Misery Business
Author: Ladelle
Rating: M
Comments: Thanks for all of the reviews! They make me smile and write more. I went to my cabin and got sick (HA, go figure) and so I had no energy to make a banner. When we hit 600 you guys'll get one, okay?
Chapter 28: The Underneath
"Let me be the first to welcome you," Yamato stated, leading both Naruto and Sasuke to a traditional Japanese tea room, "To the Purple Heart."
The lean man lowered his arm in a welcoming fashion, directing the two younger guests to enter the room and be seated. A small traditional table was placed in its center and Naruto followed Sasuke as he lowered himself downward onto a pillow, apparently the substitute for a chair.
He followed Yamato as the older man seated himself across the table, providing them both with two small cups of steaming tea, offering a bowl full of sugar cubes afterwards. Naruto politely took a couple out and dropped them into his cup.
"Purple Heart?" He asked as he stirred the teawith a miniaturespoon.
"Ah." Yamato nodded in the affirmative. "A night club of a more…dangerous nature."
Sasuke snorted from beside him and Naruto nodded. He had figured as much.
"How long are we going to be staying here for?" The blonde asked, directing his comment towards Sasuke. The business owner shifted his head to meet Naruto's curious gaze before prompting an answer.
"A couple of days. Until we get word on Jiraiya's whereabouts."
Naruto nodded, his gut feeling sending thoughts of retaliation to his mind. It wasn't that he didn't want a safe place to stay, but in his opinion, the Purple Heart wasn't a location he would consider safe. It felt dirty to him—made him feel claustrophobic. The drinking, erotic dancing, and the drugs made him question whether the foundation was legal, and above that, what kind of company he could expect during the course of their stay. Certainly none he would be comfortable with.
"I'm assuming you've never been to a place like this before?" Yamato had taken a sip of his tea and was examining Naruto acutely, studyinghis reaction. Naruto set his cup on a thin napkin.
"Visiting places like this isn't exactly in my nature." He felt as though his comment was a little curt but he also decided that it was best to be direct. The older man nodded, his sunglasses riding the bridge of his nose with his jerky movement. From beside him, Sasuke added a comment.
"This place is the most beneficial place for us to be right now. The people who drift in will most likely have information about Subaku's location and because of the illegal activities here, no one will turn us in."
Naruto understood. If anyone turned them in to the police, it would be admitting that they too were at the Purple Heart. He turned towards the stranger and extended his hand as formally as possible.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki."
A smirk crossed the stranger's face and he took Naruto's hand in a firm grasp.
"Yamato. It's a pleasure."
Sasuke finished his tea with a silent sip and cleared his throat.
"Have you heard from Kakashi then?"
Yamato turned his attention towards the raven and nodded. "Yes. He was quite pleased that you managed to escape so effortlessly—and with Naruto unharmed. He says that the Hyuuga has made quite a stand in protecting your commercial assets. Well played, Mr. Uchiha."
Sasuke smirked. "It's unlike you to expect anything less from me, but under the circumstances I'm flattered."
Naruto entered the conversation. "Who is Kakashi?"
Yamato smiled dimly, somewhat surprised that Naruto didn't know. "Kakashi is a close friend of mine. He is actually the only thing Uchiha and I have in common."
Naruto glanced to Sasuke and the raven elaborated. "He worked under my father as a bodyguard but that title is outdated. Now he's better known as—"
"Snake Eye. The world's most venerable assassin." Yamato said and followed it with a chuckle. Sasuke appeared annoyed that he had been interrupted and Yamato shrugged playfully. "I can't help it—it's just so fun to say."
Naruto didn't catch the humor. "Wait, a hit man? Like Subaku?"
"Better." Sasuke said, and Yamato nodded.
"Because of his reputation he knows a great deal of people. In that aspect, he will definitely discover where old man Jiraiya is."
The blonde nodded, not knowing what else to add to the conversation. He figured that if Kakashi was a friend of Sasuke's the situation would beunder control even though he didn't like the idea of trusting a felon.
