"That was one hell of an afternoon you subjected me to," said Naruto to Sasuke. They ended up going to the restaurant Naruto had been dying to go to for the 24 hours.
"I wanted to surprise you," said Sasuke sarcastically. "Do you know how much time it would have taken me to explain it all to you? I would have gone on my own if I could have."
Naruto did understand, but nonetheless, he pouted a bit anyway.
"So," Sasuke led, wanting to change the subject and perhaps the mood. "How is Hinata?"
"Oh, ah, she's good," Naruto answered.
"You've been spending a lot of time with her, especially since I've been with hanging out with Sakura a lot lately," noted Sasuke.
"Er, um, yeah, that's true," said Naruto hesitantly.
"Why are you so nervous? It's just the two of us talking," asked Sasuke. He could tell that Naruto was uncomfortable about something, but wasn't sure what it was. Why should he not want to talk about his girlfriend of all things?
"It's nothing," said Naruto flatly.
"What the hell?" said Sasuke annoyed. "All I did was ask about your girlfriend and now you're suddenly in a bad mood?"
Naruto didn't say anything for a moment. "Sorry," he finally said. "It's just that, well, there's been some things on my mind as of late and I'm not quite sure how to…well, how to get past them. In fact, last time we saw each other we had a big fight."
"Maybe I can help," answered Sasuke.
"Yeah, right," said Naruto. "You, the epitomy of confidence and experience."
"Experience with what exactly?" asked Sasuke. He was finally getting an idea what was bothering his friend.
"You know," said Naruto. "It's not exactly something people discuss out in public.
"Are you talking about sex?" asked Sasuke.
"Yes, and for your information, it's more than just that," said Naruto. "I mean, we haven't been dating all that long and it's not like I'm going to jump her or anything, but I don't have experience in anything! I feel like a total loser!"
"We all have to start somewhere, Naruto," said Sasuke. "Sounds to me like you are thinking too much...and Hinata isn't exactly an extrovert herself, either. I can't imagine she would ever take the lead. What are you two doing? Staring at each other?" Sasuke meant it as a half-joke, but still trying to get his point across.
"It's not quite that bad. But yes, you are right about everything else. She is not going to take the lead ever and I have no clue what I'm doing. So, we've kissed. That's about it," answered Naruto.
"I think this calls for some sake," said Sasuke. "You and I are going to have a nice, long chat."
"N-no, Sasuke, you don't have to do that. I'm sorry…I really don't want to…," said Naruto.
"I'm not giving you a choice, Dobe," Sasuke interrupted. "I know you are embarrassed, but even so, this is going to make things so much better for you. You are going to thank me afterwards."
Naruto sighed. He could tell when Sasuke was being pig-headed. This discussion was going to happen whether he liked it or not.
"Fine," said Naruto. "Can we please just wait until we're back at my place?"
"Agreed," said Sasuke.
OlOlOlOlOlO
The two teens entered the apartment. "I'm going to make some tea," said Naruto.
"Tea after sake? Ick," said Sasuke. "I think you'd better stick with the sake. I think it may make our discussion a little easier for you."
"Why do you say that?" asked Naruto.
"Let's just say you won't care as much what you say…and as I've said before, it's just me so you really don't have to worry about what you say anyway. The more you say, the more advice I can give," said Sasuke.
Naruto sighed again, grabbing two bottles out of the refrigerator. I…am…not…looking… forward…to…this…
"Here," he handed one bottle to Sasuke and sat down in the chair opposite of the couch Sasuke sat on.
"Now, where shall we start?" asked Sasuke in true psychiatrist form.
"You already know the problem!" shouted a frustrated Naruto. "Why am I even talking to you? You never had to go through this!"
"There, you are correct," said Sasuke. "But still, I don't know who gave you the idea that I was confident and experienced when it comes to this kind of thing."
Naruto stopped his pouting and whining and looked at Sasuke with very curious eyes. "You mean, you haven't…?"
