Uberrrrllly short guys, but you'll love it 8D. Minato finally gets involved yo! Also, just so I can rant. Yesterday I had a near death experience. And by that I mean a virus came on my computer from mangafox (damn it D: ) while I was writing chapter 27 for this fanfic. Like the dumbass I am, I forgot to SAVE my work before turning my computer off and using system restore. Hoping and praying that it would auto-save and I could continue my work...
Yeah... that didn't really happen the way I wanted it too :/. On the bright side, the virus is gone ^^.
Warning: Minato may be a little OOC but there's a reason for that. I don't crack the wall, haha. Aaaand, well, I can't remember what else happens, so be prepared to enter the belly of the beast!
Read and Enjoy (: . I'll be picking up my habit of replying to reviews. And I'll be updating this story every Thursday afternoon/evening, hopefully. If not Thursday than Friday afternoon.
Akatsuki Cosplay Café
Chapter Twenty-Five: Meeting Minato
Naruto threw yet another magazine to the ground in a huff. Two weeks after the light accident and he was still chained to the bed like a helpless little child. His leg felt fine – somewhat – and he was ready to go back out and enter the real world. Not this fake one where everything was sterile, white, and orderly.
"Damn it, where's Sasuke?" Picking up the remote on the bedside table, Naruto flipped through the stations, madly pressing at the channel up button until he found something he liked. Actually, the whole channel surfing process entertained the blonde so much that he started to come up with a game of sorts. He'd start from channel one, and choose his destination channel one where he wanted to land. Then, Naruto would rapidly press the channel up button, followed by the channel down button, a couple of times until he was satisfied.
"Ah ha! Yes! I landed right on channel 69!"
"Is this what you do to entertain yourself while I'm not around?" Naruto whipped his head around at the welcoming, though highly annoying, voice near his door. There was his raven, dressed in a pair of black skinny jeans and a long-sleeve white shirt, leaning against the door frame with his hand behind his back. "I thought I would be walking in on something more… entertaining."
"In your sick and perverted dreams, Teme," Naruto stuck out his tongue childish, patting down the space beside him indicating that he wanted Sasuke to sit next to him. When said raven made no signs of moving, Naruto frowned. "What? Do I have to spell it out for you? Get your ass over here!"
"But your leg—"
"Is just fine, Teme!" Naruto cut the raven off. He didn't want to hear the obvious being thrown out of Sasuke's mouth. Yes, his leg was currently suspended after the surgery. No, he didn't want it to come in-between his snuggle time with Sasuke. "Now are you gonna come over here and give me whatever the hell is behind your back or do I have to come over there and drag you myself?"
"No, that won't be necessary, Dobe." Sasuke couldn't help chuckling at how enthusiastic Naruto could be despite being trapped in such a boring place. He wasn't much of a fan of hospitals either, but he'd find some way to distract himself. The boredom wouldn't go so far as to official make channel surfing a sport or game, but he'd certainly do something.
Closing the distance between them, Sasuke happily took his place beside Naruto. He smiled. The sort of smile that spoke words of love, happiness, compassion, and so much more with only a simple twitch of the lips. It was the smile only Naruto was gifted to see, because the smile was for Naruto alone. Their lips met in a kiss that left the two breathless. Simple and sweet, allowing their lips to linger on the other's before reluctantly separating.
"So can I get my gift now?"
"Sometimes I wonder if you're really seventeen and not actually seven." The raven scoffed at how childish Naruto could be sometimes. They had just shared an intimate moment and Naruto was more concerned about his gift rather than the moment.
"It's called: 'Living life'. Ever heard of it, Teme?"
"Do you want me to give you your gift or not, Dobe?"
"Gimmie the gift!"
"Baka…" Sasuke handed over the colorful array of flowers and placed it in Naruto's hands. He had remembered a few days before about the blonde's love for nature and gardening. Low and behold, now Naruto was staring wide-eyed at the sky blue flowers and bright pink rose buds.
