"I don't care. You're enrolled here. Keep your grades up." Sasori poured himself a new cup of coffee from the small maker in his office and walked back over to his desk. Sasuke, defiant and rebellious, sat on it. It displeased Sasori but for some reason he expected it out of the young Uchiha. What was worse was Sasori was no longer in charge of Sasuke's finances and when he inquired the young man had been spendthrift recently and missed a payment on his black credit card, which he instructed him not to get. "Your teachers have been kind so far, but you need to learn that you have a responsibility to show up."

"How bad is it?" Sasuke asked. Sasori took a sip of the murky, hot liquid and raised an eyebrow. "My grade?"

"In Kisame's class you have a C-. You missed a test. There is a make up tomorrow you need to do otherwise you will fail it. His minimum grade is a B-." Sasori recited before opening his gradebook. He had already memorized what Sasuke needed to do. "If you fail it, you're out of the program."

"Out of the program?" Sasori nodded. Sasuke sighed. "As in try again next year or never again."

"It's technically just try again next year, but you'll have to write the essay and everything you didn't do this year. You'll have to apply. If you do well enough, you'll be selected." Sasori instructed and he heard a laugh. Sasuke hopped down and gave him a smirk. "Yes?"

"You and I both know I'll do well enough," Sasuke boasted confidently.

"No, actually. You have to do an interview with several teachers, and with your rotten attitude you'll be lucky to make it in." Sasori opened his grade book, found the codes for the missing assignments and plucked the pages from the stack of blank assignments. Sasuke snickered again. "Not only that I happen to know Kisame will take a personal offense if you fail his class."

Sasuke's expression dropped. "You can't be serious."

"I am." The dean explained. Sasori put the assignments in a nice, yet cheap yellow folder, and put the minimum grade requirements. Afterwards he stapled the bill from Sasuke's credit card to the top, all his loose spending and missed payment were highlighted. "Just because it's literally in your blood does not make you a sure-in. I would recommend you go study and be there at 8 AM."

"I have a class at 9." Sasuke grumbled. "Can't we-"

"Then take your test quickly," Sasori interrupted. "I'm not doing this to be cruel, this is simply the way things are. It's adulthood. I'm not giving you special treatment. In fact, the only reason you are able to redo any of your work is that Kisame was asked to put in a leave of mental health for you. And that was thanks to your brother. You only get one a year. Be very, very, thankful."

"Right." Sasuke took the folder and looked at the bill. He blinked several times and looked up at Sasori. The older man had a pair of scissors, handle out, offering them to Sasuke. It was the same thing every month. Before Sasori could tell him to cut the card in half he turned away. "Bye."

"Fiscal responsibility is one of the most-" Sasori's voice trailed off as Sasuke closed the door. He knew he wasn't being responsible but he didn't want to hear it again.

"Sasuke." He turned his head around and saw the thin, brunette Shizune standing there in a simple blue dress and a large binder in her arms. She scratched her face nervously. "Sorry to have eavesdropped, but I have the past two weeks notes."

Shizune opened the binder and pulled a good fifty pages paper-clipped together and handed them to him. "Are these a photocopy?"

"I keep the originals at my apartment just in case I have my backpack stolen again. You can have those." Shizune insisted. She pushed them forward and closed her binder seemingly nervous. It was quiet in the hall. Sasuke could lightly hear her heavier breathing. She wasn't all right.

"Thank you." He put them on top of his work and looked at her. "Do you just stalk outside his office?"

"I have a question for you. An outside class question, if it's all right?" Shizune shifted nervously. Sasuke nodded. "Well, Naruto mentioned to me that..."

"There you are, it's food time!" Naruto shouted. He jumped up and clung on Sasuke's shoulders hefting himself up. He looked over his fiance and saw Shizune and smiled. The woman smiled back.

"It's just past eight. We ate two hours ago," Sasuke reminded him, surprised. They already had dinner tonight, a medium pizza they each ate half of. "You're still hungry? Physically how?"