"No, I haven't," said Sasuke. "Though I would guess I am handling things a little better than you."
"But you spent all that time with Sakura," said Naruto.
"Yes, we do spend quite a lot of time together. But I can assure you that I am just as much a virgin as you are…if that makes you feel any better," explained Sasuke. "You started dating Hinata before Sakura and I got together. It's not a race by any means, but why you'd think we'd rush into things like that? I don't want to screw things up with her. I want to take it really slow. My history is such that I don't want her to ever question being with me."
"So you're letting her lead the way?" asked Naruto.
"Pretty much," said Sasuke. "But I'm afraid that isn't going to work for you, Naruto. If you waited, Hinata would never make a move…at least not at first. Once she gets over her embarrassment, she may be a bit bolder behind closed doors, but I suspect you'll need to take the lead at first. She's probably getting angry because she won't take the lead, but neither will you. I bet you it's frustrating her as well."
Naruto realized that this conversation wasn't just between a much more experienced man trying to educate a much less experienced man, making Naruto feel insignificant and needy as he had feared…it was now a good friend who was in a similar situation as he was giving him open, honest advice. Naruto was much more agreeable to the conversation now.
"So what exactly is it like between you two?" asked Sasuke.
"Well, we hold hands, and hold each other as we watch TV. We always kiss each other good-bye," said Naruto.
"Is that it?" asked Sasuke.
"Pretty much," answered Naruto.
"From an outsider's point of view, I'd say that you have a lot more leeway there. Why not try kissing her when you aren't saying good-bye…and why stop at just one?" Sasuke asked. "That's what I would try first to move things along."
"What if she doesn't want to?" asked Naruto.
"Dobe, what's the worst thing that can happen?" asked Sasuke. "You two are obviously having problems with this."
Naruto didn't say anything.
"She could reject me," he finally answered. "Or push me away."
"And? If she's not ready, now you know. At least you can open up to her and talk to her about what you are feeling and wanting," said Sasuke. "Think about the rejection beforehand and be prepared for it. That way she can't surprise you with it and you can deal with it without being disappointed or defensive."
"I really like her Sasuke," Naruto added.
"I can tell," Sasuke answered. "But if you ask me, you are worrying for nothing. It's obvious she likes you a lot and you just have to get past this one hurdle."
The two friends spent the next two hours talking, mostly about lighter subjects than love and romance. Naruto ended up drinking a little too much and Sasuke happily took care of him by helping him get ready for bed and putting him down. Sasuke had already figured out that taking care of friends…and having friends to begin with…was far better than the alternative he had already experienced.
OlOlOlOlOlO
"Sasuke...," Naruto murmured.
Sasuke didn't answer.
"Sasuke, get the door," he said after waiting a few seconds. His head was killing him.
"Hm?" said Sasuke, barely awake having heard his roommate's voice.
"The door," Naruto said a little louder.
Sasuke moved slowly off his bed and put his feet on the floor. "Why do I need to get it?" he whined.
Naruto only moaned and put his pillow over his head.
Sasuke put on the same pair of pants as he had worn the night before (they were convenient to grab) and made his way to the door. He opened it and stared at the person who was knocking from the other side. Sasuke nodded to the person and closed the door again.
"Dobe, I need to go see the Hokage. Get up," said Sasuke.
"My head is killing me!" shouted Naruto from the underside of the pillow.
"I don't care. I'd go alone if I could, but I can't. I'm sure you don't need to see her, so you can lay back down on the bench outside her office," said Sasuke. "Just put on something that can be worn in public."
"Uhhhh," groaned Naruto, taking the pillow off of his head. "I'm never going to have sake again."
"You'll forget soon enough," said Sasuke. "Most people do."
Naruto finished getting dressed and Sasuke practically dragged him out the door and over to Hokage tower. He smirked a little bit when Naruto curled up into a ball on the bench outside of Tsunade's office. He stood in front of Tsunade's door and knocked.