"Sasuke tells me that you've come a long way. The look in your eyes tells me that you're still adjusting." Yamato's sunglasses caught a glare from an overhead light and Naruto narrowed his eyes. How much had Sasuke told the older man?
"Though everything looks similar, there are many differences." Naruto decided to stick with safe replies. Sasuke, sensing his hesitation, interjected.
"Yamato knows about your history. It was a trade—the truth for protection."
The older man laughed and rubbed his nose before refilling the empty teacups placed before each of them. He extended the bowl of sugar cubes and Naruto took another set of two.
"I thought I had adjusted. I've never been to a place like this before though."
"I didn't mean to be intrusive," Yamato said. "I honestly have no idea how to cater to someone of your…well, bizarre background."
Naruto almost smiled. "As long as I'm fed and have a place to sleep I will be perfectly content."
Sasuke finished his drink and nodded towards the lean man, his lips peeling open for dialogue.
"Thank you again. For everything. Both the future of Uchiha Industries and my brother rely heavily on him."
Yamato laughed a low rumble and waved his hand in dismissal. "I would have helped you even if you had kept your reasons to yourself. It is a shame we did not stay in touch after your father passed away."
Naruto sensed Sasuke tense beside him and lowered his vision. Sasuke responded casually with an undertone of distaste. "When my father died I was left with little freedom."
Yamato nodded. "Indeed. He would be proud of you, though."
There was a long pause before Yamato clapped his hands together and stood from the table, disturbing the contemplative silence that had filled the room.
"I'm sure that the two of you are exhausted. I've taken the liberty of having a master suite prepared for you both—"
"Two rooms, please." Sasuke's voice interrupted, and Yamato glanced down inquisitively.
"Naruto would prefer two." Sasuke explained, and Yamato glanced between him and the blonde respectively. He pursed his lips and laughed.
"Ah, I see. I assumed." He nodded again. "Yes. Two suites then. Would you both care to follow me?"
Sasuke stood up almost immediately and Naruto followed rather sluggishly afterwards, an awkward offense gnawing at him. Sasuke was correct—he would feel more comfortable with his own room. But in the same light, why didn't Sasuke want to be with him after making such a big deal about his importance? He wondered if Sasuke was finally realizing his independence or if there was something more to his suggestion.
Yamato led them down the hallway outside of the tearoom for what seemed like fifteen minutesbefore reaching a small corridor of what appeared to be one of themore expensive looking rooms. They had thick oak doors and gold handles and name plates perched high on the door mantel. Yamato stopped at the first one and opened it, stepping aside to allow its tenant in.
"Sasuke, room 1012."
The Uchiha turned towards Naruto and nodded. "I want to try and get some information on Subaku tomorrow. Will you be alright on your own?"
Naruto thought for a moment and nodded. "I guess. When will you be back?"
"I'll find you when I'm finished. Keep yourself out of trouble while I'm busy."
Naruto nodded as Sasuke disappeared into his room and watched the oak door click to a close. From behind him Yamato placed a hand on his shoulder, a silent indication to move forward to his own quarters. Naruto turned and followed the new acquaintance a few short steps to a door labeled 1016.
"I didn't mean to offend you earlier. It's just a rarity for Sasuke to have close friends and not, well…"
Naruto nodded him off. "Don't worry about it. Goodnight."
He opened the door and stepped inside, turning abruptly to close it, but Yamato's foot caught in the door like a stopper.
"Tomorrow. You should come find me."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Um, alright."
"Sasuke probably won't be back until late in the evening and you don't seem like the type to be cooped up all day. I'll keep the wandering hordes from you and teach you a few tricks—that is, if you're interested."
Naruto licked his lips and narrowed his eyes. "Tricks?"
Yamato laughed and released the door, allowing Naruto to support it instead.
"Self defense. If you're up against Subaku you'll definitely need it."
Naruto thought for a moment and nodded his head, his expression not completely trusting of the new ally. "Alright."
Yamato smiled and sauntered away, leaving Naruto in a completely silent room that reminded him of the hotel suite he had originally met Sasuke in. It was big and luxurious and had a sexual undertone that wasn't difficult to miss.
