Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto did. I'm just a humble writer who's trying to go wild with her imagination, borrowing his characters.

Author's Note: First question. How many of you want to beat me up at this moment. I know I am terribly late and please trust me I didn't meant to be. But writing this chapter really took time and also because I wanted it to be different. This is the chapter which is going to change the flow of the story from now; and that's why I wanted it to be special. To start something special.

Chapter – 26

Sasuke found his group huddled around Ino's work desk in the Friday morning as he entered the office. He stood there for a moment to take in everything. Usually his office was busting with chatter, laughter or if he was unlucky then with some small argument or if God was finding his life specially humourless and tried to brighten it then some hand to hand fight, where someone is literally on another's throat. He had grown accustom to it over the months and today's eerie silence was seriously worrying him and also not to mention despite the group that was still present in the room.

He couldn't count how many times he had wished for a morning like this, like normal for any office, but when his wish had finally come true today he was unable to take single step into the room anymore; afraid that any catastrophe will happen any moment.

He looked around the room then at the number of heads around the table again. He noticed with narrowed eyes that even Neji was with the group and which was something to point out about. Generally the silent man stayed out of any commotion or possible commotion, probably to save the trouble. But this time his head was also a part of the crowd and judging from his face he was thinking deeply about something. They were probably having a really serious conversation; the thought gave him some relief, but his step again halted as he noticed to absence of a very specific head with unruly sunshine blond hair.

That was the head anyone could find during a trouble, heck most of the time it was the source of the trouble, but this time that lack of that head troubled him. He hadn't seen the blond on his way up and Naruto is always early, which only serve the frown marring his featured to deepen.

Sasuke slowly walked behind the group and cleared his throat loudly to get their attention.

"May I ask what's going on here?"he said slowly after all eyes turned towards him and his head turned to the head of the table and locked with another set of baby blue eyes, which was not the exact colour he was looking for.

Ino blinked at him for few seconds; trying to registered his presence and broke into a wide smile, which caused Sasuke to twitch a bit with the urge to run as far away as possible. But Uchiha's don't run and he held his ground only raising a single eyebrow in question towards the blond girl.

"Oh, you are finally here Sasuke. This is great" Ino said in a cherry voice as she stood up and looked over the raven. After a moment of pause for her inspection, which caused Sasuke to awkwardly shuffle on his feet; she continued "guys" causing everyone's attention to bring back to her "we got our perfect bait." She finished with a smile, which was anything but innocent to Sasuke's eyes.

The smile he received from Ino and the look he got from the rest of the group was almost enough to convince him to run as far away as possible for him. The only reason he didn't do it coz he knew he wouldn't run out all of them and running in the office hallway will be unprofessional and a serious violation of office protocol, which he had started to strongly suspect isn't active on the top floor or where ever the group went.

"What are you talking about?"Sasuke finally asked after debating his options of running.

"Today is October tenth" Ino said with a smirk, like that explained everything; causing Sasuke's annoyance to rise. Ino sighed as she took in the unimpressed look on Sasuke's face "seriously Sasuke, you two are always together, sometimes it feels like someone had glued you two and you still don't know what 10th October means?"

"No" Sasuke said in a flat tone, which almost caused Ino to face palm herself or to try to beat some sense into the raven.

"It's Naruto's birthday" Ino said in an exasperated tone as she looked at Sasuke closely, enjoying the surprised look on his face as she continued "and we have decided you will work as our bait to distract him."

"What?" Sasuke almost choked out. Distract the blond; that is not entirely impossible, given the dobe's short attention span but it will be impossible if the said dobe suspected of something going on. Naruto can be really persuasive when he set his mind into something.

"Yes" Ino continued, not hiding the slightly bewildered look on Sasuke in the slightest "well initially we had planned to inform of this development to you yesterday, but seeing as you were not here and had gone with Itachi for your meeting we couldn't. Well it save you the trouble to deal with Naruto from the morning and we can also give you some tips about how to keep him away from our surprise party."

"So you don't need him to be away in the morning anymore?" Sasuke decided to first start with the simple questions as his mind tried to understand the full extent of what's going on.

"Oh we need it" Ino said in a dismissive tone as she started to fold the paper she was writing something earlier "that's why Sakura had gone to his house to pick him up for the day."

