A/N: I'm an avid cook, and I'm a really good cook, but I always wind up hurting myself! As I was chopping up vegetables the other night, I involved my thumb and now have a huge and DEEP gash! It's seriously slowing down my typing. T^T

And I've been fooling around writing this Peter Pan-esque story about Naruto and Sasuke instead of focusing. -_-

Keeping Busy

At lunch, Kakashi called Sasuke to one of the private sparring rooms. His guardian was waiting for him, and Sasuke blinked to see two other students with him. He recognized both of them as Naruto's friends, but he only knew Kiba. Kakashi motioned him in and removed the band still around his wrist.

"I'm going to work intensively with you for the next week," the man said, nodding toward the two other teens in the room, "on a technique that's never been mastered by a single Coordinator. I think you have what it takes. Do you know Kiba and Shikamaru already?"

Kiba grinned at Sasuke, but the other Controller gave him a look best described as bored and neutral.

"Hi," was all he said.

"Hi," Sasuke returned, slightly uncomfortable. Then to Kakashi, "What technique?"

"Partnering with two Controllers at once," Kakashi replied.

Sasuke almost swallowed his tongue. "Two? At once? I thought . . . isn't that . . . impossible?"

Kakashi snorted. "Yes. It is impossible. Normally. I like challenging the rules. Thanks to Kiba's very rare form which doesn't require you to wield, I think it just might be possible. Why don't you link up with Shikamaru first. You two have never paired up, but based on your individual strengths and weaknesses, you should be a highly compatible match."

Perfectly willing to throw himself into anything that would distract him, Sasuke held out his hands to Shikamaru. The other teen took them and practically yanked Sasuke around, as rude an invitation to partner as Sasuke had yet received. A little nonplussed, Sasuke nevertheless opened himself up to initiate the link. Shikamaru transformed at once.

Now holding a long black quarterstaff, Sasuke studied the length. The surface felt much smoother than wood, but it was far lighter than metal. The staff was so matte black it reflected no light at all.

Kakashi nodded to Kiba. "Now, do the same with a second Controller."

Sasuke looked at Naruto's best friend, not at all sure about this. Linking up with a Controller felt like opening up a space within himself that had room for only one partner. Still, he held out the hand not holding the quarterstaff. Kiba took it and wrapped himself around Sasuke from behind.

"If we can pull this off," he all but purred in Sasuke's ear, "it will be the most awesome fucking thing The Academy's ever seen."

A sentiment with which Sasuke rather agreed, but he still had doubts. Even so, he gamely attempted to open himself up and initiate a second link. Like he'd expected, nothing happened. He couldn't even detect Kiba's chakra to link up with.

"Geez, this is dumb," Shikamaru said abruptly. "There's no way a Coordinator can link up with two Controllers. It's just impossible."

Sasuke looked helplessly at his guardian. "I don't know how," he admitted. "I can't sense Kiba now that I'm linked up with Shikamaru."

"I guess you could try linking up with us at the exact same time," Shikamaru said, sounding like he didn't remotely care if it was a good idea or not.

Blinking, Sasuke relayed that to Kakashi.

Who frowned thoughtfully. "Hm. Well, actually, that could work. Go ahead and give that a try. Shikamaru, Kiba, your timing will have to be perfect if this idea is to have a chance."

Sasuke unraveled his link to Shikamaru. The two Controllers faced him, each holding one of his hands. Hesitating, not quite sure how to proceed, Sasuke glanced between them. Normally, a Coordinator reached out to a specific individual to initiate these links. Maybe if I just sort of . . . hold myself open? Then maybe if he could sense both of them he could try channeling to them both at the same time.

Mind made up, Sasuke channeled his chakra without a destination. It felt like preparation for a normal jutsu.

Kiba reacted first. "Okay, I can feel you. Shika?"

The slightly shorter teen nodded. "Yeah."

"On the count of three?" Kiba suggested.

Another nod, still with the bored expression. "Yeah."

"One."

Sasuke took a deep breath.

"Two."

He closed his eyes so nothing could distract him.

"Three."

Two different sets of chakra grasping for him. Sasuke tried to accept both at the exact same second and initiate the link. Surprisingly enough, the trio fell into alignment as if they'd succeeded.

And perhaps unsurprisingly, the shock that rewarded his efforts left him completely winded. It felt like his chakra channels had been turned into a giant sieve, and all his energy drained away. It was an immensely unpleasant sensation, and he felt himself sagging to his knees.

