's parents. It wasn't until Iruka went without a word and applied for the company that relief found him at the prospect of desk jobs together. Despite the fact Iruka lied about love, feelings and everything in between; he still got the job. After he and Kakashi became open about their relationship, they refused to let anyone who had bought or rented from the company to work there.

"Otherwise..." Kakashi sighed, looking down at the bottle sadly. "You just need to leave and move on while you can. Start with another renter and pretend like this never happened. If you want to help your parents, that's what you'll have to do."

The blond gave sad chuckle, setting his bottle next to Kakashi's on the coffee table. "Because you're my boss?"

"No." He glanced over, just his eyes before leaning fully into the couch. "Because getting attached usually brings heartache in this company. You getting attached will bring even more – like losing this job that you so desperately want to keep to help your parents. But, I have to say not following your heart, your instinct – whatever, is worse. Look at what I would have lost, as an example. You just have to remember there is a choice to be made. A large, horribly difficult choice. Choosing between feelings and family is never fun."

"Then, as my boss, my friend, and a father; what do what you think is right?"

Kakashi turned to him, his arms crossed over his chest, "I want you to look at me."

Naruto chuckled as he shifted on the couch, turning towards him. "What? Is this some hypnotizing technique or something? Help ease my troubled mind and make the choice easier?"

Blue eyes swept up, taking in the floor and Kakashi's tattered jeans quickly. He had never seen the man's eyes hold such a serious look. He felt himself go a little rigid with nervousness, wondering what Kakashi had in store for him.

"Say Sasuke's name." He said simply.

The blond shrugged, and said it lightly with question. "Sasuke?"

"Say it normally, like it fits in the middle of a sentence in a conversation."

"Sasuke."

Kakashi looked away, his fingers coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose as a sigh escaped his lips. He turned back to the blond and set his face to stone once more.

"Say family."

"Family..." Naruto trailed off lightly, sadness tainting his voice.

"Why did you say it like that?" Kakashi asked gently.

"Because...with Sasuke, I won't get my family back."

Kakashi slept on the couch that night. Shikamaru left early before dinner heading to Temari's.

Sasuke and Naruto lay in bed, the barrier back with a vengeance. The night ticked along with the clock hanging on the far wall, the sound amplified by the silence that stilled the air.
A tan face peaked through the pillows that were separating him from Sasuke and he squinted against the darkness to try and take in his face.

"What are you doing, moron?"

Naruto bristled. "I was going to try and talk to you, but forget it."

Sasuke smirked as the face disappeared behind the pillows once more. "Good."

Of course, it wasn't his intention to actually mutter it. For he knew, without a doubt, it was like provoking some type of crazed beast.

A blond head popped up in the dark of the room, bright blue eyes were reflected from the street lamps shining through the window. Naruto let out an indignant huff and crossed his arms heatedly over his bare chest.

"You fucking started it and now you're being an ass."

Sasuke pursed his lips and looked towards the ceiling, intending on ignoring the blond for the rest of the night. If he could ignore the world, theoretically he could ignore Naruto, too.
Apparently, the blond was ready to test that theory to its fullest.

He hopped up on his knees and started tugging away the pillows that separated them, tossing them over his head and grazing blond locks. He gave a growl as he ripped the blanket off the bed as well and threw it, Sasuke jerking up when the cool air hit him. Of course Sasuke immediately shot back down with a roll of his eyes when he realized they were both just in boxers.

He glared through the darkened room, sighing in frustration. He didn't want to deal with this. He would rather plead temporary insanity and go about his night. Of course, Naruto had other intentions entirely.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, you stupid bastard!"

"Nothing is wrong with me."

"You're a shitty liar. You might be a prick and this might be your usual asshole aura, but I know something is wrong." Naruto shot.

"Give it a rest." Sasuke grumbled.

"Was it all because of what happened? If it is, it won't happen again, alright. I'll just get a new client or something and get out of your hair and never-"

"You talk too much." Sasuke sighed.

Naruto settled back on his feet, looking down at his lap as he played with the tips of his fingers.

"The..." Sasuke paused to search for the right word. "Feeling that I got was what's confusing, I suppose you'd say. I don't like being confused. End of story."

The blond looked up, azure eyes searching for coal twins, but finding a pale cheek as Sasuke turned to look away. "You've never kissed a guy before, have you?"

A blind man could see Sasuke's shaking his head back and forth. Naruto even felt a little silly for asking such an obvious question.

"Why'd you get so mad then? It couldn't just be because you're confused." He asked lightly.

There was a pause where he figured he pushed his luck far enough, and Sasuke was done answering everything he asked. He was shocked when he noticed his mouth bobbing open and close, struggling for the right answer.

"Because, Naruto." Sasuke finally sighed out.

The blond went to protest that was still the lamest answer in history, easily remembering the damn sentence so many times in his life. He blinked back the shock when Sasuke finished his sentence.

"Because it felt right."

A pause froze the air. Naruto stilled his fiddling with his fingers. A part of his mind chanted in hope that that statement entailed something stronger. That Sasuke's was insinuating that it felt right kissing him. Another side yelled that it wasn't that at all. Sasuke was just possibly discovering a part of his sexuality he never stole a chance to look into. His hope for something more was what moved him.

Sasuke sat up, in some way he was ready to continue this conversation. He knew Naruto wouldn't let something so important just pass. He knew, with how the blond was, he'd question him into eternity. He was far from awake enough to try and ignore him.