Sasuke felt his irritation stir at the answer and this time he knew why. If anyone had said this to him only couple of months earlier he would have kill that person and also would have enjoyed every single moment of it. But now he knew and had accepted it. He liked the blond; he likes him very much. He cannot deny the happiness he felt for him every time they are together anymore; no matter how annoying the dobe can be and how much angry he had been at the moment. Thinking about those antics later never failed to bring smile to his faces; no matter how much they had fought in the first place.

He never had a friend like that and now that dobe has become something more than that to him; and that idiot haven't even realised it yet. He wanted to be close to Naruto; closer than anyone. He wanted to know him; the real him; to know everything about him.

Naruto use to share his life with him. His time with the group and how he came to know everyone; all of that full of happy memories, but he knew that's not all about the blond. There are so much more to him; he knew that Naruto had spent a considerable time in orphanage and he didn't know anything about that time. Well except when he had overheard his conversation with his mom.

He wanted to know that all; not only his happiness, but also his sadness. He wanted to know all those things that make Naruto into Naruto. He is slowly planning todo it, step by step and he didn't want anyone to get in between them; especially not some ex-girlfriend who had left him at one point.

"You should have texted me" Sasuke said; not able to hide all the irritation he felt at the moment from his voice "and if you had chosen her, then why bother with me again?"

"Because, he is an idiot" Ino said casually, carefully hiding her smirk from the Uchiha; who was currently trying to act aloof. "Anyway" she continued after a shrug "I know he doesn't feel comfortable around her like he used to be any more and frankly I prefer it that way."

Sasuke opened his mouth to reply, but Ino held her hand up to silence him before she continued "we didn't have any choice this morning. If anyone from us would have gone he would have known something was up and we didn't want to risk it; beside you Sakura was our only safe option." She smiled brightly at him after that "and not that you are here; you are going to take over the guard duty."

"Guard duty!" Sasuke said with a hint of smile "is that what they call it these days."

"Well yeah" Ino said lightly "didn't you knew that grandpa?" Ino chuckled at the scrawl she received in reply.

"You are annoying" Sasuke said before turning his back to the Blondie.

"Thanks for the compliment; I get it every day" Ino said in a singsong voice to irate the raven a bit more, and was satisfied at the frown she received over the said raven's shoulder. "And you too are an idiot" she said softly in a fond voice as she continued to look at the raven's back.

She shook his head lightly and got back to hatch that devileous plan of her from earlier; and complete the planning.

"So why were you in my house this morning again?" Naruto asked sceptically at the person casually sitting on his passenger seat.

It's not that he didn't welcome the company, but it's more like he is still a bit wary about the presence of this particular company. He wasn't able to let go of all his inhibitions just yet, and he doesn't know if he can. It's true that he is very forgiving person; he can easily make friends and can stay beside them no matter what problems came before them. But with sakura he didn't know how to react anymore; her disappearance had taught him something and he wasn't sure if he is ready to open his heart for anyone anymore. He still cared for Sakura, that he was sure of, but what he wasn't sure of is till what measure.

"Naruto" she replied in a playful voice "can't I visit an old friend's house in the morning, and besides I wanted to go to office with you this morning."

When Ino had asked her to do this, it hadn't taken her a single moment to give her answer and accept the offer. She wanted to spend time with Naruto and all the office work was not making it any easy on them, especially for her. That's why she didn't want to miss this chance and the most important thing is it's the blond's birthday and she got to see him first. It's totally different that she wasn't able to wish him just yet, but she was the one to first spend time with him and that's make a big difference.

She turned back to Naruto and saw him concentrating on the road. She marvelled on how much the blond was change from when she had last seen him. He had become handsome, devileously so if she dare to say; but he had also lost his goofiness as much as she had observed till now, not that it was not a welcome change for her. But if it was the Naruto from earlier her college days they wouldn't have been sitting this silently around each other and she wanted to change that.

"Why Naruto? Are you upset?" she asked in a playful voice "someone will think you are not happy to see me at all."

Naruto forced his mouth for not to turn down at the comment as his fingers unconsciously tighten around the stirring wheel.