"Because I am." Naruto grumbled. Naruto gave Sasuke a look and glanced towards Shizune. He didn't understand. Naruto sighed. "Yea, I told Itachi we'd get food then help him with the barn."

Sasuke's eyes grew wide and he nodded, turning back to Shizune. "I'm sorry, Shizune. You know how Naruto is. What was your question?"

"I... It's silly. Sorry to bug you. Please forget about it." Shizune took a step back and shook her head.

"No it's fine. You can ask." Sasuke insisted. He put the notes in his bag and saw Naruto cross his fingers. More needed to be done. "Would you like to come have dinner with us?"

"What?!" Shizune slammed her hand over her mouth. She hadn't meant to make that much noise. She then laughed trying to cover her surprise up and waved it off. "I couldn't possibly-"

"Sure you can." Naruto stepped up and threw an arm around her. "Come on. We never get to hang out. I only get to see you for two or three minutes between classes it seems."

Naruto was already walking her out the door and Sasuke shook his head. He kept going on and by the time he stopped talking they were on the steps outside. Shizune looked behind at Sasuke who just smiled in a 'we win' way. Shizune sighed. "Well, if you insist."

"When women keep touching their hair like that, it means they like someone." Naruto chimed. They walked a good twenty paces behind Itachi and Shizune. She kept brushing the short bangs behind her ears. Itachi was showing off his property to her, all of it. They were in the last leg and slowly approached the house from the forest.

"I swear she was going to ask me about Itachi before you walked up." Sasuke whispered back. Itachi suddenly grabbed his neck and rubbed it while discussing the barn project they were working on tonight. "And he's touching his neck. He's nervous."

Naruto bounced a bit and leaned into Sasuke excitedly. "Should I just run up and ask if they're dating yet."

Sasuke shook his head and smiled. This was the best mood he had seen Naruto in since they were engaged. "Patience."

"Yea." Naruto threw his hands behind his head and watched as Itachi stepped out of the way. Shizune took the thin path around the little pond first and they could hear Itachi about the solar fountain he wanted to install in it. Soon the two were stopped by the pond discussing fountains, large grins on their faces. Sasuke stopped them to give the hopefully burgeoning couple some room. Naruto let out a little coo.

"What's up?"

Naruto sighed and leaned on his lover. He slid his hand down the tanned forearm and wrapped his fingers through Sasuke's. "Remember when we were like that?"

Sasuke shrugged. "Somewhat. It was a while ago."

"I want to go back to that." Naruto mused softly. He remember good days of Sasuke trying to impress him with stupid things. Naruto would do something stupid and Sasuke would laugh. They would hold hands without a cloud of sorrow or the feeling of distance. "I miss that."

Sasuke looked over at Itachi and Shizune. She continued to roll her locks between her fingers and giggle at everything. Itachi to scratch or touch his neck. "Being nervous around each other?"

"No, just enjoying being together." Naruto sighed and looked down. "Remember when it used to be so... natural? When it didn't feel like work?"

"We will work on that." Sasuke promised. He smiled and looked at the depressed mug that stared back. "It was pun, honey." Naruto sighed. Sasuke dropped his hand and walked into the large worn-down barn. He looked about and felt Naruto fall on his back, emotionally exhausted. The warmth of his touch soften his demeanor and he turned around. The blonde hair mixed with his black hair as Naruto rested on Sasuke's shoulder. "Do you need to go home, love?"

"No." Naruto dropped his body weight onto him. Hands ran through his hair. Lips caressed his neck. The gestures were needed. "I miss being this close."

"I'm right here," Sasuke murmured. Pulling Naruto off, they kissed. It had been a while since they had. The meaning was there, the love, the tenderness. Their lips seperated and grabbed again. Sasuke's fingers found Naruto's face and traced slowly down to his neck.

A loud throat clearing stopped them. Both looked over to see Itachi put his hand down from the noise. Shizune was behind him, her face red and turned away from the display. Itachi just shook his head. "Do you two need private time?"

"Sorry." Naruto laughed and pulled away. Itachi accepted this and showed off some of the more interesting things that were left behind, including some hundred year old tools and a broken horse plow.

