To Nikkler (and everyone): This story WILL be a YAOI one... eventually. Which means the rating WILL go up... to R

Also, about the whole chapter 14 thing... I'm surprised that Naruto's some people's fave character... I thought I was the only one... - But of course... since he's my fave character too, I will let him get over the... "event" with help from Sasuke, of course.

And the last thing: I don't understand how people can believe in a SasuSaku pairing. Sure, one-sided, but Sasuke doesn't even TALK to Sakura, and sure she may be his only chance at restoring his clan... and sure she may have feelings for him, but the last thing I remember him saying to her was "You make me sick"... which was the same thing she said to Naruto after them two kissed. Not that I think SasuSaku lovers should DIE... but... pukes over the side of her comp

Title: Jaded

Series: Naruto

Rating: PG-13 (Will go higher later on)

Genre: Action/Adventure, Angst, Drama, Romance, Humour, Horror, Tragedy, Supernatural, Fantasy, etc. (pretty much all)

Summary: For most of his life, Naruto has had one dream (becoming Hokage) and one love (Sakura), but as he grows up he realises not everything is as easy as he wants to believe it is, and his romances are not as simple as getting the girl, but finding a love that's not bound by superficial reasons, and that's when he realizes he had his priorities mixed up all along. (Eventually it'll be SasuNaru)

Pairings: SasuNaru... a little later on... SakuNaru (don't hate me...it's for all those of you who want to bash Sakura... trust me you'll like this... even though I don't like bashing her, there'll come a chapter when you'll ALL want to bash her)

Chapter Title: 9. Happy Birthday, Sasuke-kun!

Sakura walked a couple of steps behind Kakashi through the halls of Naruto's apartment. It was one of the few days that the teacher had been on time and not only had Naruto not shown up, but Sasuke was missing as well. They had gone to his house first to find it completely empty and were on their way to Naruto's to see if he had seen Sasuke since yesterday. Maybe he knew something, and if he didn't then she was going to drag his ass all over Konoha just to find him. Kakashi stopped at the boy's apartment and let Sakura do the knocking. Neither of them, it seemed, expected Sasuke to answer the door, but what they got was even more surprising.

Not only did Sasuke come to Naruto's door, but he was wearing nothing but a pair of loose fitting black shorts, a towel around his neck and a pink apron hanging off his shoulders. He opened the door with one hand and in the other held a grease-caked spatula. Sakura almost had to hold her jaw up with her hands. Kakashi looked at the boy stunned for a minute before smirking beneath his mask. He was cooking Naruto breakfast. That's when the implications of the sight began to go through Sakura's mind too and she stopped drooling. Sasuke, standing there, half-naked, cooking Naruto breakfast... not a good thing in her eyes.

"Morning, Sakura, Kakashi." He nodded to them both before stepping aside to let them both in. He didn't realise what they both were thinking.

"What are you doing over here?" Kakashi asked before Sakura could get her bearings. Sasuke looked down and blushed finally realising. Luckily for him, Naruto popped his head out at that moment.

"Morning, Sakura-chan!" He cried enthusiastically.

"Morning Naruto." Came his dreary reply. He grinned, regardless and answered Sasuke's question.

"Sasuke's here because I invited him over last night for a little bit of sparring and he ended up staying over the whole night." Kakashi nodded.

"And your clothes?" Sasuke nearly growled at the feral smirk hidden by the mask but clearly present in his eyes.

"In case you forgot, Kakashi-sensei, it rained last night. Even I know not to go to sleep in wet clothes." Naruto retorted. "Ne, Sasuke-kun, what are you cooking?" Sasuke ignored his teacher's grin and looked to Naruto.

"You wouldn't wake up in time, dobe, so I figured if you smelled real food you'd wake up properly." Naruto narrowed his eyes at the insult, but ran into the kitchen for his food anyways. The rest of them followed him.