Neither Controller let go of him, the pair supporting him as their burgeoning link cut off.

"You okay?" Shikamaru asked, sounding almost concerned.

Right on top of Kiba's, "Shit! I actually felt myself transforming! If we could work on this some more, I think you could actually do it, Sasuke!"

Managing to clear away the growing cobwebs by shaking his head, Sasuke straightened. "Something happened midway through," he said with a pensive frown. "It felt like we started out right, but something changed."

Shikamaru nodded. "I think since none of us knew quite what to expect, we weren't paying attention. If we focus more, I think we could do it."

At this, Kakashi stepped in. "All right, I'm satisfied. The purpose of this exercise was to see if it could be done. I think Sasuke just proved he could do it. We're going to switch tactics now. Kiba, Shikamaru, you two will take turns partnering with Sasuke for as long as he can maintain your link. I have a feeling once you three start working better together, you might just be able to do it. So go ahead and pair off however you like. I'll be your opponent."

"Awesome," Kiba said with a wide grin.

A sentiment with which Sasuke did not agree. In no way had he forgotten his last so-called spar with his guardian. Kiba wanted to go first, and neither Sasuke nor Shikamaru had any complaints.

Well, none that Sasuke voiced aloud. Kiba's unique form meant he would have to resort to melee attacks, which meant he would have to get closer to his guardian than he wanted. He shifted his thinking. This attention he's giving me will just help me progress all the faster so I can go after Itachi.

For that end, he could endure.

~o0o~

Tsunade, Naruto had long decided, was amazing. Thanks to her incredible skill, Naruto was actually learning to control his third volatile form. Each time they linked up, he gained more confidence. With confidence came the daring to try new things, and with each new thing he tried the more skilled he became.

And the Director was quick to praise his growth.

"You're improving by leaps and bounds," she told him, grinning like a proud parent. "I don't know that we've seen such rapid growth in someone who started with such low numbers."

Naruto beamed her a million-watt smile. "Not even Kakashi-sensei?"

She chuckled. "Kakashi started out at the top of his class, so that's comparing apples to meat pie."

He pouted. Then straightened. "He's my personal goal. I want to defeat him!"

Looking amused, Tsunade folded her arms. "Why him?"

"Because he just started out brilliant," Naruto said, making a face. "It's not fair he gets to be the best without working hard for it!"

"Well," she said, tapping her chin, "Kakashi wasn't the most brilliant Controller The Academy's ever seen."

"What! Really? Who was?"

She gave him a funny look. "I would've thought you knew. Itachi Uchiha."

Feeling like the bottom had dropped out of his stomach, Naruto stared at the wall past her. Oh. Right. Him. It wasn't in his nature to hate people, let alone someone he'd never met. But that could be the only word strong enough to describe the level of his feeling toward that man.

"He can't be my goal," he said softly.

"Oh?" she inquired, voice a little gentler now. "Why is that?"

"Because I don't want to defeat him. I want him . . ." he trailed off, realizing he'd been about to say, I want him dead. That seemed far too hateful, despite how he felt. "Thrown away somewhere dark and hellish where he'll never escape or see the light of day again," he finished. Which didn't seem severe enough.

A strong hand squeezed his shoulder. "You aren't the only one." Then, "You really care about Sasuke, don't you?"

"Yeah." Then he gave her his trademark fox grin. "I'm gonna run. I want to get in some practice with a couple of my new friends."

"Have fun," she said, "and remember what I said about your third form. Don't be afraid to use it. The more you do, the better you'll get."

He gave her a half smile. "I'm not quite ready to use it with the other students. Not yet." He trotted to the door, throwing a wave over his shoulder. "But I will soon!"

Her chuckle followed him out.

First things first, Naruto sought out Kiba, Shikamaru, and Choji. The former two were nowhere to be found, but Choji he found eating dinner with Sakura, Ino, and Hinata. Grinning, he plopped himself down with them.

"Hi, Naruto," Sakura said with a smile. "You done practicing with Tsunade-sensei?"

She really was, Naruto thought somewhat absently, a very pretty girl. "Yup! You four hurry up, let's go to the sparring arenas. I really wanna go head to head with Gaara and Suigetsu. Gaara somehow convinced that asshole Neji to spar with us, too. And I really wanna kick his ass."