Sasuke pulled Naruto over to what they were actually supposed to be doing: Working on replacing the rotten part of the frame. Sasuke picked up a sledge and handed it to Naruto. "Do you want to start with knocking out the back wall?"

Naruto's eyes lit up. "Hell yes."

Without warning, Naruto rushed over to the wall and bashed several boards out of place. There was a loud whine from the structure and Itachi rushed over putting a temporary support in place. "And they got started without me."

"Sasuke's idea." Naruto passed the blame and continued. He kicked a board off and the back and looked outside. There by the forest was a figure. In hiking boots, a winter camo print, and a white horse head mask with a flower crown. Naruto blinked. The figure raised it's hand and waved. It was gone with another blink. "Sasuke, there was someone out there"

"We'll be back in a moment." Sasuke announced. Itachi looked at them and rolled his eyes. "Calm down. Naruto wants me to go catch him a frog he saw."

The two went around back of the barn and then Naruto started running towards the tree line. "Now you have to find a frog." Naruto stopped by the first few trees. He looked about."There was a guy in white print camo over here and one of those realistic horse heads. He saw me see him, waved and then disappeared."

Sasuke began sniffing the area. There was something distinct. A scent that was largely different from the area, still human, but of pine and flowers. "Any idea who it was?"

"No." Naruto found a spot where his feet had obviously been standing and then looked up. There on a small branch were two lightly woven wildflower crowns. "He... he left us flower crowns."

"That's ominous or sweet." Sasuke looked around while Naruto picked them off the tree and set one on his head and one of Sasuke's head. There was a snap. Sasuke slammed his hand over Naruto's nose and mouth and closed his eyes. Everything, even the birds seemed to go silent. Sasuke gave it a little bit of time, while Naruto clawed at his hand fruitlessly. He was running out of air and Sasuke seemed aloof. Another little snap, but farther away now. Naruto punches Sasuke in the dick. He crumbled over a bit, his hands covered himself. "What the fuck?!"

"Next time, let me breath!" Naruto yelled back at him.

"I was trying to listen. He's still nearby," Sasuke whispered, trying to get Naruto to stop talking. He barely heard another stick breaking. It was closer.

"Now he can see how much of an asshole you've been! You don't just stop someone from breathing. Unlike you, I'm very prone to death!" Naruto continued. Sasuke couldn't hear anymore, the blonde's angry shouting had drowned out the other noise. "What on Earth made you think that cutting off my air was in any way a good idea? I'm your fucking fiancee and you could have suffocated me!"

"I'm sorry," Sasuke pleaded. Naruto groaned and stomped away. The raven haired young man stared into the woods. Nothing. He could hunt the person, but he had Naruto to consider now. Sasuke ran after him. "I really am sorry. I didn't mean to cut off your breathing. I was trying to make sure we weren't going to be attacked."

"This is the second time I've seen someone out here." Naruto didn't seem to care. His head stayed forward and slightly down.

"Same person?" Sasuke slid his hand into Naruto's and clenched. Naruto stopped. "It's rather important."

"No, I think the other had red hair." Naruto huffed. He took a moment to think. "Yes, red hair. Big and poofy. And I think he had tattoos. Was in black."

"Great. I wonder if it's the people who tore up the highway." Sasuke went quiet. His thoughts buzzed in his brain while Naruto pried his hand away. The Uchiha stopped him and kept his grip. "I'm sorry." Angry blue eyes glared at him. Naruto didn't want to forgive him right now. He wanted released. "Naruto. I am sorry."

"I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to watch your actions," Naruto said. He let Sasuke hold his hand, and even wrapped some fingers about him. "Your mutations let you overreact too much." The blonde patted his hand and they let go of each other. "You said you were going to go get a frog."

"Ugh." Sasuke closed his eyes and listened for a second. He was gone then back with a large brown amphibian in his hands. "Here."

"That's a toad." Naruto took the creature and petted him gently. The toad croaked and wiggled agitated.

"Sorry, I'm not a specialist," Sasuke groused. He wiped his hands on his pants and watched as Naruto gave the disgusting thing love and attention.

