Part XXXVI

Sasuke and Kiba had finished eating their lunches several minutes before Sasori, who was droning on about some inane thing he had done at some point…the two were uncertain as to when or what relevance the story held. After a couple more minutes, Sasuke stood up.

"I know you have to get going," he said. "We won't keep you any longer. Thanks for lunch."

He started walking toward the exit and Kiba followed him. Sasori caught up with them a minute or two later.

"Yes, that appointment I have," he said. "It's too bad I can't reschedule it…"

Sasuke glared at him.

"But it can't be helped. I'm sure we'll see each other again sometime."

He left them and disappeared into one of the elevators.

"Gah," Kiba said. "That guy's a freak."

"You've no idea," Sasuke muttered as Kiba glanced at him sideways. "Come on, let's go back up and finish finding our clothes for tonight."

They returned to the men's department and Kiba retrieved the waistcoat and shirt he had left with a salesclerk when they had gone to lunch. He held them up for Sasuke to see. The plain white shirt and the ivory color of the linen vest looked very nice together.

"I'm sorry, you had them on before, didn't you?" the Raven said. "Would you mind putting them back on again?"

"No, that's cool," Kiba replied. "I think I am going to grab these linen pants that match the vest though."

A few moments later he returned to where Sasuke was waiting in a chair. He stood up when Kiba walked up to him.

"Yeah, I like it," Sasuke said as Kiba looked at his reflection in a mirror.

"The vest isn't too big is it?" Kiba asked. "I had a medium one but it felt like I had on a corset…"

"No," Sasuke laughed at the description. "It looks good."

"All right, that's settled for me then, except for a tie, socks, and shoes," Kiba said. "Now, what about you?"

"Hmmm, I was thinking about this blue sweater over here," he replied, taking Kiba over to the display table. "What do you think? And these shirts are by the same manufacturer, the color matches the sweater."

"Why not go with the sweater vest?" Kiba suggested. "It's more summery, and instead of the mono-chrome look, which confidentially I'm not a huge fan of, why don't you do tones in the same color range? This shirt, for example, is a slightly darker shade…"

He held the two up together for the Raven to examine. He stood back a moment, silently looking at the garments.

"Yeah, I see what you mean," he said a moment later. "I do like the contrast. What color pants would you suggest? Some sort of brown?"

"I'd actually go with charcoal," Kiba said. "With your hair, it will look better. Let's look around over here. I believe I saw a pair that were pretty cool."

They looked around for a little while until Kiba pulled a pair of dark gray trousers from a rack that were woven in a herring bone pattern with a lot of black in them. He handed them to Sasuke so he could look at them.

"Let me go try all this shit on," he said heading off to the fitting room.

After showing himself in the new clothes and getting Kiba's approval, he changed back into his own outfit and they headed over to the ties, where an aged salesclerk came up to them to see if he could be of any assistance.

Kiba kept browsing the tables of ties while Sasuke became ensnared in the clerk's sales attempt. He laid out Sasuke's shirt and sweater onto a table and was placing various ties on them so that the Raven could compare how well one versus another matched.

"Normally, one likes to have a contrasting tie," the clerk said, holding up several with prominent red or yellow in them. "You know, one's tie should catch the eye…"

Upon hearing all this Kiba returned and stood by silently, going through a nearby table's blue range. His eye settled on one with bias stripes in blue and silver with a thin black line separating the two colors. He then waited patiently.

"Which one does the gentleman prefer?" the clerk asked Sasuke.

"This one looks all right," he answered indicating one that was mostly blue with a minimum of red shot through it, then turned to his friend. "What do you think, Kiba?"

Kiba stepped forward to look down upon it, a critical look upon his face.

"It's a little too bright for your taste, isn't it?" he asked, turning and picking up the tie he had seen earlier and placing it partially beneath the sweater vest to compare the way the colors complimented each other. "I'd go with something like this."

"I do like that better," Sasuke said after examining the look a moment and picked it up, thanking the salesclerk for his time. "Did you find one yet, Kiba?"

"Not yet," he said after they had moved away from the clerk. "I had to rescue you first."

A short while later, Kiba located a tie he liked that was a dusty rose color and had a thin cross-hatch of very pale green and darker rose stripes in it.

Once Kiba had found a pair of shoes he liked also and socks, the two were finally ready to make their purchases. They located a young salesclerk who was stocking some jeans in the casual department.

"Would you mind ringing us up?" Kiba asked him.

