Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Chapter 7: Necessities

"You're fucking insane." Sasuke looked at my grocery cart disgustedly as I threw more ramen packets inside.

"Shut up, I need these!" I answered. I double-checked the shelf to make sure I didn't miss any flavors.

"No, you literally don't."

"Yes, I do. Besides, I didn't say anything when you got so many tomatoes." I hissed.

"At least they're not something that has to be made in a lab."

"Don't tell me you're some sort of health nut or something."

"Better than being a garbage disposal like you." Sasuke snapped.

I sniffed. "Ramen is easy, cheap, and delicious! I don't know if you've noticed but I'm kind of on a budget here Bastard."

I squealed when I felt fingers sharply poke my sides. Sasuke tutted quietly, "For someone who eats like an animal, you seem rather malnourished."

"What would you know?" I glared at Sasuke but I knew he was right. I haven't been taking care of myself. Sasuke raised his eyebrows and gave me a patronizing look. I wanted to slap it off his face. Well, medical student or not, I didn't wanna deal with his bossiness. I childishly grabbed my shopping cart and left his stupid bastard self there to go look at the cereal.

After about fifteen minutes, we found each other, our shopping carts now full.

"Ready?" I asked

"Yeah." Sasuke agreed.

We paid our things and made our way back to the car

"You're going to fall and break your ass," Sasuke warned.

"Hehehe." I stuck my tongue out as I zoomed passed him, using my leg to push off the ground so that I could cruise on the shopping cart.

He did not look amused. I paid him no mind and helped put away the groceries in his car.

As we pulled out of the parking lot it suddenly came to me that I was missing some important necessities...

I sighed loudly. I kinda need those.

Sasuke gave me a brief look. "What is it?"

"Um, can we make another stop?" I asked hopefully. "I forgot I don't have uh, spoons."

Sasuke looked thoughtful for a second before nodding. "I need to buy something too."

Upon arrival at the enormous warehouse-like store, I got the cheapest plates, the cheapest silverware set, the cheapest cookware sets, the cheapest kitchen utensils, and was currently looking for any l other cheap appliance I could snag.

"Why are the microwaves so expensive?" I whined mournfully.

"Hn."

"It's not fair!"

"Hn."

"I really have to make my ramen in a pot now!"

I waited for Sasuke to say 'hn' like he was supposed to but turned around only to see him halfway down the aisle.

"Bastard, wait for me!"

I winced when I realized Sasuke made a beeline to the shelving units. I looked at my cart which was filled to the brim with all sorts of necessary things I need for my apartment. My money was already stretched thin, but I could scrape up enough to replace his bookshelf. I prayed he didn't pick one that was too expensive.

Sasuke reached out to grab a box containing a nice wooden unit. It wasn't the cheapest but it wasn't expensive, it looked sturdy. I nodded. I could pay for that.

I cleared my throat nervously, "I'll pay for-"

"Don't bother."

I felt my cheeks heat up. "Listen, I can afford-"

"I'm paying but you're going to help me build it. Even a moron like you can't mess that up, right?" Sasuke taunted, a hint of a smirk ghosting his lips before securing the box firmly and walking away.

"I'm not your slave!" I huffed, following him the register.

"You'd be a bad one." He retorted.

We paid for our things and managed to squeeze everything into his car. I secured my seatbelt only to be startled when my phone rang loudly from my back pocket. I noticed Sasuke's eyebrow raise and I promptly turned away from him and answered the phone.

"Erm, hello?"

"Is this Uzumaki-San?" Asked a smooth voice over the line.

I cleared my throat subtly, "Yes, I'm Naruto Uzumaki, who's this?"

"Hello, I'm Sai from the Konoha University Chronicle, I saw the note you left. I apologize for not being there in person, I had a few things to take care of. I assume Kakashi-sensei informed you about the photographer position?"

I nodded even though he couldn't see me, ignoring a small snort from Sasuke next to me. "Oh, yes, yes, I've dabbled a little bit in photography and Kakashi-Sensei insisted I look into it."

"We're in dire need at the moment so please do not worry about portfolios or resumes, I'll simply take Kakashi-sensei's word for it."

I couldn't help feeling relieved at that, I didn't really have much to show, all my projects were at Jiraiya's, they would have taken precious space in my suitcase.

"I wanted to inform you that we meet three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 6 pm." Sai continued quickly.

I frowned, "That's it? Only three days?" I asked.

