"This Changes Everything" - by Ichigo-chan
Chapter Eight: The Things We Need To Do
******
Ichigo: I was looking forward to this chapter weren't you?
Sakura-kun: **fan girl squee** YEAH!!!!
Ichigo: Dude, O_o; don't have to get THAT excited.
Sakura-kun: ...
Ichigo: I just hope it can lived up to what you were expecting then.
Sakura-kun: *nod nod nod nod nod nod* UH HUH!
Ichigo: ... good. Now, I just have to hope it does for you guys too. ^^
I've been a squigin (that means a little ^^) disheartened by the lack of response to my story but, I'm over it already. ^^ The letters that I do get make me MORE then wanna keep on posting. So a big thank you to all of you who write me! There was a LOT of editing done to this chapter - Sakura kept damn well sending it back to me!!! _ But now, I'm happy with it, and I hope you will be too!
Plot Summery (again, again, again) - The relationship between Sasuke and Naruto has changed a lot over the years, especially now that they both seem to have come to the same realizations. However, Sasuke finds himself unable too runaway from links to his past - especially those in the form of a strange, tragic, second generation, missing-nin. To find out more about himself, his brother, and to save a life, Sasuke has to decide just how far he's willing to go - as well as what, and who, he is willing to leave behind.
Now, about this EIGHTH chapter - Actually, the nice long scene between Sasuke and Naruto in this chapter was originally not there at all. I'm glad it is now though. It was important that it be there too, or I would have lost something for later on, that's for sure. It made this chapter WAY too long though, so I had to shuffle around all my scenes for the next four or five chapters, which was fine, but still a pain. I hope you think it was worth it! HEHE! Cuz, if you do, I'd be more then happy to write in more. ^^
Chapter Summery - Talk of the missing-nin girl in Konoha finally reaches the general public - via Ino, of course - and with less then warm reception, and Sasuke's irritation towards Ino's attitude concerning Hoshiko is evident. Naruto confronts him later, and talk between them turns into a rather intense encounter.
Warnings - Muchly with the sasunaru shounen-ai. I wont call it yaoi cuz, to me, that involves sex, and there's no sex - yet. Heheheheheheheh - j/k O_o;
(Once again, this is my disclaimer: "not mine")
***
"I heard they brought a Missing-nin into Konoha!" she exclaimed - the over dramatized tone of her voice giving away the fact that Ino was gossiping again, "Apparently she's got some sort of freaky curse or something too."
"Really?! Why'd they do that?!" Tenten inquired, instantly dissolved in Ino's story.
"Well I don't know exactly, but I hear she's really powerful." Ino went on, "Put two Anbu in the hospital and everything!" she exclaimed, flipping her hand about dramatically, "Apparently even tried to attack Hokage-sama."
"You're kidding!" Tenten gasped, completely shocked at the idea.
"No way!" Ino shook her head.
The girls were sitting in the lounge at the academy, waiting for their assignment papers to be filed, as they chirped away like incessant little birds - on crack.
Shikamaru, evidently listless - and having his had squeezed purple by an over enthusiastic Ino - rolled his eyes and sighed; as did Neji, who was seated next to Tenten, sympathizing with his plight.
"Sasuke-kun was the one who caught her too. He's practically a hero." Ino continued, not knowing at all what she was talking about, "I mean, who wants that kind of girl just out on the streets."
"That's just disgraceful." Tenten nodded, "What kind of shinobi would even sink to that level?!"
"That's why they're Missing-nin," Ino shrugged, "they're too pathetic to live amongst decent shinobi." she sighed, shaking her head as if she felt bad for them.
"Where the hell did you hear all this from anyways Ino?" Shikamaru finally questioned her, when he was able to pull his hand away from her death grip.
"What do you mean? I heard lots of people talking about it!" she scowled at her boyfriend.
"Fine, fine, whatever." he sighed, shaking his head and giving up, rather then getting into a fight about it.
Just then Sakura came waltzing into the room, humming some little diddy inside her head as she scribbled on her clip board - more or less oblivious to her friends.
"Hey forehead girl!" Ino chirped at her.
Sakura stopped and looked up, blushing from ear to ear to know they had just witness her giddy little dance.
"Hey there Ino pig." She smiled cheerfully to her best friend, wandering over and taking a seat across from her, next to Tenten.
"Did you hear about Sasuke? He caught some Missing-nin girl in the forest the other day." Ino boasted.
"I know," Sakura nodded, "I was there."
"What!" Ino gasped, a jealous look washing over her.
"Yeah, so were Naruto and Kakashi-sensei."
"Oh, so then you'll know what REALLY happened." Shikamaru suggested.
"Shika!" Ino scolded him, upset that her own boyfriend would question her information.
