Good day and a rich welcome to you all. I bring you the next chapter of For Naruto, Whenever I May Find Him. Sorry to say it's a short one again - however, I assure you the next chapter will be longer and... well, more active. Anyway, thank you to you all for reading and reviewing, and without further ado, on with the chapter!
35. A Come on from the Whores on 7th Avenue
Sasuke Uchiha walked down the path in the park that Thursday, his mind racing. He had decided to head there immediately after school, so that he might sort out some of his problems. Again, this wasn't something he could talk to Shikamaru or Kakashi about – and certainly not Naruto. No, this was a job for O.
That day at school had been very unusual. Sasuke had gone in expecting the whole school to know about his relationship with Naruto. He had even talked it over with the blond beforehand – what they would do, what they would say, how they would act – but it was all unnecessary. Everyone treated them exactly the same. The closest anyone came to mentioning the subject was one guy who congratulated him for putting Sakura in her place. Apparently, everyone thought that Sakura's secret was irrelevant – all that mattered was her very public form of humiliation.
Still, Sasuke knew that Sakura's threat remained. Just because she hadn't told the whole world overnight didn't mean that she wouldn't the next day, or the next week, or even the next month. She had already proven herself to be crafty – she wouldn't want to lose her credibility by letting emotion get in her way.
Of course, what was more important was what the Uchiha had planned for the next day. October 10th, Naruto's birthday, the day they would take their relationship to the next level. The thought made Sasuke's hands tremble. Was it too soon? Was he overreacting? Was this how most people felt before they had sex for the first time? Did this mean that he really cared for Naruto? That this wasn't just some carnal pleasure, but something deeper?
Sasuke sighed.
Geez… I'm fucked up…
"Well, well… what have we here?"
Glancing up, Sasuke found he had arrived at Orochimaru's usual spot underneath the shady tree. The leaves had started to change color by now, and many were drifting down to the ground as the pale-skinned man strummed on his guitar. It was strangely peaceful for the Uchiha, seeing his old friend sitting right where he'd always been – like things hadn't completely changed since he met Naruto. There was still some stability in his life.
"Kabuto, can you go over and practice with Tayuya for a bit? I'd like a minute alone with Sasuke," O asked the spectacled man at his side as he set down his guitar.
"Of course, Orochimaru," Kabuto replied, adjusting his glasses as he rose from the ground. Once he was safely out of earshot, Orochimaru turned his attention back on the raven-haired teen with an enigmatic smile.
"Now, then… let me guess, Sasuke – trouble in paradise?"
Sasuke plopped down on the grass, the dead leaves crackling as he propped himself up against the tree. "You could say that, I suppose."
"Hmm… well, the last time I heard from you, it was when your precious little Naruto was befriending that Gaara character. I saw him on the news the other day, up on the Konoha Bridge. How did that all come about?"
"It wasn't his fault – his dad tried to kill him. Gaara ended up killing him in self-defense, and he was about to commit suicide out of grief. Naruto stopped him," Sasuke replied with a somewhat admiring smile. There was still a hint of the worry he felt that evening in his lips, however, and Orochimaru saw it instantly.
"That's not all that happened though, I take it? I couldn't help but see that Naruto was up on that bridge with Gaara – you didn't let him go alone, did you?"
"Not exactly. We all went to the bridge together – me, Shikamaru, Naruto, and his roommate – but Gaara was up on a tower. Shikamaru and I wanted to wait at the bottom and call the police, but Naruto insisted on going up."
"And you let him?" Orochimaru asked, tuning his guitar casually as he spoke.
"I couldn't stop him," Sasuke responded, shaking his head in self-disgust. "I tried to talk some sense into him – I told him that he could die up there. It was windy, rainy… and Gaara was clearly unstable. He wouldn't listen to reason, though – he had to do what he thought was right. Before he left, though, he promised me he'd come back okay… that he'd never leave me alone again."
"Well, I suppose he kept his promise – unless there's something to this story that I haven't heard."
"No, that's not it. I mean, yes, it all turned out okay, but the whole time I could feel my heart pounding. At one point, he actually fell backwards – I could see his head dangling over the edge. If he'd gone just a few inches further… he would've died."
"So you didn't believe him? You didn't think he'd actually keep his promise?" O asked with a curious glance before plucking one of the strings.
"How could I? He promised me something that's beyond his control!"
"Well… what can we control, really?" Orochimaru said as he began to play a simple tune. "Do we really have free will, or is everything predetermined? If the world was created again – if we could just start over – wouldn't we ultimately end up back where we are now? It's hard to say, but if that's the case, then you were destined to come and talk to me about this today, and Naruto was destined to rescue Gaara up on that bridge."
"So, what, I should just act irrationally, since whatever happens will happen anyway?"
