Title: Never been kissed
Rating: hopefully i can write pg-13 -.-"
Pairings: SasuNaru, of course, InoShika, some KakaIru (yay!) and morrreeeee
Warnings: hints of shonen ai and more...
Summary: It's almost Naruto's sixteenth birthday and Kiba tells him a couple of things that he needs to do before then...
Author's Notes: thoughts and 'inner Sakura' are in italics. This is a little bit of a slower chapter... :P but it will pick up again next chapter :)
Disclaimer: Have you heard of this anime called Naruto? Because it doesn't belong to me...
Chapter Four:
Two Weeks till...
There was nothing but silence as the two stood still in a stance, waiting for the other to attack. Finally, one decided to give in and run forward to attack.
"Naruto?"
Blank Blue eyes blinked, looking at his opponent.
"What?" The boy asked. Sakura sighed, she had run straight at Naruto with a kunai and he hadn't even flinched one bit.
"You seem a little distracted," she explained. The blonde gave a small grin and put one of his hands behind his head,
"Ah.. what makes you say that?" Sakura gently poked Naruto with the side of the kunai, which was right under his chin.
"I got you." Naruto seemed a little flustered,
"See? You are improving!" Sakura lowered her arm and sighed,
"Naruto... you haven't been concentrating all day, what's bothering you?" she asked. The boy shook his head as his eyebrows slightly furrowed,
"It's nothing," he said slowly looking towards the ground.
"Na-ru-to," she whined, "I thought we agreed that we could tell each other things."
"Don't worry, everything is fine," replied Naruto smiling widely, "Come on, let's spar some more." The pink hair girl nodded and stepped away as they began to spar. Since Ino and Shikamaru's party, Naruto had showed up at her door everyday, asking if she wanted to train. Sakura didn't quite know why he would want to train with her but it benefited her so Sakura didn't ask.
Even though they had only been training together for a week, the kunoichi thought she could already feel it starting to pay off. Sparring with a boy was a lot harder she quickly found out. Naruto went easy on her at first, but soon he got comfortable to treating her as though she were a guy. Sakura found herself trying out different and new moves because Naruto was so unpredictable.
Sakura was glad he wasn't treating her as if she was some delicate object who couldn't defend herself. Especially today, Sakura noticed that Naruto was all of a sudden fighting back a lot harder than he had before.
"Come on Sasuke, you can do better than that," Naruto suddenly snarled. Sakura jumped back and stared at the blonde with wide eyes. Naruto stood clueless for a moment before his face showed any sign of what he had just said.
"Ah! Gomen, gomen, Sakura-chan!" cried Naruto reddenning, "I'm just so used to seeing Sasuke when I fight that it kinda just slipped out."
-
- b r e a k -
-
Hinata felt a kink in her neck and stepped away from the tree she had been hiding behind to stretch. She had been crouched in an uncomfortable position for about an hour or so. The shy girl loosened her limbs before returning to the tree once again.
There he was, panting and hair gleaming in the sunlight... and there she was, laughing and sitting in the grass with him. Hinata could feel the pang of jealousy run through her. Why couldn't that be her with Naruto, laughing and talking? Instead, he was with Sakura.
The Hyuuga heir had been following Naruto all week trying to gather up the courage to finally ask him out. Or at least tell him that she liked him. If Naruto was going to kiss someone before his birthday, which was in two weeks, she wanted it to be her.
Hinata sighed, she knew she would have to make a move or else she was forever going to hide in the shadows. If she didn't do something soon, she'd never be able to do anything at all. With a deep breath, Hinata stood up and prepared herself to head into the open. As she was about to take a step forward, she suddenly got a glimpse of what looked like someone hiding in the trees across from her?
It seemed that Hinata wasn't the only one watching Naruto and Sakura. The shy girl took a step back, feeling a little unnerved; maybe she should just wait for another day. Gathering the courage was already enough for today. Besides, it didn't look like the other person was going to come out of his shadows either.
-
- b r e a k -
-
Naruto sighed as he sat on the stool at Ichiraku's, waiting for his ramen. His training today had definitely not been one of his hardest but for some reason he found himself tired. He watched with hungry eyes as the delicious smelling ramen was placed in front of him,
"Thanks Ojiichan!" he said smiling. The restaurant owner smiled back at him,
"Eat lots Naruto-kun. Your stomach was growling so loud, we heard it even miles away." Naruto laughed and nodded before beginning to inhale his food.