He spotted a pair of silk pajamas neatly folded at the foot of his bed and an outfit for the next day sprawled next to it and shrugged his shirt off, throwing it rather passively onto a decorative chair. He changed his clothes and crawled into the bed, drawing the overhead light off from a dial next to his bedside table. He sat in the darkness, the exertion of the day finally catching up with his muscles, and allowed his eyes to drift to a close.
Naruto was excited to sleep in, mainly because his body seemed to be in desperate need of it. It was almost noon when he shifted into a state of consciousness and he reluctantly lifted himself up from the comfortable cushions of his bed. His body complained as he drifted towards an attached bathroom—especially his legs which burned from the previous day's strenuous activity.
Toting the clothes placed out for him the day before he showered and dressed himself, slightly embarrassed to wear the outfit that he had been assigned. His jeans were loose and cargo style, lined with several pockets on the right side. He had been given a tight muscle shirt with intersecting red and blue lines plastered on the upper left side, a small stylized peace sign etched beneath. It looked clichéd to him but he shrugged away the feeling, instead deciding to dry and comb his hair.
"I need it cut." He noted, feeling annoyed as bangs were beginning to form on his forehead. He swept them back and applied a few runs of complimentary gel, carefully spiking his locks in a familiar style. He slipped on a pair of shoes and drifted out of the room, his goal to locate Yamato.
His stomach growled and he rubbed it soothingly, mentally promising to ask for sustenance as soon as he found the older man. He passed Sasuke's door and paused slightly, moving forward once he decided Sasuke had probably already woken up and began his inquisition. Turning a familiar corner he slipped past a few loitering guests, all of whom eyed him with a keen interest. He paid them no mind and continued forward, nearing the door he and Sasuke had entered before.
He stopped outside of it and knocked lightly, hoping that it was Yamato's room and not just a tea hall. There was a long pause, and no one came. Naruto frowned and turned away, glancing down the side of the hall that led to the dance floor he had struggled through with Sasuke. He bit his lip and stepped forward, his stomach getting the better of his priorities. At least if he couldn't find Yamato he could find food, and with luck one would lead to another.
Naruto noticed how empty the building had become as he only had to glide between various couples that had gathered near the entrance and decided that the Purple Heart was most likely an entertainment area best fit for the night. He could see the dance floor clearly now and he spotted what appeared to be a bar on the farthest side. There was a long counter with contoured bar stools placed below, and Naruto plowed forward, hoping they would have a breakfast of some sort.
As he approached, a hand caught his shoulder.
"If you go there, they'll charge you. Come on, I'll order some to my hall." Naruto turned and was surprised to see Yamato standing tall and stern, clothed in a long black robe with pleated black pants. The man grinned.
"I was wondering when you would be up and around."
Naruto followed him forward, rubbing his stomach as it groaned again.
"I went to the tea room but you weren't there."
Yamato laughed. "I see. I should have told you that my room is actually on the far west side. That was just a social room, last night."
Yamato led Naruto down a series of halls before reaching one that was decorated in crème and black and he spoke to a tenant who was standing idly against a hallway wall.
"I'm placing a food order." He turned to Naruto as if to ask what he wanted and Naruto spoke up.
"Whatever is offered as continental." He couldn't go wrong with that choice. The man nodded and shuffled off, and Yamato opened the door adjacent to them, revealing a room full of weapons of all natures. Naruto gasped.
"Why on earth—"
"I suppose I should tell you the reason that Kakashi and I are friends." Yamato closed the door behind him and drifted towards the center of the room where a red velvet loft couch was placed before a table. There were boxes of nuts and bolts and random spare parts posted around the room, and Naruto watched uneasily as Yamato removed a few smaller guns from the seating area to make room for them both.
"Actually, Kakashi and I used to be competitors, but ever since the initial situation with Jiraiya, he and I have been somewhat like allies."
Naruto sat down and flicked a washer from his side. "Competitors? You're an assassin as well?"
The phrase came out surprisingly casual and Yamato nodded. "Ah. Not a very good one though. I do better at catching rumors for people like Kakashi…I'm more like a messenger."
Naruto nodded slowly in understanding. "I see."