"No, he really did catch her." Sakura nodded, "Well, more or less anyway. But he got pretty beat up in the process."
"Oh my gosh! Is he ok?!" Ino looked at her wide eyed.
"Oh yeah, he's just fine."
No sooner had the words left his mouth then Sasuke himself walked in the door, Naruto fallowing at his heels.
"Sasuke-kun!" Ino jumped up from her seat, clipping Shikamaru in the ear with her elbow in the process.
"Hey." he nodded emotionlessly. She scanned him up and down noting the multitude of scratches all over his skin.
"What did that horrible girl do to you!?" she exclaimed, looking positively horrified.
"What? Who?"
"She talking about the Missing-nin girl from the forest." Sakura explained, smiling at his clueless expression.
"She didn't do anything to me."
"But look at your arms!" Ino pointed out.
"This? This is nothing." he shrugged calmly, "Shit happens."
"Well I don't even understand why they're housing that kind of a girl here! Aren't they supposed to KILL Missing-nin, not bring them in and look after them!" Ino exclaimed, hands firmly on her hips - still completely oblivious to the nature of the situation.
"Shut up Ino." Sasuke cut her off.
"Huh?"
"You don't know anything about her." he informed her coldly, turning his back to her as he walked out.
"What -" Ino stammered, "What's going on!?"
"She's not like that Ino." Naruto finally chimed in, "It's not what you think. She - a little off maybe -" he raised an eyebrow at the thought of their previous meeting, "but she's not a threat to anyone."
"Well fine then." was all that Ino could think to say, sitting herself back down and crossing her arms firmly across her chest.
"Don't worry about it Ino, I'm sure Sasuke's not THAT mad at you." Shikamaru assured her, half trying to be comforting and half mocking her.
"Aww, Shika." Ino smiled at him sweetly. "You're so nice to me!" she giggled, leaning over and kissed his cheek as she grabbing his hand again and leaned in close to him.
"How DOES he stand her???" Naruto thought to himself with a sigh.
But, at the same time, he was feeling horribly jealous. Shikamaru could kiss Ino any time he wanted. He could hold her hand in public, put his arm around her waist, sit as close to her as he wanted - or simply brush her hair from around her face. Naruto couldn't do that - not to the person he wanted to anyway. It was a secret he had to keep just to himself; despite the fact that he wished he could be as open with his feelings for Sasuke as Shikamaru was aloud to be with his loud, annoying, Ino.
Hokage walked in then - as Naruto was sulking to himself - a tapped Sakura on the shoulder.
"Oh, Hokage-same!" she jumped, "How are you?" she asked, getting to her feet.
"Oh, fine thank you." she smiled back at her with a nod, "But I was hoping maybe, if you had some time, you could do me a little favor Sakura."
"Of course Hokage-sama, anything." she nodded.
"Well, one of my special students is having a little extra trouble with her chakara control, and we all know you're the best around her at that." Tasunde smiled at her.
"Oh, thank you, Hokage-sama!" Sakura bowed to her humbly.
"So, if you have the time today, I was hoping you could meet with her."
"Certainly!" Sakura agreed eagerly, "I've still got plenty of time before Shikamaru and I have to leave."
"Wonderful. Well then, she'll be waiting for you by the stone bridge whenever you've got time."
"Of course, Hokage-sama."
"Oh, one more thing." Tsunade added, before leaving, "She has a bit of a, special condition." she smiled.
"Well, I'll do whatever I can to help then." Sakura assured her with a nod.
"Thank you." she said gratefully, then, smiling at Naruto - who stuck his tongue out at her in response - she left again.
******
"Sasuke! Wait up!" Naruto called out to him, as he ran after him down the hallway.
"What?" Sasuke replied, in his "automatic response" sort of tone, without slowing down to wait for him.
"Just wait Sasuke -" Naruto said again, his voice heavy with concern.
He reached out and grabbed a still walking, Sasuke, by the hand and pulled him back.
"What do you want Naruto!" Sasuke barked at him as he stumbled backwards.
"Nothing. Why do I have to want something!?" Naruto scowled at him.
Sasuke sighed and shook his head; the look on Naruto's face invoking more amusement then it did anger.
"You're an idiot." he sighed, flicking Naruto's head protector with a heavy clink.
"Hey! Damn you!" Naruto cursed him, as he held his hand to his head.
"You haven't gotten any less whiney over the years have you." Sasuke stated flatly - a smug little grin on his face. He'd loved to pick on Naruto when they were younger, and picking on him now was proving just as amusing.
"And you haven't gotten to be any less of a BASTARD have you!" Naruto grinned back at him.
"I suppose not." he shrugged nonchalantly.
They both just stood there a moment, in silence - eyes wondering across one another, as if to assess each other.
