So I finished making a check list of how and what I want in this story so I can conclude it properly. I think this'll be one of my better story endings. No, this is not the last chapter.
That is getting closer, though.
I Can't Balance the Equation.
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"Dude, you get turned on too easily. And people call you smooth," He snorted as he poured the last few bowls almost to the brim.
"Hn." His dark eyes narrowed at the ground in embarrassment as he carried the bowls that were ready out to their guests.
One for his beautiful girlfriend, another for her selfish father, a bowl for the guy from the front desk, his brother, his brother's boy toy, himself and of course Naruto. Idiot. He wasn't carrying all those bowls at once, but in a few trips the two hosts finally were able to take their seats at the table. They didn't have a long dining table, so they borrowed a folding one from a neighbor down a few floors.
"So dig in, guys! Tell me what you think!" Naruto insisted. The dinner guests all eagerly plunged their spoons and sipped at the hearty contents.
"Delicious, Naruto." Itachi praised the blond.
"Mmm, super good!" Sakura chimed as she twined her finger with Sasuke's under the table.
"Remind me to take some of the leftovers after." The gangly building employee laughed, his mouth full.
"Sure thing." Naruto smiled, delighted with the feedback. Get it? Feed? Haha. I have no life...
"Tell me, Itachi. How much longer do you plan on staying here in New York?" Mr. Haruno asked.
"Another week or so maybe. But no matter how long we plan on staying, Kiba and I need to get back before Febuary." He quietly dabbed the corners of his mouth with his napkin while Kiba slurped noisily at his bowl.
"Aw, you guys have plans? Valentine's Day stuff?" Sakura smiled.
"Well, not exactly," Itachi started.
"We teach yoga classes on the beach and right now, we have replacements teaching the courses. But sessions lead by us specifically are more expensive. Tons of couples like the idea of romantic and intimate yoga on the beach at sundown and sunrise. We're booked almost the entire month straight!" Kiba cheered.
"Yoga? Well, I might have to call you over very soon. My wife loves yoga."
"Sure thing. Anything for Sakura's dad." Itachi winked at the girl. Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Any interesting lobby gossip, Herald?" Naruto asked.
"Funny you ask, just yesterday the oddest thing happened. It was the middle of the day and I was listening to some more reports about that contaminated peanut product news when I heard shouting outside. No one was coming in, so I decided to check it out. There across the street was a cop with a megaphone and lady next to him, trying to coax a man from jumping off of a building! The lady was crying, pleading, and a crowd was forming. These other guys, firefighters, were around them too. But here's the crazy part: he was only two feet off the sidewalk! A stupid ledge! And this cop and whoever else in uniform was taking it seriously! After having this totally deep conversation about how everyone screws up every once in a while and it's no reason to commit suicide, the dude decided to come down. The firefighters got closer with a sheet spread like a parachute and count for him to jump. When he did, the lady ran to hug him and the crowd cheered awkwardly. Then they all just walked away! Weird as hell!"
"I think I know who you're talking about. There's this organization called Improv Everywhere. They're here in New York and secretively plan these odd skits or whatever all over randomly. It's to entertain the public and it's really fun. They're the guys that plan that annual No Pants subway ride. I'd love to get in on that stuff." Sasuke explained.
"They're on YouTube, too. I spent a couple hours on it just watching all the crazy shit they did. They even did one in Russia! It's so funny!" Naruto laughed.
"I can see it now, my little brother walking around without any pants in public shamelessly. I'm sure if the both of us did it together, every girl on the street would faint with a nose bleed." Itachi proclaimed in a snooty tone.
"Damn straight." Sasuke replied with a chuckle.
-- . -- . -- . -- . -- . -- . --
"Byeee! Enjoy the leftovers!" Naruto called down the hall as their last guest, Herald, made his way to the elevator. He closed the door went to help Sasuke clean up the kitchen.
The Uchiha had his ipod playing some old school music on the speakers. "Standing on the front stoop, hangin' out the window. Watching all the cars go by, roaring as the breezes blow. Crazy lady livin' in a bag. Eatin' out of garbage pails, she used to be a fag-hag. Said she danced the tango, skipped the light fandango." They both sang along.
"School starts Monday." Sasuke reminded him randomly, halting his rap.
"At least I'll see Hinata. She gets in tomorrow afternoon." He started washing the stack of bowls.
