Alright, here we go, the fun begins! The chapter you all have been waiting for! I can only hope that it lives up to everyone's expectations. I messed with it a lot, but I'm still not quite sure it's good enough...

Disclaimer: own I do not

Warning: hmm... Hard to say... There are a couple of perverts in this chapter...


Naruto was fidgeting.

He sat cross-legged on the couch, flipping through channels, his foot tapping the side of the couch restlessly. His eyes continuously glanced toward the doorway, occasionally darting toward the balcony window, watching the light snow-fall in the darkness.

Sasuke sat at a chair by the balcony door, one leg crossed over the other as he read silently from a book, another he had pulled from the ever-expanding bookshelf the blond was always adding to. He perused it lightly, half reading the pages, half consumed in watching the fidgeting blond. He could remember the last time the blond had been so nervous, and he wondered if this was really that big of a deal. Sure, his old family acquaintances were coming over, but were they really that important to the blond? He had run away from them, after all. Hadn't bothered getting in touch with them during all this time.

Naruto nearly jumped off of the couch when he heard a knock, then realized it was the TV. He took a deep breath and flipped the channel again.

He had finally picked a show and was watching intently, something about ninjas, when the doorbell rang clearly through the apartment and the blond jumped, nearly falling off the couch.

Sasuke was the one who stood up. Casually, languidly, he stood from his chair by the balcony doors, set his book carefully where he had been sitting, and made his way over to the door. Naruto sat frozen still on the couch, his blue eyes wide and intent on the screen. But Sasuke could tell Naruto didn't have a clue what was happening on the TV.

He crossed the room quickly and quietly, soon reaching the door. There was a knock, as if the person on the other side was getting impatient. Sasuke frowned but said nothing. Instead, he cast one quick glance back, noting that Naruto was now watching him, big eyes looking almost afraid. Sasuke's lips turned up briefly, and those blue eyes softened.

Then he grabbed the handle and opened the door.

What stood before him he hadn't been expecting. The first man to catch his attention was a big guy, dressed in bright red, his hair white and with weird red markings on his face. The man was looking at him suspiciously, studying him. Sasuke stared back for a moment unaffectedly.

The other man hadn't looked up from the green book in his hand. Focusing in on him, he noted the dark clothes, the grayed hair, and then the strange giggle as the man continued to read. Sasuke glanced at the book's title, noted Icha Icha, and promptly glared.

He had been subjected to those books more than he would have liked to admit. During his brother's... schemes, forcing those books on him was one of the ways he had hoped to "fix" his little brother.

"Well, well, well," the older, white haired man spoke. "You must be him. Uchiha."

Sasuke raised a brow. "I am." He moved aside and allowed the men to enter the apartment.

"Jiraiya, proud novelist and Traveler of the Erotic Arts," Jiraiya announced, giving an elegant bow.

Sasuke scowled. What the hell was that all about? He was proud of that? But then, Naruto had called the man "Ero-Sennin"...

"Kakashi," the other man murmured, then giggled again, his eyes never leaving the book his face was still buried in.

"Kakashi! Put the book down!" Naruto scolded. Sasuke glanced over his shoulder and found the blond had finally gotten off of the couch and was approaching the three other men. The blond was pouting, his arms crossed in front of him. He looked like he was scolding a petulant child.

The book promptly fell to the ground, now ignored, as Kakashi looked up at the blond.

"Heh, told you I had really found him," Jiraiya muttered proudly.

"Naruto?" Kakashi murmured. He took a step forward, his eyes scanning all over the blond's body, checking to see if he was real. Now Sasuke could see the man wore a mask which covered half of his face, his silver bangs hanging carelessly over one eye.

"Hey, Kakashi," Naruto mumbled, rubbing the back of his head nervously as his cheeks reddened.

And then Kakashi was suddenly enveloping the blond in a hug, squeezing the air out of his slim frame.

"Damnit, can't breathe!" Naruto squeaked in protest, his arms flailing at the sides. Jiraiya burst out into a hearty laughter, and Sasuke just watched, amused, from the sidelines.

So these two were what was left of Naruto's family.

Jiraiya looked very pleased with himself as he laughed, standing proud with his arms crossed over his chest while Kakashi was nearly dancing with glee around the blond. Naruto scratched at his nose nervously, his blue eyes glancing over at where Sasuke still stood by the door.

"Naruto, where have you been," Kakashi scolded, smacking Naruto lightly on the head.

