Tuesday rolled around pretty quickly after that. Naruto's birthday was also creeping closer as well. He grinned with excitement as he left the car, waving to Kotetsu before walking to the cafe.

As he expected, Sasuke was already there, reading a book and listening to music. Naruto strolled inside with his book bag hanging off his back before sitting in front of the pale boy, who finally noticed him as he sat down.

Sasuke pulled the headphones away from his ears and stuffed them into his messenger bag along with his book. "Hey."

"Hey," Naruto greeted. He noticed that Sasuke seemed to look a little awkward but took no note of it.

"Did you bring everything?"

"Yeah, yeah I did," Naruto said, digging into his own bag and pulling out a couple of books, large and small. He tossed them onto the table along with some paper and pencils. Sasuke passed Naruto the menu.

"Order something."

Naruto raised an eyebrow in confusion at the black haired teen in front of him before shrugging and taking the menu. He decided to go with a refresher, since coffee was not his cup of tea. Tea wasn't either, so he didn't choose that too. He looked up at Sasuke, who was already flipping through Naruto's textbooks. It was pretty strange to see Sasuke wearing casual clothing, but he figured he'd wear dark clothes anyway.

What Naruto was wearing was also pretty expected. He was wearing an orange hoodie, dark pants and sneakers. Common athletic wear, and that was because he was previously at basketball practice. A couple of minutes after the tutoring began, a beautiful waitress cleared her throat next to them. Naruto and Sasuke turned to look at her, and she smiled.

"Would you two like to order anything?"

"Yes," Sasuke replied. "A cup of oolong tea and a mango dragon fruit refresher, please."

The waitress blushed and nodded, recognizing which drink went to who in an instant. She ran off, squealing to her coworkers as Sasuke turned back to look at Naruto.

"Looks like someone has a crush on you," Naruto winked.

"What?" Sasuke asked.

"You surely can't be that dense, teme! She was practically drooling over you."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Stop changing the subject, you still have some more questions to do."

Naruto groaned and looked back at his paper. In truth, Sasuke's lessons were working wonders for him. He didn't know that someone could be such a good teacher without even saying much. As he finished the rest of his questions, he beamed and displayed his paper to Sasuke, who scanned it over with his eyes and nodded.

"All of them are right. I'm surprised."

Naruto cheered and held his paper up before sitting back down. "Aw yeah! I'm going to ace this test!"

A small smile crept its way to Sasuke's face. Naruto's smile was just so contagious. He tapped his nails on the dark oak table as he wrote down a few more questions and continued to explain the topic. Soon enough, the waitress was back with two cups on a tray. She set it down on the table and slipped a strip of paper on it. Before they could ask what it was, she blushed a deep red and ran off to the rest of the giggling waitresses.

Sasuke turned to look at Naruto, who was stifling a laugh. "What?"

"Look at the paper."

The Uchiha picked it up cautiously and read the string of numbers written on it. He rolled his eyes as his cheeks tinted a light pink and threw it in Naruto's direction. "Shut up. How do you know it wasn't for you?"

"She was looking at you the whole time! Plus, you're not half bad to look at."

"I-" Sasuke paused. Did the blond just call him attractive? "Whatever. Just finish your work."

Naruto chuckled as he grabbed his cup and brought it to his mouth. The refresher actually tasted really good. It was during mid-sip when he realized that he had called Sasuke good looking. He looked back at Sasuke to see the older boy blowing at his drink before taking a small sip with both hands. He watched for a moment, tearing his gaze away afterwards.

What the hell was happening to him?

"Hey, Sasuke.. I've been meaning to ask you something."

"Hn?"

"What's that book you're always reading?"

Sasuke sent him a confused look before his eyes lit up in acknowledgement. "Oh," he dug into his bag to pick up his book. "This?"

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto shifted, tilting his head to catch the name of it.

"It's Kill Shot. From the Vince Flynn series... It's the second book, if you're interested in it I can let you borrow the first one."

"Really, really? You'd do that?" Naruto beamed.

Sasuke looked away and nodded. "Yeah..."

Naruto gave him a genuine smile with closed eyes. "Thanks, teme."

"Tch, I let you borrow my book and you still call me that?"

"Hey, you should already know I use it as a nickname now."

Sasuke paused. Nicknames? Since when were they close enough to use nicknames? He guessed if they were meeting up with each other like this outside of school it would lead the blond to think they were well acquainted with each other. He ignored the giddiness rising from his stomach and pushed the textbook in Naruto's direction.

"Now study. Don't slack, moron."

"Got it, sensei!"

Naruto paced around in anticipation, waiting for his name to be called. He desperately wanted his tutoring sessions with Sasuke to be worth it. Juugo, his teammate on the basketball team, watched him with a worried look on his face.

"Naruto, don't worry. I'm sure you did fine."