"I missed out." Naruto finally broke in, sighing to himself.
"Huh?"
"I said, I missed out. You did change - and I missed it."
"It happens." Sasuke pointed out, not actually understanding what he meant, "The world's not ending."
"Then again -" Naruto added without finishing
Sasuke didn't respond.
"Hehe, I'm always making you wait for me aren't I?" Naruto smiled at him, dropping the subject.
"Like I said, you're an idiot."
Stepping closer to the harsh-minded, dark haired, boy, Naruto reached out and grabbed him by the hand again as Sasuke glanced, uneasily, over his shoulder.
"Yeah but," he moved close enough to whisper in his ear, "who's the bigger idiot? The idiot, or the one who kisses him?"
Naruto grinned at his own cliche remark, as Sasuke turned away from him, rubbing his hand across his ear as if to wipe Naruto's words from it.
"Don't say shit like that." Sasuke muttered under his breath.
"Oh? Why not?" Naruto asked innocently.
"Cuz there's no point to it."
"You want me to make a point?" Naruto inquired, stepping around and in front of him and bending down to look up at Sasuke as he stared at the floor.
"I'm leaving now Naruto." Sasuke told him flatly, trying to repress the thoughts he'd been thinking last night.
"What's with you Sasuke?" Naruto pouted, crossing his arms across his chest as he stood in his way, "I thought you wanted to -"
"NOT now." Sasuke hissed at him, uneager to be overheard.
"But, you're so preoccupied all the time. Can't you just -"
"Just what! Drop everything for you? Is that what you want?" Sasuke snapped at him.
"No, I didn't say that."
"Then WHAT! I don't know what I should be doing here, ok!?" Sasuke groaned, lifting his hands to his head as he slouched against the wall.
"Sasuke -"
He was worried, he didn't know what to do, there was too much to think about. He didn't mean to be yelling at Naruto, he hadn't done anything. But Sasuke couldn't help it; he couldn't stop himself from letting his emotions get to him. He didn't know what to do with his feeling for Naruto, they weren't easy to deal with - not for him. It was Naruto after all, and it wasn't just something he had to deal with, it was something he had to hide. But, worst of all - sometimes when he looked at him, thoughts of a certain angry, black haired, girl, would come to mind.
When he'd seen Naruto again, on his birthday, he hadn't even realized at first how relaxed and happy he made him. Yet, come that night - all he wanted to do was be with him. However, he'd just come across someone else who he needed - not like he need Naruto mind you, but who nevertheless, was stealing away his attention without knowing it.
"Why couldn't this just have ended a few nights ago?" Sasuke asked himself, "Why'd all this other stuff have to happen too? What am I supposed to do? I can't just - I mean - I need him so badly. Fuch, what the hell am I talking about -" he shook his head angrily, as a million questions came to his mind all at once. "There's other things to deal with now, I can't drag Naruto into my life again. He was gone and now - now I don't need him anymore, right?" he tried to make excuses.
"Sasuke?" Naruto's concerned voice caught him off guard.
He was looking at him with those sad, blue, eyes - pleading with him, silently, to just let him in - and he didn't want to ignore that look, but -
"Sorry." Sasuke sighed, standing up strait as he regained his composure.
"Hey - come here." Naruto said quietly, grabbing Sasuke's hand. Looking back over his shoulder, he pushed open one of the empty class room doors and pulled him quickly inside.
"Naruto." Sasuke groaned, as he shut the door behind them.
"What?!" Naruto smiled, as they stood inside the dark, empty, room.
Sasuke just shook his head, turning his back to him and looking down across the tiered rows of desks. He felt Naruto's chin come to rest on his shoulder as the taller boy stood behind him.
"This is the first place I ever kissed you." he hear Naruto snicker.
"Yeah, but I wanted to kill you then." Sasuke smiled, remembering back all those years ago, the very first day there were ever put together.
"You were so cruel to me then Sasuke-kun." Naruto sighed with a childish little groan, emphasizing the kun part the way Sakura would. Somehow, Sasuke couldn't help but smirk at the mocking tone in Naruto's voice.
Just as he was breathing in, he felt Naruto's arms wrap around him from behind; his fingers slowly wandering across his stomach.
"Hey, Naruto, cut it out. What are you -"
"Would you shut up for once?" the naturally-devious young blond grinned slyly.
"We're gonna get caught." Sasuke shook his head slightly, as he placed his hands on top of Naruto's.
"No way." Naruto smiled, leaning into Sasuke's back.
"Come on, cut it out." Sasuke said, stepping away from him as he unhooked his hands from around him and turned to face him.
"Aw, why?" Naruto asked, reaching out and hooking his fingers into Sasuke's pants pockets.
