Author's Rant: Here's the next chapter guys ^_^

Warnings: Mild OOC Sasuke Uchiha

One Step at a Time

It happened so suddenly before anyone could react.

The connection of rough knuckles to the angled jawline of one of the older men echoed louder, then the sound of his polished shoes scrapping against the cemented outdoor as he stumbled backwards, ramming his back into the railing. The metallic clung rung a shrilling hum against the weight support and the clapped hand bracing its fingers around it's bar as slanted eyes widened beyond capacity at the shaggy haired brunette youth stomping forward with his fist raised.

Before anyone could say a negative verbal against the assault the snapping crackle repeated itself just as sharp and sickening as the fist struck another soft texture of flesh for a second time, hitting its target. From his standpoint, Kiba stared dangerously narrow eyed to the two taller men shooting daggers of disdained angst his way.

And he could give the slightest damn about punching two of the most important people in the city.

"How dare you," Neji's steely voice rose with his body's push off the porch rail. "I should have you arrested for assault!" The side of his smooth, once unblemished skin was quickly taking on a deeply awful shade of violet; a harsh contrast hue against his even skin tone.

"Call the damn police," Kiba exchanged his lethal glare from the icy glacial to the never ending pit of shadowy black, easing himself up to his full heights, gaze licked with hatred and warning. The only thing Kiba seemed to brace himself for was the possibility of a double team and if these two motherfuckers thought they were going to get the edge over him then they had another thing coming.

Thinking for the sake of the Uzumaki's eyes, Kiba was quick to close the door behind him, sealing away the view of what could soon end up being a bloody scene. But it as just as he was turning from shutting the red painted door, his face nearly collided with a wall of neatly pressed button shirts and a peek of chest muscles, rising from the triangle show.

"Move," He heard the demand rumble with authority. Sasuke kept the space between Inuzuka and himself limited to merely a foot, eyes boring into the bold youth to exert intimidation. "I won't repeat myself a second time."

Kiba shook his head of the unnerved daze, pushing the Uchiha back from his personal zone. "If you jump asshole, you better be ready for the ass whooping that comes with it." Again, the wild teen looked from one man to the other, somewhat stunned that his punches had leveled them out of the game. Both were sporting some rather evil looking marks that were likely to bruise a nasty color. But nonetheless, here they stood, both erect for battle and eyes so frosted over, Kiba thought he'd freeze to death.

Neji recovered from his painful shock just enough to step a little closer, lowering his gap to the brown haired fellow. "Step aside, Inuzaku. Last and only request."

Kiba cocked an eyebrow at the two as if they'd lost their minds. "Who in the hell gave you the right too—you know what, fuck this. I'm tellin' you both this one time." He jerked his thumb in the only opposite direction they could've came from. "Get the fuck outta here before I get pissed then both you fools gonna have a serious problem."

Not one ever to be threatened by a single person, Sasuke rounded Neji, until he was no more than an inch from Kiba's face. "Don't make promises you can't keep."

Kiba gawked at the fool like he'd lost his mind. "Bro," he started low and roughly growled. "You better back up before something happens. I can assure you now; I'm not the one to go toe to toe with."

It was Neji this time to bring his frozen laser glint on Kiba's face, "You've been warned Inuzuka."

"Fuck the both of you. Let's get with it!" Without so much as giving it a progressing thought, Kiba palmed both his hands against Sasuka and Neji's chests, roughly shoving them back against the steel post, raising his fists up. "You assholes feeling froggy then fucking leap so I can knock your asses back to the ground."

"What's your problem, kid?" Sasuke snarled angrily. "I need to speak to Naruto. You're in my way. I suggest you move."

"And I suggest you get the fuck outta here man. Neither of you motherfuckers is getting in." Kiba moved his body between the men and his family's door to prove his point. "So who wants their asses tossed first, because I can do this shit all damn day."

"Disrespectful cur," Neji spat quietly.

"Your mother, ya dick."

Neji blinked, unsure if he'd registered that correctly. "Excuse me?"

"Your. Mother. Ya dick!"

"How dare you—"

Some low walking was heard coming from behind the closed door and nasally gruff, grumble growing louder with each padded step until all men turned around at the precise instant, the door was yanked in and around with Naruto emerging wild eyed and angry. "Could you fools keep it down," he hissed. "My brothers are trying too—what the hell?" Upon seeing the badly reddened faces of his employers, coming in his line of vision, Naruto's gasp rung out against Kiba's ear like a hot water as he stepped around to get a closer look.

