Chapter 21 – Some people never learn
Sasuke was smiling. Because he was driving his new car. Oh it wasn't anything flashy like Naruto's car, but he loved it anyway. It was black, it was manual – he had gotten used to it pretty quickly but he still feared red lights and stop signs a little – and pretty economic. Most importantly it worked well and took him from a place to another without having to ask everyone to drive him all the time.
Right now he was on his way to Naruto's house. He had packed up the last of his stuff so that Tsumi could be more comfortable in her new room. It turned out Kakashi was totally okay with that new arrangement. In private, he had admitted to Sasuke that he didn't really like living alone. And besides, Kakashi was so lazy that he would probably starve to death and drown himself in his mess if he lived on his own. Instead of paying rent, Tsumi had offered to do all the chores. That would work perfectly well for them.
It was sunny and warm outside – but not too warm. Sasuke decided May was definitely one of his favorite months. He wore a tank top with skinny jeans and gray converse. His button down shirt had been thrown on the passenger seat because it was too hot in the car.
He realized it had been barely three months since he had first met Naruto. It felt so much longer… He was so deeply in love with him that he thought everyday more and more about becoming a vampire. He had yet to discuss it with Itachi though…
It was Sasuke's own choice and all but somehow he wanted at least his brother to be okay with it before actually letting Naruto change him.
His train of thought was interrupted when he pulled in the driveway and parked his car next to another one, which he recognized as Deidara's. He put his black shirt back on, leaving it unbuttoned, and exited the vehicle. He decided he could bring his stuff inside later. Right now he wanted to go see what was going on. They hadn't seen the goth wannabe vampire in a little while.
As he stepped inside he found them sitting in the living room alone. He couldn't feel other presences at all. He supposed Kiba and Shikamaru were with their respective girlfriends today.
The two blond vampires looked up at him.
"Hey," Naruto smiled, sitting up straight. He looked handsome in simple dark blue jeans and white v-neck tee. Sasuke went to sit right next to him.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Deidara was just telling me that Selika and Yahiko left the country."
Sasuke felt relieved. With Naruto they hadn't really talked about it, but he wasn't exactly comfortable with having them around. After everything that had happened… It was just too soon.
He glanced over at Deidara as though looking for a confirmation. He returned his gaze. Sasuke noticed he had black circling his pale blue eyes. With his long hair, and tight black clothes, his look was somewhat androgynous.
"They won't come back for a while. Selika needs to move on and this place reminds her of everything that happened so…" Deidara shrugged.
Naruto shifted, glancing at his friend, "But, did she… say something…?"
Deidara made a small smile. "She said she hopes you can forgive her one day."
The older vampire nodded slightly and looked down.
"Anyway, I gotta go, I'm already late for work," Deidara said, "see ya later."
"Yeah," Naruto replied.
Deidara pulled his hood over his head as he made his way outside. Sasuke and Naruto were left in a thoughtful silence.
"You wanted to see her before she left?" Sasuke asked after a moment.
"No," Naruto frowned slightly, "I think it's better this way."
Sasuke decided to change the subject. "I brought my stuff from Kakashi's place. Wanna help me grab it?"
"Sure," Naruto smiled and followed him outside. "So how's Tsumi doing?"
"Okay I guess," Sasuke shrugged, "she's kinda shy when I'm around."
"She's totally falling for you," Naruto chuckled, "I can't blame her..." Sasuke rolled his eyes. He opened the trunk of his car and they grabbed the few bags and guitar case.
"Probably just rebound feelings though…" he replied.
"Well either way, too bad for her but you're mine," he said in a low, husky voice and Sasuke's lips twitched into an almost smile. Naruto was so silly sometimes.
After dropping his things inside Naruto's bedroom, Sasuke stretched and yawned.
"Tired?" Naruto said softly as he slid his arms around his waist.
"Hmm yeah a little." He looked up.
"Guess that's my fault…"
"I wasn't complaining," Sasuke gave a slight shrug.
They had stayed up all night… And now Naruto looked like he wanted more. He brought his hands to his shoulders and tried to take off the button down shirt but Sasuke pulled away.
"I promised Itachi I'd visit his new flat."
"But you just got here," Naruto complained teasingly. They entered another one of those playful moments when the vampire always tried to hold him and Sasuke always pushed him away.
"I'm officially living here now we'll have all the time in the world…"
"But I want you now," he whispered in his ear and a shiver ran down Sasuke's spine.
"Hn save it for tonight…" he pulled away one last time and made his way outside.