"I'll name you Ted, Ted the Toad." Naruto leaned down and set Ted on a nice large leaf. The toad leapt as far and fast as it could from its strange captors. Naruto smiled and raised his arms in the air. "Be free Ted!"

"That wasn't worth it." Sasuke grumbled. A loud crash filled the area. Naruto and Sasuke turned around and saw the barn, half collapsed. Sasuke was there in a blink of an eye and lifted up the still intact side. "Any survivors?"

"We're okay." Itachi called. A pair of small hands appeared and slowly. Shizune crawled out. A moment later Itachi followed, a small cut on his head. "It doesn't look like the barn is."

"Sorry, I swung too hard." Shizune admitted. She pulled him up and apologized again.

"No, no, it's okay." Itachi insisted. They went back and forth for a few moments until Naruto arrived and quickly grabbed a two by four and propped up the part of the barn that was still standing. The elder Uchiha sighed. "I guess that's one way to get up a new frame."

Sasuke wiped down the plate and put it in the cupboard. Itachi washed another and handed it to him. The dinner was nervous, but went well. Naruto, Sasuke and Shizune had expected to go out but Itachi insisted on cooking. It had been a while since any of them had a nice home cooked meal and Itachi wanted to rectify that. Sasuke took the last plate and sighed. "There was a guy out in the street, that's why Naruto and I walked away earlier. Naruto said he saw him, the man waved, and he disappeared."

"He said he saw someone out here the other day." Itachi started on the silverware and looked at his brother. "And yes, I believe him. I smelled someone in the area. So did Nagato."

"He said it was different from last time, a different person," Sasuke pushed himself up on the counter and watched as his brother finished the dishes.

"Don't tell me that." Itachi leaned his head back and took a few deep breaths. "Will this never end?"

Sasuke twitched his nose. He saw the cups on the table and quickly rushed out to get them. The young Uchiha brought them back and placed them in the sink. "I have to get going."

"Oh." Itachi looked down and grabbed a cup.

"Why? What's up?"

"Nothing." Itachi promised. He shook his head and placed the cup in the drying rack. He grabbed the next glass.

"All right." Sasuke leaned off the counter and then came immediately back with a shit eating grin. "It's because we're taking Shizune home, isn't it?"

Itachi spun and looked at him eyes wide open like he had been caught. The glass did not make it over the sink edge and shattered. Sasuke looked down at the glass, checked Itachi's hand, and watched his big brother wave him off. Itachi began picking up the shards. "You are too much sometimes."

"It's all right to be lonely, brother. You don't have to be."

"I destroyed his barn." Shizune whispered quietly. The young woman was quite nervous. Naruto had been the only one she told when she had developed feelings for Itachi looking after him. Now she had actually gotten her chance to talk to him and she did the worst possible thing she could imagine. "I feel like a failure."

"He's not mad, he stares really weird when he's mad. Plus, he's building it back up anyway," Naruto insisted. Naruto leaned in and added, "Trust me. He's put up with Sasuke for years now. What you did is nothing."

Shizune giggled lightly. Nodding, she adjusted her skirts and sighed. A hand out she turned to Naruto and heard the glass break. Shizune lost all her confidence and slunk down. "He is mad."

"He's not mad." Naruto promised. He sat forward and patted her head.

Sasuke came out and looked at the scene, one eyebrow cocked. Naruto waved it off and turned to him. "Come on, we've got to get going. I have a test to take first thing tomorrow morning."

"Oh right. You told me that." Naruto said and stood. Shizune stood up behind him with a loud sigh. "We've got to get you studying. You've missed too much."

The three got up and gathered by the front door slipping on shoes and grabbing their bags. It was then Itachi came out and Shizune panicked. She suddenly bowed down and screamed. "I'm very sorry I took down your barn."

"It's really okay." Itachi assured her. He scratched at his neck and tried to wave it off, but she muttered over and over again 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.' "It was going to come down. It's very much fine. You don't need to apologize."