Immediately putting two and two together, Naruto cupped his right hand over his cheek, stunned. "Kiba what the fuck did you do?" He horribly growled as he hurried first to Sasuke to look over his swelling cheek before casting his best friend a cruel eye. "What the hell were you thinking man?" Naruto timidly turned around to Sasuke's face, his eyes messaging numerous apologies as he reached out to softly cup his hand on the man's face, feeling the slight fire gradually coming forth.

"What the hell did you expect me to do? Both the idiots need someone to knock some sense into 'em," Kiba seemed to argue his point as if it were the perfectly logical excuse to clobber two millionaires.

Naruto had by this time, staggered over to study Neji's face as well, nodding his apology, "In case you forgot dumbass, these two supply my paycheck. Are you trying to get me fired? You just punched out my bosses!"

"I dare either one of 'em to fire you for what I did. That'll just give me another reason to kick their asses!"

"Kiba relax," Naruto shot back angrily, rolling his eyes as he turned to the two men who were just as angry. "Guys, I'm sorry for this. Kiba's just—"

Neji raised his hand to halt any further defense, "You needn't apologize for the actions of this," he looked Kiba up and down disgustedly. "Savage's actions. He's clearly in dire need of some disciplinary conduct to influence better behavior."

"Say what?" Kiba shoved Naruto the side, squaring himself directly in Neji's face. "You got something to say asshole; you better speak or forever hold your peace."

"Incompetent fool," Neji rolled his eyes, resisting the urge to give the young man a brisk head shake. "You yap more than that of an injured dog."

"Enough," Sasuke roughly cut in. "I didn't come here to listen to you two argue like a couple of children." His dark glimmer settled softly towards Naruto. "How is he?"

The softer use of his employer's voice wasn't one Naruto was accustomed too just yet, but it did put him at ease to see Sasuke's kinder side. "He's fine. Just taking a nap in the bedroom."

"And you?" Sasuke neared him, eyes steadily focused over the round caramel tanned face and gentle blue eyes.

Naruto swallowed, shrugging. "Been ok. Just worried about Mina is all." He didn't think it wise to mention the reporter, lest he wanted to see Sasuke get riled up from something small.

"May I see him?"

Another stranger shocker. Sasuke asking to be allowed to do something without inflicting his authority? "Umm," Naruto shrugged, acting as if it hadn't effected as it had as he stepped aside to give Sasuke passage. "Sure; he's down the hall, around the corner in the first room on the left—huh?" He stiffened when his right cheek was suddenly cradled between pale, slender fingers, shifting his face to meet with dark, calmer black.

"Come with me," he heard Sasuke say and numbly nodded, locked in that cool trance delivered from this alien expression, sketched on that handsome face. The two, never one breaking eye contact, walked inside the apartment toward the bedroom. Sasuke's hand had since fell from Naruto's chin, descending to interlock their fingers as if it were the most natural display of affection between them. There wasn't too much to think into it, in a sort of oh well its fine kind of way. So Naruto too, grasped his fingers tight, leading the way to the twin's bedroom.

All the while, Neji stood quietly irritated and a bit disappointed at the somewhat lacked greeting he received from the blonde and mentally debated on whether he should go in or simply leave. From his placement outside the half jarred door, he watched the mild brush of physical contact between Sasuke and Naruto as if it were the everyday routine between them and hadn't realized his nails were digging into the meat of his palm of his pain receptors alarmed him to the sting.

His coiled fist slowly relaxed and the tremor of his shoulders went lax in a downward slump, deflating all obvious jealousy as he made to step inside—only to be roughly pushed against the doorframe by a flat palm, when he accidentally collided into Kiba who was about to walk in at the same time.

"Watch it," The Inuzuka grumbled harshly as he went in first.

Neji closed his eyes, mentally counting back from ten to one in his mind three different times in a trio of foreign languages before following in behind, despite nearly having his face slammed by the front door.

This visit wasn't going to end as he'd planned, nor would he assume he'd have a chance at getting his chance with Naruto; especially if he had that damned brute to deal with and Sasuke's involvement around. Taking a deep breathe, he sighed to himself, shutting the door behind him and instantly connecting sights with an overly protective Kiba standing in front of the hallway entrance.

This created a stale situation between the already straining cooperation between the pair and Neji took up a similar pose, standing wide legged, shoulders pulled back and chin jutted with his arms folded. "Is there a problem," he questioned up front.