"I'll be waiting for you," Naruto teased. Sasuke waved his hand slightly without looking back.
As he drove toward Itachi's new apartment – he had double checked the address and how to get there on the net earlier today because he had yet to get used to this whole sense of directions thing – he thought back about the phone conversation they'd had the day before.
Itachi had explained that for now he was living with both Konan and Nagato. But the latter wanted to give them some privacy and find his own place as soon as he got a new job. Then they had talked about the full moon. His older brother had suggested that they could go to the mountains together, just the five of them.
At the end of the conversation Sasuke had told him he had something else to discuss. But he wanted to talk about it in person…
He found Itachi's street and apartment building without getting lost, a fact which made him quite proud, and then he also managed to find himself a parking spot not too far. He got out of the car, made sure it was locked, and crossed the street.
The building didn't look like much from outside, but inside it was nicer and very clean at least. The apartment was on the first floor, so he advanced in the hallway and when he found it he knocked at the door.
Immediately it was open and Itachi greeted him, stepping aside to let him in.
"Cool place," Sasuke smiled as his older brother gave him a little tour.
There were two bedrooms, a small bathroom, and a kitchen and living room together in one room. It looked a bit empty for now because they didn't have much stuff yet.
"Thanks," Itachi shrugged, "it's the best we could find on such short notice."
They had a couch at least, so they sat there. Itachi offered him something to drink or eat but Sasuke declined.
"So what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" his older brother asked, crossing his legs and leaning back against the corner of the couch.
Sasuke looked down. So soon? He had hoped they would talk about other random things first… Yeah but they both weren't really big on pointless conversation.
"I…" he sighed. How to say this? No matter how often he had tried to imagine this conversation in his head, he still didn't know how the hell to start it.
"Yeah?" Itachi encouraged him, "What is it, just spit it out," he chuckled.
"It's not that easy…"
"Well if it's something you wanted to tell me in person now's your chance. Nagato and Konan are both out so..."
Sasuke was still averting his eyes. "I'm considering… well, I've been considering for a while now… that I could…" he sighed. Damn this was hard. Because he knew Itachi would freak out.
"That you could what?"
He took a deep breath, "Ask Naruto to change me."
He looked up. He shouldn't have.
Itachi was indeed freaking out. "Are you out of your mind?" he exclaimed, his dark eyes going wide as he sat straight glaring at him, "why would you do that?"
"I have my reasons."
"God please don't tell me it's because you love him," Itachi face palmed.
"And so what if that plays a part in it? If Konan was a vampire what would you do?"
"It's different," he hissed.
Sasuke was getting angry now. "Why? Because she's a girl?"
"No, that's not what I meant… But fuck Sasuke don't… I'm begging you, don't do that."
"It's my choice. I could've just done it without talking to you first, you know?"
He got up but Itachi took his arm. "Wait, it's okay I'll… try to calm down."
"Hn…" he fell back on the couch and flipped his bangs in annoyance, crossing his arms.
"I think that… Tsumi… really likes you… and…"
"What the fuck," Sasuke said, "does that have to do with anything?"
Itachi frowned, "Sasuke try to understand me I'm just trying to help you! You could have a better life with someone like her!"
"Yeah there's only one problem she doesn't have a dick."
"You really have to say it like that?"
"Apparently cause you just don't get it."
"What about Nagato then?"
Sasuke threw his head back in annoyance, "Please stop…"
"If Naruto turns you," he continued, "and then breaks up with you, you won't have his protection anymore against other vampires. They'll come for you Sasuke. They don't want werewolves to become like them. You know that."
"He's not gonna break up with me," he said, "and even if he does, I'll be fine. Let them come I don't care."
"But," Itachi's voice was pleading at this point, "Sasuke you're so young. You could change your mind, later, about a lot of things and… it's gonna be too late."
"Change my mind about a lot of things," Sasuke raised a brow, "what's that supposed to mean?"
"You know what I mean…"
"Enlighten me."
Itachi sighed, "Your… your career goals, objectives, family… things like that. But if you do this you'll just be like this… seventeen…"
"I'm almost eighteen," Sasuke corrected.
"Yeah that's much better," he rolled his eyes.
"Are you done now? Cause I'm sick of this bullshit. I just wanted to tell you. That's it."
He got up and this time Itachi didn't stop him. But before he could leave he asked one more question.
"When are you gonna do it?"
Sasuke glanced at him behind his shoulder, "I don't know. Soon."