"It's not that Sakura and you know it" he said simply, forcing his voice for not to show any of his displeasure.

"Then what is it?" she continued with her playful tone as she watched the blond's face closely.

"It was just... ummm... unexpected?" Naruto finished 'totally unexpected' he silently added in his head.

Sakura chuckled lightly before answering "well I hope it was not unwelcomed."

Naruto only shook his head in response as he continued to drive silently, though he was not entirely sure of the answer he might give or truth behind those words Sakura had said.

Saying that the breakfast was uncomfortable would be an understatement. Though he had ignored it for the time being; he wasn't oblivious to the scrawls Konahamaru had sent towards the pinkette or how he had left earlier than necessary from the house just because Naruto had asked him to behave.

He didn't wanted to accept it, but he knew he had hurt his brother and for that he was guilty and he was fully prepared to make it up to him tonight. He knew his brother was excited for his birthday and maybe had planned something, but he didn't even get the chance to talk with him before he left for the day. He didn't want to start his day like this. He was never one to get excited over his own birthday, but Konahamaru had always enjoyed planning for it anyway and seeing his brother happy he never denied and was happy to indulge him.

They turned around the block to enter the underground parking and exited the car. He sighed softly as they walked up to the elevator, silently dreading going to their office; remembering all those times his friends had gone overboard with their preparation for his birthday.

He still remembered from the last year when he had walked into the Byakugan corp. only to think that he had walked in some amusement park or that the Christmas had came early. He hadn't forgotten the embarrassment he had felt when the whole office had came to greet him and even Hiashi-san was also in the group. He just hope that this year they hadn't pulled off something like that; at least in Byakugan he knew all the employees by heart, which is not the case here.

But the part he most dreaded was about all those expensive gifts he received from them over the years. Like the exotic paint and brush set he had received from Sai, or the camera that Shika had given; and don't make him start on Ino. The Armani suit that she had given to him last year; he hadn't even dared to touch it yet. It was still hanging at a specific place in his closet. No matter how much the girl had threatened him to wear it; he hadn't relented. He was sure he will never get in any occasion in his life where he can wear it. He had said this to Ino, only to receive a powerful punch on his head and one week of silent treatment from the said girl. After that he had vowed to never bring that topic again.

This time he can only hope that they hadn't gone overboard with anything. His friends can be bad sometimes.

Real bad.

"Hey everyone, they have arrived" Lee shouted at the group which was still in the middle of their planning meeting.

All head snapped towards him from their little circle at his announcement. Everyone having look of nervousness on their faces; one particular raven have more so.

"Ok guys" Ino said in a careful tone "there's no need to panic." She said in an attempt to settle everyone's nerves. "We know we have never done it this way" she continued "but I have everything planned."

She stopped to take a deep breath "ok so let us go over the plan once more."

"Just get on with it already" Kiba said in an impatient tone, which earned him a glare from the planner.

"You mutt will keep away from him" she said with a deep frown, trying to get her point to the said mutt's thick skull "as much as possible."

"What?" Kiba said in a surprised tone "I thought I was the one keeping him away."

"That plan change a long ago Kiba" Tenten said with a sigh "weren't you listening when Ino said Sasuke was going to do it?"

"No I didn't" Kiba protested "I wasn't here that time. Where was I?" he turned and protested to Ino.

"I don't know and don't care. For all I care you were busy chasing flees away from you tail" Ino commented with a huff "and anyway if the worse comes the worst you were our last resort from the beginning."

"And you didn't need to tell me this?" Kiba growled.

"I didn't need to" Ino returned him glare with the same force "and if you want I don't through you out from this office right now you will shut up and let me finish my plan; or I'll do it personally myself."

This caused Kiba to promptly shut his mouth for never to open again for the rest of the short meeting. As much as he liked brag about himself; he was not stupid enough to challenge Ino; or any other girl for that matter when they are soo fierce about planning any party. They can destroy you only for that."

"Now then for the rest of us" Ino divert her attention to the rest of the group "try to act as much casual as you can. I know it will be hard for us and Naruto will be curious enough about it; giving our overboard history of his birthday, but soldiers do not deter from your path. No matter how much he tried to ponder you, do not relent."