The door clicked open and a young man entered, a tray of fruits and breads in his hands. He set them on the table, smiling politely. "Enjoy."
Naruto could barely wait for the young man to leave before he delved into the plate, ripping off a small piece of sourdough and chewing on it thoughtfully. It was stillfresh and warm.Yamato laughed.
"I guess it was rude of me not to offer you food last night." He said, and Naruto shook his head.
"There were probably more important things for you and Sasuke to worry over."
Yamato stood up and ran his hand against the cool metal sheaths of firearm equipment that decorated the wall beside him. His expression was loose and informal and he turned to the blonde with a fast swivel, playing withhis words slyly
"Have you ever used a gun before, Naruto?"
This caught Naruto of guard and he paused in his chewing. He glanced up and felt his lips purse, uneasy about the question. He answered curtly.
"No."
Yamato grinned, half expecting the answer before revealing a small black automatic weapon from a drawer behind him. It had been carefully wrapped in a red-checkered cloth and he seemed to be admiring it through his darkened frames. After a brief hesitation he tossed it to Naruto who dropped his remaining bread in order to catch it.
"What—that's dangerous!" The gun fumbled between Naruto's hands before he finally managed a decent grip. He glared at his elder.
"Relax. It's not even loaded."
Naruto felt his breathing slow, the anxiety built from the random action beginning to fade. After placing his bread on the table before him he examined the smooth surface of the hardware, letting his fingers ride the polished edges, circling the grip in interest. He let his forefinger travel the trigger and glanced up to Yamato.
"This looks like a forty-five." He noted, and the older man gave an affirmative motion.
"I thought you had never shot one," he commented.
"That doesn't mean I haven't seen one." Naruto let the cool metal tease his skin a minute longer before placing the weapon on the table next to his meal. He picked up a strawberry and ate its bulk.
"To be honest, that gun's an antique. Nowadays it's difficult to find manuals…even on the black market."
The blonde nodded lightly and chewed off a section of bread, dabbing it in a concoction that tasted similar to margarine. He licked a few crumbs from his lips and picked up the gun again, examining it loosely.
"I bet it's worth a lot then." Naruto thought the fact was amusing simply because it looked like a normal handgun. The fact that Yamato said most weapons were automatic intimidated him and he wondered why technology had taken such a dramatic turn.
"I want you to keep it."
Naruto peered up, his eyebrows drawing inward in confusion. "What?"
"I'm going to teach you how to fire, and then I want you to keep it."
Naruto coughed and let out an estranged laugh. "Uh, that's nice and all, but I don't think I'm the gun toting type."
Yamato held out his hand, indicating forNaruto to take it. Naruto did after a moment's hesitation.
"Come on. You'll change your mind."
Naruto grabbed the last section of bread in his free hand and followed Yamato through a set of double doors, gaping as he entered what seemed to be an indoorshooting range. It was painted in bright colors and the back wall was lined with bottles and trinkets meant to be targets. He swallowed his last portion of bread and stepped forward, clutching the shiny weapon to his stomach.
"This is weird." He managed, wondering why the room appeared so used. When Sasuke had hinted at illegal activity, he hadn't been lying.
"You don't have shooting halls?" Yamato questioned and Naruto sighed.
"Yeah, we have shooting ranges. But I'm not one for weapons, remember?"
Yamato grabbed the tool from Naruto's hands and cracked the cartridge case back, dropping a few casings into the exposed slot. After they clicked forward he snapped the lift downward and back into place.
"Take a shot." He prompted, handing the weapon back to Naruto. The blonde eyed it with skepticism and bit his lip, raising an eyebrow as he reproachfully accepted it. He glanced up towards the array of targets.
"Aren't you supposed to wear ear plugs and goggles and stuff?" He said, and Yamato clicked his tongue.
"You're a fusspot, you know that?"
"A what?" Naruto glared.
"You worry too much. Loosen up and relax. That gun may be an antique, but it was meant to be fired. You won't go deaf, and as long as you're aiming that way—" he pointed to confirm his point, "you won't go blind."