"Sasuke… they're beautiful." Their beauty took Naruto's breath away, almost forgetting that his body operated on oxygen if it wished to function. He took a couple of breaths, only to have them lost again when he saw Sasuke's face tinted with specks of pink. It wasn't everyday that Sasuke went out of his way to do something for the blonde. Cooking breakfast and sleeping over was a rarity, but never had he done something like buying an actual gift.
Naruto's heart hammered against his chest as he leaned in to peck Sasuke on the cheek. His smile was as goofy as all get out watching Sasuke's cheeks turn pink to red in a few seconds.
"I've never noticed how cute you are when you're all flustered." The blonde giggled the slight pain he received every now and then from his leg was numbed by all the fluffiness. "You should blush more often."
"I'd rather not." Sasuke replied curtly. "Make sure to keep those flowers alive. I don't want to come back tomorrow and see half of them brown and wilting."
Naruto pouted, punching Sasuke in the arm out of feigned anger. "I'm insulted! I have two green thumbs, Teme. I'll definitely take care of these flowers… since they're from you after all."
Damn it. Why in the world did Naruto have to go around saying cute things like that? It made Sasuke's resolve and stoic-like attitude melt away from all the heat. Sighing, Sasuke finally came to terms that Naruto's random acts of cuteness would most likely be the death of him and grabbed the blonde by the shirt collar.
"You say some cute things when the time's right, Naru." Sasuke smirked, pressing his lips firmly against Naruto's; effectively shutting out any retorts the blonde was prepared to throw at them. The first few touches were light, playful and impish. Soon, tongues came out to dance sensually against one another, dragging out low moans from both boys.
Naruto lamely tried to move the flowers out of the way for fear they'd get crushed in their passion. Shaking fingers gripped onto the soft fabric, diving underneath the shirt to stroke and tease the soft skin. Strong arms wrapped themselves around a lithe waist, dipping below to tease and tickle above the butt cheek, but never actually grabbing it.
Need for air was slowly becoming apparent to the two, and sadly, they had to drift apart from their kiss. Both shared faces etched with lust, love, and passion. Cheeks were stained with rosy red blushes. And eyes were hazed over with thoughts of sexual desires the two kept under lock and key because they were too scared to take the plunge.
The blonde sighed, feeling all his sexual tension drift out with one single breath. He was happy with their relationship, seriously. All he wanted to know was when they'd finally have sex! Sex isn't the major part of a relationship, Naruto knew that, but sex could also bring them together on an even greater emotional scale then where they already were. Naruto wanted to be in that place of pure bliss; when their bodies were connected, legs and arms were tangled together, and their lips were caught in one, final, kiss before the two drifted off to sleep after a festive romp.
Sasuke rested his head on top of Naruto's, threading their fingers together to form that invisible yet tangible chain that always brought a wave of comfort through him. Getting lost in the fresh scent that was Naruto's hair – was that strawberry? The next few words escaped his lips before his brain caught up to what was happening.
"Naru, remembered when you asked me if I loved you a while back?"
Naruto nodded. His heartbeat was started to pick up again in sweet anticipation. Was this the leap they had been waiting for? Would they finally be able to get those three, wonderful, words out into the open for them to hear?
"Yeah… I remember."
"I've been thinking about it, long and hard. And I think I've finally come up with an answer." He exhaled a deep breath, pushing Naruto back by arm's length so he could get himself lost in those bright, blue irises. A variety of emotions were dancing in Naruto's eyes; anxiety and anticipation with bits of excitement dashed in-between. Sasuke wanted what he was about to say to be right. No stuttering, no hesitation. He wanted to force the love he felt for Naruto out, breaking down that final barrier that was restricting their big step into the next part of their relationship.
Today was the day he'd finally get his true feelings across.
"Naruto… I—"
"I'm sorry, Uzumaki-san, but you have a visitor who refuses to leave without seeing you."
Oh damn it all to Hell and back. Worst, luck, ever!