"I'm failing, Juugo. I need perfect scores to get my grades as high as I can."

Juugo smiled reassuringly and patted Naruto on the back. Naruto knew the athlete wasn't a talkative person so he didn't mind the quiet. A minute or two later, Naruto's name was called and he sprung out of his seat and jogged over to his history teacher, Asuma. Asuma laughed heartily as he handed Naruto his paper.

"Good job, Naruto. Usually you get 60s in my class but this time you managed to raise it to an 85," he paused, letting Naruto take a look at the page. "I curved it upwards to a 90, think of it as a reward for your effort."

The blond grinned and continued to stare at his paper in disbelief. "I can't believe it! Thanks Asuma sensei!"

He practically skipped back to his seat in joy. Juugo was sitting there with a small smile on his face while his eyes followed Naruto's actions. Naruto mentally reminded himself to thank Sasuke for everything later. A 90 wasn't 100, but it was still amazing that his score went up so fast.

The bell rang when the period ended, and he was excited to let his friends know about it. The period was lunch now, and Naruto couldn't be bothered to be inside of the cafeteria. He pulled out his cell phone and texted the others that he'd be outside, to which they replied that they'd be going as well.

The air was crisp and refreshing, a sign of autumn. He sat down on a bench near the far side of the school. He was glad that Konoha High allowed students to exit during lunch, because the lunch there wasn't all that appetizing. Naruto couldn't even believe that lunch had to be paid for!

Soon enough, his friends arrived, but they didn't seem all too happy. Most of them, at least. Neji's face was still inscrutable and Shikamaru probably thought the entire thing was just a drag.

"Hey guys! I have something awesome to show you-"

"Save it, Naruto."

Naruto stopped, taken aback by the venom in Sakura's voice. Was she angry? What did he do? Countless accusations made their way through his head but he couldn't find an answer. His face remained quizzical as he waited for her to elaborate.

Ino was next to speak. "We're sure you had a lot of fun during your date."

Naruto furrowed his blond brows. Now he was really confused. "What date? I'm not dating anybody, and why would you care if I did?"

Shikamaru sighed and rolled his eyes, facing away from the commotion. He really didn't want to deal with any drama. Taking that as his cue to speak, Neji looked at Naruto.

"They mean Sasuke," he piped up.

Naruto's eyes widened in recognition. They must have been talking about their session in the cafe!

... Since when had they seen them?

"O- oh, haha," he chuckled in embarrassment and scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, he was tutoring me. I was actually going to show you guys my 90."

That earned a look of bewilderment from Kiba while the others kept their facial expressions rigid. Sakura's face bothered Naruto the most. He didn't like the way she looked so betrayed.

"Naruto... You know you could have asked anyone else, right? I would have been down to help you," Sakura started carefully.

"I- well, yeah, but he offered. And hey, it's working so far. See?" He showed her his paper once again, but was met with disapproving looks from everyone else. Was he missing something?

Ino was unnaturally silent as her face remained pensive.

"I don't think you're getting it," she finally said.

"Getting what?"

"The severity of what Sasuke did."

Naruto's eyes widened to the size of saucers. He completely forgot! He'd been so wrapped up in trying to get the male to warm up to him that he forgot to remember that Sasuke had cheated on Sakura like that. He wanted to say it wasn't his fault, because it was so easy to blame everyone else, but he knew he was in the wrong.

"Oh. Oh..."

Ino sighed. "Sorry, Naruto. I guess it wasn't fair that we didn't tell you the entire story. None of this must make sense for you."

Naruto knitted his brows as he settled down and sat to listen as everyone did the same.

"Story?"

Ino nodded while Sakura looked away. Even Shikamaru looked troubled as his leg began to bounce up and down. Naruto waited for the blonde to elaborate as he crossed his arms. He wanted to know their side of the story.

It was summer in Konoha City, and middle schoolers were scattering away from Konoha Academy. Friend groups went their separate ways as they walked in the directions of their homes. A familiar head of black hair caught Sakura's eyes, causing her to run in his direction.

"Hey Sasuke!" Sakura chirped as she made her way to hold his hand.

Sasuke's face was expressionless, but he managed to greet her and return the gesture.

"So, it's almost your birthday... I know you're not a fan of celebrating, but I still want you to be happy on it."

Sasuke gave her a puzzled look as she continued.

"Maybe we could go on a date! A special one..." She trailed off.

"Okay."

"R- really?!" She cried. She couldn't believe it! Sasuke was always one to refuse, so him agreeing like this was new to her.

"Yeah," he answered after a moment.

She giggled before resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm so excited for you, you have no idea. You're finally turning 13!"

Sasuke stiffened slightly, still unused to the contact even after two and a half years. Sakura noticed this, becoming a bit insecure as she pulled her head back and walked beside him.

"Yeah... I am."