"You're not going back there," Kiba sneered, cocking his shoulder against the hall corner frame. "Wait your damn turn."

"Pardon?" Neji scoffed, eyes slitting daringly. "I don't need your permission to do what I came to do."

"And what was that?" Kiba yawned bored. "To stress out my best friend with your bullshit?"

"I didn't come here too—"

"Look man, it's whatever. You can talk until the cows come home." Kiba's face suddenly hardened. "You're not going back there until I say so. So park your ass."

"Well I never," Neji huffed angrily. "How dare you have the audacity to speak to me that way?"

"Andddd you're still standing because?"

Neji's mouth flapped open then closed as he flipped a sable lock over his shoulder and came to stand in front of Kiba's bold, yet daring face wishing for him to try something physically negative. Instead he opted for coming to lean against the opposite corner post, legs crossed at the ankles as he studied Kiba closely, while taking up a casual smirk. "I'll stand here until suited otherwise."

Kiba shrugged, not giving a damn one way or the other. "Don't care. Just don't try nothin' stupid. Make a move to go back there and I'll crack your pretty face in half."

"Hn I highly doubt that."

"We'll see asshole."

Neji snorted. "Uncouth mongrel."

"Stuck up pussy." Kiba shot back quick.

Neji went ridged. "Unsightly savage."

"Tight lipped jackass."

. . . yes. This was going to be a long stay indeed.

The colorless door protectively sealing away the two tiny children inside, was quietly twisted and pushed forward just a tad—except when the door clicked, it was abruptly retracted back by a larger hand over the darkly tanned knuckles and brought up to a pair of thin, yet soft lips for a kiss.

Naruto's tiny gasp could hardly be heard but his gulp came as clear as day when Sasuke's smothering eyes, layered every sort of enticing lick of fire over his body and face.

"You've been avoiding me," Sasuke silently accused, while pressing a lingering butterfly to each finger. "Tell me why?"

How could he speak? For every time he tried to open his lips to say something a moisture caress was tickled over his skinny digit and vastly moving on to the smooth surface of his palm. Wicked flutters skated from the lump in his throat to the bottomless pit of his stomach where every known sensation began their torturous tease of making his bodily functions go haywire.

"Naruto," Sasuke started just as soundless and sensual. "Tell me why?" Another suckling kiss tingled on the youthful skin.

Uzumaki swayed off, lazily pulling his hand free to clear his mind and cradled the sexually abused appendage to his chest as he thought of how best to say why he'd been trying his best to steer clear of the enticing specimen. "Needed to think, t-to clear my head." His bottom lip pulled between his teeth as he continued on. "Everything's happening too fast for me."

"Is that why your friend is being overly dramatic?"

"No—I mean yes—I mean," Naruto blew out a tired wind, scratching the back of his head. "He's just over protective. Kiba's always been that way. He's just looking out for me, ya know? Makin' sure I'm in good health and stuff."

Sasuke lifted a brow. "By strikin' at random people he doesn't know?"

"He knows you," At the dull eyed expression, Naruto quickly offered a small smile to deflect the fact that he just gave a pitiful defense for the assault. "It's just, Kiba thinks that well. . . you and Neji are kind of pressurin' me." Naruto's fingers nibbled against their counter tips as a small blush painted his cheeks.

"Do you feel pressured?" Sasuke asked, cupping over the fidgeting fingers so as to gain Naruto's full attention. "I'd told you before, I wouldn't rush you but I wanted to know if you were willing to go this route with me." The crook of his index, curled underneath Naruto's chin, bringing those bright blue eyes up to meet his. "What have I done thus far?"

"N-nothing really, it's just." Naruto sighed, shaking his head. "I know I want to try. It's just—I'm worried. I-I've never been with a man before. How am I supposed to react? How the hell do I go about living life and doing my daily routines?" Again he shook his head, averting his blue eyes to the carpeted floor. "I wouldn't know how to be. Will it be right for us to pursue this?"

"Would it be wrong if we didn't?" Naruto flinched when polished leather shoes came in his line of vision before the brush of cloth softly crashed into his t-shirt and the press of a pointed nose settled in the crook of his neck. Long arms circled around his waist, pulling whatever remnants of space existed into nothingness.