Naruto groaned into Sasuke's shoulder, holding back the urge to snap at the nurse. She was just doing her job, he couldn't yell at her for that – mostly because that nurse was trained to wield a scalpel and was his personal attendant. Oh no, he'd bite off whoever's head popped into that door next for being a bastard and ruining, probably, the best moment of his life.
"Whoever the hell it is, tell them to fuck off."
"Now Naruto, I don't remember teaching you that word growing up." The voice sighed out of faked disappointment. "Have I truly failed as a parent?"
"D-Dad, what the hell…?" whipping his head around, Naruto's mouth gapes open like a fish at the sight of his dad leaning casually against the wall, a gigantic smirk on his face.
Why in the world was he here of all places?
"In the flesh, Brat, now come give your old man a hug."
+Akatsuki Cosplay Café: Surprise+
Pein lazily picked up Mr. Snuggles ear, then let it drop down. Picked up, dropped down. Picked up, dropped down. He did this for about five minutes waiting for the other Cosplay members to come back from their trip around the hospital. Honestly, he would bet that everyone got sidetracked along the way and were currently fucking it up in various parts of the hospital.
Tobi, Sai, and Gaara being the exception of course since they didn't have any significant others of their own. Pein wouldn't put it passed him if he suddenly saw Tobi using the hospital knives to either make his own dessert, or operate on a patient himself. Sai was probably out and about flirting with anyone that sported a penis between his legs. And Gaara… well… Pein didn't want to think too hard about what sort of things Gaara could find interesting in a hospital.
"Ne, Mr. Snuggles… I'm getting kind of hungry. Do you want to stop by the café?" Pein smiled softly, scooping the bunny in his arms as he tried to remember which way the café was from the lobby. "I've always wondered if hospital food was as bad as they said they…. Mina-chan?"
A streak of gold hair whirred around the corner, derailing Pein off the track of food and onto the track of his missing… lover? Could he even place that label on him despite the major gap of age difference? Along with the fact that the two hadn't truly spoken face to face in years added onto the confusion. Pein swallowed back a large lump in his throat. Suddenly his legs felt heavy, refusing to move from their spot on the floor.
He wanted to run after that blonde streak and never let go…
"Mr. Snuggles… it can't be Mina-chan… can it? I mean, he never told me he was coming." The man chewed on his lip thoughtfully. Although they hadn't talked face to face, the two were always in constant communication whether it be e-mail or Skype – something Pein resented doing to the fullest, but on behalf of Minato's begging, he finally gave in.
"You're right… I need to go find him." Pein nodded at Mr. Snuggles, the urge to find out of that was truly Mina-chan made his feet able to move again. "Let's go find out."
It didn't take the pair too long to find where Mina-chan was going. He was right outside Naruto's door, making an effort to sway the nurse into letting him inside. Pein watched silently from his spot behind a potted plant. What business did Minato have with Naruto? And that's when the realization hit him…
"Duh," it was obvious to him now why Mina-chan was here. What he wanted to know now was why, out of all the times he could have popped in for a visit, Minato would be here to see his son. More so, how in the world did he even know Naruto was hospitalized anyways?
"Oh…duh, again." Pein shook his head out of his own stupidity. The dots were finally connecting and it all made sense now – somewhat! Things revolving around Mina-chan rarely ever made sense. "You've figured it out too, huh Mr. Snuggles? Yeah… Mina-chan is a crazy bastard."
'But I love him anyways.' The words never really traveled outside, but stayed locked in his heart where he could hope and dream that Mina-chan wasn't here just for Naruto…
+Akatsuki Cosplay Café+
"Your leg looks pretty messed up there, son." Minato frowned at the scoff Naruto shot his way, but he was more concerned about his son's bandaged leg than anything else. He explicitly told Kyuubi over and over again to aim for the bitch (aka Sasuke). Although he had to take into consideration the durability of the rope into consideration, but he was sure Kyuubi was up there around the time Sasuke would be in the right spot.