Sakura and Ino glanced at each other with a frown.

"Why don't you like him?" Ino asked.

"Have you seen him?" Naruto demanded. "He's a prissy jerk. And he's rude to Hinata, which is just bullshit."

Hinata blushed. Then she handed him the cupcake on her tray. "He just wants me to be my best," she said softly.

Naruto swiped the cupcake. "He's just a jerk," he insisted. Remembering himself, he grinned at Hinata. "Thanks. I love sweets."

"Yanno, Sasuke's a great cook," Suigetsu's voice said.

Startled, Naruto looked up at one of his newest friends, eyes wide. "Wait, what? Sasuke can cook?"

"Hell yeah, he can!" the Coordinator said. "He makes the most sinful brownies anyone's ever tasted."

Naruto frowned. "I've never seen him eating sweets."

"Oh, he wouldn't," Suigetsu said. "Hates them, in fact. But he's such a sweetheart he bakes them for me and Jugo. We love 'em. Oh, have you met Jugo, Naru? My god, I've never introduced you. Some friend I am! Well, I'll fix that right away! C'mon, handsome. I want you to be my partner for our little free-for-all this evening!"

Across the table, Hinata opened her mouth and closed it without a sound.

"You guys done?" Naruto asked, rising.

"We've been done for an hour," Ino said. "Me and Sakura were making bets on how many plates of food Choji could eat without stopping."

Naruto snorted. "C'mon, then. Let's go!"

It took a little persuading to peel Choji away from his food, but Naruto managed. The friends headed to the sparring arena. When they arrived, Gaara and Neji were there waiting. Choji trotted ahead.

"Wanna partner with me?" he asked Gaara.

With a start, Naruto realized he hadn't yet seen Choji partner with anyone. His large-boned friend always snuck in practice when his friends weren't around. Eager to pair off against him, Naruto slung an arm around Suigetsu's neck.

"Sweet! Neji, you're getting your ass handed to you today."

The pale-eyed guy gave Naruto a look so condescending it felt like a physical thing. It put Naruto's back up, and he glared at the older teen. What's the matter, asshole? Don't like that I'm getting closer to your friends? That I matter so much to Sasuke? Worried I might pull him out from under your thumb?

Suigetsu, Gaara, Choji, and Naruto headed to one of the empty mats, and Naruto smirked to see a gathering of first years instantly congregate to observe. These mock-battles were getting a lot of attention from other students. Neji followed them with his Controller, a slim and short girl Naruto had seen but never met.

She was kind of cute, her chocolate-brown hair arranged in two buns on either side of her head. And though she had a sort of studious look she didn't seem like a snob. Which made Naruto wonder how she'd wound up bonded to Neji.

"Gun form," Suigetsu requested as Naruto took his hands and embraced him from behind.

"You got it," Naruto said with a grin.

The three Controllers transformed. Choji's form, though Naruto had seen it before, still managed to impress him. Unlike Naruto, he stressed defense. Gaara now held an enormous shield with a rounded face. It looked like a large half-sphere, and it covered most of Gaara's entire front. It wasn't entirely defensive, though. The shield was studded with what looked like little metal balls.

Tenten's form was significantly less . . . solid. She'd transformed into what appeared to be a long scroll, ones used in summoning jutsus. Longer than Neji was tall, she spiraled around him without him touching her. Wildly curious what she could do, Naruto powered up the barrels of his gun but did nothing more than that.

Suigetsu took the offensive. Channeling chakra to his feet, he sprang high into the air. He fired all three barrels. Naruto's control had improved so much little chakra was wasted, and Suigetsu combined it with his own. The three round shots lengthened into long spikes, two driving toward Neji and one toward Gaara.

Choji covered his shield form with his orange chakra, harmlessly deflecting the blast away. This, Naruto thought, was probably the only defensive shield he'd ever seen more effective than Sakura's chakra shield.

Neji simply vanished.

Less than a split second later, displaying dangerously remarkable speed, he appeared right behind Suigetsu with a kunai dagger in his hand. Naruto, however, had never been faster. Even so, he only barely managed to send the spikes off his barrel and connect them with his chakra to form a shield.

"Shit, he's fast!" he grunted.

Suigetsu grinned. "He is the best. Watch and learn."