Naruto wasn't convinced, but he was positive that he wasn't going to escape Yamato's training until he gave in and fired the manual.
The cool metal glided across his palm with ease as he slid his hand into position, gripping the hold tightly and raising his arm to create a sort of line of focus to his target. He chose a brown bottle, most likely of liquor, and straightened his figure.
"Stand up straight now—and focus. You and your target…" Yamato was easing him into the action from behind and Naruto felt his attention span narrowing towards the rusting neck of glass. He pursed his lip and allowed his left hand to meet his right, this time supporting the grip with a more solid force and prepared himself for the blow.
Naruto had never shot a gun before, but he had watched Men in Black enough times to recognize that the momentum of the bullet came with a price. As he slid the trigger back, his focus solely on the decaying bottle, he felt the inside of the gun spark and the rim ignite. A bullet released itself and disappeared from sight vanishing with an amazing amount of speed. Naruto stumbled backwards at the force and caught himself against a wall, his head lifting as he heard a piercing shatter.
The brown and rusting bottle no longer stood erect. It fell in pieces to the cement grounding as the resounding crack of the shot echoed in the room. Naruto gaped.
A small round of applause erupted from beside him and Yamato looked amused.
"I always love discovering naturals." The older man let out a devious laugh and eyed Naruto.
"I had a feeling though."
Naruto ignored the comment and handed the gun back to Yamato, shaking his head in the process.
"No offense. I can't rely on a gun. I'd rather trust my intelligence." His hand stung from the shot and he ignored it, eyeing Yamato sternly. He didn't want a gun. He didn't want a weapon. He didn't have any intention of killing anyone.
Yamato looked vaguely surprised, as if he had expected Naruto to be excited from his achievement. His expression dimmed and he pushed the weapon against the blonde boy's chest.
"Keep it. Whether you plan on using it or not. Intelligence is a broad term, kiddo. A gun against Subaku is the smart choice."
Naruto was about to give the weapon back when Yamato paced out of the room, leading back to the original hangar they had spoke in. Naruto followed casually and the older man smirked.
"There will be a time where you'll want my help," he stated, and he held the door open in order for Naruto to exit, "and when you're ready for it, you know where to find me."
Naruto raised and eyebrow and turned around only to be met by a closed oak door. He blinked and looked around, confused by the awkward dismissal. He heard a rush of giggles and turned to the side, witnessing a group of young men coming his way, and he glanced down at his gun, fumbling with it in an attempt to hide it.
The men passed and he grinned somewhat convincingly, jogging forward as they eyed him in an attempt to retrace his steps to his room. By the feel of it, it was already passed midday, maybe even nearing evening and he wondered where Sasuke was and what the raven would say about his new accessory. He doubted he would be pleased.
Actually, Naruto wondered if he even wanted to tell him.
It was obvious that Sasuke had a lot on his plate, and that for some reason he was taking on most all of Naruto's problems as his own. While the blonde appreciated his kindness, he didn't want to add more worries to the Uchiha's mind.
He frowned as he relocated the dance floor, now beginning to gather a larger crowd. He scanned the area hoping to recognize the hall he had come from, and while his vision surfed the room he spotted Sasuke at the bar, seated next to a discerning figure. He stepped forward, the urge to approach his friend overwhelming him but paused as the raven's hand brushed the cheek of the stranger. It was a delicate action and one that made Naruto stop in his tracks.
He wasn't surprised, he concluded. Sasuke had said that he was gathering information. It was interesting how it affected him though, and he turned away, tracing his steps back to room 1016. He didn't want to interfere. Especially because there was no reason for it. Sasuke was his own person and had a right to his own actions.
No matter how much it bothered him.
He sifted past a few bystanders, ignoring their looks of interest as he attempted to make hide the gun in the upper hem of his jeans. He mentally cursed, feeling like a child trying to hide a stolen toy in a supermarket.
He finally rounded the corner to his hallway and paused, the same boy from the night before in front of him.
"Well, hello there kitten."
Naruto sighed.
"Hello and goodbye."
He edged past the boy and trudged towards his room, not surprised when the stranger became relentless.