"Does it bother you that she won't have sex with you?" The pale teen asked the tanner of the two.
"The bill collectors they ring my phone. And scare my wife when I'm not home. Got a bum education, double-digit inflation. Can't take the train to the job, there's a strike at the station," Naruto kept rapping with the music. "Not really. I mean, if she called and said we could if I got there in two minutes, I'd be there in a minute thirty seconds flat."
"Hn." He wiped down the counter, splotches of dried broth here and there.
"What's up with you and Sakura?"
"The same as before dinner when I told you. I don't wanna get my hopes up, but if I'm careful, we might get a lot farther than just the bottom of her bra."
"Well, just don't get carried away. I know that's the only reason you used to get with chicks, but Sakura's different. Don't forget why you originally started dating her." Naruto reminded him wisely.
"Since when did you become so mature?" Sasuke teased.
"Someone's gotta know what they're doing around here." Naruto laughed.
"I know what I'm doing. I just don't really know when to stop."
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Seven, three, zero, six. She brought the phone to her ear as she began stuffing her books into her bag. Binder, pencil case, English report, raspberry gum, all set for the morning.
"Hey, how was the trip?" Sakura greeted into the phone when she heard it pick up.
"Pretty fantastic in a million ways. You? How was your break?" Tenten answered.
"Well, my dad found out about Sasuke and me." She whispered.
"Ah. Epic ending?"
"Pretty much. It's definitely gonna take a good portion of lunch to discuss, if it can even wait that long."
"I see. I'll be sure to make flyers."
"Call all your friends and relatives, too."
"Reservations only."
"Give away a few seats on the radio as well, please."
"Done deal. I still have to get settled in and packed for tomorrow, so I'll see you at school in the morning."
"Cool. See ya." They hung up just as Sakura was ready to zip up her tote bag.
She looked down at her phone to see a little envelope in the corner of the screen. She had gotten a text while she was talking to Tenten, it seemed. Brng th lftovrs fr lnch 2moro, it read. Obviously from Naruto. He was a little too proud of that soup, even though it was amazing.
-- . -- . -- . -- . -- . -- . --
"Gah! Hot! Hot!" He yelled, surely not missing out on the opportunity to throw around a few profanities.
"Why yes, Naruto. That would be hot chocolate. HOT. CHOCOLATE." Tenten was nice enough to break it down for him. What a darling girl.
With a mild pout, the blond decided to ignore her. "Here, Hinata. You can have the rest." He handed her the full cup.
"Are you sure?" His girlfriend asked hesitantly.
"Of course!" He laughed.
"Thank you." She smiled.
"Anything for you, Hinata." He pulled her into his chest, almost spilling the steaming liquid.
"Watch it, Naruto." Neji warned as Naruto started to kiss the younger Hyuga.
"Like you're one to speak! Everyone was watching your little tongue wrestling match you had with Tenten by the gate earlier!" With that, the long haired boy shut up.
"Hey, guys!" Sakura appeared, her fingers locked with Sasuke's.
"Hey," They greeted back.
"Ino, I still have your grey sweater in my room." She reminded the blond girl as she was walking by to hang with the soccer team.
"Oh, right! I'll just get it after school, I guess. That cool?" She obviously was eager to see a certain player judging by the swift glances her eyes were making at the crowd by the water fountains.
"Yeah. Go, they obviously plan on leaving in a millisecond." Ino just pretended to laugh sarcastically and play punched her friend before walking away.
"We have about ten minutes before the bell, come." Sasuke told her.
"Where?" She asked with false innocence.
"Does it really matter?" He raised an eyebrow playfully.
"Only if you say so," She sighed and waved at her other friends before Sasuke pulled her toward the tennis courts. No one was behind the screened fences, so the secluded strip of grass between them and the hedges gave the two a cozy hiding spot.
He smiled coyly before placing his hand to her cheek, his lips taking a hold on her own. His dizzy-making kisses were making it hard to stay standing and he felt her starting to melt. He gently pushed her against the fence and held her in place by weighting himself against her.
She felt him scoop her waist toward him when his arm squeezed around her from the side. Her own hands had gripped at his shirt and lost themselves in his hair. Soon his kisses moved to her cheek and then to her neck.
"Sasuke," She breathed, "no hickeys." He groaned lazily and kissed her neck.