"I don't think he will ponder about it at all" Shika said in a board tone "giving your past history of excitement; he will probably be more than happy about the matter that he forgot it in the first place."

"I am not in a mood for an argument Nara" Ino said "just because you can pull of being uninterested in every subject and pretend to be asleep half the time does not mean we also have the same talent."

This made Shikamaru to close his mouth as quickly as he had opened it in the first place.

"Now next comes the main part" Ino said before giving a dramatic pause and continued. "Sasuke" she called; having no problem in getting the raven's attention "this is where you will come in handy. If possible take Naruto away from here as much as possible."

"It will not be easy" Sasuke said with a light frown "as much as he acted like an idiot around here we all know he is sincere about his work. It will not be easy to distract him from it."

"No it will not" Ino accepted "especially if he realises something is off; he will try to remain here as much as possible. And I have a plan for you that will help you in the matter."

"And what is that?" Sasuke said with a raised brow.

"Take him down stairs in your office. If necessary take the important files for the project with you and ask him to help you out with them. Trust me he is good at matters other than designing also and his suggestions will may be also help you with the file you are struck with for last 2 days."

Ino couldn't keep the smirk off her face at the surprised look on Sasuke at the mention of that particular subject. "You may have not noticed it yet, but for an Uchiha you are really easy to read" Ino teased before she continued in a playful tone "it's just a shame that our lovable blond is not very good at it."

"Thanks; that really helped to boost my confidence" Sasuke said in a sarcastic tone "like I'll need more reason to be nervous about this whole thing."

"Don't worry about it dear" Ino said waving her hand dismissively "just be yourself and it will be easy and also we all know how much Naruto like to spend time with you."

Sasuke had to try really hard about blush that was threatening to overtake his face at the comment and the intensity of the baby blue eyes that pinned him with that comment. Now he was sure the blondie knows something, or at least had suspected something.

As if on cue the faint sound of the elevator stopping at the floor reached the room and everyone stirred in their positions.

"Ok guys, it's time" Ino said finally a determined look on her face "no one is going to mess this up, or I'll get that person myself. Now, scatter."

Everyone got back to their places; acting like nothing has happened just five seconds earlier. Ino was more that satisfied with her last threat. If anything that will surely keep them from messing up anything; she was sure of that. it will especially control a specific dog loving brunet for whom she was more worried about running his mouth.

"Here goes nothing" Naruto muttered under his breath as the elevator reached to their floor, but he was not subtle enough about it.

"What are you talking about Naruto?" Sakura had heard him apparently, as she was now looking at him with questioning eyes.

Naruto frowned at that; when Sakura had shown at his doorstep this morning he was sure of the reason behind her to be there. But thinking about it now the girl hadn't said anything of the reason he was thinking of yet. It was also a possibility that she had simply forgotten about this day, but something in his mind was telling that it was not the case.

"Sakura" Naruto started shielding his voice from the confusion he was feeling "exactly why you came to my house this morning?"

Sakura internally brace herself for the answer. She knew Naruto will sense it if she showed any sigh of hesitation.

"Baka" Sakura started as he met the blond's gaze "I already told you. I wanted to spend some time alone with you, which was not being possible in the office. That's why I came to pick you up."

Naruto watched her closely for some time; weighting her response. He can sense more to the story, but let it slide for now. He didn't want to stir the things he wasn't ready to face anyway and right now Sakura was one of those things.

"Fine" Naruto said with a sigh as he turned around to the hallway and started to walk towards the office, silently dreading for the day.

"Ok Sasuke; here you go" Tenten said as she handled a bunch of files to the raven "now it is your time to sign and put those pathetic acting skills of yours into some good use."

Sasuke merely raised an eyebrow at question as he looked down to the heavy files he was handled over.

"Just walk towards the door" Ino muttered with as much patient as she could manage. Seriously how that idiot of a brother of hers had not yet figured out the obvious attraction the raven felt for him was beyond her thinking and it was also judging by the time they spend with each other now a days.

"And don't forget to bump into him as he will walk through the door" Ino finished, giving Sasuke a specific nudge which he desperately needed at this point.

"What are you playing at Ino?" Sasuke asked as he turned towards the girl with a frown.

"What are you talking about Sasuke?" Ino said in a levelled tone, fringing innocence as she blinked at the raven.