Pale violet chakra rose from Suigetsu in blade-like tendrils. Naruto powered up his barrels again, deciding Neji deserved to be the first to witness a new attack. On the ground, Gaara observed them, appearing to be biding his time. More focused on kicking Neji's ass, Naruto didn't pay too much attention.

Neji landed, and his eyes went all weird.

"That's Byakugan," Suigetsu warned. "It's even better than Sharingan at detecting chakra. We'll have a devil of a time getting the drop on him with that activated."

Neji finally took one end of Tenten's scroll. He began to spin it around him, and it began to glow with the Controller's yellow chakra. A moment later, probably three dozen throwing stars and kunai suddenly flew at both Coordinators. The speed was incredible, and Naruto could see each one glowing with the pale lavender of Neji's chakra. He had a feeling they would deliver that potently dangerous Hyuga clan ability to disrupt chakra.

Now was as good a time as any. Gaara immediately formed his persistent sand jutsu, and the sand protected him from the barrage. Naruto, however, powered his barrels further. Instead of three shots, however, a beam of angry red chakra burst from the barrels. And rather than firing straight down at Neji together, they each angled in to a focal point.

The result was a sudden curtain of shimmering red that swept across the mat in a burning, destructive wave. Each one of Tenten's summoned weapons incinerated, and the force of the attack shattered Gaara's sand jutsu. And the speed with which Naruto attacked forced Neji to abandon the defensive. The scroll whipped around him, the space between the curls filling with Tenten's chakra.

Even her attempt at a shield was insufficient. It hurled the pair back so hard their link unraveled. Tenten stared up at him in shock.

"Oh, man!" Suigetsu crowed. "I guess that's what you get for not taking us seriously, Neji!"

Neji's face contorted into an ugly snarl, and he grabbed Tenten's hands. She transformed, and Neji instantly vanished. This time, however, Naruto was prepared. The chakra between the spikes of his shield wavered, going soft and liquid. The second Neji reappeared, Naruto thrust the spikes toward him.

Lightning quick, Neji let go of Tenten's scroll and formed a quick seal. Lavender chakra blazed around his hands, and he made a series of rapid slashing motions. He literally cut through Naruto's chakra, causing the spikes to scatter. Shield thus diverted, the older teen slashed down at Suigetsu while simultaneously completing the summoning jutsu for Tenten's kunai and throwing stars.

Suigetsu, still wearing a manic and excited grin, didn't attempt to dodge. His own signature jutsu was still active, and whips of violet chakra lashed toward the older Coordinator. It forced Neji to defend, and Naruto instantly recalled his spikes. He linked them up with his chakra and formed one great big spike, driving it right toward his opponent.

Neji seemed determined not to make the mistake of underestimating him twice. Instead of trying to deflect a more destructive chakra, he vanished again. He reappeared high above them, twirling Tenten in a spiral all around him, free hand forming a quick seal. At least thirty kunai shot down toward Naruto and his Coordinator, this time burning bright yellow with Tenten's chakra. Lavender swirled within the yellow.

Naruto reformed his spiked shield in front of and on either side of Suigetsu, and his Coordinator made another seal to create more whips of his chakra. They lashed toward the summoned knives to slap them out of the air.

Only then did Naruto notice each knife was still connected to Tenten via an impossibly fine thread of her chakra. The kunai evaded Suigetu's jutsu and continued toward him. Suigetsu didn't give up, but some of the kunai embedded themselves into Naruto's spike shield.

Then they exploded.

Technically, the chakra wrapped around them burst. It felt like nothing Naruto had ever experienced. His shield unraveled, the spikes falling to the mat below. Neji immediately moved, and faster than Naruto could even blink he appeared right in front of Suigetsu. With those incredibly fast motions, he slashed through Suigetsu's whips of chakra and slapped the flat of his palm against Suigetsu's wrist.

The younger Coordinator let out a choked grunting sound, and his sudden pain reverberated through Naruto. Before he could begin powering up his attack, their bond unraveled. The pair went down, and Naruto put an arm around Suigetsu's shoulders. The Coordinator clutched his wrist, breathing hard.

Anger boiled up in Naruto. He glared furiously at Neji, still hovering a good three meters off the ground. "What the fuck did you do that for?" An attack like that, though seemingly mild, would leave Suigetsu unable to use his hand to form seals for at least a week.

"If you're unprepared to get hurt during sparring," Neji said in an infuriatingly pompous tone, "you should go home. We're training to join the Imperial Army."