"Must you kill my fun?" He teased, though judging by her expression she failed to see the humor in the comment.
"I'm kidding, Sakura. Hey, come on, don't give me that face. I'll walk you to class." She rolled her eyes but still hooked her arm through his. She wondered if this was how Sasuke had been in Italy and if so, how her mind was able to warp his behavior into a tolerable state.
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"This is quite an interesting piece here," The middle-aged man in a dress shirt and nice slacks commented.
"Wait until you hear the story behind it. I'm sure you'll have a stronger adjective to describe it then." The artist chuckled.
"Really? Well I guess I must ask that you explain yourself." The gentleman smiled expectantly but with an air of knowing more than he let on.
Ten minutes later the man had shaken hands with the young artist and handed him his card. He headed off to mingle with fellow viewers and left the teen to glide around the room about possible appreciators. His boss in his sharp suit and striking confidence waved him over.
"How's it looking?" He asked the older man.
"I'd say pretty damn good. Not only is the art inviting and unique, I've been hearing you've been nothing but a charmer." Sasuke supposed it was nice to hear this but couldn't help but feel like a dog or an orphan sent to the streets to collect money.
"Yeah. I'm gonna grab some cheese." He stalked off to the small table of fancy unnameable foods and grabbed a few cheese cubes. He was feeling a little daring so he picked up what looked to be a cucumber slice thing and took a bite.
Alright, it definitely was not a cucumber thing. More like a jalapeño shock wave, but who was he to judge? Just the artist on display, he concluded. He checked his phone and huffed at the time. Barely eight and this event would be over around ten. Fantastic.
"Sasuke, dear! It's been a while, I see. You know, I'm a bit surprised you didn't hire a Playboy model for a portait." The woman laughed.
"Nice to see you, too. What brings you here, Anko?" He was glad to see a half-familiar face around.
"Eh, free food. The usual." She shrugged. He knew she was only kidding, though. ...She was, right?
"Of course. So seriously, I thought you were down in Miami these days."
"Actually, I moved to Los Angeles. I'm here for some quick job. A small airline wants some help with billboard ideas." She nodded in acknowledgment at some guy close by. Sasuke wasn't sure if she actually knew him or was getting a head start on her flirting.
"So you've been busy. Good to hear." He smirked.
"And you? On the subject of busyness, how's your love life out here? Still using sex as a stress reliever?" She twinkled her fingers for an added corny effect.
"I'm seeing someone now. She's a really good girl." Sasuke proudly stated.
"So it's true, then. You're bangin' your boss's daughter, huh?" She cocked out a hip, obviously amused.
"We met in Italy last summer. I had no idea who she was related to then or when I was offered the job. Pure luck, I believe." He raised his chin, challenging her to say otherwise. Of course she would.
"When are you leaving her?" She asked, her mouth stuffed with a meat...something.
"I'm not." A crumb spotted her bare lips. He had an urge to painfully flick it.
"Sure. She can't be that good in bed." She laughed.
He sighed, "I wouldn't know." Her laughing came to a complete end immediately.
. -- . -- . -- . -- . -- . --
"Wow, so she freaked that bad, huh?" He scrubbed down the crusty splat on the counter, narrowing his eyes when it continued to cling obstinately.
"Then she started asking why not, if she had a disease, if she was raped, if I tried..." He weighed his forehead into the heel of his hand with an inert air.
"Tried to rape her?" His friend asked incredulously.
"No, idiot. If I tried to have sex with her." He twirled a salt shaker around and then busied his hand with a fork.
"What'd you say?"
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"Thank you for projecting our conversation into the crowd. I'm sure they all are very closely knit family of hers and are on a need-to-know basis." He avoided eye contact with the number of people who heard Anko's questions.
"Well? Did you?" She ignored his snarky comment. She had always been like that, too. Always wielding that damn reflective shield of hers.
"No shit, I didn't. She just stops me every damn time!" He boiled at his recollection of attempts that all ended the same way. Failure.
"You mean to tell me your seducing skills have finally failed you?" She gawked at him with false astonishment, though truly it was a baffling concept.
"I never used my 'seducing skills' on her." He breathed out. This conversation was a bit degrading and somehow draining.
"You just don't want to admit that you're not as delicious as you used to be." She grinned.