After the sales were completed, the two went back out onto the street through the large front door of the store, which led to the main street of the shopping district. They walked down along the street seeing if there were anywhere else they might wish to stop in at.

"Did you need anything at Tiffany's?" Sasuke asked as a joke as they walked past the store.

"Don't tempt me," Kiba said, pausing a moment, then grabbing Sasuke's hand and pulling him toward the store. "We'll just look…"

Inside, the two looked around the counters before coming across the engagement rings. One in particular, set upon a taller pedestal within the glass case, was a large solitaire ring. Kiba stopped to admire it.

"I'm not really into jewelry at all," Sasuke said. "But this stuff is pretty amazing."

"This one especially," Kiba said pointing at the solitaire ring. A saleswoman approached at that moment.

"It's a very special ring," she said.

"It's beautiful," Kiba admitted. "Is that two carats? Two and a half?"

"It's three and a half," she said.

"Well, are you going to buy it?" Kiba asked Sasuke, making a joke.

"I don't think I will today," Sasuke said moving on down the counter. Kiba looked up at the saleswoman and shrugged his shoulders.

"I shall die a bachelor," he said wistfully, causing her to laugh.

After looking around a while longer, they were back out on the street. They walked down the length of the street and then came back on the opposite side of it, occasionally stopping in one store or another to look around. Neither made any further purchases so they headed back to the railway station underground and took the train back north toward Itachi's apartment. It was now around 3:00, and Kiba took Akamaru out for a quick walk and then returned to the apartment.

"I think I'm going to take a nap for about an hour," he said to Sasuke, "then shower and get ready. What time should we leave?"

"We should probably leave by 6:00," the Raven said. "We'll need to drive and it's better to be early than late. They do give away reservations if you are late, Itachi wasn't joking about that."

"All right, I'll be ready by then," Kiba said.

"Cool," Sasuke said. "I'm going to work out a little and then get ready."

Kiba called Akamaru to come upstairs with him and the dog ran ahead and into Sasuke's room.

"No, not there, 'Maru," he said, but Akamaru just looked at him before jumping up on the bed and laying down.

Kiba sighed and lay down with him, hugging one of the pillows to his chest as he fell asleep.

xXxXx

The two friends returned back from their dinner at a little after 11:00. Sasuke parked his car in the underground parking garage next to his brother's black Bentley Continental GT. He and Kiba got out of the car and walked over to the elevators, stepping inside as the doors slid open.

"You look really nice tonight, Kiba," Sasuke said. "I meant to tell you earlier. You should have worn a little rose on your vest…"

"Or a green carnation, like Oscar Wilde?" Kiba asked, grinning.

"Is that someone you go to school with?" the Raven asked.

"No, he was a writer," Kiba said, "He's been dead near a hundred and twenty years…"

"Oh," Sasuke said, stifling a laugh. "My ignorance of literature is coming out…sorry."

"It's all right," Kiba said as they entered the apartment, where Akamaru was waiting for them at the top of the three steps. "I guess I'd better take him out for a walk."

"Why don't we change first?" Sasuke asked. "I'll go with you this time since it's so late."

They went upstairs to change, Sasuke putting on his same track pants he had been wearing off and on over the past few days along with a black tank tshirt. Kiba changed into a pair of dark blue baggy gym shorts and a white, v-neck tshirt. They met back in the entranceway, where Sasuke had already attached Akamaru's lead to his collar. Kiba held out his hand to take the lead.

"I'll walk him this time," the Raven said.

They were out about thirty minutes before returning. The air had become very humid and warm. Sasuke adjusted the thermostat a little and turned to his friend.

"Let's go sit out on the terrace for a while," he said. "Could you grab two beers out of the refrigerator? They're in the produce drawer. It's Kirin…you'll like it. It's pretty light tasting. I'll meet you out there in a few minutes."

"Ok," Kiba said heading to the kitchen.

He located the horde of beer bottles, took two out, and then walked upstairs, calling for Akamaru. They went out through the sliding glass door onto the expansive terrace, which had a row of hedges growing from a planter which stretched the entire length of the terrace. Kiba sat down in one of the outdoor chairs. Several minutes later, Sasuke joined, sitting in the chair next to Kiba's and kicking off his shoes and then pulling off his socks.

"Want some?" he asked, holding out a large joint to Kiba.

"Dude!" Kiba exclaimed. "That's thicker than my finger…"

"Yeah, I thought we could use it though."