Sasuke watched as Naruto's expression softened, as he looked at Kakashi a little guiltily, but with a smile. It was written all over his face, he was happy to see the older man. Sasuke had to stifle a surge of jealousy.

He made his way further into the room, intent on heading back to the book. They had come to meet him, sure, but more than that, these two were here for Naruto. He clenched his teeth and kept walking, eyes never leaving the goal. He was stopped by Naruto.

The blond had seen him approaching and his grin had grown. He headed over to his lover and grabbed his hand, pulling him behind him to Kakashi and Jiraiya, who were both eyeing the other man wearily.

Naruto took a deep breath, glancing nervously between Kakashi and Jiraiya and his brooding lover. "Kakashi, Jiraiya, this is Sasuke. Sasuke," Naruto looked up into dark eyes fixed on his face and smiled brightly, "this is Kakashi and Jiraiya."

Sasuke nodded at them, adapting his most formal attitude, the one drilled into him by his mother at a very early stage. He bowed slightly, inclining his head just enough to show deference to his elders, but not enough to indicate they were above him (because they weren't, socially). "It's an honor to meet you. I am Uchiha Sasuke. I took Naruto in when I found him."

Kakashi frowned and Jiraiya studied him carefully.

"Naruto told me about you, Uchiha. Hmm," Jiraiya replied.

Sasuke wasn't sure that was a good reaction or not.

They stood a while longer, all staring at each other in the mostly silent room. It was getting uncomfortable, a heavy, stifling silence, and Sasuke could almost feel himself starting to twitch.

Then the door opened, and Mariko stepped inside carrying several grocery bags. All eyes turned to her as she closed the door behind her and slipped off her shoes, balancing the bags. She brushed back a strand of dark hair and made her way to the kitchen, not noticing she was currently the center of attention, and began her work of making dinner.

She placed all of her purchases on the counter, taking out the food, placing things either in the sink or on the counter or in the fridge, took out her apron and slipped it on, and began washing the vegetables, grabbed a knife and the cutting board, and began chopping up the ingredients.

"Ah, Konnichiwa, Mariko-san," Naruto said at last.

Finally she looked up. And jumped. "Oh, Naruto-sama. Konnichiwa. I'm sorry I'm late, Sasuke-sama," she said, and she bowed.

Sasuke waved it away. "It's fine."

"Ano, Mariko-san, this is Jiraiya," Naruto indicated the old pervert, "and Kakashi," and he indicated the younger pervert. "They're old family friends."

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you," she bowed again. The two bowed in return.

"Well, it'll be a little while until dinner is ready. Why don't you have a seat," Sasuke said finally, glad the tense silence had concluded for the moment, and indicated toward the sofa.

The two men nodded and headed to the couch, Kakashi lovingly dusting off his book, which he had retrieved when Naruto had made his way over to Sasuke. The Uchiha resumed his place by the balcony window and Jiraiya planted himself in front of the TV. Naruto was about to sit beside him when he noted Kakashi admiring the room.

"Um, Kakashi, would you like a tour?" Naruto asked.

"I would, Naruto-kun," Kakashi nodded, smiling pleasantly behind his mask. He pocketed his book and trailed after the blond.

"Uh, so, this is the kitchen and the living room," Naruto indicated, a little nervously, and he moved toward the bedroom. He walked in, Kakashi following, that leering look on his face.

Sasuke watched them carefully, then picked up his own book when they vanished in the doorway. He took a deep, steadying breath and focused back on the black printed kanji.

"So, Uchiha," Jiraiya began, eyeing him up and down.

Sasuke wasn't a paranoid person by nature, but he didn't like that tone, or the way the old pervert was looking at him. "Yes?" Sasuke inquired, an elegant brow rising.

Jiraiya laughed quietly, and Sasuke couldn't help thinking it was a stereotypical pervert-laugh, like he was having dirty thoughts.

Naruto and Kakashi took that moment to re-enter the main room, Naruto laughing about something or other, and they made their way to the next door, leading into the smaller guest bathroom.

"Hmm," Kakashi mused as he looked at it. Then he shut the door and followed Naruto into the guest bedroom. "Two bedrooms, hmm?" he mused as he vanished into the room.

Sasuke ground his teeth. He glanced back at Jiraiya and saw the man was still studying him, but his face was set into a look Sasuke didn't trust in the least, like he was imagining what Sasuke did to Naruto at night in bed.

Sasuke cleared his throat and picked up his book again, trying his best to block out the other man's existence, fighting that persistent twitch of irritation that wouldn't leave his eye.