Itachi frowned sadly, "I just… I'm sorry… I'm gonna need some time to get used to the idea… Maybe you could wait a little longer?"
"I'm not doing this for you Nii-san. I'm doing this for me… So no, I don't think I'm gonna wait much longer."
After that he left. This conversation had put him in a bad mood. He decided to take a little walk to clear his head before going back to his car. He stopped at a convenience store to get a bottle of iced tea. But on his way out, something happened that put him in an even worst mood.
He ran into his very own private little pink-haired stalker. He couldn't say he had missed her.
"Sasuke-kun," she exclaimed, "what are you doing here?"
"Visiting someone," he said coldly.
"Oh," she said awkwardly, "I was just gonna get something," she motioned at the store.
"All right," he said, "well hum… have a nice day then."
"Wait!" she practically screamed and he turned around, annoyed.
"What is it?"
"Are you still with him?"
"Yes."
"Has he…" she lowered her voice, "changed you into a, you know...?"
"No," he sighed. Was he really gonna have a conversation like that again?
The difference was, he actually cared what Itachi thought. Whereas he couldn't care less about her…
"Sasuke I," he noticed she dropped the honorific, "I've been meaning to tell you," she stepped closer, locking pale green eyes with his, "I think about you all the time. I thought I could move on by going to uni and meeting new people but I just… I can't. I really do love you, and I don't want you to be in danger. I heard that… Kabuto-sensei had been murdered. I think maybe Naruto did it. I just don't want you to be with someone like that…"
"Sakura," he interrupted her rambling, "in case you forgot, it was partly your fault that Kabuto and Naruto got involved in the first place."
She looked hurt, "But I… I already said I was sorry for that..."
"And I already told you to mind your own business."
She had tears in her eyes as she pleaded, "But I… I'm just trying to be a friend for you, if anything…"
"Sakura we're not friends. So stop trying." He said then spun and walked away, ignoring her when she called his name.
…
The album release party was held in an average size bar/lounge and the stage was ready for them. The band was playing three songs before joining the party. There was a big enough crowd; their friends and family, some journalists, and apparently they had some fans already because most people were strangers who looked really excited to hear them.
Naruto was waiting in the back room with his friends. His hair was flat ironed and he wore black skinny jeans with a metallic chain belt and a white, deep v-neck top under a gray vest left open. Standing next to him, his boyfriend was very sexy as always, clad in his black leather boots, ripped jeans and black sleeveless top. The bassist and drummer were clad in similar apparel.
The lights went down in the club and that was their cue to go on stage. Shikamaru went behind his drums while the others picked up their guitars. Naruto placed himself in front of the mike. His heart was racing a little; this was their first performance. Funny how he had lived for so long, but never had this particular nervous feeling before.
The crowd burst out in clapping and screaming when they started playing; guitar melodies mixing in together before Shikamaru hit the drums and Naruto started singing.
I've got another confession to make
So complicated let me try to explain
Don't want this feeling to go away
So it stays
(It stays, it stays, it stays)
Is it the way that you talk
That's causing me to freak?
Is it the way that you laugh
That's making my heart beat?
Is it the way that you kiss?
It's gotta be the way you taste
(You taste, you taste, you taste)
You're such a gorgeous nightmare
Old habits never seems to go away
You make me feel brand new, yeah
We resurrect, it's like I've come back to life
I feel so alive
I feel so alive
First impressions are hard to erase (hard to erase)
Etched in my mind and it just won't go away (just won't go away)
Maybe I'm playing my cards way too safe
I've gotta change (change, change, change)
Is it the way that you feel against my body?
Is it the way that you act so damn naughty?
Is it the way that you shake?
When your hips move to the bass?
(the bass, the bass, the bass)
You're such a gorgeous nightmare
Oh damn it never seems to go away
You make me feel brand new, yeah
We resurrect it's like I've
Come back to life
I feel so alive, I feel so alive
You're such a gorgeous nightmare
Oh damn it never seems to go away
You make me feel brand new, yeah
We resurrect it's like I've
Come back to life
I feel so alive, I feel so alive
I feel so alive, I feel so alive
For the three songs it was pretty much the same pattern. Naruto sang conveying his energy to this lovely enthusiastic crowd, and he also sent a few heated glances at the talented guitarist by his side. He couldn't help it, he loved Sasuke so much and it was amazing that they could share this experience together. Sasuke had practiced a lot lately and he had reassured him, saying that his wrist was just fine. Of course he was also really proud of Shikamaru and Kiba's performances.