He pulled a black lighter from the pocket of his track pants and lit the joint. He took a very long pull on it and handed it to Kiba, who did the same. Back and forth they passed it until it was completely gone. Kiba lay back and looked up at the sky. The clouds were moving fast and he could see the stars disappearing and reappearing behind them. He took a long drink of the beer and looked over to Sasuke, who had managed to finish his beer.

"It's not bad," he said. "But we need more…will Akamaru go fetch?"

"Unfortunately, I don't think he would know how to get the fridge open," Kiba stated.

"Damn…that means I'll take one for the team. You wait here, but next time is your turn."

Kiba lay back against the chair and felt like he was floating, but at the same time, weighed an extreme amount. Even lifting his arm was trying. He managed to take off his own shoes and socks by the time Sasuke had returned.

"Two for you, two for me," the Raven said gleefully. "Isn't this fucking great? Being way up here in the sky, come and look down at the street…"

He pulled Kiba over to the edge, where the hedge was, and they leaned over.

"That's fucking scary," Kiba said, moving back. "Looking down there like that…it's better back here."

"It's so fucking hot," Sasuke observed. "I bet it's going to rain."

"I don't know…you can still see the stars…"

"You're high, aren't you, Kiba?" Sasuke asked, then laughed. "I'm fucking high."

"I can't believe Itachi let's you smoke at his place…"

"Dude, I got that shit," the Raven said, "from Itachi!"

They both laughed at the revelation.

"He doesn't do it that much though," Sasuke said. "Maybe once a month at the most. He gets pissed at me though because when he does want some, there's usually nothing left."

Kiba began laughing hysterically at that. "That's so mean, Sasuke!" he said.

"Hey, I'm just me," Sasuke said.

Just then a jet took off from the nearby airport and roared over the apartment building, causing the glass to rattle in the windows.

"Fuck!" Kiba screamed over the deafening noise of the engines.

"FUCK YOU, PLANE!" Sasuke screamed at the top of his lungs giving the finger to the passing jet.

"Sasuke!" Kiba shouted, still lauging some. "Stop…people will hear."

"FUCK EVERYONE!" Sasuke yelled again and then he calmed down a little and walked back over to the edge of the terrace. He stared out at the city lights for a few moments. "It's so fucking hot," he said and took off his shirt, balling it up and throwing it at Kiba, who deflected it and it landed onto the terrace.

Sasuke walked over to pick up the second beer he hadn't completely finished. He drank the remainder down and then picked up his third one and drank all of it down. He looked over to Kiba and smirked.

"You need to catch up, dude," he said.

"I'm not really into beer," Kiba said. "Even though this isn't bad…"

"You want something else? Itachi has a full liquor cabinet."

"Really?" Kiba asked. "You guys have no food, but you have liquor? That's awesome!"

"Yeah, we make sure we have the important things…"

"Let's check it out"

They walked back inside and Sasuke took Kiba over to a cabinet that stood against the back wall of the living room. He opened the double doors on the front, and as he did so, a large shelf unfolded outward on which one could pour or mix drinks. Glasses were lined up on the sides of the cabinet and the back was mirrored. Cocktail shakers, measuring devices, and other barware were held in smaller shelves toward the back. The bottom portion of the cabinet had another set of double doors where bottles of alcohol were lined up in an impressive array.

Kiba rummaged around and found a wooden box toward the back with a bottle of Midleton Very Rare whisky. He pulled the box out and opened it, finding the unopened bottle still within.

"This looks amazing, Sas," he said. "Will he be pissed if we open it?"

"I doubt it," the Raven said taking the bottle and opening it. "He gets so much of this as gifts from clients. He might not even remember it's in there."

He grabbed a couple shot glasses from one of the shelves and set them out on the counter of the cabinet, pouring out the whisky. He handed one to Kiba and raised up his own.

"Isn't this how we met?" he asked, then thought a minute. "No wait…let's not think about how we met…"

Kiba laughed, remembering the torment Sasuke had put him through last Thanksgiving and then remembering the night when Sasuke had told Naruto he was gay and Naruto had been so upset he had left, leaving Kiba and Sasuke to get drunk from Kiba's whisky.

"Let's not consider that how we met," Kiba said. "I like the night we got crunk and went out better. It was interesting."

"Well, that works for me, and yeah, that was an interesting night."

They downed the shots and Sasuke immediately poured out two more. They raised their glasses again and Kiba stayed his hand.

"Happy birthday," he said, and then they took the shots. "Did you have a good day?"