"Not necessarily. But look at this way – even if we have no control over what happens, we still believe that we do, right? You make a promise that you'll turn in a homework assignment on the due date. You probably will turn in that assignment, but in the end, you really have no control over that. You could get struck by lightning as soon as the words leave your lips – boom! Promise broken."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the snake-man. "Where are you going with this?"
"What I'm trying to say, Sasuke, is that just because you have no power to keep a promise, it doesn't mean that the promise isn't genuine. It may very well be beyond Naruto's power to make a promise like never leaving you alone again – but, then again, it would be just as unreasonable for him to promise to meet you for dinner in an hour."
"But that's only if you believe in fate."
"Well… what do you believe in, then?" O asked, strumming along slowly. "I'm just offering my take on it – what you think is much more important."
Sasuke hesitated. He hadn't really considered it before. When Naruto made the promise to him, he had believed it. He knew Naruto was sincere, but at the same time the Uchiha had been unable to shake the doubt from his head entirely. "I guess… I want to believe Naruto had the power to fulfill his promise. I do. But I know from the past that promises like those are made to be broke eventually."
"How so?"
"When I was young – before Mom and Dad died – I remember wanting to play with Itachi. He was studying, though, and told me that he couldn't right then, but that he would some other time. That there would come a day when he'd make it up to me. He never did."
"Who's to say he couldn't still? Itachi still has time, you know."
The Uchiha shook his head. "No he doesn't. The Itachi I knew died along with my parents."
Orochimaru went silent for a moment, letting the sound from his guitar fill the void before finally speaking. "Why does this matter to you so much, Sasuke? Whether Naruto can actually keep that promise?"
"Because it reminded me of why I was avoiding that relationship to begin with," Sasuke said his eyes suddenly wide with terror. "I… I thought I was past it. I was happy. Then, that whole thing with Gaara… it made me remember how fast it can all be taken away. I don't want that to happen, O. I don't want to lose him."
"Have you told him that?"
Sasuke was taken aback. "What? No, of course not. He doesn't need to worry about this kind of thing…"
"I think he does, Sasuke. From what I understand, this Naruto guy is pretty observant, especially when it comes to people's emotions. Unless I'm wrong, he probably knows something's going on, and is probably thinking it's something he's done," Orochimaru concluded with his usual, mysterious smile. "Tell me, what made you come here, really? That thing with Gaara was almost a week ago – there must be something that made you decided to come and talk with me now."
Sasuke reddened. "The truth is… Naruto wants to have sex."
O chuckled as he set his guitar down. "Oh, my little Sasuke's all grown up. I'm guessing you were caught off guard?"
"I think he was caught off guard. He just blurted it out earlier this week. One minute we're playing Halo, the next he's asking me if we can do it."
"Then I was right – he did take your emotional dilemma personally. He thinks that you're not getting enough out of the relationship, which is why you seem so off to him. Naturally, the best way to solve this is to take your relationship a step further – hence the sudden question about sex. He probably thinks it's what you want."
"But… it seemed like he wanted it, too."
"Sasuke, it's sex, and you're both guys. The fact is, you both want sex, and you've wanted it for some time. The question is whether you're ready for it," O continued glancing over at the Uchiha. "And, considering that you're talking about it with me, I'm guessing you're not."
"It hardly matters if I'm ready for it or not – it's something I want to do. For Naruto. He's done so much for me… it's time for me to give him something in return."
"I'm sure you've already given plenty, Sasuke. And, considering the doubts you have right now, I don't think it's a good idea to force yourself into something you're not comfortable with. You're heading for trouble," the snake-man said with genuine concern.
Sasuke rose from his feet in a hurry. "I'll be fine. If I do break down at all, I can always come and talk to you about it later, anyway."
"Well, actually, you can't," O corrected, though he didn't move from his spot at the base of the tree. "'Sound Village' finally booked a gig. We'll be playing at a bar in Suna for the next month or so – they want us to provide the entertainment every night. We leave Saturday morning."
The Uchiha felt his heart sink. O was leaving. Everything was changing. After staring at the pale-skinned man for a moment, though, Sasuke gulped and smiled weakly. "Well, I'll have to come out and see you sometime. I promised I'd come to one of your shows, after all."
"We'd like that. Just remember what I said, Sasuke – and good luck, whatever you choose," Orochimaru concluded as he picked up his guitar once again.
With a nod, Sasuke turned and walked out of the park, listening to the soothing sounds of O's guitar as they were carried along by the cool autumn breeze. Though he was happy to have talked to the man before he left, Sasuke couldn't help but feel that he'd wasted his time. After all, he had made his decision long ago – he was going through with it, one way or another.
xxxxx
Naruto stood in the book section of the local Konoha Wal-Mart with a basket in one hand, his other on his chin in mock thought. In front of him was a row of "For Dummies" books – all bright yellow, and all in alphabetical order. He was currently glancing back and forth between Sewing for Dummies and Shakespeare for Dummies, ignoring the book lying conspicuously in-between. Glancing to his left, Naruto found the old woman was still studying Sewing for Dummies intently. He shook his head.