"Cuz you're still and idiot." he stated again, as he aloud himself to be pulled toward the deviously smiling fox-boy, "You think you'd get away with it?"
"What's this "you'd"?" Naruto smiled, his bright blue eyes fixed on him intently, "I'm not alone here."
One hand on either side of Sasuke's thin, firm, waist, Naruto pulled him closer against himself - forcing him to look up at him. Cold, black, eyes staring back at him didn't dissuade him, as he leaned back against the wall and pulled Sasuke still closer - running his hands slowly up his back beneath his shit and vest.
"Naruto -" Sasuke whispered hesitantly, trying to keep himself from giving in to the incredibly, persuasive, boys advances.
He didn't respond, only ran his fingers up the normally rejective, boy's spine - sending an intense chill running through him. Still slightly resistant, Sasuke wrapped one arm around Naruto's back, the other, feeling its way across his strong, flat, chest and up towards his neck. His fingers wrapped in Naruto's soft, dusty-gold, colored hair, he teased at the back of his neck coyly.
"I shouldn't have ignored him last night." Sasuke thought to himself regretfully, "Now I just want to-"
Naruto's lips grazed his then, but never connected. They seemed to play with one another, as each boys lips teased the others. Sharp, intense, indulgent, eyes fixed in each others gaze as they pulled one another in further.
Right then, Sasuke could have cared less if they were discovered. Naruto had lured him in perfectly, and wasn't about to let him get away. He wouldn't let Sasuke keep on putting distance between them after he'd let him get so close. After all, it was unfair to tease someone like that - at least in his mind.
Naruto couldn't help but think of all the girls would kill to be in his position right then, holding Uchiha Sasuke in their arms, and practically willing him in deeper. His hands holding the idolized boys figure firmly and affectionately against himself, he couldn't help but smile.
Sasuke's fingers traced a path down his neck and across his shoulder, as their arms wrapped tightly around one another. Naruto forwent Sasuke's pale and inviting lips to instead run his tongue along the length of his well-defined jaw, until he kissed him, lightly, below his ear. Tilting his head to one side, Sasuke sighed deeply as Naruto kissed his way down the length of his neck, towards his collar bone, only stopping when he reached the fabric of his shirt.
For boys who'd either shied away from, or been unable to find, any real connection with anyone, especially when it came to physical closeness, it was obvious they had no problem inviting one another in. Intense, dominating, feelings of desire guided their actions as they held each other - all other thoughts struck from their minds.
His cold hand to Naruto's whisker-marked cheek, Sasuke coxed him to look at him again, so he could feel his lips against his own. The needy exchange of tongues and saliva between the two, teen aged, boys, intensified as Sasuke took control of them both. Sliding them back into the corner of the room Sasuke ran his hand down the side of Naruto's thigh, pressing their hips together as he slid his hands into Naruto's back pockets.
"Ino! Wait up!" Tenten's voice echoed, from just outside the door, as approaching foot steps rang down the empty hallway.
"Naruto." Sasuke whispered, tentatively pulling his lips away.
"Ignore them." Naruto told him as he turned his attention to Sasuke's neck again.
"Hokage told me that girls name, if you're curious." Tenten's voice came again - nearer this time.
"Really? What is it?" Ino's voice, equally close, inquired brightly.
"Hoshiko."
The sound of that voice made Sasuke chill, as the girls footsteps passed by the door.
"Naruto." he said again, this time backing off a bit.
Naruto stopped, looking up at him and sighing as he let him go.
"We should go." Sasuke said, turning his eyes to the floor as he ran his fingers threw his hair.
"Yeah." Naruto agreed, nodding despite his, obvious, disappointment.
"I'll talk to you later, ok?" Sasuke asked, as he opened the door slowly.
"Yeah, course." Naruto nodded, still leaning back against the wall, allowing Sasuke to leave before him.
"Bye." he whispered quietly, as he shut the door behind him.
"Yeah, bye - Sasuke."
***
To be continued -
******
Ichigo: Well?
Sakura-kun: *SQUEEEEEEEEE*
Ichigo: ok, well, that's a start.
Sakura-kun: more???
Ichigo: Maybe, we'll just have to see.
Sakura-kun: Aw, you're so mean Ichi-chan.
Ichigo: I'm sure you'll get over it.
I'm a little sad I didn't end that on a slightly happier not, but, I suppose such is life. By adding that scene in though, a lot of things have changed for me, as far as what's gonna happen next, so I hope that encourages you to stick around a little longer! ^^
What to expect in later chapters - Sakura tends to her new student and Naruto gets on with his guard duty of Hoshiko - to a not so pleasant end. As well, Sasuke finally creates a chance to get to talk to Hoshiko, and find out everything she knows, once and for all. But with the information she gives him - he'll have to decide what he plans to do afterward.