"Enter!" Tsunade shouted from the other side. Sasuke entered and stood in front of her desk.
"Ah, Sasuke," said Tsunade. "Thank you for coming so quickly. I am sending you on a mission without your team."
"Without my team?" he repeated.
"Sakura isn't back yet from her medical mission and, frankly, I think the next step in your full integration back into the shinobi world is to start having you interact with the shinobi from the other hidden villages. I am sending Team Asuma and Team Kurenai to Suna to participate in some joint exercises with their shinobi."
"How long will the exercises last?" asked Sasuke.
"It says here...," she looked down at a scroll layed out in front of her, "...looks like about three weeks."
"Three weeks!" Sasuke said loudly.
"Is there a problem with that?" asked Tsunade, not expecting the sudden outburst.
I won't see Sakura when she gets back from her mission. Damn. "There is no problem, Hokage-sama. I just wasn't expecting it so soon," said Sasuke.
"You have been doing an excellent job reintegrating back into Konoha, Sasuke. From what I can tell, there is little to no resistance within the village with your return despite your earlier betrayal," explained Tsunade. "However, even if I were to allow you free reign of the village earlier than the full six months originally set, I am a bit hesitant to send you out on missions that involve shinobi from the other hidden villages until you have gained their trust back as well."
"I understand," answered Sasuke.
"Even though there is official peace between the five largest shinobi villages, Suna is still considered the closest ally the Leaf has and because of that, I want to send you with these two teams to work with the Suna shinobi and earn their trust back once again. I will be asking the Kazekage for a weekly report on his impressions of you while you are away. He will be watching you specifically. Please be on your best behavior," said Tsunade.
"Yes, M'Lady," agreed Sasuke.
Tsunade held out a scroll for Sasuke to take. "Give this to the Kazekage at the kick-off meeting for the shinobi exercises. This tells him everything I have already told you."
Sasuke took the scroll.
"Shikamaru will be your primary escort on this mission, but any of the shinobi from Konoha can fill that need. They all have, after all, been added to the list that I keep of those who have agreed to look after you."
OlOlOlOlOlOlO
Sasuke dragged Naruto off of the bench and headed back to the small dwelling they both shared.
When they got back to their place, Naruto curled back up onto his bed. "Sorry, I'm not much support today, Sasuke."
"That's ok," Sasuke answered, suddenly feeling a little more sympathetic to the blonde. Sasuke got some water and medicine for Naruto and set it by his bedside. "Here - this will help the hangover Drink all the water because dehydration makes it seem pretty bad, too."
Sasuke approached his belongings and started to pack.
"Are you going somewhere?" asked Naruto.
"The Hokage is sending me away for a few weeks with Team Asuma and Team Kurenai," said Sasuke.
"Hinata is going, too?!" It didn't take long for Naruto to make the connection.
"So glad you're going to miss me," added Sasuke since Hinata was obviously foremost in Naruto's thoughts.
"Sorry, Teme," Naruto said.
"I was just kidding. But yes, looks like Hinata will be coming with me to Suna to participate in the joint exercises with the Suna shinobi," explained Sasuke.
"Well, that sucks. And after all that good advice you gave me last night," said Naruto.
"I'm surprised you remember most of it," Sasuke joked. "We can only hope absence really makes the heart grow fonder...and this mission of hers will bring you two closer together in the long run."
"I'm still not happy about it," said Naruto.
"Since you have to escort me to the gate before we go, at least you'll get the chance to say good-bye," said Sasuke. "But do me a favor, would you? Explain where I am to Sakura when she gets back. It's going to suck not seeing her for over a month."
"Oh. Sorry, Sasuke. I didn't even think about that. And I was feeling bad about Hinata and me," said Naruto.
"Don't worry about it," said Sasuke. "We are shinobi after all. There are worse things in this world we've had to deal with."