"Why are you pushing me into this?" Sasuke asked, trying to come clear with his quarry; knowing well that fancy words will get him nowhere at this point "I don't remember anything about ever giving you my consent in this."

"Look Sasuke" Ino said after a soft sigh "if you really don't wanna do this I can always ask Sakura to do it for me. It's not a big deal. We need someone to keep him occupied for the rest of the day, so that we can go on with our plan. So it doesn't matter to me who that will be."

"I will just go and take these files to my office" Sasuke said as he turned away from the girl; never noticing the smirk that had formed on her lips behind his back as he walked away.

"You are really evil, you know that?" Tenten chuckled after the raven left "you don't need to enjoy his suffering this much.

"What can I say he just easy to manipulate and read" Ino also chuckled in response "I couldn't help but tease him and also he looks really cute when he gets all flushed around Naruto. They are just too cute together."

"You know there is no solid proof for your claim in this" Tenten deadpanned at the dreamy look the in the blondie's eyes "for all I know they can be really good friends; you are forgetting that Naruto is pretty good with friend zone, look at Sai for example."

"I know what you are trying to say Tenten" Ino commented as she got back from her dreamland "but there is just something about those two that spark me in that way and Naruto will do good with someone like him. They balance each other and Naruto really needs someone like him to anchor in life."

"I think I know where you are coming from" Tenten said in a soft voice "but do you think Sasuke is capable of doing something like that."

"Don't forget Tenten; that Sasuke had accepted Naruto with all his faults and he think he knew fair share of Naruto's darkness as well" Ino replied in a gentle tome "trust me Ten when this is over you will see there is no one more suitable than him for Naruto."

"I hope that you are right" Tenten replied in a wishful tone "but now if your daydream is over, let's get back to work. He will be here any minute now."

"Ok let's go" Ino replied as they both got back to their respective places.

"Ufff" Naruto's hand instinctively reached out when something collided with him as soon as he entered the room. His hand tightened around the body once he realised that it was holding a stack of files.

"Sasuke" he said with a questioning frown when he realised it was the raven he was holding, who was currently trying to balance the files and himself; struggling with both.

Naruto straighten him and took some files from his hands as the raven righted himself. "Where are you going with all this?" Naruto asked curiously. He hadn't remembered a single time that Sasuke had carried more than two files with him and to see the same man carrying more than ten files at a time is little concerning for him.

"Where do you think moron" Sasuke snapped at the blond. He hadn't intended to follow Ino's orders. He had thought he would simply ask Naruto to come with him once he had entered the room before he can ask anything else, but it looks like god hate him right now as he was forced into the same situation which he had no intension of involving with in the first place.

"Well someone woke up in the wrong side of the bed this morning" Naruto as he looked to the different emotions that passed through the raven's face; not sure what to make of all those.

"I was going to my office downstairs" Sasuke answered with a sigh; realising this is not the day he wanted to get into an argument with the blond. It's his special day and he didn't want to upset his friend today.

"Ok" Naruto said tentatively as he took in another look that crossed through the raven's face. He handed the files back to him and stared as the raven adjusted them once more.

"Naruto" Sasuke's voice stopped him as he started to walk past the raven and turned towards him with questioning eyes. "Would you like to join me in the office" seeing Naruto's slight rise of brow he quickly continued "actually I need some help with these files and I think you can help me with these." He gulped slightly trying to squash some of the nervousness that was starting to bubble inside him as he continued "they are really important and confidential file and there are many few I can trust and..."

"Geez Sasuke" Naruto stopped the raven's nervous blabbering with a light chuckle as he lightly shook his head. "If you need something from me all you need is to ask" he regarded the raven with a genuine smile, which stole the said raven's breath away. "You should know" Naruto continued catching the raven's wandering attention once again "I can never deny you anything."

Sasuke stared wide eyes at the blond and took in the sincerity behind those words that was enough to get his heart racing faster than a racing car. "Anything?" he muttered silently in question, wanting to confirm those words or maybe to simply hear those words once again from the blond's mouth.

"Anything Sasuke" Naruto confirmed with a small smile, but the seriousness behind those words were not lost because of that; on the contrary it only served to strengthen the silent promise more.