She beamed beautifully and brushed through her pink hair as soft winds blew their hair back and forth. Sasuke had always been this way... Cold and distant, but she knew there was something in him that made him appreciate her.

The black haired boy walked her home, where they shared their last kiss for the day and parted ways. Sakura skipped to her bed and giggled as she brought the pink flower shaped piece of paper that Sasuke had folded to her chest. She was ecstatic to spend the rest of her life with him, and hoped that he felt the same.

Her mom then came in to remind her of her chores, which she gladly accepted if it meant she could see Sasuke for as long as she wanted.

She had always liked him ever since they met in the hospital when they were seven. Sasuke was sitting on a bench, folding paper while she waited for her parents to take her home after they visited her grandma. They hadn't talked, but she knew of him since Ino always talked about him. Ino had a massive crush on him, and she instantly understood why.

There was something so different, so attractive about Sasuke that no one could refuse to spend time with him. She continued to finish her chores and homework and continued to stay with him for a while.

Everyone thought of them as the perfect couple. The two most good looking and popular kids at the school, with the best grades and apparent lives, were all set for marriage. They were almost picture perfect...

Almost.

One day, Sakura walked past the lockers, ready to see Sasuke when she heard whispers about her coming from a different direction. Two random girls, girls she had never even met were talking about her and Sasuke. She stopped, and peered intently from the side of her eye, listening closely as they spoke.

"I can't believe it."

"She and Sasuke were such a good couple too.."

"With Ino?"

Sakura's heart was pounding against her ribcage now. What was going on? Why were people talking about her, Sasuke, and Ino? A churning feeling came to her stomach as she dashed through the hallways. She didn't want to acknowledge the suggestions her brain was giving her.

Soon enough, she reached Ino, who watched her cautiously. "Sakura... Before you say anything-"

"What the hell is going on? What's everyone talking about?!"

"- I just want to say I'm sorry about you and Sasuke."

...

"Wh- what?" Sakura's voice almost cracked, but she managed to keep it level.

"I.. Sasuke told me everything. I know you two wanted to keep it a secret, but..."

"Keep what a secret?! What the hell is going on?" Sakura repeated.

Ino looked away guiltily. "That you two... broke up. He said he had to let me know, since.. since..."

Sakura felt her heart shatter into itty bitty pieces. It wasn't at the fact that Sasuke had broken up with her, even though that broke her heart in a way nothing else could. It was because Sasuke had kept all of this from her. For Ino, her best friend.

"Ino..." She began, a darkness like no other appearing on her face.

Ino looked away. "I'm sorry. You know I've.. Always liked him, and I'm sure it doesn't bother you since it's been a while since you two bro-"

"Don't say it," she spat, her eyes betraying her action as tears leaked from them. Ino opened her mouth, but Sakura cut her off.

"I don't know if this is real or some sick joke you guys are playing. If it is one, then fuck, you'd better end it now."

Ino looked down to her feet. "I just don't understand, Sakura. You two broke up a while ago so I don't get why you're so upset-"

"I said don't say it!" Sakura yelled.

The blonde girl winced at the volume and stepped back. She didn't understand what Sakura's problem was since Sasuke had told her that the two of them were no longer dating. She didn't want this to come between her friendship with Sakura, though, so she looked up at the red faced girl in front of her with tearful eyes.

"I'm sorry! If you want me to break up with him... Fine. I just.. He said that you two were over and you just seemed so happy recently so I figured..."

"I was happy because I was preparing shit for his birthday! No one told me anything about us breaking up! He and I literally kissed like two days ago!"

Ino's eyes widened at her statement. "... What?"

They stood looking at each other with shock evident on their faces. They both seemed to be missing parts of what really happened.

"But Sasuke... He told me..."

Sakura stepped back once, then twice, and spun on her heel before running off to find Sasuke. Ino shouted her name and ran after her as anger surged through her body. She wasn't going to let Sasuke hurt her any more than he had already. Passers stopped to check out what was causing the commotion.

Sasuke was in the lunchroom with girls crowding around him. They seemed to know all about his supposed break up with Sakura. The two girls were about to storm over when Shikamaru made his way over to them.

"The hell is happening?"

"Not now, Shika."

Shikamaru stood back next to Choji, who had a concerned look on his face. They had also heard about the break up, but it just made no sense to them. Sasuke and Sakura were just fine a couple of days ago.

Sakura made her way past the girls, who noticed her and stepped back to see what was going to happen now that both Sakura and Ino were there. As expected, Sasuke was sitting there with his eyes glued to his phone, obviously not paying attention.

"Sasuke Uchiha," Sakura seethed, anger bubbling up slowly but surely as he turned his head to face her.

"What?"

"Stand up." He looked up at her, a strange, dazed look on his face as he faced her. He stayed put, watching her face turn even redder.

