Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto Masashi. I'm only borrowing characters for my own entertainment.
Blue-Eyed Blonde
Aquamarine: The Color of the River
A pair of black eyes stared impassively as the blue-eyed blonde blinked at him in confusion before looking down at the ground, frowning thoughtfully. "Uso! Sasuke-kun couldn't have written such a childish poem!"
"You're right about that," Sasuke said blandly. Ino looked up at the boy. "Ne Sasuke-kun, do you know who wrote it? I thought it was Shikamaru-kun for sure! He's a black-eyed brunette and he does seem like the type who would write like that, since he would be too lazy to write a proper poem."
"You'd probably be happy if it were him. Unfortunately, it's Naruto."
"That's why you came right?"
"What?"
"You like Naruto, don't you?"
"Che. What makes you think I would like a dobe like him? Especially when I can have anyone I want," Sasuke said, looking away to hide his blush. Is it that obvious that I like Naruto? After all, Sakura can't figure that out, and she's supposed to be smart, according to Kakashi.
"So you don't like him? That's too bad then. I just thought of a plan that will help us both get the person we want. Well, my mistake for thinking that you wanted to be with Naruto. After all, he's not smart, good-looking nor is he strong. Not the kind of person Sasuke-kun would like," Ino said, sounding disappointed when she was really smiling to herself inside, especially when Sasuke turned to look at her. "What plan do you have?"
"Why do you want to know? It's not like you like Naruto anyway right? And I'll only tell you my plan if I know who you like, because that plan doesn't work on certain people."
Sasuke scowled and looked away, wondering if he should tell the blonde who he likes. He really wanted to know what the girl was thinking, especially since it could get him with Naruto. After a few minutes, he turned to the girl once more. "Are you sure it'll get me the person I want?"
"I have to know who the person is first, Sasuke-kun. Different people react differently to different situations."
"Naruto."
"Saa, so it is Naruto ne? Good. Then there's only one thing we can do."
"What?"
"You have to pretend to woo me. That'll make Naruto and Shikamaru jealous, and we both end up getting what we want."
"Why would Naruto get jealous of you? He likes Sakura."
"No he doesn't. I can tell that he likes you, but he doesn't know it yet. By pretending to woo me, you'll make him jealous, and he'll realize that he's been in love with you all along. So, Sasuke-kun, are you willing to give it a try? It's a simple plan, but good. And we both get what we want."
Sasuke went over the pros and cons of the plan in his head. He thought about how Naruto treated him. Even if Naruto doesn't like me after all, our friendship won't be affected because I never made a move on him. Besides, it's Ino I have to woo, not Sakura. Ino's in love with Shikamaru. She doesn't have any ulterior motive. She just wants to help me, and have me help her in return.
Sasuke smirked. He turned to the girl, who was looking at him and eagerly awaiting his response, and nodded.
"Great! Let's have a good partnership, Sasuke-kun," Ino said, holding out her hand in a business-like manner. His smirk widening, Sasuke shook the blonde's hand. "So what do I have to do?"
"What! Sasuke-kun, you don't know how to woo a person? It's no wonder that Naruto doesn't realize that you're in love with him!"
"Urusai. Tell me what I have to do."
"Sit down. This will take a while."
Sasuke sat down opposite the kunoichi, waiting for her to speak. After a few minutes of thinking, the girl looked up and started her lecture on how to court a person.
Naruto sat up in his bed, still thinking about what to tell Sasuke. Frowning, he played out different scenes in his head, varying from a mean Sasuke to a laughing Sasuke. Finally, an hour later, the blonde decided that it was no use worrying and went to sleep.
Just as he was about to doze off, he sat up. What if Sasuke's disgusted with me? What if he never talks to me again! Argh! It's no use! I can't sleeeep! I have to talk to Sasuke!
With that, the blonde went to get changed.
Sasuke frowned thoughtfully to himself as he sat as his desk, planning his moves. He was so engrossed in thinking that he didn't even hear the small figure enter behind him from the window until it spoke, smoothing out his forehead with its fingers as it did so. "You're going to get wrinkles if you keep frowning like that."