"Well, I-" Shizune didn't get to finish her thought. She suddenly fell and thought she was going to crash into the floorboards. Her waist being yanked stopped that. She blinked and looked up as Itachi had grabbed her. She stood up bright red and pulled away. "I'm sorry."

"Are you all right?" Itachi asked, sparring an angry glare at his brother. Sasuke's smile didn't wane as he stood back up from literally pulling the rug out from underneath her.

"Yep. I just slipped." Shizune insisted and fixed her skirts one again.

Naruto grabbed Sasuke's hand and dragged him outside. There he growled at his lover. "Sasuke."

"Certain measures needed to be taken." Sasuke stepped off the deck and looked back inside. There Itachi and Shizune were still talking. He couldn't see Shizune's face, but Itachi was smiling with a nice rosy blush across his cheeks. 'I haven't seen it,' Sasuke read off Itachi's lips. He watched a little more and smiled. 'The black light sounds very interesting.' Sasuke turned to Naruto. "Well, that's improvement."

"Them talking?" Naruto asked. They entered Sasuke's corvette and waited. Slowly Itachi and Shizune stepped out onto the porch. 'I know it's all of a sudden and such and bluntness isn't-' 'No. I'm very flattered and it sounds like fun. I'd love to join you. Let me get my keys. They need to study.' "I forgot you could read lips. And now he went inside."

"He went to get his keys." Sasuke raised his eyebrows twice and laughed.

Shizune strolled over to the car, seemingly in a happy little daze. "Hey, I'm going to be getting a ride home from Itachi so you can just go right to studying."

"Okay. See you later," Sasuke cooed. Sasuke turned on the car and the two watched Shizune walk over by Itachi's car and wait. A moment later Itachi came out, his hair fixed, glasses and fiddling with his keys. The elder Uchiha gave them a glare as Sasuke started to pull away.

"So, who made the first move?" Naruto asked.

"I think she did. She asked him out somewhere," Sasuke informed him. He recited what he had read off the lips. "I guess we did well."

"Yes, I win." Naruto threw his arms in the arm and grinned widely at Sasuke.

"This wasn't a competition." Sasuke passed a glance to him and shook his head. A moment passed and Naruto was still in the same pose. He huffed. "Fine. You won."

"Suigetsu is such a pain sometimes." Sasuke slammed his dorm room door behind Naruto upset. He couldn't get Suigetsu to stop his music and he needed to study. Naruto handed him his books and they went down the hall and exited Sasuke's dorm.

"Honestly, just buy him headphones." Naruto insisted.

"I did." Sasuke grumbled as they crossed the small courtyard. "Three times."

Naruto opened the door to his dorm. Suddenly Sasuke's hand was in front of Naruto's face, a small paper ball in it. A bit of smoke began to rise from it and Sasuke tossed it in the wastebasket staring down some boys across the entrance.

They ran scared and Naruto sighed. "Can you not?"

"Not what?" Sasuke asked as they started up the stairs to Naruto's dorm.

"Not overreacting as normal." Naruto grumbled. There was yelling downstairs about a small fire. Naruto knocked, opened the door and saw his roommate laying on the bed. Gaara raised a hand and waved. "Hey Gaara. Can Sasuke study here?"

"No problem. I'm just waking up." Gaara lowered his hand and sighed. He turned his head over groggily. "Evening Sasuke. How are you doing?"

"Eh," Sasuke grumbled after a moment. He made Naruto's bed and sat down spreading his books out. The papers in a good place, Sasuke lost himself in his work.

"Sorry. He's under a lot of stress." Naruto whispered to Gaara as he helped the red head sit up. The comment earned another grumble.

"As is college. I take no offense," Gaara promised. He asked several small things of Naruto and they got him arranged, seated in his bean bag, with his laptop. The blonde then took up camp next to Sasuke with his gameboy and they were quiet for a long time.

Naruto's phone began going off repeatedly. Several messages from Shizune made him smile. He tapped Sasuke's shoulder and showed him picture after picture. It was Itachi and Shizune at an aquarium being wholesome together. Naruto watched the small smile creep onto Sasuke's face. "Our best idea yet."