Training with Sakura was interesting all right. Helpful somewhat, but probably more useful to her than himself. Naruto knew he should take the opportunity to help Sakura advance in his taijutsu but that wasn't his main motivator. It was because he still couldn't take his mind off that one moment and it was freaking him out!
Naruto wasn't sure why the scene of Sasuke in the bathroom kept on playing over and over in his head but it did. And that was a week ago. He still hadn't gotten over it yet. Why? The boy's chopsticks stilled as he continued to think.
It was just those dark, captivating, smouldering eyes that drew him in. Not to mention Sasuke's creamy, smooth pale skin, screaming out to him to be touched. Naruto quickly grabbed his head with his hands, what the hell am I thinking?
The blonde tried to shake the thoughts from his head but there was just one image of Sasuke that wouldn't leave. It was of the other boy standing in the middle of the bathroom with a peaceful and serene face as he ran his hand through his wet hair. It was out to torture to Naruto.
Why was Naruto all of a sudden enraptured by his rival of all people? He couldn't understand it at all. It was just something about the way he looked so calm and the way there was no trace of that sarcastic smirk. Godamn, why did Sasuke have to be so...
Beautiful...
Naruto clenched his fist and closed his eyes as he took deep, long breaths. Must... not... think... about...
"Sasuke?" The blonde snapped his head up only to hit the ramen bowl and send it flying.
"Oww..." complained Naruto as he clutched his head and saw a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye. "Iruka-sensei?" His old teacher only laughed at him,
"Naruto, I didn't think you'd still be such a klutz after all this time."
"But you surprised me!" defended Naruto. Iruka smiled,
"I only came to ask you something but since you're eating, I thought I'd join you." Naruto pointed to the seat next to him as Iruka sat down.
"Iruka-sensei, you owe me another bowl of ramen but what is it that you wanted to ask?"
"Well, I was just wondering if you had seen Sasuke-kun lately," his former teacher explained. Naruto slightly tensed,
"Eh? No..." He paused, "Wait a minute... Sasuke isn't even your student anymore, why are you asking about him?"
"What? Why can't I ask about an ex-student? Besides, it's not just me, it's Kakashi-sensei too!" exclaimed Iruka.
"Kakashi-sensei too? You were talking to Kakashi-sensei?" asked Naruto, his face contorting in confusion. He didn't know Iruka and Kakashi even knew each other. Iruka flushed,
"Well, I'll-have-you-know-we-just-happened-to-be-at-the-same - hey! Why does it matter to you anyways!" Naruto laughed,
"It doesn't! If I had known you would get all touchy about it... Geez!" Naruto turned his head away from Iruka who in turn sighed,
"Sorry Naruto... How have things been lately anyways?" The blonde scratched his head,
"Well... I've been doing a lot about thinking..." he replied honestly, it was Iruka after all.
"About?" asked the chuunin seriously. Naruto stopped scratching and suddenly lifted his head to look Iruka straight in the eye,
"How old were you when you had your first kiss?"
"Ah!"
-
- b r e a k -
-
Sakura had stayed longer to train some more after Naruto had left. During the past week, the girl felt more and more motivated to improve her skills. She wanted to become useful and actually help during a mission, instead of always being the backup. This is the first time in a while since either Naruto or Sasuke has really paid attention to me. Just me, realized Sakura.
Most of the time, they were always so self absorbed that or they were too busy concentrating on each other. Not to mention whenever one of them felt the need to train –which was every single day- it was no question who they would go to ask. They always immediately went to each other.
Sakura could even remember the rare occasion where she would see Sasuke and Naruto alone talking or even eating ramen. Over the years they had become so close and didn't let anyone in, if only they would just notice.
Was it wrong that Sakura wanted to be a part of that? She badly wanted to join them and be the one they came to when they wanted to train. But deep down she knew that it was impossible to be as close to her teammates as they were to each other. Two's company but three's a crowd. Sakura sighed as stopped her shuriken practice and sat down on the grass.
That thought... she said to herself, almost makes it seem like they're a couple...
Despite of once being helplessly in love with Sasuke, she laughed and wasn't disgusted. Though it was wrong, even Sakura had to admit that her two teammates would look good together.