"Naruto?" Sasuke called, knowing that action anywhere. Only Naruto would do that whenever he frowned. The figure didn't answer, so he turned to face the blonde, who looked like a deer caught in the headlights as he pulled his hand away from Sauske's forehead with a gasp. "Gomen Sasuke... I-"
The orange-clad figure turned to run from the intense brunette again. Unfortunately for Naruto, this time the taller boy was prepared for his escape and hurriedly grabbed his wrist. He pushed the boy down into a chair. "Don't run, Naruto."
"I'm not running!" Naruto squeaked, squirming in the chair. "I was just... moving to sit on the bed! Yeah, to make myself comfortable."
Sasuke stared at the blonde for a few moments, making the smaller boy fidget and squirm even more in his seat. "Ne Sasuke, can you stop looking at me like that?"
"Like what?"
"That! Like you want to eat me up or something!"
"Oh. You mean like this?"
"YES!"
Sasuke decided to stop teasing the boy and looked away. "So, why are you here? Missed me too much?"
"I don't miss you!" Naruto yelled, blushing. "I'm here because I want to know if you hate me!"
"Why would I hate you?"
"Because I... Because... I... Mou Sasuke, you know why!"
"I don't hate you for that. In fact, I'm going to court Ino. She's really a nice girl, don't you think?"
"What?" Naruto stared at Sasuke, his eyes wide with confusion. He's forgotten about that licking thing? Argh! Sasuke, you stupid teme! Making me worry over nothing.
"I said, I'm going to court Ino. Or do you not understand the meaning of the word court? It mea-"
"I know what it means. Fine. So you're not angry with me or anything?" Naruto mumbled, feeling a lump in his throat at Sasuke's revelation.
"Why would I be angry with you?"
"All right then. I'll just go back to my apartmen-"
"Why not stay here?" Sasuke asked, wrapping his arms loosely round the blonde. The small figure blushed and squirmed in the taller boy's grasp. "Ano... Sasuke.."
"Yes, Naruto-kun?" Sasuke said huskily, his breath on the blonde's ear. Panicking, Naruto pushed the boy away and ran. The brunette watched in amusement as the orange-clad figure disappeared from his sight.
Naruto only stopped running when he reached his apartment. He closed the window, not wanting Sasuke to climb in if the boy was following him. Then he changed out of his clothes and sat on his bed. "What the hell was that? It was as if Sasuke likes me..."
The small blonde shook his head violently at that thought. "No no no! He told me that he was going to woo Ino. He was probably just teasing... Yeah, just teasing..."
Somehow, that made Naruto feel worse. Shrugging the feeling away, the boy went to sleep. This time, he managed to fall asleep successfully, tired from the day's training, and his earlier encounter with Sasuke.
"Naruto, do you know where Sasuke-kun is?" Sakura asked as she looked around for any signs of the Uchiha.
"No. Now go away and leave me alone!" Naruto said grumpily to the supposed object of his affections. Sakura frowned at him, but left him alone anyway. Sasuke smirked as he watched from the tree he was sitting in. He jumped down from the tree. "Maa, you sure are grouchy today, Naruto."
"Where the hell did you go! You're goddamn late!" Naruto yelled, pointing an accusing finger at him.
"I went to pick up my blue-eyed blonde, then I kept her company until Asuma arrived. Is something wrong?"
"Sasuke's a big baka!" Naruto yelled as he pushed Sasuke into the river before stomping off angrily. Sasuke blinked as he watched the blonde leave. His lips curled up into a smile as he got up and followed the blonde innocently, dripping water all over the place. "Naruto, what's wrong?"
"You're going to leave me alone aren't you? Then you'll forget all about me and I'll be all alone again!" Naruto said childishly.
"I won't leave you alone. I promised you before, didn't I? I said that I'll always be with you. If you want, you can follow me and Ino."
"I don't want to! Besides, I'll be left out because you'll forget that I'm there!" Naruto said, pouting adorably.
"Fine, don't follow us then. But I won't leave you alone."
"Liar! You will! You came late today!"