"Yes, it was brilliant!" the Raven enthused. "And dinner was insane! I still can't believe that cost $1000.00 each."

"It was sooooooo good," Kiba said as Sasuke handed him another shot and he drank it. "I'll never eat anything so wonderful again…"

He put the shot glass down, indicating to the Raven that he needed a break. He went and collapsed onto the couch. Sasuke sat across from him in a chair.

"SAAAAASsssssukeeeeee," Kiba said reaching out his hand. "You're so faaaaaar away over there!"

Sasuke laughed, then called out "Kiba! Will you marry me?"

"What!?" Kiba screamed then laughed.

"I want to marry you right now!" the Raven called out, laughing.

"Noooooooooo!" Kiba said, jumping up and waving his arms in the air. "We can't!"

"Yessssssss!" Sasuke said, waving his own arms around to mimic Kiba.

Kiba started laughing at the sight of Sasuke. The Raven stood up and came up to Kiba then dropped to his knees and put his arms around Kiba's waist and hugging him tightly, pressing his head against Kiba's stomach. Kiba ran his fingers through the black hair softly.

"I love you so much," Sasuke said.

"Sasuke," Kiba whispered quietly. "You're going to make me sad…."

"Fuck it!" Sasuke said, collapsing backwards and releasing Kiba. He fell backwards onto the carpeted floor, laughing. He held out his hand and Kiba lay down a little ways away on his stomach, propping his head up by holding his hands under his chin.

"Where's Akamaru?" he asked and then called for the dog, who came bounding into the room. "Go see Uncle Sasuke! Go on."

Sasuke held out his arm for the dog, who nudged it with his wet nose. Sasuke started petting his head.

"You'll marry me won't you, Akamaru?" he said, then giggled.

"You can't marry anyone tonight!" Kiba said. "Sasuke, you need a boyfriend. Can I help you find one?"

"Maybe," the Raven mused. "I'm not sure if I'm really cut out to be a good boyfriend though, or if I even want one…"

"But you wanted to get married a few minutes ago!" Kiba said and the two laughed. "Do you go on dates at your university?"

"Hmmmm, I'm not sure I would call them dates, if you know what I mean."

"Oh noes! You just hook up a lot?"

"Yeah, I find that to be the easiest thing to do most of the time. I mean I've been on dates before, but, I don't know. It's just easier to cut that all out and just have sex."

"Well, that could have a certain appeal if you don't want to get tied down," Kiba thought aloud. "But maybe you need to settle down? But, I bet those guys are lining up to get some from you….you are really hot afterall. Do you have to kick them out in the morning because they won't leave?"

"Ha!," the Raven laughed. "No, I wear them out! Not to brag, but I can go for three or four hours straight. I have to hold them down to keep them from getting away!"

"You do not!" Kiba cried out, laughing at the absurdity of the whole thing.

Well, ok, only once or twice I've done that…"

"Well, think about maybe doing more dating, will you?"

"I will for you, but I'm not making any promises."

"Let's go back out on the terrace," Kiba suggested. "Bring the whisky!"

They got up and ran back out to the terrace, making Akamaru come out with them. Through the night they had managed to finish the whisky and sat up all night talking and screaming at the airplanes as they flew past or over the building. Finally the sun began to rise behind the other skyscrapers, and the sky began to turn a rosy color.

"I remember, when I was a little kid…I don't even know how old I was, but Itachi would let me sleep in his room, on the floor in a sleeping back. He'd leave the TV on so I could watch it. That's the real reason I liked to stay in his room, but he let me because if I had the TV on in my own room, my parents would always get mad at me. If I was in Itachi's room though, and he kept the TV on they wouldn't say anything. He's such a great brother…I'm so grateful to have him. If I had been alone, I might not be here right now…"

Kiba reached out and rubbed his hand along Sasuke's upper arm.

"It's all right now," he said. "I kind of miss him, it's been nice living here this summer."

"I'm glad you're having a good summer," Kiba said, leaning his head down on Sasuke's shoulder.

"You probably miss Naruto, don't you?"

"I do," Kiba admitted. "But I'm having a nice time staying with you…oh, I don't want to say something dumb…"

"No, not at all," the Raven said as he put his arm around his friend. "I'm not going to shatter like a piece of glass. I'll be all right as long as we're friends."

"We'll always be friends," Kiba said, keeping his head on Sasuke's shoulder and breathing in the faint, dry scent of his cologne.

"Let's watch the sun rise and then go to sleep," Sasuke said. "I'm fucking tired."