"You look nervous." Sai commented, and Naruto glared as he clicked open his door, hoping that the gun in his jeans wasn't bulging from beneath his shirt.
"Are you nervous because of your gun?"
Naruto blinked and frowned. He was starting to despise overly perceptive people. The stranger smiled, fully aware that his assumption was correct. He slipped past Naruto and into his room, much to Naruto's disdain.
"Excuse me—" Naruto began and he entered quickly, slightly concerned when he heard the door lock behind him. Sai was wandering forward towards his bed and Naruto peeled the gun from his jeans. "You can't just walk into peoples' rooms—"
"You don't have any luggage." The boy noted, and Naruto was beginning to get irritated. The Asian boy was examining the room, though for an outsider it would appear as if he were admiring it. His expression was soft and his eyes were low, sending a small air of caution to Naruto.
"No, I don't."
"Meaning your visit here wasn't planned." Sai said. "Or maybe you just came for some fun?"
The blonde glared. "No."
"No it wasn't planned?" Sai asked. He weaved backwards towards Naruto and placed a gentle hand on the blonde's cheek, bringing their faces close with the action. Naruto stepped backwards out of his reach.
"You're welcome to leave now." Naruto said, refusing to play the boy's game. He was about to set the gun on the bedside table when he contemplated the dangers of the stranger in his room. He didn't feel scared or anxious, just annoyed. He set the weapon down and sat on his bed, eyeing the black haired boy with narrow eyes.
"Were you waiting for the Uchiha yesterday? Because today…it doesn't seem like he was thinking about you much at all."
Naruto felt his voice come out hoarsely though he wasn't entirely sure why.
"He and I are friends."
Sai stood above Naruto and leaned forward, playfully smirking while he allowed their eyes to make contact. He pushed himself forward and rested his forehead against Naruto's, blinking mischievously.
"I can take your mind off him."
Naruto glared and placed a hand on the thin boy's chest, pushing him back. He laughed and knelt backwards, breaking the contact between them.
"You're a stubborn one." His eyes drifted towards the slick black forty-five and he picked it up, examining it with curiosity.
"This is an old one," he said and Naruto reached up to grab it.
"Give it back."
The stranger lifted it higher and out of reach, still examining it before glancing down.
"Sai, give it back." Naruto took on a stern expression and the boy smiled.
"I like it when you say my name."
Naruto growled and jumped upwards, pushing Sai backwards on accident. They both tumbled to the floor and Sai held the gun upright, making sure it wouldn't fire. In an attempt to retrieve the weapon, Naruto pulled his chest acrosss the other boy's, pulling his leg in against the innermost part of Sai's thigh. Sai let out a low groan. Naruto glared down at him and leaned forward, plucking the gun from his hands.
"You really annoy me—"
The door to the room opened and Naruto averted his attention, suddenly aware of how bad the situation looked. It looked like he was arguing over a weapon—and in his current situation, that wasn't a good sight. Especially for Sasuke Uchiha.
"This isn't what it looks like," Naruto promised and he stumbled upwards off the thin boy, pulling him to his feet afterwards. Sasuke only stared, and Sai grinned.
"Hello Mr. Uchiha."
Sasuke moved out of the path of the door, clearing an exit for the strange new character, all while staring lividly at the blonde. Naruto set the gun on the bedside table and frowned, feeling a wave of anxiety overcome him. It was obvious that Sasuke was angry, but over what he didn't know. He had told him it was a mistake—why didn't he just trust him?
"Leave, please."
Sai drifted forward towards the door, lifting his hands above his head and resting them behind his neck.
"All work and no play makes Sasuke a dull boy…" He sang, and then he turned to face the Uchiha, staring with a very serious expression that Naruto didn't recognize. "And it also makes Naru-chan lonely."
As quickly as the expression had come it faded and Sai grinned, disappearing through the thick frame of the door. A click signaled that he and Sasuke were alone and Naruto sat down on his bed.
"He's strange." Naruto wasn't sure what else to say. Sasuke still appeared livid.
"Why do you have a gun?"
Naruto glanced over to it and inwardly shrugged. Too late to keep it a secret.