"I thought you could use the time alone with Sakura. Fine. I'll come early tomorrow. I promise I won't forget about you, all right?"
"Yatta! Sasuke, you're the best!" Naruto yelled as he threw himself at the brunette, happy that he wouldn't lose his best friend. At least, that was what he told himself. Sasuke pushed the smaller boy away. "Don't hug me. You'll get wet too. I'm going home to change. Do you want to come?"
Nodding happily, the blonde jumped on Sasuke's back, forcing the taller boy to piggy-back him. Sighing, Sasuke pulled Naruto's arms round his neck, then looped his arms round the blonde's legs before he started walking. He smiled to himself. He's totally forgotten about his beloved Sakura-chan. Heh. One point for Sasuke, zero for Sakura.
"Yo," Kakashi greeted as usual when he arrived. He looked around, finding only Sakura. "Where's Naruto and Sasuke?"
Sakura shrugged grumpily. "Naruto pushed Sasuke into a river, then Sasuke followed Naruto to god knows where. They looked like a couple having a lovers' tiff."
"We do not!" a yell came from the tree as Naruto jumped down, Sasuke following behind him.
"Aa. Good to know you're so energetic today. We're going to escort one of the Wasabi merchant groups from the Tea Country back home."
"Yatta! A mission!" the loud blonde cheered.
"It's a quick trip, so we'll leave straight away. Come on, we're meeting them at the gate."
"All right!"
The group ran over to the entrance of the village and found a group of wealthy-looking men standing there with a large cart being pulled by two horses.
"Wasabi-san?" Kakashi asked one of the men.
"Aa."
"We're your escorts. I'm Hatake Kakashi, and those three are my students."
"Sou ka. We're ready to leave anytime."
"Saa, let's go then. If we don't leave early we won't be able to make it back before dark."
"Un. Let's go."
The group passed by tree after tree as they made their way to Tea Country, Kakashi and the three genin walking beside the cart, where the merchants and their goods sat. The jounin watched in amusement as Naruto clung to his taller teammate happily.
"Naruto, get off my back. You're heavy."
"What! I'm not heavy, you stupid Sasuke!"
"Yes you are. Now get off! Besides, you shouldn't be clinging to my back like that while on a mission."
"Meanie," Naruto said as he got off Sasuke, pouting. He moved away from the brunette, who watched the smaller boy from the corner of his onyx eyes. He's so oblivious! Argh. Stupid little dobe! He doesn't even know that he's jealous. Do I have to spell out to the whole village that I'm courting Ino before he realizes that he's jealous! If that's what I have to do, then I'll do it. Anything for dobe Naruto.
Kakashi watched his Sharingan-wielding subordinate with a grin on his masked face. It's never boring with those two around. Sakura, however, may cause some problem for the boys, from the way she's glaring at Naruto. Better keep a close watch on her. Iruka will kill me if I don't take good care of his beloved Naruto-kun.
"Ne ne Kakashi-sensei, how long more until we reach? I'm hungry!" Naruto groaned as his stomach rumbled softly. Sasuke looked around, trying to find something edible for the blonde. He cursed Kakashi for not informing them in advance. If he had known that they'd be leaving the village, he would have made a bento for the blonde, knowing the boy's huge appetite.
"Naruto-kun, would you like an onigiri?" one of the merchants asked as he poked his head out from inside the cart and held out an onigiri, having heard Naruto's exclamation. The blonde took the offered treat happily. "Arigatou!"
"Naruto, don't be rude," Kakashi chided gently.
"It's all right Hatake-san. Boys should eat more. That way they'll have more energy to work," the merchant said before disappearing into the cart again. Sasuke scowled, then watched jealously as Naruto munched happily on the rice ball.
"Yatta! We've arrived at Tea Country!" Naruto cheered as they crossed the border separating Tea Country and Fire Country.
"Don't be happy so soon, usuratonkatchi. We have to make sure that we escort them to that village entrance before we can leave," Sasuke muttered.
"Don't call me usurakontachi!"
"Usuratonkatchi, not usurakontachi."