Sai chuckled dryly, "Sometimes we hold emergency meetings on Saturdays, but yes, only three days a week for the most part. The meetings are mostly for organizational purposes, the real work lies mostly on meeting deadlines that can fall on any given day and time of the week. It is essential that we have finished and polished the work within the required time constraints."

I nodded stupidly again. Okay, that makes sense, especially since Kakashi said it paid well, It must be a lot of work…

"Of course," I answered firmly. Sai must've been satisfied with my response.

"Very well Uzumaki-san, I and the other team members look forward to meeting you tomorrow," Oh right tomorrow's Wednesday! "we'll discuss payment and other details then as well, yes?"

"Yes, that sounds great! Please have a goodnight!" I blurted out, excitement bubbling up in my belly.

There was a pause and then Sai's voice was back, "Have a goodnight as well Uzumaki-san, goodbye." The line made a click as the call abruptly ended.

I hummed happily. "A photographer," Sasuke repeated disinterestedly, finally pulling out of the parking lot.

"Uh-huh, for the University newspaper."

"I'm assuming it pays?" He asked although it didn't really sound like he cared.

Nodding, I looked at him curiously, "Mmhm, pretty good too, which is nice 'cause I kinda need the money ya know."

Sasuke said nothing and we remained silent for a while until curiosity got the best of me as usual.

"Do you work?" I asked.

"No."

"That makes sense, medical school must take up a lot of your free time and I'm gonna take a wild guess and assume you've got enough money to not work." I reasoned as I ran my fingers gently across the glossy finish of the car door.

"Hn." Grunted Sasuke, confirming my assumption. I smiled slyly at him and sighed wistfully.

"Must be nice to not have to worry about money..." Sasuke did not respond and like an idiot, I continued to run my mouth.

"I mean your parents must be super-duper rich and stuff." I chuckled good-naturedly, I wiggled in my seat uncomfortably but my smile didn't waver. I don't like this feeling, this ugly tension…why?

Sasuke's hands tightened on the wheel causing the leather to squeal softly under his grip. My smile wobbled. I made a brave attempt to continue the conversation, "Erm, say Sasuke, what do your parents do anyway?" Maybe I'm just imagining things.

The breaks suddenly slammed violently as we got to a stoplight, making a deafening screeching noise. I gasped as I careened forward, using my arms to catch myself before my forehead could smash into the dashboard. My heart raced and whatever fear I had quickly became anger. His mood swings are so unbelievable, it makes my head hurt.

"What the fuck is your problem you fucking Bast-"

"My parents are dead." Snarled Sasuke, breathing heavily.

I almost recoiled, but I was still furious.

"I don't give a fuck! Mine are dead too! You don't see me crashing a fucking car." I blurted out. Now we were both breathing heavily, thankfully the street was pretty empty and I doubted anyone really saw the mini scene we had just caused. I swallowed and glanced up to look at Sasuke, half of his face was illuminated by the red stoplight in front of us, the other half was shadowed, his eyes were unreadable.

"I see." He said flatly. My anger was evaporating and my breaths were evening out. Without thinking I held three fingers up to his face. If he was aware of them, he didn't show it.

"I was only three when they died, I don't remember them very well," I said quietly. Sasuke's stiff shoulders began to relax and his eyes closed briefly.

I continued talking softly, hoping I sounded as sincere as I felt, "I didn't mean to say that I didn't care, I'm sorry for your loss, I can relate to the feeling." I took a deep breath, "My parents died in a car accident, please forgive me if I overreacted, for the longest...t-time...I was really nervous of...being in c-cars and c-crashing, so I-I..." I cut myself off so that I'd stop choking on my words, and a little angry with myself for losing my composure. I brought my hands to my lap and my eyes slid away to stare at them, I didn't want to look at Sasuke anymore and I didn't really want him to see me either.

I felt and saw a cool, clammy hand reach down and hold one of my warm, sweaty ones. It wasn't gentle or tender. Sasuke held my hand firmly, almost painfully. If I had to guess, he was telling me to shut the fuck up, to quit blubbering, and that he was no longer upset.

Sasuke is not very nice at all.

When the light turned green, he was still gripping my hand.

End of Chapter 7

Hey...so...how ya'll doing? Sorry for not updating but I ain't giving up on this story, I promise. Hope you guys are safe and healthy. Please leave reviews and follows, they'll definitely motivate me :P I finally have a better idea as to where I want this story to go.