Naruto silently crawled to Sasuke's side, stopping when he was deep enough into his comfort zone. He sat back again, scooting closer till his knees were touching Sasuke's thigh.
Coal eyes glanced at him. He was playing with his hands in his lap as if contemplating something. Sasuke watched as his fingers pulled apart, one stretching out and just barely resting higher up on his thigh.

Sasuke untangled his arms that were crossed over his chest. For a moment he hesitated, and that moment had Naruto squeezing his eyes shut. His eyes snapped open when he felt fingers drag up on top of his, resting lightly. The blond looked up to find Sasuke looking away, his posture rigid from being unsure and slightly uncomfortable.

Hesitating for a moment, Naruto wondered what he should do. Acting on impulse was what led him to moving from his comfortable spot. The action caused Sasuke to look back to him, unconsciously curious as to what the blond was doing.

Naruto silently crawled onto his lap – slowly and cautiously – creating the same position they were in earlier that mere morning. He placed his knees on either side of Sasuke's waist, his legs curling underneath and sitting by Sasuke's thighs.

He brought his hands up to run them through Sasuke's thick, coarse hair. He could feel fingertips grazing his thighs and questionably trailing up his bare sides. Naruto trailed his fingers out of Sasuke's hair, his hands dropping on his shoulders and skimming down his arms gently.

Sasuke was the one to lean forward and tilt his head up to connect their lips suddenly. The tense air seemed to drive him to the brink of insanity if he found himself doing something like that.
But it was just as wonderful as it had been before.

Just having their lips touch gave Sasuke a tingle crawling up his spine. He felt Naruto's fingers dig into his hair and Sasuke felt himself running his hands up Naruto's bare back.

Caught up in the heat of the moment, the both of them knew that tonight would be the night were limits and boundaries would be tested to the fullest.

The blond glanced over at Sasuke. He noticed not only the awkward silence that surrounded them, but also that the raven was on the other far side of the bed as close to the edge as possible. It wasn't as if they had gone all the way, but the blond still figured it would be awkward after someone first explored something completely opposite of what they were used to. Naruto rolled over, covering some of the space that separated them. A tan hand snaked its way across the rest of the empty bed and flicked at an exposed pale arm.

Sasuke turned, his dark eyes showing through the darkness, unintentionally causing the blond to smile.

"What?" Sasuke asked in a whisper, suddenly mentally aware of other people in the apartment.

"Nothing." Naruto said, shrugging.

The blond shuffled and crawled across the empty space that separated them. He moved Sasuke's arm on his own and laid beside him. The raven didn't make one single sound of disapproval and left Naruto taking that as a sign that it was okay.

Naruto tossed one leg over Sasuke's before resting his hand on his chest, letting out a hum of contempt as well. It took a moment for Sasuke's to respond, no doubt mentally questioning things too much. Finally, he responded.

Naruto felt his arm shift behind him, and Naruto graciously lifted his head to allow Sasuke's arm to move more easily before he place his head back down.

His fingertips tangled as best they could with his arm at the awkward angle it was stuck in, enjoying the feel of Naruto's. He felt Naruto's fingertips begin to draw invisible shapes on his bare stomach. Sasuke sighed as he rested his cheek atop a blond head, his hand drifting down to slide against the curve of his shoulder. He felt Naruto wiggle slightly and shift around, trying to get perfectly comfortable before he let out a sigh, signaling just that.

His head was nestled just on the side of Sasuke's chest and his back rested against his arm that held him. Trying to fight it as best as he could, his eyelids were fluttering, trying to stay awake. Trying to let this moment last as long as possible, Naruto fought his eyes till the bitter end. Sasuke's hand pulled back his bangs, effectively making Naruto close his eyes as a simple reflex. Sasuke felt his fingertips drag lightly, stuttering in their actions of playing with his stomach. Then, they fell limp.

All that could be heard over the light snores that leaked out of Naruto was the smack of Sasuke's palm as it roughly connected with his own forehead.

The next morning, Sasuke woke with an unexpected start. He stared dazedly around the room trying to get a hold of his barrings, and separate his dreams from reality. He turned to check the other side of the bed only to find it messy. The sheets were askew, folded over showing signs of someone leaving it.

He figured Naruto was in the living room, entertaining Kakashi and most likely playing a video game and talking up their physical relationship. He wouldn't lie, but he knew it would make it seem more than it really was with tricky wording.

He opened the door, scratching at his side and stifling a yawn.

All he found was silence. The television was shut off, all the lights were out and it was completely quiet. It was the fifteenth, and Shikamaru had already stated something about plans on that day, he wasn't expected to be home when Sasuke woke.

It was a small post-it note that he caught sight of. Just a tiny piece of paper that stuck out on the empty table. He walked over to it and quickly snatched it up before he felt a sharp, sudden and quickly disappearing pain in his chest. He would never in a million years tell anyone, or even let an iota of it show. He read the small paper several times.

Dear Sasuke,
Your friends will get a full refund.

Sasuke squinted at the tiny paper. There was a line that was scribbled over viscously. Underneath the clustered black lines that dug into the paper, he could easily make out the words: I'm sorry. Next to it the words took him awhile to decipher.

But then he decoded it.

Thank you...for everything.

Author's Notes: Now, for everyone to get mad at me.
I have an unedited version of this chapter written out, edited (if you want to call my poor excuse that) and posted on my livejournal. Everyone can flame, bitch and go on and on as much as they want; but it is either this way, or I leave this site for good. I hope you all can be understanding of this decision.
Also – As soon as I can find the time, all other mature scenes will be edited out of my other fictions.
– My livejournal link is in my profile, and all mature scenes from here on out will be posted there.
– The unedited chapter will be up later this evening/tonight.