"I said, stand up." The serious looks on each of their faces were what made him comply. He wasn't exactly looking to start anything. He stood silent as he waited for them to speak.

"What the fuck is your problem?" Ino began. "Who do you think you are, starting that kind of shit with us?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Sakura scoffed and glared at him. "Well, let's start with us breaking up. Without me even knowing."

A strange look appeared on Sasuke's face, but it was replaced with indifference a second after.

"I didn't-"

"Don't lie to me!" Sakura shrieked, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. Sasuke was obviously uncomfortable now, he still wasn't used to being the subject of curiosity.

The lunchroom was quiet now, everyone kept their gazes on the three figures that were causing a commotion.

"I can't believe this, what the hell is wrong with you?! I was preparing for your birthday, your fucking birthday restlessly, and you pull this shit while I'm not looking?!"

"You really thought this was going to work, Uchiha?" Ino spat. "Sakura and I are best friends. As if I'd let you cheat on her, much less with me."

Some gasps were heard from girls and boys alike. No one would have expected that. Sure, Sasuke was a bit of a troublemaker, but cheating just didn't seem like something he'd do.

"I wouldn't cheat on her if I wasn't dating her to begin with."

The words barely registered in her head as Sakura brought her hand across his face, the sound of a loud smack bouncing off the walls and into everyone's ears. Sasuke fell back on his chair, stunned. Tears streamed down Sakura's face. She didn't want to hear any more from him.

"Was all of this a joke to you?" Her voice finally broke. Everything that she had gone through with Sasuke just seemed to dissipate.

"It's never even crossed my mind."

Naruto's face was sullen as Ino neared the ending of her narrative. He couldn't believe that Sasuke had really done that, and from what he was hearing, he and Sakura's relationship had already seemed strained before the break up. Or... Whatever it was.

"Sasuke moved a couple of weeks after that. No one really knew what happened until the news announced that Uchiha Corp's headquarters was being rebuilt in Kyoto," said Shikamaru.

"I... wow," Naruto didn't know what to say. All of this new information about Sasuke confused him. Was Sasuke good or bad? His brain shouted at him that he was bad, but his heart wanted to continue trying to get the black haired Uchiha to accept him.

Sakura sighed. "We're not saying that you have to stay away from him at all costs, it's just-" she paused before adding, "we want you to be careful around him."

Naruto nodded dumbly and looked down. "You mentioned that he was some sort of troublemaker. What did you mean?"

Neji shifted, standing up a second later as the bell rang. "Eh, he was pretty much the resident bad boy of the Academy. It's pretty shocking how he managed to do all that and still get good grades."

Shikamaru snorted. "Not really, everyone knows he got a free pass 'cause no one wanted to go against his dad. Plus, it was entertaining to see him call a bunch of girls ugly."

Naruto smiled softly. Of course Sasuke would do something like that. The smile quickly faded when he remembered Sakura's warning.

A couple of minutes later, the group split up and went in their own directions. Naruto clasped his hands behind his head as he walked to the back door. His class was near it, so it was easier to enter from there. What he wasn't expecting was to see Sasuke with a smoky cigarette in his hand.

"Sasuke?"

Sasuke didn't hear him, his attention was currently directed to his book and music was blaring loudly in his ears. Naruto grimaced when he realized that even he could hear the muffled music, even though the earbuds weren't even in his own ears. He tapped Sasuke on the shoulder, earning a flinch from the teen.

Sasuke eyed Naruto before pulling the buds from his ears and raising an eyebrow.

"What?"

Naruto frowned. "You know that's bad for you, right?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes and took another drag. "Whatever. It's none of your business."

"Jeez, the least you could do is thank me for worrying."

"There's no point. It's not like I was forced to do it."

His lips twisted as he brought his hands to his sides. "You should probably stop. You'll die of lung cancer."

"Everyone dies at some point."

"Ugh, you make things so difficult, you know that?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes and dropped the cancer stick on the floor before stepping on it and pressing it into the ground. "That sounds like something you should sort with yourself. Also-" He reached into his bag and pulled out a rectangular object and handed it to Naruto.

"Here."

Naruto's face lit up. It was the book! Sasuke had actually remembered to let him borrow it. "Gee, Sasuke, thanks."

"Mhm, now go to class."

"Teme! What about you?"

"It's my free period."

Naruto quieted for a moment and looked at Sasuke. He didn't want the raven to continue killing himself slowly, so he inhaled and grasped Sasuke's arm.

"Walk with me. I want to show you something."

What a long chapter. Well, I hope it did well in explaining more about the past! Again, I hope whoever reading this is smart enough to understand the warnings for this work. Not much has happened now, and I'm not sure if it will, but if anything does happen, that's why the warnings are there. So please be smart about this and be careful.

(Also, if anyone wants to read this on AO3, it's there under the same username, honeybunaddict.)