Chapter Eight: The Things We Need To Do
******
Ichigo: I was looking forward to this chapter weren't you?
Sakura-kun: **fan girl squee** YEAH!!!!
Ichigo: Dude, O_o; don't have to get THAT excited.
Sakura-kun: ...
Ichigo: I just hope it can lived up to what you were expecting then.
Sakura-kun: *nod nod nod nod nod nod* UH HUH!
Ichigo: ... good. Now, I just have to hope it does for you guys too. ^^
I've been a squigin (that means a little ^^) disheartened by the lack of response to my story but, I'm over it already. ^^ The letters that I do get make me MORE then wanna keep on posting. So a big thank you to all of you who write me! There was a LOT of editing done to this chapter - Sakura kept damn well sending it back to me!!! _ But now, I'm happy with it, and I hope you will be too!
Plot Summery (again, again, again) - The relationship between Sasuke and Naruto has changed a lot over the years, especially now that they both seem to have come to the same realizations. However, Sasuke finds himself unable too runaway from links to his past - especially those in the form of a strange, tragic, second generation, missing-nin. To find out more about himself, his brother, and to save a life, Sasuke has to decide just how far he's willing to go - as well as what, and who, he is willing to leave behind.
Now, about this EIGHTH chapter - Actually, the nice long scene between Sasuke and Naruto in this chapter was originally not there at all. I'm glad it is now though. It was important that it be there too, or I would have lost something for later on, that's for sure. It made this chapter WAY too long though, so I had to shuffle around all my scenes for the next four or five chapters, which was fine, but still a pain. I hope you think it was worth it! HEHE! Cuz, if you do, I'd be more then happy to write in more. ^^
Chapter Summery - Talk of the missing-nin girl in Konoha finally reaches the general public - via Ino, of course - and with less then warm reception, and Sasuke's irritation towards Ino's attitude concerning Hoshiko is evident. Naruto confronts him later, and talk between them turns into a rather intense encounter.
Warnings - Muchly with the sasunaru shounen-ai. I wont call it yaoi cuz, to me, that involves sex, and there's no sex - yet. Heheheheheheheh - j/k O_o;
(Once again, this is my disclaimer: "not mine")
***
"I heard they brought a Missing-nin into Konoha!" she exclaimed - the over dramatized tone of her voice giving away the fact that Ino was gossiping again, "Apparently she's got some sort of freaky curse or something too."
"Really?! Why'd they do that?!" Tenten inquired, instantly dissolved in Ino's story.
"Well I don't know exactly, but I hear she's really powerful." Ino went on, "Put two Anbu in the hospital and everything!" she exclaimed, flipping her hand about dramatically, "Apparently even tried to attack Hokage-sama."
"You're kidding!" Tenten gasped, completely shocked at the idea.
"No way!" Ino shook her head.
The girls were sitting in the lounge at the academy, waiting for their assignment papers to be filed, as they chirped away like incessant little birds - on crack.
Shikamaru, evidently listless - and having his had squeezed purple by an over enthusiastic Ino - rolled his eyes and sighed; as did Neji, who was seated next to Tenten, sympathizing with his plight.
"Sasuke-kun was the one who caught her too. He's practically a hero." Ino continued, not knowing at all what she was talking about, "I mean, who wants that kind of girl just out on the streets."
"That's just disgraceful." Tenten nodded, "What kind of shinobi would even sink to that level?!"
"That's why they're Missing-nin," Ino shrugged, "they're too pathetic to live amongst decent shinobi." she sighed, shaking her head as if she felt bad for them.
"Where the hell did you hear all this from anyways Ino?" Shikamaru finally questioned her, when he was able to pull his hand away from her death grip.
"What do you mean? I heard lots of people talking about it!" she scowled at her boyfriend.
"Fine, fine, whatever." he sighed, shaking his head and giving up, rather then getting into a fight about it.
Just then Sakura came waltzing into the room, humming some little diddy inside her head as she scribbled on her clip board - more or less oblivious to her friends.
"Hey forehead girl!" Ino chirped at her.
Sakura stopped and looked up, blushing from ear to ear to know they had just witness her giddy little dance.
"Hey there Ino pig." She smiled cheerfully to her best friend, wandering over and taking a seat across from her, next to Tenten.
"Did you hear about Sasuke? He caught some Missing-nin girl in the forest the other day." Ino boasted.
"I know," Sakura nodded, "I was there."
"What!" Ino gasped, a jealous look washing over her.
"Yeah, so were Naruto and Kakashi-sensei."
"Oh, so then you'll know what REALLY happened." Shikamaru suggested.
"Shika!" Ino scolded him, upset that her own boyfriend would question her information.