"Aahmm" the sound of someone clearing their throat brought them back to the present and looking around they realised everyone were watching the scene silently, but the amusement was the thing they can't hide from their features no matter how much they try to hide their smile.

"If you two are done ogling at each other" Ino was the one to break the silence making both of the boys blush a little and fixing her gaze on the raven "Sasuke, I believe you have some file to take care off. Uchiha-san will be very upset if you don't get them finish in time."

"Yeah" Sasuke said in a silent nod understanding the hidden meaning behind those words. "I think I'll go now" he turned to the door once again and said over his shoulder to the blond "you are coming?"

"Yeah" with the affirmation and silent nod the blond followed the raven out, leaving the office in ire silence.

"They are hopeless" Ino sighed as she lightly shook her head and walked back to her table; planning their next move.

"So what are these files about?" Naruto asked as soon as they entered the office and closed the door behind him with a kick "you seemed pretty freaked out about them, then they must be important."

He turned to Sasuke with a raised brow in question after placing the files on the table.

"Yeah they are important" Sasuke mumbled as he glared at the files, contemplating and not having a slightest idea about what files Tenten had dumped on him; and this all secrecy thing is making him crazy.

"Sasuke" Naruto called after he watched Sasuke closely and continued after the raven turned his eyes towards him "are you ok?" When Sasuke didn't give any answer he continued "we can do this later if you are not feeling up to it, you know."

Sasuke blinked at the blond's words and lightly shook his head. "No no, it's not that" Sasuke tried to divert his attention; it will not do him any good if the blond smell something out of him and not to mention Ino will skin him if he blow her plan up. He swallowed thickly at the mental image.

"Then what is it?" Naruto insist "if you are having some trouble you can tell me. I'll help you as much as I can."

Sasuke only shook his head in denial "it's just that, I need to prepare a presentation from these files till Monday and there are so much of them."

"But I think they are related to our project" Naruto said softly "so why are you freaking out like this? You know all about them."

Sasuke was silent as he took a closer look at the files. Of course, what else files could Tenten give him from their office, they are the only filed they had access to and in his haste he hadn't even though of thinking that properly.

"Calm down Sasuke" Naruto said as he rounded the table and stood in front of the raven "it will be all right" he continued as he pulled Sasuke into a hug "there is no need for you to freak out, you know all about this project and how it is going to be; and it's not like this is the first time you are presenting it in front of all" he tightened his hold as he felt the raven's arms to round around him in response "you will do just fine."

"You think so?" Sasuke asked softly as he let the blond's unique fresh scent to calm him down.

"I believe so" Naruto replied as he felt the tension from the raven's body to disappear slowly and for him to relax in his hold.

Sasuke let the blond to hold him a bit longer. He knew this is what he needs to ease his tension. He can't wish Naruto yet, but at least he can be close to him like this; if it just for a bit longer.

"Are you getting comfortable Sasuke" Naruto's voice brought him back from his world and he didn't missed the hint of teasing in that voice, that he loved to hear so much.

"Shut up baka" Sasuke pushed the blond away, a hint of pink dusting his cheeks as he turned away from the said baka "you really have a way to ruin the mood dobe."

"So you were in a mood" Naruto said in the same tone he used earlier as he leaned close to the back that was now presented to him. He dropped his head a bit and lined his mouth close to Sasuke's as he whispered in a low voice "care to explain what you were in a mood of?"

Sasuke couldn't have controlled the Goosebumps that spread through his body even if he had tried to. This is the first time he had ever heard from Naruto to use that kind of voice and the effect of it on him was immediate. If he were in his mind the notion should have disturbed him that how much the blond can control his without even trying, but as for now his mind had completely abandoned him and had gone to its own lala land.

Sasuke's voice choked in his throat and any reply was promptly halted there as one of Naruto's hand wound around his middle and pressed him closely to the hard body behind him.

"Tell me Sasuke" Naruto's whispered again leaning into the raven more and effectively coursing another set of shiver through Sasuke's body "you can tell me anything, you know that right?"

"Na...Naruto" was the only broken whisper that came out of him as he let his body to fall back on the blond; having no more control over his own limbs. Somewhere in his mind he was sure that he can't stop the blond from whatever he is planning to do even if he wanted to and like hell he want the blond to stop. He wanted Naruto to continue whatever he had planned and he himself was very willing to participate in the same.