During guitar solos Naruto played back to back with Sasuke quite teasingly.
And at the end he crashed their lips together. He forgot where they were. He forgot about the audience, the screaming and clapping. He forgot about everything else. There was just Sasuke, his lips, his body. When they pulled away from each other he laughed while Sasuke was blushing.
Anko had once suggested that they could hide their relationship from the public. Oh well, so much for that…
They put down their instruments and joined their friends down the stage. At first a lot of people wanted to talk to them, but they managed to make their way further in the room and get to the people they knew.
At first, Kiba and Shikamaru went with their girlfriends Hinata and Ino, as well as Neji and Suigetsu. But their families were also there for the event. As for Sasuke and Naruto they went to see Kakashi, Tsumi and Anko. Itachi and his roommates, and finally Deidara came to join their group.
"You were amazing!" Anko exclaimed enthusiastically and beside her Kakashi nodded.
"I was really impressed," he admitted.
Itachi was smiling at his little brother, shaking his head in disbelief, "Impressed is like, a major understatement."
"Yeah it was awesome," Konan laughed, "you guys rock. I'm totally a fan now."
As the cheering went on Naruto noticed from the corner of his eye that Anko was flirting with Kakashi. It made him laugh. Oh well, another couple in sight perhaps.
"Naruto," Deidara said suddenly. His voice was a bit tense.
"Yeah?"
Deidara scratched his hair near his ponytail and glanced toward the back of the room. "There's an… old friend here to see you."
"What?" Naruto frowned, turning around to follow Deidara's gaze. And he gasped slightly. "What the hell is he doing here?" he asked in a low voice.
"Don't ask me. He's your ex, not mine."
Naruto sighed, brushing his sleek bands aside in annoyance. Deidara shrugged helplessly.
"Good luck with that…" he left when the black-haired vampire gracefully walked over to Naruto.
"Hey Sai," Naruto said, scratching his hair nervously.
"It's been a while," Sai stared at him intensely, "you're different."
Naruto placed his hands at his hips and looked down at his outfit briefly, "Gotta love modern day fashion."
He looked back up at his old friend. He had met Sai a long time ago, after parting ways with Deidara actually. They were about the same age so they had always understood each other really well.
But when Naruto had started spending all of his time with Sara, Sai had eventually left him. They had seen each other a few times since then, but only rarely.
Sai hadn't changed much. Same short black hair, brown eyes so dark they seemed black, extremely pale skin. His clothes were simple; dress black pants and slim black button down shirt.
"That's not what I meant. You look… happier."
Naruto smiled, and shrugged, "Maybe I am. So what brings you here?"
"I heard you had started a band and I wanted to check it out," he said simply. "I must say I'm surprised."
"Why?" Naruto asked.
"I'm surprised to see you found your, how should I say, girlfriend again," Sai tilted his head and glanced over at Sasuke.
Naruto followed his stare and noticed Sasuke was looking right back at them. He interrupted his discussion with his brother and Konan to walk toward them.
"There she is," Sai said teasingly.
Sasuke was unfazed. He stopped when he was standing close to Naruto.
"You have a problem?"
"Not at all," Sai said pleasantly, "I'm just a bit shocked. I had heard about this… that it was possible in ancient werewolf families… but I never thought I'd witness it myself."
"Good for you," Sasuke said coldly, "now care to tell me what you're doing here?"
"So you even remember it? You remember me?"
"Yeah," Sasuke replied.
He was trying to be casual with his hands in his pockets and his laid-back attitude but Naruto knew that he really didn't want a new vampire causing trouble in their lives. And Naruto felt the same way. But before he could intervene Sai spoke again, glaring right into Sasuke's eyes.
"Well then I wonder why you're losing your time with him again, don't you remember what happened back then? He abandoned you. He left you to your miserable human existence. So what makes you think he won't do it again?"
There was an awkward silence. Sai smirked and waved his hand.
"You got great sound guys. Just be careful. I don't think everyone will be happy that you're exposing yourselves like that." And with that last comment he was gone.
Naruto turned slowly to look at his boyfriend. He wanted to talk to him, to know what he was thinking. The music was annoyingly loud though so the vampire took his arm and led him to the back room where they kept the instruments. It was empty right now.
"What is it?" Sasuke asked as he leaned against the wall, crossing his booted legs casually.
"Well I just wanted to talk to you… after what just happened."
"Why?"
Naruto frowned and tilted his head, "You're not upset because of Sai?"