"No, he really did catch her." Sakura nodded, "Well, more or less anyway. But he got pretty beat up in the process."
"Oh my gosh! Is he ok?!" Ino looked at her wide eyed.
"Oh yeah, he's just fine."
No sooner had the words left his mouth then Sasuke himself walked in the door, Naruto fallowing at his heels.
"Sasuke-kun!" Ino jumped up from her seat, clipping Shikamaru in the ear with her elbow in the process.
"Hey." he nodded emotionlessly. She scanned him up and down noting the multitude of scratches all over his skin.
"What did that horrible girl do to you!?" she exclaimed, looking positively horrified.
"What? Who?"
"She talking about the Missing-nin girl from the forest." Sakura explained, smiling at his clueless expression.
"She didn't do anything to me."
"But look at your arms!" Ino pointed out.
"This? This is nothing." he shrugged calmly, "Shit happens."
"Well I don't even understand why they're housing that kind of a girl here! Aren't they supposed to KILL Missing-nin, not bring them in and look after them!" Ino exclaimed, hands firmly on her hips - still completely oblivious to the nature of the situation.
"Shut up Ino." Sasuke cut her off.
"Huh?"
"You don't know anything about her." he informed her coldly, turning his back to her as he walked out.
"What -" Ino stammered, "What's going on!?"
"She's not like that Ino." Naruto finally chimed in, "It's not what you think. She - a little off maybe -" he raised an eyebrow at the thought of their previous meeting, "but she's not a threat to anyone."
"Well fine then." was all that Ino could think to say, sitting herself back down and crossing her arms firmly across her chest.
"Don't worry about it Ino, I'm sure Sasuke's not THAT mad at you." Shikamaru assured her, half trying to be comforting and half mocking her.
"Aww, Shika." Ino smiled at him sweetly. "You're so nice to me!" she giggled, leaning over and kissed his cheek as she grabbing his hand again and leaned in close to him.
"How DOES he stand her???" Naruto thought to himself with a sigh.
But, at the same time, he was feeling horribly jealous. Shikamaru could kiss Ino any time he wanted. He could hold her hand in public, put his arm around her waist, sit as close to her as he wanted - or simply brush her hair from around her face. Naruto couldn't do that - not to the person he wanted to anyway. It was a secret he had to keep just to himself; despite the fact that he wished he could be as open with his feelings for Sasuke as Shikamaru was aloud to be with his loud, annoying, Ino.
Hokage walked in then - as Naruto was sulking to himself - a tapped Sakura on the shoulder.
"Oh, Hokage-same!" she jumped, "How are you?" she asked, getting to her feet.
"Oh, fine thank you." she smiled back at her with a nod, "But I was hoping maybe, if you had some time, you could do me a little favor Sakura."
"Of course Hokage-sama, anything." she nodded.
"Well, one of my special students is having a little extra trouble with her chakara control, and we all know you're the best around her at that." Tasunde smiled at her.
"Oh, thank you, Hokage-sama!" Sakura bowed to her humbly.
"So, if you have the time today, I was hoping you could meet with her."
"Certainly!" Sakura agreed eagerly, "I've still got plenty of time before Shikamaru and I have to leave."
"Wonderful. Well then, she'll be waiting for you by the stone bridge whenever you've got time."
"Of course, Hokage-sama."
"Oh, one more thing." Tsunade added, before leaving, "She has a bit of a, special condition." she smiled.
"Well, I'll do whatever I can to help then." Sakura assured her with a nod.
"Thank you." she said gratefully, then, smiling at Naruto - who stuck his tongue out at her in response - she left again.
******
"Sasuke! Wait up!" Naruto called out to him, as he ran after him down the hallway.
"What?" Sasuke replied, in his "automatic response" sort of tone, without slowing down to wait for him.
"Just wait Sasuke -" Naruto said again, his voice heavy with concern.
He reached out and grabbed a still walking, Sasuke, by the hand and pulled him back.
"What do you want Naruto!" Sasuke barked at him as he stumbled backwards.
"Nothing. Why do I have to want something!?" Naruto scowled at him.
Sasuke sighed and shook his head; the look on Naruto's face invoking more amusement then it did anger.
"You're an idiot." he sighed, flicking Naruto's head protector with a heavy clink.
"Hey! Damn you!" Naruto cursed him, as he held his hand to his head.
"You haven't gotten any less whiney over the years have you." Sasuke stated flatly - a smug little grin on his face. He'd loved to pick on Naruto when they were younger, and picking on him now was proving just as amusing.
"And you haven't gotten to be any less of a BASTARD have you!" Naruto grinned back at him.
"I suppose not." he shrugged nonchalantly.
They both just stood there a moment, in silence - eyes wondering across one another, as if to assess each other.