"And Suigetsu isn't your enemy!" Naruto growled, red beginning to tint his vision. "Sparring is supposed to help us get stronger, not be an opportunity to wound each other!" The last words were almost an incomprehensible snarl.

"It's fine, Naru," Suigetsu said. "Don't get so angry."

Naruto ignored him, a fine red mist surrounding him as he clenched his jaw until it ached. I'm going to teach you a lesson, you fucking self-satisfied asshole. His chakra blazed along its channels inside him, so hot it hurt, and it only fueled his rage. Pouring it into the soles of his feet, he lunged.

To all watching, it seemed as if he vanished into thin air, leaving a burned impression in the mat.

Snarling, lips peeled away from his teeth, Naruto pulled his fist and slammed it down as hard as he could. Chakra blazed around it in a seething cloud. For all his superiority, Neji almost didn't see it in time. Even so, he only managed to partly avoid the blow. It still clipped his upper arm, sending him flying. He did manage to land on his feet and maintain his link with Tenten.

She curled around him, reforming that yellow shield.

Naruto didn't give them time to regain their composure, appearing right above them and slamming his fist down once more. Neji started forming a seal, seeming to think Tenten was strong enough to stop the attack.

Blistering red chakra tore through it more easily than a child shredding paper. Tenten let out a yelp as their link severed and she couldn't keep her transformed shape. Neji threw himself forward, and Naruto's fist slammed into the mat. The white-hot force instantly burned the springy material away, blasting a large crater in the floor.

And still Naruto launched himself after Neji. Only now did he seem to realize the danger.

"Stop!"

Blink. The impression of a hard blow. A cooling sensation.

Naruto looked up to see three instructors standing between him and Neji. Frightened students had plastered themselves against the walls, staring wide-eyed at Naruto. The pit in the floor was half as big as the entire mat. The Director and Assistant Director looked ready to bodily block him, Tsunade especially looking troubled. The third instructor, Program Director of the jutsu specialization program, helped Neji to his feet. Naruto remembered Orochimaru-sensei had graduated the same year as Tsunade.

Grimacing, Naruto slowly stood up. The back of his head and neck felt bruised, but he couldn't remember feeling the knock to snap him out of it. He couldn't ever recall ever coming so close to losing control.

"Come with me," Tsunade said. "Shizune, will you stay and make sure no other students are seriously injured?"

Meekly, Naruto followed her. Orochimaru fell into step beside her, and the pair led him to her large office. Tsunade sat at her desk, Orochimaru turned and leaned against it. His strange, golden eyes (rather serpent-like, giving him a very narrow face Naruto couldn't decide if was freaky or kind of attractive) appraised the teen for a few moments.

"Why were you so angry?" he said in a slightly raspy voice.

Naruto looked between the two. He knew they were part of a trio widely considered the three best Shinobi in the Imperial Army. Uncomfortable to say the least, he shrugged.

"I . . . I'd rather not say."

"Were you trying to prove you were better?" Tsunade demanded.

"Or was your motivation something more like jealousy?" Orochimaru added.

Folding his arms, Naruto gave them both a glare only a bit sulky. "No. I mean, sure. He's a total ass. But I wasn't jealous. What would I even be jealous of?" He gave Orochimaru a challenging look.

The man smiled, and it was definitely more freaky than attractive. "Of his relationship with Sasuke? The Academy has a board of instructors who monitor and approve all bonds between Shinobi, so it's already been brought to our attention you've singled him out. It's also been brought to our attention he doesn't seem to share your . . . zeal."

Now Naruto's glare was just plain anger. "Yeah fucking right. No way do you know what's in Sasuke's mind. We've become close, and we will bond at the end of the year. Like hell I'm threatened by some prick like Neji."

Tsunade sighed. "Naruto, I need to know if this is going to happen again. You can't let your personal feelings turn a sparring match into an attempt to do real harm."

"What are you yelling at me for?" Naruto demanded, trying to keep his temper in check. "First of all, Neji started it by going after Suigetsu, and unlike me, he actually did hurt him!"

Orochimaru chuckled, and it was a cold and dry sound. "A very childish argument."

So angry now he almost choked on it, Naruto couldn't even spit out the words to refute it.

Tsunade stood up. "Orochimaru, would you mind going back down and helping Shizune? We have quite a few rattled students down there."