"Yamato gave it to me."
"Give it back."
Naruto snorted, beginning to feel irritated. Sasuke was going into dominant mode again, and Naruto wasn't in the mood for it.
"I tried."
There was a pause before Sasuke stepped forward, pulling Naruto up from the bed.
"I told you to stay out of trouble."
Naruto put his hands against Sasuke's chest and pushed backwards trying to get him to release his firm grip. Sasuke obliged, albeit reluctantly.
"I did. I stayed with Yamato. What did you want me to do—stay here all day?"
Sasuke growled. "That would have been logical!"
Naruto felt his eyes narrow. "What are you so mad about?"
Sasuke released him and turned around, pacing towards the rear of the bed.
"You complain the entire way here—and now that we finally arrive you're shooting up shit and fucking around with the nearest animal on two legs."
Naruto stepped forward. "Whoa, whoa. What are you talking about? Sai? He's just…around all the time…"
"You know his name?" This seemed to take Sasuke over the edge and he bolted forward, pushing Naruto backwards onto the bed. Naruto struggled to push upward but the other boy's grip was strong.
"You have no idea how much I worried about you—" he began, and Naruto interrupted.
"Why are you so angry?" Naruto said quickly, repeating his question from before. It was odd that Sasuke was so emotional. Sure he was prone to times of stern power, but that was normal—it came with the Uchiha name. But this time—Sasuke was too angry. There had to be something more.
"I'm angry because you do stupid shit without thinking about it—"
"That's it." Naruto growled and pushed upwards, flipping Sasuke over and reversing their position. He pushed downward on the older boy and glared.
"Really Sasuke? Really? This is about me?"
Sasuke looked surprised at Naruto's sudden change in demeanor and he quieted. Naruto ranted.
"I haven't done anything wrong. I got here and I mingled. You sure as hell weren't lounging around in solitude—so why am I a different story? Why can't I talk to people?"
Sasuke seemed to have calmed down and he looked away, not able to make eye contact with Naruto. He was breathing deeply.
"I don't want anything to happen to you." He said quietly.
Naruto paused and then spoke. "Well, things are going to happen. You can't stop them."
Sasuke glared upward, batting his eyes with and intense motion.
"You don't understand, Naruto. Places like this are dangerous."
Naruto loosened his grip and sat upwards, releasing some of his weight from the other boy.
"I'm not a child, Sasuke."
Sasuke breathed in deeply, surprised at how heavy Naruto was on top of him. He frowned. "You need someone to protect you, though."
Naruto leaned down, pulling the majority of his weight to his knees as he lowered his face towards Sasuke's. He scowled.
"When will you see me as an adult? As Naruto Uzumaki and not the 'boy from the past'?" Naruto knelt lower, his voice barely a whisper. "What will it take?"
Naruto brushed his lips across Sasuke's, letting his breath dance nervously across the other boy's pale flesh. He breathed long and hard, feeling his mind calm and his stomach tense, aching for something he couldn't quite name. Sasuke was staring at him with an expression he had never seen before, and he immediately pushed himself up and off of Sasuke, scrambling to his feet. He shook his head and changed the subject.
"Anyways, you never answered my question. Why are you so angry? It can't be about Yamato and Sai."
Sasuke pulled himself forward and frowned; fully aware of the uncomfortable situation Naruto had placed himself in. He decided not to push it, even though his heart was pounding against his chest in response to the blonde's moves.
"Subaku has some spies here. I thought they had found you."
Naruto nodded and scratched his temple. "I'll be more careful."
Sasuke looked up, his expression stern. "Naruto, I—"
"So this is where you two have been!"
Yamato sauntered in, his glasses brimming. The door squealed shut.
"I've been looking everywhere for you…"
Sasuke perked and Naruto looked away.
"Kakashi is here."
Hurray for SasuNaru moments! Or was it NaruSasu? Meh.
I feel like I need to leave a note but I'm not feeling too well. I'll leave a nice long one on sunday...
But for the need to comment on the newest manga chapter--If you don't review, I may tickle you with a feather.
::snickers:: Jiraiya is awesome.