"Delicious?" He squinted with a strained expression. Anko referring to him in such a way caused his insides to squirm.
"Avoiding the question, Uchiha? I knew it. You've lost your touch! Ha!" She grabbed a dumpling off of a tray as a server walked past them.
"I'm not lying. I really wasn't trying that way. I want her to actually want to do it when it happens."
"If, you mean. No one said she would ever and by the looks of it, your chances are being numbered." She was no longer joking and her words hazed the air. He felt as if he opened a bucket of fortune cookies only to have them all read the same haunting future of suffering.
"I really love her." He confessed.
"So? She can love you even more. That doesn't change the fact that she just might not want to give up her cherry just yet. It's not always about you, kid."
. -- . -- . -- . -- . -- . --
"I remember when I first met that psycho. She was teasing Itachi's hair out into a serious 'fro with flowers." Naruto threw the rag carelessly into the kitchen. It was just the two of them at the counter, a couple hours after closing. "If she was taking you seriously, I hope you took note. I've only had one serious conversation with her and it was about my mom."
Sasuke spun around on the squeaky seat and propped his elbows up on the counter. "Am I being to pushy about this?"
"Hell yeah you are. I only asked Hinata once and that was because I was honestly clueless. You keep trying to persuade her and hope if you try enough she'll eventually crack from the pressure." He finished drying down the counter with a fresh cloth.
"I feel kind of bad," He groaned. Why was this such a big mess?
"Good. Maybe you're starting to grow a conscience." He contently smirked, pleased by his comeback. "Oh hey, so you're thinking about what that guy talked to you about?"
"I dunno. Possibly." He shrugged it off, obviously not wanting much to discuss it. "Have any plans with Hinata soon?"
"Duh. She invited me over to meet her 'rents." He proudly informed.
"When?"
"Next month."
"..."
"They're busy people, okay?"
. -- . -- . -- . -- . -- . --
"-and don't wear the brown headband, I got my hair stuck in it last week. I almost just brought scissors up to it to cut it out."
"Chill, Ino. I think I know what I'm doing. Besides, I already picked out what I'm wearing." Tenten smiled excitedly.
"For reals? Wow, two weeks in advance. That's amazing, Tenten. I've barely seen you think about your outfits ten minutes even before you get dressed." This earned the blond a light smack to the arm.
"I think it's going to be really special. Hinata's bringing Naruto, too. So if anything, they'll hammer him with questions and whatever else since he's the guy." She set up another chemical equation for Ino. "Solve this one. Actually, tell me what kind it is first."
"This is so tenth grade! Can we move on already?" She whined.
"For Sakura and me it was actually from ninth grade. You would be saying the same thing too if you hadn't been so busy studying male hormonal reactions in eighth grade instead of biology." The junior shut up and tightened her jaw. "You aren't strong in chemical equations so we need to make sure you have a good foundation here before we move on."
"Fine..." She stared down at the equation and tightened her lips in concentration. "It has that carbon and hydrogen thing plus oxygen...and turns into carbon dioxide and water... So I guess it's a combustion formula, right?"
"Yep. Now kind of fuel is it? It's chemical formula is C4H10." Tenten explained.
"Put your hands up, put your hands up!" Ino mouthed as her techno ring tone interrupted their tutoring session.
"Oh god..." Tenten laid her head down as the girl in front of her answered the call.
"Yeah, she's right here. Hold on," She handed the iphone to the unsuspecting senior.
"Uh, hey?" She answered confusedly.
"What use is a phone if it's off all the time?" A stoic voice questioned her.
"Ah. You. I'm tutoring the princess here, you know. It's kind of rude for you to interrupt our session." He could feel her cat-like smile through the phone.
"I see. Well, I guess you'll have to call me when you go to bed. I'll have a few things to tell you about then." Tenten blushed a deep red before squeaking out a 'bye' and hanging up.
"Butane!"
Another corner passed by in the story. We're reaching the stairs and going toward that door to the conclusion. So close, almost in view. Ready for it? Guess the two songs mentioned as well as who plays it to win a one-shot. First right answer wins. You have one try.
Oh, btw, Slumdog Millionaire was ssoooooo amazing! If you haven't seen it, I advise you do so asap. I really fell in love with it. I think Milk stopped playing, but I hope to see it somehow soon. Hmm.
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happy unbirthday
--frumpyrox