"We've got another mission today, but it wasn't given directly to us by Tsunade." Kakashi started, sitting down opposite the hungry blond. "She's been busy with the A-class missions and dealing with the minor attacks on Konoha. We're to go to the Hokage monument and pick up a package that's to be delivered to Sound." He paused, watching both Sasuke and Naruto shiver at the mention of the village. While Naruto continued eating as if nothing had happened, Sasuke remained tense. "It's a B class mission and our team was requested specifically." He frowned. No one was ever requested by team, but he pushed aside his suspicions and told his team the rest of the details.

"Ne, Sound has a bad reputation." Naruto exclaimed through mouthfuls of bacon. Kakashi nodded. Naruto was covering up for his unease. Although he didn't know what happened in the Hidden Sound when Naruto-tachi were sent after Sasuke, but he knew none of the boys liked the place afterwards, and they all tensed at the mention of the place.

"Okay, when you're finished, both of you get ready and we'll head out." He ordered and Naruto put his plate in the sink to clean off later.

In his room, Sasuke stayed at the door.

"Arigato for not telling them about my insomnia." He mumbled. Naruto turned around startled. "I didn't want Sakura to know that I was lonely. She'd just start hanging off me even more." Naruto chuckled.

"Hai, demo it's none of their business in the first place, plus it's not as though I lied to them, ne?" He grinned and tossed Sasuke his now dry clothes. Sasuke nodded deftly and changed.

"So did you figure out what the unease was about?" Naruto asked when they had finished getting dressed. Sasuke shook his head.

"Demo, did you see Kakashi when he mentioned us getting chosen. I don't think that's a good thing." Naruto scoffed, laughing good-naturedly.

"Iie! It's because they've heard how wonderful our team is, thanks to me!" He boasted. "I am, after all, THE Uzumaki Naruto. I'm going to be the future Rokudaime! That means I'm practically royalty!" Sasuke couldn't help but laugh at how idiotic the blonde was being. They both walked out of the room to meet Sakura's weird stares. She apparently was still suspicious about what had gone on between the two the night before.

"Happy Birthday, Sasuke-kun!" She exclaimed, ignoring her thoughts. She had only just remembered the stoic boy's birthday was that day and mentally kicked herself for forgetting. "I can't believe you're sixteen already! It's such a great age!" Sasuke frowned at her.

"You're sixteen already too." He dead-panned. "What's so special about this day that makes it different from any other birthday?" She shrugged.

"I don't know, but supposedly sixteen is when you're closer to becoming an adult." He rolled his eyes.

"And tomorrow I'll be even closer, but you won't celebrate it, so today is just another pointless birthday." He growled and pushed his way past her out the door. Naruto followed him, smiling apologetically to the girl.

"I think he either woke up on the wrong side or has a birthday stick permanently stuck up his ass." Sakura smiled weakly at his remark, but didn't comment on his rudeness. They both followed Sasuke out the front door towards Kakashi who was waiting for them to head to the Hokage monument to pick up their package.

(Star)(Star)(Star

Halfway there, Naruto began to notice the unusual quiet that had befallen the village that morning. The streets were empty and the shops were all closed. It could almost be considered a ghost town. Where were all the people? He was about to voice his concerns when Kakashi held them back, tensing. They all looked around but saw nothing suspicious beyond the unerring quiet. Kakashi suddenly turned his gaze skyward as six ninjas jumped in on them from the high rooftops. They all immediately went into their fighting stances, noting the sound forehead protectors the shinobi wore.

"K'so." Naruto whispered, curling his lip angrily. At his voice the ninja began to attack mercilessly in what soon seemed like a losing battle as Sasuke felt arms encircle his own, pinning them to his side. He was about to turn his head to his attacker when a movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. A kunai was headed straight for his face and he couldn't move.

(End of Chapter)

Yeah, I know it's a stupid place to leave off, and not much of a cliff-hanger, but I didn't want it to be so short... not that that little scene changed much.

Also, I know I only posted the last one yesterday, but... - I like posting, so yeah... I guess the next one will be posted... lets say Sunday.