Taking in a single inhale of the young man's unique scent, Sasuke's breath warmed the side of Naruto's neck for every word whispered. "If I've pressured you say I have, but I don't want us to try. You," He sharply sucked in and released the stored smell on his tongue pallet. "You intrigue me . . . Naruto," The damning name was muffled against the firm flesh; heating like flames were licking at it bear. "Don't deny us this chance."

"Sasuke . . ." Naruto swallowed around the fuzzy jumps tumbling wildly in his chest and fogging his mind as he unconsciously, raised his open palms to cup against the clothed plumps of muscle hidden beneath. Sasuke's breathing slight hitched from the gentle contact but he maintained control, not wanting to push any further then what Naruto was ready for. When the time came he'd let Naruto lead them on what was appropriate and what wasn't.

Sasuke pulled his head back to see the messages rolling in a multitude of angles in those round blue eyes, wondering where the signal was for what he was supposed to do or rather what would be allowed.

Naruto felt himself swallowed whole by that dark gaze, a inky flood of seriousness but a hint of smooth relaxation nestled in the midst of it all. His tongue shyly lapped over the bottom plump of his lips to moisten the sudden desolation.

Sasuke's eyes shot directly to the pink dart for the briefest instant, then returned his steady eyes on Naruto's face waiting.

Then it happened. Softly, and slightly firm, Naruto lifted his head, jerking out his chin as a rush of pinched anger boiled in his chest at being a coward. He knew what he wanted. The only problem was going with the situation because of him not wanting to deal with whatever consequences went with it. He'd told Itachi that whatever awaited himself and Sasuke they'd burrow through the problems together until they could figure if this was what they really wanted.

So he leaned in, connecting their lips together for the fastest moment, immediately pulling back to see Sasuke's reaction.

For Sasuke, the instant he felt those swelled balls against his lips, his eyes closed to capture the brief caress, though it'd been too soon for him, he kept its soft texture in his mind, repeating the feel and wet taste in his mind. So sudden it had been. If only he could—

Naruto leaned in kissing him again, this time more lingering and daring as he squeezed the pectorals in his hand with the simultaneous suckle of Sasuke's bottom lip. In a flash the raw sexual receptors went off in Sasuke's mind as his embrace tightened and Naruto's arms circled his shoulders, both of them fitting their bodies together perfectly.

But it was a quick kiss, a little too fast for Sasuke but Naruto assured him, with a few more linger kisses before breaking off the warm connection.

"Slow," he whispered against Sasuke's lips. "One step at a time."

"Right," Sasuke leaned in for one more brush and another over Naruto's brow. "One step at a time."

Naruto pulled free to turn the door knob, gesturing for Sasuke to be quiet as they entered inside.

The door creaked and softly sighed against the plush carpet into the twin's room. The sound, though wordless, stirred a disruptive pitch towards the left side of the room where a bob of shaggy blond hair spilled from the top like a blossoming daisy. Minato whimpered against the cushion of his pillow, breaking through the wisps of slumber. One of his balled fists rubbed over the drowsiness of his right eye as he weakly turned over to see the source behind whatever woke him up.

At first, he couldn't make out the fuzzy figures coming towards his bed due to his medication's effects and tried sitting up to get a better view only to be pushed back gently by a large hand.

"Lay down kiddo, you still have a fever." Naruto softly scolded as his weigh dipped the bed to one side, slightly rolling the tiny tike. Using his left palm, Naruto felt over Minato's brow, his cheeks and underneath his chin, for sighs of overheat and nodded at the confirmation that the temperature was still high. "How ya feel?"

Minato shook his head weakly and pointed at his scratchy throat, with a slight cough his only response. It was going to take a few before the effects of the medicine kicked in to fluctuate his immune system, so for now all he was going to have to do was deal with the symptoms until further notice.

Naruto scooted closer on the bed, pulling the covers back to allow a little circulation "Hey guess who came to see ya?"

"Mmm," Mina moaned his question. He watched his brother jerk his chin behind and with some effort, he angled his head to the side and both eyes widened a small fraction at seeing that familiar face. On point, a quirky smile small and fragile tugged the dried button lips to the side and a timid word escaped on a happy rasp. "S'suke."

Sasuke stepped up, taking a seat at the end of the bed and placing his hand on the toddler's sock clad foot. "Hey," He quietly greeted. "Heard you were sick."

"Mmm Mmm," Minato pointed at his neck, sadly shaking his head.

Rocking the tiny foot from side to side, Sasuke leaned in with his other hand to crate his oversized hand under Mina's jaw, minutely surprised at his the size difference between the child's face and his fingers. "You're going to get well for me?"