"I missed out." Naruto finally broke in, sighing to himself.
"Huh?"
"I said, I missed out. You did change - and I missed it."
"It happens." Sasuke pointed out, not actually understanding what he meant, "The world's not ending."
"Then again -" Naruto added without finishing
Sasuke didn't respond.
"Hehe, I'm always making you wait for me aren't I?" Naruto smiled at him, dropping the subject.
"Like I said, you're an idiot."
Stepping closer to the harsh-minded, dark haired, boy, Naruto reached out and grabbed him by the hand again as Sasuke glanced, uneasily, over his shoulder.
"Yeah but," he moved close enough to whisper in his ear, "who's the bigger idiot? The idiot, or the one who kisses him?"
Naruto grinned at his own cliche remark, as Sasuke turned away from him, rubbing his hand across his ear as if to wipe Naruto's words from it.
"Don't say shit like that." Sasuke muttered under his breath.
"Oh? Why not?" Naruto asked innocently.
"Cuz there's no point to it."
"You want me to make a point?" Naruto inquired, stepping around and in front of him and bending down to look up at Sasuke as he stared at the floor.
"I'm leaving now Naruto." Sasuke told him flatly, trying to repress the thoughts he'd been thinking last night.
"What's with you Sasuke?" Naruto pouted, crossing his arms across his chest as he stood in his way, "I thought you wanted to -"
"NOT now." Sasuke hissed at him, uneager to be overheard.
"But, you're so preoccupied all the time. Can't you just -"
"Just what! Drop everything for you? Is that what you want?" Sasuke snapped at him.
"No, I didn't say that."
"Then WHAT! I don't know what I should be doing here, ok!?" Sasuke groaned, lifting his hands to his head as he slouched against the wall.
"Sasuke -"
He was worried, he didn't know what to do, there was too much to think about. He didn't mean to be yelling at Naruto, he hadn't done anything. But Sasuke couldn't help it; he couldn't stop himself from letting his emotions get to him. He didn't know what to do with his feeling for Naruto, they weren't easy to deal with - not for him. It was Naruto after all, and it wasn't just something he had to deal with, it was something he had to hide. But, worst of all - sometimes when he looked at him, thoughts of a certain angry, black haired, girl, would come to mind.
When he'd seen Naruto again, on his birthday, he hadn't even realized at first how relaxed and happy he made him. Yet, come that night - all he wanted to do was be with him. However, he'd just come across someone else who he needed - not like he need Naruto mind you, but who nevertheless, was stealing away his attention without knowing it.
"Why couldn't this just have ended a few nights ago?" Sasuke asked himself, "Why'd all this other stuff have to happen too? What am I supposed to do? I can't just - I mean - I need him so badly. Fuch, what the hell am I talking about -" he shook his head angrily, as a million questions came to his mind all at once. "There's other things to deal with now, I can't drag Naruto into my life again. He was gone and now - now I don't need him anymore, right?" he tried to make excuses.
"Sasuke?" Naruto's concerned voice caught him off guard.
He was looking at him with those sad, blue, eyes - pleading with him, silently, to just let him in - and he didn't want to ignore that look, but -
"Sorry." Sasuke sighed, standing up strait as he regained his composure.
"Hey - come here." Naruto said quietly, grabbing Sasuke's hand. Looking back over his shoulder, he pushed open one of the empty class room doors and pulled him quickly inside.
"Naruto." Sasuke groaned, as he shut the door behind them.
"What?!" Naruto smiled, as they stood inside the dark, empty, room.
Sasuke just shook his head, turning his back to him and looking down across the tiered rows of desks. He felt Naruto's chin come to rest on his shoulder as the taller boy stood behind him.
"This is the first place I ever kissed you." he hear Naruto snicker.
"Yeah, but I wanted to kill you then." Sasuke smiled, remembering back all those years ago, the very first day there were ever put together.
"You were so cruel to me then Sasuke-kun." Naruto sighed with a childish little groan, emphasizing the kun part the way Sakura would. Somehow, Sasuke couldn't help but smirk at the mocking tone in Naruto's voice.
Just as he was breathing in, he felt Naruto's arms wrap around him from behind; his fingers slowly wandering across his stomach.
"Hey, Naruto, cut it out. What are you -"
"Would you shut up for once?" the naturally-devious young blond grinned slyly.
"We're gonna get caught." Sasuke shook his head slightly, as he placed his hands on top of Naruto's.
"No way." Naruto smiled, leaning into Sasuke's back.
"Come on, cut it out." Sasuke said, stepping away from him as he unhooked his hands from around him and turned to face him.
"Aw, why?" Naruto asked, reaching out and hooking his fingers into Sasuke's pants pockets.