"Sasukeeee," Naruto called in a whiny voice, causing the other boy to let a small smile grace his lips. "Hurry up dobe, we'll have ramen together when we get back."
"Your treat?"
"Che. Whatever."
"Sasuke's the best!" Naruto cried happily, throwing himself at the brunette once again. The boy blushed and pushed the blonde off. "Don't do that in public. Everyone's watching."
"Nande? You didn't mind when I did that in the past!" the blonde said in a hurt tone. Sasuke opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted by Kakashi, who was around fifty meters in front of them. "Oi you two, hurry up! You're lagging behind!"
"Hai!" Naruto yelled and ran towards the group, leaving the Uchiha behind. Sighing, the brunette broke into a run as well.
"Maa Naruto, you're not angry with me for pushing you off earlier are you?" Sasuke asked as he followed the blonde. The group was now returning to Konohagakure after filling their stomachs. Naruto humphed softly and increased his pace.
"Naruto..."
"Sasuke's a baka!"
"What's the problem now, usuratonkatchi?"
Kakashi watched the two boys happily as he made sure Sakura didn't interrupt them. Heh. It's like watching some shounen-ai anime. Naruto's soooo dense! Wonder if he picked that up from Iruka. Nah, can't be. Even Iruka's not that dense.
"You don't want me jumping on you because you've got Ino right? That's why you pushed me off!" Naruto yelled, turning around and pointing at Sasuke. The brunette sighed. I swear, Naruto's just like a girl! He probably has mood swings too, like today.
"I pushed you off earlier because we were on a mission, Naruto. Mission. We're not supposed to be fooling around. And there were so many people watching. And..." Sasuke mumbled the rest of the sentence so softly that no one heard it.
"Sasuke, you're mumbling. I can't hear you!"
"I said, I was shy having you clinging to me in front of our clients," Sasuke hissed into the blonde's ear.
"Oh! So you still want me?" the smaller boy asked innocently as he grinned in his foxy little way.
"Of course. I'll always want you, Naruto."
"Nya, Sasuke's the best as always! I love Sasuke so much!" the blonde cried happily, glomping the taller boy, who blushed and looked away even as his hands moved to prevent the shorter boy from falling off. "Che, don't say things like that. People will think that we're a couple."
"But it's all right to sound like a couple if it's with you! Because you're Sasuke!"
"Che. Do what you want," he muttered as he put Naruto down before walking in front of the group. Naruto followed him, jumping onto his back once again.
"Saa, it all ends happily. Sakura, let's go work on our mission report. I spent so much time daydreaming about Iruka-chan that I have no idea what to write. And we have to complete it by tonight," the jounin said to the pink-haired girl, his single eye curved up in a crescent.
"What? Why me?"
"Because Naruto's got horrible memory, and Sasuke did the mission report the last time. It's your turn."
Casting a longing look at Sasuke, Sakura sighed. "Fine. Let's go then, Kakashi-sensei."
"Naruto, Sasuke, we'll be heading back first. We have to work on the mission report," the jounin said to the boys before pulling a reluctant Sakura back to the village, leaving the two boys alone.
"Ne Sasuke, are you still treating me to ramen?"
"Hn."
"Yatta! Let's hurry back then! I'm getting hungry!"
"You're always hungry."
"It's not my fault that I need more food because of the kyuubi!"
"Fine fine. Let's go."
"Ah Sasuke! Matte!"
To Be Continued...
Heh. Episodes 101 and 102 of Naruto really cracked me up, especially in episode 102 when Naruto introduces himself to Jirocho-oyabun and says that he is also known as usuratonkatchi.
Hmmm... Naruto's being a baka, confusing himself with his feelings. He doesn't even know that he's jealous.
Whee.. Went to the beach just earlier today and got sunburned for the first time in my entire life. Ow... I hope it doesn't peel. Stupid sun, ignoring my sunscreen and baking me into a piece of sizzling bacon. Che. I'm happy though, cos after the beach we went shopping and I found Wolf's Rain and Yami no Matsuei. Yay!
Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Tell me what you think!