Naruto reappeared from the guest bedroom. "So, yeah, I mean, I guess, theoretically you could come over sometimes," he was muttering now, rubbing the back of his head nervously, his cheeks stained pink.

"I would like that," Kakashi replied, giving that pleasant smile again that Sasuke was really beginning to mistrust.

"Yes, yes. As would I," Jiraiya grinned, glancing over at the returned pair, ready to join the conversation.

Naruto glanced at Sasuke, who was trying his best to focus on his book. He knew, if Jiraiya and Kakashi were to start making themselves at home here like they had at his father's, he and Sasuke would never have any alone time. He could tell them to call first, at least, but he knew they'd never do it. He bit his lip.

"Well, we only have one extra bedroom," he tried hesitantly, hoping that would be enough to discourage them.

"But you have a couch. And it's simple to just buy a futon, and there's plenty of room to lay it out anywhere," Jiraiya replied, waving a hand at the whole general room.

"Yeah, well... I guess..." Naruto muttered.

"Sumimasen(1)," Mariko called to the group, making everyone turn to her. "Would anyone like a drink?" she inquired.

"That sounds lovely," Kakashi replied, grinning under his mask.

"Got any sake?" Jiraiya mumbled.

Naruto frowned at him as Mariko brought over some wine glasses and filled them with a deep red wine. She bowed as she handed a glass to Sasuke, who, without even bothering to look up, gracefully took it in hand and took a sip. He nodded briefly and she bowed again before wandering back to the kitchen.

Kakashi and Jiraiya watched curiously, Naruto's eyes going to the TV where a ninja was busily kicking a samurai's butt- literally- into a koi pond. He was well aware how graceful and aristocratic his lover was. It was old news to him now.

"Dinner should be ready shortly," Mariko announced before returning to her work, occasionally taking a moment or two to lay out the table.

"Huh, looks like you really did get yourself a sugar daddy, hm, brat?" Jiraiya muttered to the blond.

Naruto promptly turned beet red. "Stop saying that!" he screeched, forcing Sasuke to look up from his book and scowl at the interruption.

"I'm just saying, brat, you're doing pretty well for yourself now."

Naruto looked at Sasuke across the room. He had gone back to his book, once more trying to ignore the two visiting perverts.

"Gotta admit, the guy has a lot going for him. Good looking, rich. But," Jiraiya continued, Naruto's eyes widening as they stared at Jiraiya, a little scared at what he might say. Was he going to reject Sasuke and force him to go back with them? Kakashi and Sasuke looked up as well, both waiting for Jiraiya to finish his thought. "Is he any good in bed?"

Naruto nearly fell over and Sasuke nearly started choking on his own saliva- not a good thing for an Uchiha. Uchihas were to always be calm and collected. But this guy really was a pervert.

"That isn't any of your business," Sasuke growled, not able to hold himself back this time. If he didn't want his own brother butting into his love life, he definitely didn't want this old pervert he didn't even know intruding.

"Not any of my business?" Jiraiya replied, standing to his full height and walked to the chair the Uchiha sat in, towering over him. "Such things are important you know. But more than that, you're forgetting something, Uchiha brat," Jiraiya growled. Sasuke flinched at what he had just been called, feeling the affront to his pride and position, but Jiraiya continued, "We have an interest in Naruto's happiness and safety, that if we don't think you're treating him right, Kakashi and I have the power to take that little blond idiot away from you, that you are at our mercy if you have any possibility of keeping him."

"Wha-" Naruto began.

But Sasuke beat him to it. He stood abruptly, book falling to the floor at his feet, and Jiraiya suddenly realized the Uchiha was at least as tall as he was, dark, intense, furious, eyes boring into his own. "You have no say whatever happens, and no right to intimate knowledge of our lives. If I want Uzumaki Naruto, then Uzumaki Naruto is mine. The only one who has any input in what happens between me and him is Naruto himself. I am only indulging you because he asked it of me. I really couldn't care less if you approve or not. It's too late. If you regret this all happening, you should have protected him better."

Jiraiya swallowed audibly, and Kakashi's cheerful face fell. No one moved or said anything.

Naruto bit his lip, eyes going from Sasuke to Jiraiya to Kakashi. It had suddenly turned devastatingly tense.

"Um," Mariko began, standing nervously by the table, "Dinner is ready?"


(1) For those who don't know, it means "Excuse me" or "Sorry for interrupting". That kind a thing