Giving Naruto a very strange (hostile?) look, the tall and skinny instructor glided out of Tsunade's office. Naruto glared until the door closed. Then he looked back to the Director and wilted. She didn't look angry at all.

"I'm disappointed in you," she said quietly. "You have an incredibly destructive chakra, Naruto. Of all people you should know better than to let your emotions run away from you like that. You could have killed Neji. You could have injured everyone in the arena."

He swallowed thickly, hanging his head. "I'm sorry," he mumbled.

She moved around the desk and gripped his chin firmly, making him look up. "Why were you so angry?"

For long moments, Naruto's throat worked but nothing came out. There was no way he could tell her the truth of his motivation. But perhaps an abbreviated version would suffice.

"He . . . he's a total controlling asshole to Sasuke," he said. "I can't stand it. And I really can't stand people looking down on me."

Releasing him, Tsunade leaned back against the desk. "I know." Then she shook her head. "You have the potential to be the strongest Controller we've ever seen. But if you can't control yourself, you won't be allowed to bond at the end of the year. As punishment, no pairing up for the rest of the month. You'll spend all your free time practicing control and meditation exercises."

"The rest of the month?" Naruto practically whimpered.

She gave him a dry smile. "It's only two-and-a-half weeks. You'll survive. And you're also going to fix that huge mess you made in the sparring arena."

Deciding she could have been way less lenient, Naruto sighed softly and bowed his head. "Yes, sensei."

"Good. Now off to your room and study for the rest of the night. I expect to see you in one of the private practice rooms tomorrow after classes."

He trotted out. She better punish that asshole, too.

~o0o~

Sasuke only aborted his headlong rush when he skidded to a halt in front of the infirmary. He dashed past the reception area, ignoring the nurse on duty. Only two rooms had occupants, and Sasuke bolted into one of them.

"Suigetsu?" he panted, stopping by the bed. "Are you all right? Kakashi told me what happened."

One of Suigetsu's arms was in a sling, but there were no bandages around his wrist. He grinned up at Sasuke, flinging his free arm around his friend's neck and yanking him down in a hug. "I'm fine, raven. I'll be outta here tomorrow morning."

"There won't be any permanent damage," said Neji's voice.

Bristling, Sasuke straightened to throw the older Coordinator a glare. "What are you doing here?"

"Reassuring Suigetsu there won't be any lasting side-effects," Neji said.

Sasuke's glare darkened. "And apologize?" he snapped.

Neji met his eyes, his expression cold. "Don't act like this, Sasuke. It's extremely unbecoming."

"Neji," Gaara said softly.

Sasuke hadn't even noticed him, sitting on the other side of the bed. He ignored his redheaded friend, drawing himself and taking two long steps toward Neji. "You know," he hissed, "I'm beginning to feel you aren't much of a friend."

The older Coordinator's countenance frosted over further. "And who put this stupidity in your head? That idiot Naruto?"

"He isn't an idiot," Sasuke growled. "What's wrong with you? When I told Suigetsu and Gaara I wanted to try quitting Poison, they supported me. You're the only one who seems to believe I not only can't, but I won't."

"Hey, guys, don't fight," Suigetsu said from the bed.

"What are you going to do when the nightmares start up again?" Neji said, voice flinty. "What you always do, of course. Come crawling to me, begging I take them away."

Sasuke actually found himself retracting his fist before Gaara was between them, gently pushing Sasuke back. He gave Neji an unreadable look.

"Maybe you should leave for now," he suggested.

Whirling, the older teen stalked out. Sasuke watched him, seething, until he was gone. Then he shook off Gaara's hand, looking at Suigetsu.

"Will you be all right?" he asked. "There's something I need to do."

Suigetsu gave him a somewhat weak smile. "I'm fine. Go. Unless this thing you need to do is kill Neji. I can't condone that."

Sasuke's lips twitched, mood lightened a little. "It's not."

"I'll stay with him," Gaara said.

"Thanks," Sasuke murmured, heading out of the infirmary. He didn't stop until he'd reached the student dorms, and paused in front of one of the doors before pressing the announcer chime.

The door opened ten seconds later. Naruto stood there, wearing only rumpled boxers and a baggy t-shirt. He broke into a bright smile. "Sasuke!"

"Is Kiba here?" Sasuke asked.

Naruto's face fell a bit. "No."

"Good." Pushing past him, Sasuke let himself in. "I wanted to talk to you."