Oh, whatever, his plan would still go on either way with or without Sasuke in a hospital bed.
"Yeah, Dad. Thanks for point out the freaking obvious." Naruto growled out in annoyance. Normally he'd be happy to see his father, but the last time they met was on very bitter terms. And the fact that he suddenly appeared in the exact hospital where he was currently residing in not looking the least bit surprised seeing his own sun with a messed up leg was… highly suspicious.
'Okay, yeah, Dad definitely had something to do with this.'
"So how'd it happen?" Minato raised an eyebrow, feigning casualty and curiosity with one look. Naruto could be a smart cookie when he wanted to be. Minato was praying that this was one of the, many, times that Naruto was in fact oblivious to anything and went with his own place.
Sadly, this was not one of those times.
"Don't play dumb, Dad. I know you had something to do with my leg being fucked up. So start talking or I'll tell Mom about this."
The older blonde scoffed and folded his arms across his chest. Petty threats, that's all Naruto could throw at him. "You know your mother is all the way in Egypt right now due to her job. What good would informing her now do?"
"She can still kick your ass all the way to Sunday."
That little comment derailed Minato off of his wonderful track, but only for a moment. He cleared his throat, filling in the awkward silence before he fixed Naruto with a stern glare. "Alright, so maybe I had some part of this—"
"Some part? More like the whole freaking shebang!" Naruto spat out.
"No, it was Kyuubi who cut the rope. Which by the way, the light was meant to hit your boyfriend over there, not you." Minato sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose with his pointer finger and thumb. "Obviously that phase of the plan backfired."
"Naruto, explain to me why your family has a grudge against me." Sasuke was getting pissed off. More than pissed, actually, he was ready to explode with violent anger if answers weren't being spoken. He'd never met this man in his life and now he was on some freaking hit list for God-knows-what!
Things needed to start being explained, now.
"Wouldn't I like to know?" Naruto shot a look at his father who was currently looking as nonchalant as could be by the window. "Tell me, Dad, why so hell bent on attacking us?"
The older blonde stared at his son for a few moments, considering that he might have gone too far this time. He was known for becoming wildly enthusiastic and spontaneous whenever he was passionate about something, but perhaps he had over stepped the boundaries with this one. Naruto was old enough for them to have a man-to-man talk about important family issues. But he was also immature enough to let those important issues bounce off of him like a rubber ball.
"I guess I can't beat around the bush for long." It was about time Minato started to crack down and act like the parental figure he was. "My company has recently made a branch in America. My boss has offered me the job as manager of that company. I'll be transferring in two weeks."
"So this automatically gave you the okay to harm me and my boyfriend? Wow Dad, I thought Uncle Kyuubi was the one who let power go to his head." Do you hear the sarcasm dripping off his words? Yeah, it's pretty lethal.
"No, injuring Sasuke was going to be my creative outlet before I came to you." Minato shrugged off the evil glares he was getting from both Naruto and Sasuke at the moment. If his son was going to ask him sarcastic questions, then he'd cut him down to size with the startling truth. That's what parents were supposed to do. "I'll be over there for a year, and I've decided to take you with me."
"W-What?"
For the first time in a while… Naruto felt his whole world slip from underneath his feet.
Dun, dun, dun! EPICNESS.
I honestly don't know what to say right now, expect (if you don't mind) checking out my new fanfic Eclipse. It's not a vampire fanfic, but something I've been itching to write for the longest time... so ta da! To anyone who wanted to read my other naruto fanfics, I'll be posting some up on narutofic (dot) org. I have Kick/Start and Illusions&Roses up there right now. If you'd like anymore, just tell me.
Reviews would be absolutely amazing! And, once again, if you could check out Eclipse I'd appreciate it - just go take a magical adventure to my profile. (Thought of Dora while typing this...)
Next time on ACC: Clash of the Blondes. What happens, well, you've gotta wait to see 8D.
Till next Thursday huh? :o