"Yes Sasuke" Naruto said in a same tone he was using. He himself wasn't sure what he was doing; he had tried to distance himself and control himself from the raven and was doing better at it, but holding Sasuke like that in soo vulnerable position had clicked something inside him. He wanted to protect the raven, to shield him and to make him his and this is the only was he can think of right now and not to mention the smell of the raven was driving him mad. It's delicious and he wanted it all, all of it for himself.

The ring of Sasuke's phone going off broke the spell around them and both instantly jumped away from the sudden sound.

"You should probably take that" Naruto supplied in a soft tone as he stepped away from the raven.

"Ye...yeah" Sasuke mumbled as he retrieved the device from his pocket and looked at the caller id. He silently fumed when he saw Ino's number to display on the cell. "Please excuse me" he said silently and left the office to talk.

Naruto ran his fingers through his hair as he watched Sasuke to close the door after him. "Damn" was the only word that came out of his mouth as he sat on the chair and opened a file to study it.

"What is it Ino?" Sasuke spat out as low as he can in his current state. The girl was lucky that she wasn't in front of him right now because he was not really feeling generous right now and if it was possible he would have to more than happy the strangle the said girl in the phone.

"My my" Ino said in a teasing tone as she chuckled at the raven's irritation "did I interrupted something? You don't seem too happy to hear me."

"Ino..." Sasuke growled out in a warning tone and hoped that she didn't drawl this out longer. His patience was running thin as it is right now.

"Ok ok... fine, you are no fun" Ino replied with a huff "so I have called now to inform you that you are going on a date tonight."

"What?" Sasuke almost choked as the information. This was furthest thing from his mind right now and not to mention the only person he wanted to go in a date with anytime soon was currently inside his office; and he would very much like to go back to him.

"Yes" Ino confirmed and continued before Sasuke can open his mouth further "and before you blow up on me let me inform you that, you are going with Naruto."

Sasuke could fell his heart thump at the news. Well he was hoping that but hadn't thought that Ino can read it; he seriously think that girl has some mind reading powers. There is a catch to it, he knew it and that is the only thing he wanted to discover. It was Naruto's birthday after all and he doubt that the rest of their group will be willing to leave them alone.

"What are you planning Ino?" Sasuke asked suspiciously.

"Nothing" Ino replied quite innocently.

"Yeah right" Sasuke scoffed and continued "I maybe not know you for long, but don't underestimate me to think that I am not remotely aware of how that brain of yours works. I am quite sure there is a catch behind it."

"Ok fine you caught me, but that was nothing; don't flatter yourself over it"

Ino continued "ok so the plan is that you will bring Naruto to the club asking him on a date and we will meet you guys there."

"And what makes you think Naruto will want to play along with it?" Sasuke asked, curious yet hopeful.

"He will not play along" Ino said simply dimming his hope a little "he will do it because he doesn't know the plan."

"Then my next question is what makes you think he will do it?" Sasuke asked, his ire rising with each twist of Ino's words.

"Because I know him, that's why" Ino simply said causing Sasuke to frown to understand the meaning behind those words. "Now I won't hold you long as I know that idiot must be waiting for you, bye Sasuke and good luck."

Ino hung up before Sasuke could open his mouth to answer. Sasuke sighed as he pocketed the cell and looked at his closed office door. The earlier incident came to his mind causing his heart to thump and a soft blush to come across his face. He didn't know how to approach it or how to ask him out.

Frankly speaking he had never done this. It was others who always asked him on a date and he accepted depending upon what he wanted. To ask a person on his own, this is totally new to him and on top of that this is the person he actually liked quite a bit and wanted something more with him. This is the person he treasured and now he understand why those girls were that nervous around him when they tried to ask him the exact same question he wanted to ask now. He had scoffed at them then and called them weak, but now that he is their shoes he knew how it feels.

And he was nervous.

Sasuke Uchiha was nervous to go on a date with someone.