The young blond nodded twice, tilting his head to the side with his half lidded eyes darting left and right, then to Sasuke's in question.

"Gaara's at home," Sasuke answered the wordless question. "But he wanted me to give you this." Twisting to reach inside his pocket, Uchiha fondled around for his gift and retrieved it placing a small red car in Minato's hand.

Naruto looked from the car to Sasuke, lifting a brow as if to ask where was Gaara anyway? Sasuke mouthed home with sitter and turned they both turned to see Minato fingering over the little vehicle as if mesmerized by the toy's appearance. His eyes steadily returned their tired focus to Sasuke, still holding that semi smile.

So small and skinny, he looked like a feeble doll in Sasuke's eyes and before anyone to think of the next action, Sasuke was leaning past Naruto to brace his hand over Minato's warm forehead and touching his lips to the round surface. For a stretched second he lingered on until lifting his lips and touching his front face to the little Uzumaki.

The gesture, so unseen and unpredictable, stirred a wild flutter in Naruto's chest. He didn't know how long or what exactly to say to this display between his friend and his brother, but it was as if watching some scene in a twilight bliss. Every single detail seemed to come in a slide show before him as Minato closed his eyes, nuzzling his cheek into Sasuke's nose and soon his breathing became even, signaling he'd fallen back asleep.

Sasuke stayed his place for a moment not realizing he'd closed his eyes and opened, seeing those bright eyes closed away in a restful peace. He didn't know what had possessed him to do what he did, but it'd just been a reaction; a sort of instinct to get close to this child in his time of need, if it were to make him feel better.

And . . .

Sasuke suddenly stood, crossing the room over to Kyuubi's bed where the wild sleeper was arranged in an untamed disarray of limps and hair all over his bed. On a single impulse from having seen Gaara do so many times before, Sasuke bent over, pulling Kyuubi's legs underneath the comforter and pulling his arms back, tucking the blanket beneath his neck and combing strands of hair back until they were deigned tolerable.

During his little fuss over the red head, Naruto had come to stand next to him, folding his arms at the oddly misplaced mothering from Sasuke. "You're a regular nanny huh?" He murmured teasingly.

"Hn," Was all he received in return.

Adding the final touches, Sasuke stared on for a while, looking for any oddities or sections out of place. With nothing to be concerned over, he brushed the ruffles of loose red to the side to clear space on Kyuubi's forehead to lay a kiss there as well. Somewhere in his dreams, Kyuubi's face crunched and his tiny hand came to swipe at the nasty smooch and then his face relaxed in a shy smile.

"Brat," Chuckled Naruto.

Sasuke shrugged standing to full height, reaching out his arm to wrap around Naruto's shoulder, tugging him closer until the teen was puzzled to his side. He didn't say anything, instead simply standing and holding his dobe near. Neither felt the need to say a word, allowing the moment of peace settle like a calming glitter over their bodies.

In the midst of the quiet, Sasuke had maneuvered Uzumaki's body to stand in front of him, wrapping his arms around his waist until they were full compressed together. Naruto sighed in the embrace, with Sasuke's profile peeking over his shoulder, chin resting in place, a strange sizzle boiled deep in his stomach as they began to rock side to side. The proximity between them was a relaxing feat, so comforting and at ease.

It was strange, so weird, yet the freakish fact of it was that—this felt right.

Perfect even. Naruto couldn't imagine this moment being any more perfect then it was. Being held so nestled and secured in Sasuke's arms, he couldn't help but feeling as if they were in sync. And with the kids . . .

It felt like they were a family. A real, true family. And . . . it felt right.

Neji was getting fed up with this punk's over cocky attitude, guarding him like he was the best trained canine in the force. He'd been sitting here for nearly thirty minutes, having not heard a single sound since Naruto and Sasuke had disappeared in the back and for every moment they were together dissolved whatever chances he had to claim what was rightfully his.

The pad of his leather shoes, pounded soundlessly against the carpet, his body was leaned over, elbows supported on his knees and hands cupped in front of his mouth with only his icy eyes shooting icicle shards toward the deadly brunette, striking equally deadly ammo his way.

"Ya know," Kiba yawned bored. "You're pathetic ya know that?"

Neji closed and opened his eyes, still tapping his foot.