"Are you looking for something in particular, sir?"
Turning around in surprise, Naruto found a middle-aged woman wearing a blue vest standing behind him, a helpful smile on her face. He panicked. "What? N-no… I'm just looking for the… uh…"
"Something in the For Dummies section? We have everything from Animals to Zoos! What subject are you looking into?"
"Umm… really, I'm fine. I know what I want…"
"Well, maybe I can help you find it then. What is it?" the employee continued in her chipper manner.
Naruto bowed his head in humiliation, his face burning as he replied in resignation. "S-sex…"
"I'm sorry? I can't hear you."
"I SAID 'SEX!'" the blond exclaimed, causing the old woman beside him, along with some other customers a short distance away to turn their heads in shock.
The employee attempted to keep her composure, though she was clearly holding back laughter as she approached the bookshelf. "Let's see here… there it is! Sex for Dummies. Will that be all?"
"Yes, thank you," Naruto said, hastily taking the book and shoving it into his basket before hurrying down the aisle. Just as he turned the corner, however, he could here the employee call out after him.
"Condoms are over by the pharmacy!"
Cringing, Naruto hurried around the corner and out of sight, ignoring all the amused glances he received as he headed towards the pharmacy. By the time he reached his destination, the blond's face had returned to its usual pallor, though his humiliation remained. He took a deep breath, however, and focused on the task at hand.
I don't know if Sasuke has anything… I can't count on him coming prepared. It would suck if we were getting ready, only to find out we didn't have the proper supplies. I'll just have to bite the bullet…
Thus, the vulpine boy started down the pharmacy aisles, searching for the desired products. After passing by lotions, toothpaste, and other beauty aids, Naruto finally came to the proper aisle. There, sitting adjacent to various feminine hygiene products, were several rows of condoms and personal lubricant. He looked around innocently, only to find he had the whole aisle to himself.
Perfect timing. Just act naturally…
Whistling nonchalantly, the blond headed over to the condoms and eyed them curiously. It was then that it hit him – he had no idea what to get. There were so many different styles, sizes, and brands that it utterly overwhelmed the poor teen.
Umm… well, he probably wouldn't like the glow-in-the-dark ones. Or would he? I don't know, maybe he likes kinky things like that. More importantly, what size? I'm a little bit bigger than Sasuke, I think… then again, I haven't really measured or anything.
Naruto looked down at his hands momentarily, moving them back and forth to estimate a good length. He shook his head.
This isn't going to work… I'll just get them all!
Setting down his basket on the shelf, Naruto proceeded to toss box after box of condoms into the basket, until he had a whole spectrum of colored packages. He then glanced down at the lube and sighed.
Okay, now as for these… I've at least heard of Astroglide. It should work, right?
Tossing the bottle into his basket, Naruto sighed and started for the front of the store, trying his best not to draw attention to himself. Being so concerned with the people around him, though, he didn't pay attention to the checkout lane as he entered and began to unload his basket. It was only after setting the Sex for Dummies book on the conveyor belt that the blond glanced up to find a familiar, pink-haired girl standing behind the register, holding a box of condoms in her hand.
"Umm… hi, Sakura," he said, his face instantly turning beet red.
"Hi, Naruto. Will this be all for today?" Sakura asked distantly as she added box after box of condoms into a plastic bag.
"Uh, yeah. Thanks."
"All right – that'll be $150," Sakura concluded, setting the packed bag on the counter.
Geez… maybe I should've cut back a bit. Thank goodness I have my birthday money to spend…
Reaching into his wallet, Naruto pulled out a debit card, which he handed to his classmate. Sakura swiped the card and handed it back before hesitating. Finally, she spoke up. "Naruto… be good to him, okay?"
Naruto was stunned. He had been expecting taunting or blackmail, but instead Sakura spoke with a hint of resignation. "What do you mean?"
"Just… promise me, okay?"
After a pause, Naruto nodded. "Yeah, sure."
"All right. Have a nice day, then," Sakura added quickly before turning her attention to the next customer, putting on a pleasant façade.
Deciding it was best not to push the subject, the blond decided to just grab his bag and leave. Though his face still burned with embarrassment, Naruto's mind was now focused on his plans for the next day – a chance to put his purchases to the test. Before then, though, he had to do some research.
Time to crack open Sex for Dummies, I suppose…
Well, there you have it! Next chapter is D-day - I warn you now that there will be a lemon, so if you're not a fan of that, well... you'll be warned again. Anyway, you have that to look forward to. Also to keep in mind: how will Sasuke's conversation with Orochimaru affect him, and what about Sakura's enigmatic statement to Naruto? Until next time, folks, and remember: review!