Sasuke took a deep breath mentally preparing and saying that it is not a real date, just a ploy; but it did nothing to calm his nerves as he opened the door and stepped in to the room that had seen too much of them for last couple of weeks. The room that was witness of everything, his confusion, his insecurity and every little thought of his that is connected to the blond; who was right now sitting in the room like he perfectly belong there. Truth to be told he would very much like it to be real.

Sasuke bit his bottom lip lightly as he took in Naruto's relaxed form practically sprawled on the long chair of the sofa set of his office. He was surrounded by half of the files from the stack they had brought in earlier, looking intently at one of them.

He took in his position for a moment more and silently mused if their earlier encounter had even bothered him a bit? Looking at the blond right now he got no sign of it, which did disappoint him a bit. Did their closeness mattered so less to him? He had been transformed into a trembling mess just from a touch from the blond, losing all his thoughts; where in the other hand Naruto seemed completely composed a normal. It shouldn't be like that; he hadn't thought of it like that. He wanted Naruto to react just like he himself would at his closeness. He wanted him to feel the same feelings just as him.

Sasuke silently shook his head as he tried to halt his train of thoughts. It will do him no good to over think the things; not when he had more pressing matters in his hand to handle. Currently it is inviting a certain blond out on a date, no matter how much of a ploy it is; the idea was still overwhelming.

"I see you have already started to work on those" Sasuke was thankful to the heaven for the even tone he had managed. Judging by the incident that had taken place before leaving the office and his own body's reaction every time the blond was around; it was truly a miracle to him.

"Yeah" Naruto looked up; his eyes shining as he took in the raven standing beside the now closed door of the office. "You should also take the rest and start to work on them" Naruto waved a silent gesture for the raven to sit beside him along with his instruction as he patted the small empty place beside him.

He watched Sasuke nodded in response and walked around his table to scan through the files slowly. There was an odd feeling inside him that he cannot decipher. He wanted to be close to the raven. He knew he was a close and probably the only real friend the raven had, that he himself had heard from the said raven so many times, but he wanted more. He wanted to mean more to him, be more close to him. He didn't know when he had started to feel like that, but Sasuke is precious to him and he treasured him; more than anything he had ever treasured in his life.

But he also knew that may have not been possible. There was really a chance that he raven didn't feel the same for him. That's why he was afraid and ran away the first time he had kissed Sasuke. He had thought Sasuke would hate him for that, but when Sasuke had not reacted as he had thought his hopes had raised and they were really getting out of hand lately. Especially when ever the raven was around, that's the reason he tried to stay away from him as much as possible, but at the day's end his resolve always tend to crumble and he could literally see them scattering around him.

Sasuke sat at the small chair beside Naruto earning a frown to the blond's face. He raised an eyebrow in return and smirk at the blond. Though he had done it entirely for his reason, but he was not above spiting the blond because of it. As much as he would have like to sit beside him, but right now he needed some place to think and come up with an idea to ask the blond out and the proposal wouldn't sound like a date.

"Why are you sitting there?" Naruto asked after a moment of studying the raven when he didn't made any move to switch places.

"Because it's comfortable and away from you" Sasuke replied simply as he settled with the files. "I am not going to become a pillow for you dobe; we have work to do" he added after a moment.

"But you make a comfortable pillow" Naruto whined.

Sasuke glared at the blond in response receiving a cheeky smile in return. "And that's exactly the reason I am sitting here, away from you" Sasuke said after a gentle shake of his head "now get back to your work."

"Fine" Naruto replied with a pout and buried his face in the file he was holding, shielding his face away from the raven.

Sasuke smiled after looking at the file for a moment. For all his personality and maturity the blond can really act like a child sometimes, but that's one of the many reason he liked the blond so much.

He liked him for simply being Naruto.

TBC...

A/N: So tell me what you think? Was it different from the others? Did you have any idea yet what's going on with those two favourite boys of ours? As for me I had tried to make this chapter different from the others, which will hint to the beginning of something new.

What do you think of this chapter? Please tell me. I really need your suggestions.

And I am really sorry that it took so long for me to post this and the next chapter will also probably take long, but I need that time to properly go on with this. Please tell me what you think? Your suggestions are always welcome and appreciated.

As a consolation; I am planning a narusasu gift for the next one. Guess that should perk your interest a bit.

Bye for now, see you next time.

Please R&R.