A rather bemused-looking Naruto followed him. "What's wrong?"

Sasuke perched on the edge of the desk. "I just wanted to say thank you. For defending Suigetsu. I don't know what Neji's problem is. Attacking like that was a total dick move."

Naruto looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's probably my fault. I think Neji wanted to get me, but Suigetsu was closer."

A little surprised, Sasuke studied the blonde for a moment. Naruto was angry. The heat of it hung, a palpable miasma, around him. He looked down, kicking his legs against the desk. "I'm sorry he was such an ass," he offered.

A snort. "Why are you apologizing? You had nothing to do with it."

"It's my fault Neji doesn't like you."

"Uh, no it ain't," Naruto argued. "He's a big boy. He can decide all on his own who he likes and hates."

Grinding his teeth, Sasuke met sky-blue eyes again to glare. "That isn't what I meant."

Naruto moved across the space between them and perched next to him, so close their knees bumped. "Then what did you mean?"

Sasuke hesitated. "He thinks you've put stupid ideas in my head."

"Oh?" Naruto inquired, his grin audible. "Like what?"

Shifting, Sasuke looked out the window and felt a strange peace settle over him. "Like, I don't need him," he murmured. It was a strange revelation.

"Oh?" Naruto said again.

Sasuke jumped, then squirmed when Naruto buried his face in the slightly shorter teen's neck. "Yeah," he whispered.

A shiver raced up his entire body when Naruto opened his mouth and nibbled lightly at his neck. His mouth traveled to the shoulder, just the lightest pressure with a little moisture from his tongue. It was an intimate touch Sasuke had often experienced, but never while not high. Another strange revelation. His heart started beating faster, and his stomach tightened.

"Naruto?" Faint.

"Yeah?" Husky.

To feel the word pressed against his skin made Sasuke shudder. "Will you . . ." he trailed off, then tried again. "I want you to kiss me."

Naruto sat up at once, his eyes bright and eager, but also somehow serious as if concentrating. "I'm glad," he said, standing up, "because I really wanna kiss you, too." He nudged his hips between Sasuke's knees and cupped his face.

Then their lips were touching. The contact was feathery and fleeting, Naruto pulling back immediately as if to gauge Sasuke's reaction. Then he leaned back down, and this time their mouths connected. Dry, soft, and a little chapped, Naruto's lips pressed gently over Sasuke's from one corner of his mouth to the other. It felt kind of nice if nothing special.

That is, until Naruto slipped his tongue past Sasuke's lips.

Not expecting this, Sasuke didn't have time to protest. And this was worlds different from just moments before. Wet and velvet smooth, Naruto's tongue glided at once into his mouth and tangled around Sasuke's own. Electricity sparked in his body, and Sasuke's eyes fluttered shut. Completely without thought, his arms came up and wrapped around a strong chest and back. Naruto dragged him closer.

And the sparks clashed brighter when Naruto cupped his chin and gently squeezed to make him open his mouth wider. Naruto sucked and nipped at his tongue, dominating the kiss with surprising skill. Sasuke panted through his nose, doing his best to emulate. Every time he'd kissed Gaara or Suigetsu, they'd all been too high to develop any finesse whatsoever.

Why's he so good at this?

Naruto sucked Sasuke's tongue into his own mouth, and that gave him more access. He opened his own mouth wider, biting and sucking at Sasuke's lower lip (and it really felt like the larger teen was devouring him). Sasuke had to yank his head up to breathe, feeling an unexpected and completely helpless stirring of arousal.

Naruto dragged his mouth down Sasuke's throat and sucked harshly. "You're so cute," he groaned. "You're just so fucking cute, Sasuke."

It was only when Sasuke realized Naruto's ministrations were going to leave a huge mark that he made the blonde Controller stop. His heart raced in his ribcage, feeling incredibly flustered. This was not at all what he'd been expecting. To like it or hate it or think it was nice, sure.

But to want to invite Naruto to lay him back on this desk and take his clothes off and put those sinful hands and mouth wherever he would . . . ?

"I'm going to quit using," he blurted.

Blinking, Naruto looked momentarily taken aback. Only momentarily. He started laughing, sweeping Sasuke into his arms and right off the desk. "That's fantastic. I'm so proud of you. Whatever you need, I'll help you. You won't be alone, okay?"

"I know," Sasuke said softly. For the first time in four years, I know.