"If I knew I was going after someone who didn't want me, I'd at least have enough common sense to let it go." Again Kiba let loose a jaw cracking yawn to emphasis his supposed boredom. "It's pretty obvious who the kid's interested in. You're pretty much just an extra. Why not find somethin' else to do with your time like I don't know, getting a life?"

Neji's eyes darted toward the hallway, mind calculating the probabilities of him taking his chances to go on to see what was happening.

Kiba sighed, lifting a shoulder. "Geez I wonder what they're doing back there. It doesn't take that long to check on the little guy—" When Neji shot him the cruelest glare known to mankind. The heated stare caught him off guard so that shifted uncomfortably in his chair, wondering what the hell would cause that look—wait, Kiba's eyes suddenly changed directions, going toward the hall and just realizing how quiet it was back there. "Oh, Oh. . . OH!" Wow no wonder pretty boy was pissed off.

This fool was a complete idiot. Neji hadn't the time to waste here and so stood up to end the mystery of what was going on behind closed doors.

But Kiba was on him before he could step a foot past the hallway barrier with his arms spread wide. "Whoa, whoa, slow your roll man."

"Stand aside," Neji growled.

Kiba looked him up and down like he'd gone stupid. "Dude, you better go park ya ass. I already told you ya ain't goin' back there."

Neji folded his arms, his dangerous hawk gaze becoming twice as intimidating. "Last time Inuzuka," In one fluid step, Neji was before Kiba, showing for what Kiba noticed was a three to four inch difference in their heights. Neji narrowed his gaze, hardened tougher than diamonds, until he leveled that pistol aim to Kiba's just as haughty black eyes. "Move out of my way."

Kiba swallowed around the fright nerve that wedged its way between his heart and pride and answered, unaffected, "Hell. No—yo!"

Neji's hand was wound around the youth's shirt in an instant, roughly yanking him full bodied out of his way with mild force and stalking pass the awestruck Kiba without taking a backwards glance. Kiba's finger was up and pointing at the retreating back but not a word came out due to attack from someone he'd deemed as being nothing more than a pushover. But was he wrong. In only a three second interval, the pretty boy had went from being a pussy to going all rough neck, grabbing him like that.

It'd serve the bastard right if he walked in on something he wasn't supposed to see.

. . . But then again, it might be a fucking wake up call for his ass.

Neji remembered the directions given from before, heading straight for the children's bedroom.

At first he simply listened at the door, wondering if he'd find something misleading but thought against taking the coward's way out and pulled his shoulders back, chin out and turning the knob without a mannered knock.

The door swished open onto a scene he should've known would be there. But having to witness this facade for himself, in true reality . . . it hurt.

There on the floor of the twin's bedroom, lying calmly and asleep were Sasuke and Naruto resting as he'd found them weeks before in the elevator.

Only this time, it was Sasuke arms fastened around Naruto's body, with the blond trapped between his thighs and his head resting against his chest in a peaceful rest. There in plain, incriminating view were their hands interlocked tight as their obvious affection for one another.

The grip around the bronze colored knob clinked from the compression constricting it's metallic surface as Neji's arm trembled with building anger, irritation and despite his own pride, hurt emotions.

The sounds of his quiet entrance had been enough to pierce the silence like a knock. First one then two voided black eyes opened and immediately traveled over to the door where Neji stood, staring back at the gentle display.

On instinct, Sasuke tightened his embrace around Naruto's body, eyes becoming slender.

Neji mimic a similar expression, his lips grimly thinning as he sighed through his nose. His eyes glided down to Naruto's calm, facial all cleared and depraved all any stress or creased frowns. He was relaxed, secured. . . he seemed to feel right where he was cozily nestled.

Slowly Neji's own face, took on a saddened gleam and his eyes dying off of its foggy hue. With a quick glance at each child, safely tucked in bed for the afternoon, Neji shut his eyes, feeling the words come forth without purpose. "Tell him, I saw the children while he rested." And he left, disregarding whether Sasuke agreed to his request or not.

He didn't care one way or the other. Inside he couldn't stand seeing what he saw; he only wanted to get away, far away.

He bypassed Kiba on his way out the front door, all it done robotic and in mocked courage. His body gave a false image of being a strong, proud man, unfazed by any sort of issue or situation. He looked the part of being a powerful intimidating figure able to withstand and handle any conquest.

Only it was anything but that.

Because . . . he was hurting inside, but his pride refused to let it be seen.

And that only made it hurt even more.

For the past two days, he'd called many times and received no response.