"Cuz you're still and idiot." he stated again, as he aloud himself to be pulled toward the deviously smiling fox-boy, "You think you'd get away with it?"
"What's this "you'd"?" Naruto smiled, his bright blue eyes fixed on him intently, "I'm not alone here."
One hand on either side of Sasuke's thin, firm, waist, Naruto pulled him closer against himself - forcing him to look up at him. Cold, black, eyes staring back at him didn't dissuade him, as he leaned back against the wall and pulled Sasuke still closer - running his hands slowly up his back beneath his shit and vest.
"Naruto -" Sasuke whispered hesitantly, trying to keep himself from giving in to the incredibly, persuasive, boys advances.
He didn't respond, only ran his fingers up the normally rejective, boy's spine - sending an intense chill running through him. Still slightly resistant, Sasuke wrapped one arm around Naruto's back, the other, feeling its way across his strong, flat, chest and up towards his neck. His fingers wrapped in Naruto's soft, dusty-gold, colored hair, he teased at the back of his neck coyly.
"I shouldn't have ignored him last night." Sasuke thought to himself regretfully, "Now I just want to-"
Naruto's lips grazed his then, but never connected. They seemed to play with one another, as each boys lips teased the others. Sharp, intense, indulgent, eyes fixed in each others gaze as they pulled one another in further.
Right then, Sasuke could have cared less if they were discovered. Naruto had lured him in perfectly, and wasn't about to let him get away. He wouldn't let Sasuke keep on putting distance between them after he'd let him get so close. After all, it was unfair to tease someone like that - at least in his mind.
Naruto couldn't help but think of all the girls would kill to be in his position right then, holding Uchiha Sasuke in their arms, and practically willing him in deeper. His hands holding the idolized boys figure firmly and affectionately against himself, he couldn't help but smile.
Sasuke's fingers traced a path down his neck and across his shoulder, as their arms wrapped tightly around one another. Naruto forwent Sasuke's pale and inviting lips to instead run his tongue along the length of his well-defined jaw, until he kissed him, lightly, below his ear. Tilting his head to one side, Sasuke sighed deeply as Naruto kissed his way down the length of his neck, towards his collar bone, only stopping when he reached the fabric of his shirt.
For boys who'd either shied away from, or been unable to find, any real connection with anyone, especially when it came to physical closeness, it was obvious they had no problem inviting one another in. Intense, dominating, feelings of desire guided their actions as they held each other - all other thoughts struck from their minds.
His cold hand to Naruto's whisker-marked cheek, Sasuke coxed him to look at him again, so he could feel his lips against his own. The needy exchange of tongues and saliva between the two, teen aged, boys, intensified as Sasuke took control of them both. Sliding them back into the corner of the room Sasuke ran his hand down the side of Naruto's thigh, pressing their hips together as he slid his hands into Naruto's back pockets.
"Ino! Wait up!" Tenten's voice echoed, from just outside the door, as approaching foot steps rang down the empty hallway.
"Naruto." Sasuke whispered, tentatively pulling his lips away.
"Ignore them." Naruto told him as he turned his attention to Sasuke's neck again.
"Hokage told me that girls name, if you're curious." Tenten's voice came again - nearer this time.
"Really? What is it?" Ino's voice, equally close, inquired brightly.
"Hoshiko."
The sound of that voice made Sasuke chill, as the girls footsteps passed by the door.
"Naruto." he said again, this time backing off a bit.
Naruto stopped, looking up at him and sighing as he let him go.
"We should go." Sasuke said, turning his eyes to the floor as he ran his fingers threw his hair.
"Yeah." Naruto agreed, nodding despite his, obvious, disappointment.
"I'll talk to you later, ok?" Sasuke asked, as he opened the door slowly.
"Yeah, course." Naruto nodded, still leaning back against the wall, allowing Sasuke to leave before him.
"Bye." he whispered quietly, as he shut the door behind him.
"Yeah, bye - Sasuke."
***
To be continued -
******
Ichigo: Well?
Sakura-kun: *SQUEEEEEEEEE*
Ichigo: ok, well, that's a start.
Sakura-kun: more???
Ichigo: Maybe, we'll just have to see.
Sakura-kun: Aw, you're so mean Ichi-chan.
Ichigo: I'm sure you'll get over it.
I'm a little sad I didn't end that on a slightly happier not, but, I suppose such is life. By adding that scene in though, a lot of things have changed for me, as far as what's gonna happen next, so I hope that encourages you to stick around a little longer! ^^
What to expect in later chapters - Sakura tends to her new student and Naruto gets on with his guard duty of Hoshiko - to a not so pleasant end. As well, Sasuke finally creates a chance to get to talk to Hoshiko, and find out everything she knows, once and for all. But with the information she gives him - he'll have to decide what he plans to do afterward.