He snorted, "Why would I be? I don't care what that idiot thinks. He's just jealous anyway." He held out his hands and Naruto took them, smirking.
"I love you more and more, you know that?"
The vampire kissed him deeply and pinned his body and his hands on the wall. When he pressed his thigh in between Sasuke's legs, the latter moaned through the kiss.
"You know," Naruto said slowly as he pulled away just a little, "I feel like you've been neglecting me lately. Ever since we bought you that car…"
"I bought," Sasuke corrected. Naruto bit his lip.
"When you weren't looking I compelled him to lower the price so you could afford it," he admitted.
"Oh…"
"Are you mad?"
"Not really."
Naruto laughed, and kissed his neck and his ear, making him shiver. He let go of his hands to crawl his hands under his thin shirt instead, feeling his warm, soft skin.
"This is probably the only thing I'll miss when I change you," he whispered against his neck, "you're always so warm…"
"And my blood," Sasuke teased him.
"Hmm yeah there's that," he said and licked his neck.
Suddenly Sasuke pressed their bodies flushed together and turned his head to meet his lips in a fierce kiss. Naruto smirked through it; he could feel the smaller guy getting hard already.
He decided he wanted to please him. So after breaking from the kiss he lowered himself to his knees, unbuttoning Sasuke's jeans and letting free his erection. He looked up and smirked at the look of pure desire and lust on the teenager's face.
"Anyone could come in," he said.
"Hmm but I'm really hungry for this right now," Naruto placed a teasing kiss at the top making his cock twitch and harden even more.
Sasuke's legs trembled and Naruto grabbed his waist as he started giving him a blow job. Sasuke's fingers entangled in his blond hair.
"We really shouldn't…" But his tone of voice said, don't stop.
Unfortunately, it turned out he should have listened to Sasuke's warning, because the door opened. To their agent.
"Oh god," Anko said, "guys don't do that here!"
"Where do you want me to do it on the dance floor?" Naruto asked mockingly.
Sasuke quickly put his boxers and pants back on properly. He was blushing quite intensely right now.
"I was looking for you everywhere!" Anko exclaimed. Apparently she wasn't traumatized. "I wanted to tell you the good news! I just spoke with the agent of Sunshine dolls, a popular girl rock band."
"Yeah I heard of them," Sasuke said.
"Anyway, they're doing this really big show at Tokyo dome this summer and he wants you guys to open for them!"
Naruto was annoyed. Couldn't this have waited for after his blow job?
But Sasuke was looking at Anko with eyes wide in shock.
"This is awesome," he said sincerely, "this is really good for our career."
"Finally," the purple-haired woman raised her hands dramatically, "someone that appreciates all my hard work! Now come on I need to introduce you to him…"
Sasuke followed her and Naruto trailed behind reluctantly.
…
Sakura was outside the bar alone. She felt like crying. Seeing Sasuke kissing Naruto like that on stage while everyone was cheering was simply too hard. She couldn't take it anymore.
She didn't know what to do. She longed to be with him so badly… In high school, at least, she had been his friend. But now she didn't even have that anymore.
"Why aren't you enjoying the party?" a masculine voice suddenly asked. She turned and looked up at the stranger. He had really pale skin and black eyes and hair. And as he talked, she thought she saw a glimpse of a teeth longer than normal...
"I can't," she managed.
"Well that makes two of us," he sighed and leaned against the brick wall next to her, looking at the street.
"Why?"
"The singer, I came here to see him. But he's too busy with someone else…"
"I came to see the guitarist," Sakura chuckled.
He arched a fine black eyebrow, "Really? Huh… What's your name?"
"Sakura, you?"
"Sai."
"Can I ask you a question?" She took a deep breath and without waiting for his answer, asked, "Are you like him? The singer."
"What do you mean like him?"
"You know, a vampire," she said in a low voice. She had no idea what she was doing. But somehow she wasn't scared.
"How come you know about those things?" the pale young man asked, amused.
"Long story," she said.
"You know, you and I should talk. What if...I captured Sasuke and gave him to you while I spend some time with Naruto?"
"Uh, well…" she frowned, placing her pink locks behind her ear.
"Do you have a place?"
"Yeah. My parents are on a vacation right now, actually," she said thoughtfully.
"Perfect. The only thing I would ask of you is to make sure he doesn't get away for a little while. Would that be okay?"
"Well, yeah," she said without thinking. This meant she would spend some time alone with Sasuke, and it was all that mattered really.
"Then we have a deal."
Song is Gorgeous nightmare by Escape the fate
Hope you liked!