Naruto sighed, hanging up his cell after calling Neji's phone for the sixth time today as he browsed through the racks looking for cooling pads and headache medication for small children. Minato's illness was stabilized but still unsettling. He'd started getting frequent headaches since last night and Naruto had asked Kiba if he could watch the twins while he was away.

On his way to the store, he'd thought over what happened a couple of days ago when he came from the bedroom with Sasuke.

The man had told him what happened when Neji had come inside and if it weren't bad enough Kiba had also said how the Hyuuga had left without so much as a good bye. Since then Naruto had been trying relentlessly to get in contact with his boss but came up short every time. He'd called the office several times asking if he could leave a message but TenTen informed him that Neji was too busy to take messages.

It bothered Naruto tremendously because he knew Neji's avoidance of him was his fault. Fuck he felt so damn stupid. If anything he owed Neji by telling him that he was going to try and pursue things with Sasuke but he'd been so star stuck he hadn't even considered Neji's feelings in this mess.

God he just wished the man would answer the phone so they could discuss this. Throughout the entire time they'd known each other, Naruto looked to him as being a wise mentor and excellent friend. Neji was the kind of person he could see being a long existing friend and great guardian for the children.

It's just that he could vision him being in his life the way he did with Sasuke. It just didn't fit. . .

Not in the way Neji wanted. Naruto wished he could see it but he didn't.

He just didn't.

"Oh Neji," he groaned to himself.

"Neji? As in Neji Hyuuga?"

Naruto whipped around the small packaged aisle at the familiar voice of a man he could've sworn he'd told to buzz off.

There standing in a skin tight cat suit, stretched from his neck, turtle neck style to his thighs, like a suctioned glove was Sai with a plastered grin on his face pen at the ready.

"What do you want?" Naruto asked cautiously.

"Oh nothing. I'm was just strolling through the lanes when I happened to see you," Sai said smiling. "It seems fate's on my side today. I was just thinking about finding you to get our little interview started."

"Pfft whatever," Snorted Naruto. "You're not gettin' shit from me." He wasn't about to waste his time dealing with this fool and turned on his heel to dismiss any further conversation.

But his efforts were for naught since Sai couldn't get a hint, coming to walk in step next to him. "So tell me Mr. Uzumaki, I've heard rumors that you were switching your interests between men. Is it true you're double crossing two of the wealthiest men in the city for their riches or a possible chance at getting higher in rank?"

"What? No!" Naruto snapped angrily, stomping mad. "Just leave me alone. It's nothing like that!"

"Ah, then there is some level of truth to this since you neither denied nor confirmed a romantic triangle taking place between you three? Very interesting," He mumbled jotting down those notes as well.

"I said there was nothing going on," Naruto wasn't about to trap himself with this stupid jerk and hurried off to leave him behind, turning around a corner into another row.

Sai however would not be deterred and kept following from behind, asking question after question. "So who do you hope to bag in your web of lust? Sasuke or Neji? Is there a possibility of keeping both under your wing for safe keeping? Do you fear a chance of ridicule should the public find out your involvement with these men? How will you feel if people start seeing you as a bad example for your younger brothers. Do you think they'll grow up more feminine with you being another man's bed warmer—"

Naruto's fist was flying before he could stop it as it connected with the side of Sai's face. The reporter's balance stumbled off handed for a few moments, running into the side of a stacked can of beans and peas until stabilizing on a wall of condiments.

"Keep your fuckin' mouth shut about my brothers asshole," Naruto grounded between his teeth. "Me and Sasuke's relationship is nobody's fuckin' business but ours ya got that? So buzz the fuck off!" Huffing to the tenth power of pissed off, Naruto twisted on the ball of his heel, back ridged straight into a crooked line as he left before he could lose control and wailing on that fool like nobody's business.

All the while Sai simply stood, holding his swelling cheek, upholding his feigning smile and reaching in his pocket to click off the recorder. Shakily he reached inside his breast pocket for the square shaped item and dialed out to his employer.

The phone rung several times before a deep, sultry tone answered. "You did it?"

"Yes sir, he went off just as you predicted."

"Hmm, very good. Did you get what we needed?"

Sai pulled out the hand held machine, eyes crinkled in mocking glee. "Yes sir. I have what you want, ready for your use."

"Perfect," Itachi purred. "Prepare the next phase of the plan. We'll just see how much pressure Mr. Uzumaki can stand before cracking."

TBC: Hmm very interesting.