Theme: #268 - "Fireworks"
Warnings: Rated A for Aww.

Not once in Naruto's entire existence has he had the chance to watch fireworks.

Typically, in Konoha, the fireworks were let off in celebration of the defeat of the Kyuubi, something he was forbidden to celebrate or even to acknowledge. So he pretended to be blind to them all on that one day, locked himself away, and closed off the world as they held their celebration.

Somehow, Naruto has found himself on a mission in a village that is celebrating something else entirely--it's freedom from a tyrannical leader from centuries ago--and they will have fireworks.

Or so Sakura says. The moment he hears 'celebration', he instantly backs away and makes a beeline for the lodge they resorted to staying in during their time here.

Sakura and Kakashi head out, albeit only after Kakashi has a short talk with Naruto, trying to convince the boy to go out and enjoy himself for once. Naruto insists he's exhausted, and that's the end of that.

Sasuke's not as quick to leave though. In fact, he hovers over Naruto's bed silently, watching the blond as he pretends to sleep.

"I know you're there, Sasuke."

"I know, and I know you're not tired."

Naruto doesn't respond, and instead pulls the blanket over his head so only strands of blond are visible. "Go away."

"No."

Naruto growls and feels a twitch coming. "Then go to sleep or something, just leave me alone."

"No."

The urge to punch the Uchiha has grown even more, and Naruto flips off the blanket so he can glare. "Why are you doing this?"

"Why are you?"

"It's none of your business!"

"Same to you."

Naruto hates it when Sasuke uses his own words against him. So he resorts to what he is good at: using his fists.

He launches out of the bed and has his hand poised to punch Sasuke's lights out, but he instantly finds himself flat on his stomach, face being crushed into the hardwood floor. Sasuke's kneeling on his back and has his hands gripping Naruto's, but he doesn't gloat as he normally does. He just remains rooted to his spot silently.

Naruto feels angry, betrayed, and thinks that he'd be better off back at home where he could hide knowing that he'd be in peace the whole day. Here, with Sasuke, he can't.

He sighs, and relaxes himself to ease the pain of the knee in his back.

Sasuke taps Naruto's head with his free hand. "Just tell me, Naruto."

"Tell you what?" is the muffled response.

"Tell me why you refuse to go out with everyone else. One would think with everything being loud and noisy that someone like you would be out there making a spectacle of himself. Why the refusal? Why the lies?"

"It's none of your business, and why do you care?" The blond spat. "I do what I want, and you do what you want, so leave me alone! I wasn't bothering anybody!"

Sasuke released the blond and actually snorted. "I'm not leaving until you either decide to tell me why you won't go or you actually decide to stop acting whiny and come out of your hole. Either way, you will see the fireworks."

"Eh?"

"I'll bind and gag you if it comes to that."

"EH?" This time Naruto shot to his feet, mouth flapping soundlessly.

Sasuke held out a hand. "Come on, Naruto. Just this once?"

With me please?

Naruto stared at the hand before looking up into Sasuke's face, which had softened considerably. With a sigh, he placed his hand in the Uchiha's and allowed himself to be led outside.