Naruto was growing up and had even started to develop a charming look that could make anyone smile. While Sasuke... was just damn gorgeous. In his dark, cold, stoic looking way of course. Together, they were so opposite which made them in a weird way… complete.
The pink haired girl rolled her eyes for thinking such thoughts, she was sure they wouldn't appreciate her thinking about them together.
Sakura got up off the grass to work on her shuriken practice again; Naruto would be so proud. That's strange, thought Sakura. The other days of this week Naruto had gone with her to eat afterwards but today... he claimed he was tired. Sakura could barely recall a moment when Naruto had ever said he was tired. Something had to be on his mind, Sakura had noticed that he had been acting differently all week.
Naruto had been a little bit quieter and always seemed to be off in space, thinking about something. That's when Sakura realized it.
He likes me! That would make a lot of sense! He has been hanging around with me a lot lately and whenever I ask him what he was thinking about, he would blush!
The girl giggled to herself. She thought the blonde would be over his silly crush by now. That wasn't to say she wasn't completely over Sasuke, but lately she found herself not wanting to swoon over her teammate any longer.
It's the only logical reason as to why Naruto has been acting strange! Sakura had almost convinced herself that Naruto liked her. What else were the signs pointing to? And for some reason, Sakura didn't feel disgusted or any pity for the blonde. She felt flattered... and... she liked it.
-
- b r e a k -
-
Sasuke shoved his hands in his pockets as he walked through the streets. He kept his head down but could still feel the stares coming from the villagers as they went about at their business. What do they want, thought Sasuke as he walked down another street that was less crowded.
Though the looks made him uncomfortable, he was used to it. It had been happening all his life.
"Look, there's the last Uchiha!" one girl whispered to another.
"No way! The last?"
"Yeah... isn't he hot?"
"Um, hell yeah... I wonder if he's single?" The girl giggled,
"I think so... but every girl has already tried asking him out. Nothing works."
"What? Aw... I'd give anything to have a chance with him!"
"I said no one has gotten through!"
"What? Not even guys?" They giggled even more but stopped when they met an icy glare. Their mouths quickly snapped shut. Sasuke continued his stalk through the village. Why couldn't they just find someone else to swoon over? Why me? thought Sasuke, it's annoying and a waste of their time.
"Sasuke-kun!"
The dark haired boy growled, not again...
"Sasuke-kun! Wait! I have something to ask you!" The boy looked up to see Sakura running towards him. Damn... her? I don't want to hear it now...
"What?" he almost snapped but then he noticed she hadn't leeched herself onto his arm.
"Have you seen Naruto?" Sasuke felt himself stiffen, he was slightly surprised.
"Naruto?" When had Sakura ever asked for Naruto?
"Yeah, I need to talk to him," Sakura explained casually. Sasuke shook his head,
"No, I haven't seen him." No, he hadn't seen Naruto. Not for a long time. The dark haired boy didn't even know why Naruto was avoiding him. Had something bothered him? Could it have been... because Sasuke took care of him while he was drunk?
"Oh," replied Sakura, "Well... if you see him, could you tell him I'm looking for him?" Wait, thought Sasuke, weren't they with each other just a while ago? I know I saw them together... He felt his fist clenching slightly.
"I'm looking for him too."
"Oh? What for?" asked Sakura curiously. Sasuke sighed annoyed, why did he always have to explain himself to her? So what if he wanted to see that ridiculously blonde hair and hear that irritating voice, did he have to announce it to the world?
"Let's go," said Sasuke in a tone that would make sure that Sakura wouldn't pry any further.
"Ok..." replied Sakura and fell into step behind him as they began to search.
-
- b r e a k -
-
"Tell me Iruka-sensei!" Iruka shook his head for the millionth time. Naruto was still bugging him and as they left Ichiraku's. "Meanie!" Naruto walked ahead onto the bridge in front of them. Iruka sighed,
"Why do you want to know anyways, Naruto?" Iruka asked. The boy shrugged,
"Just cause." Iruka rolled his eyes, it was obvious that the boy had something on his mind and it wasn't just anything.
"I'll tell you..." began the brown haired man. Naruto spun around and grinned,
"Yes! I'm listening!"
"...When you're sixteen..." finished Iruka. Naruto threw his hands up,
"Ugh! Iruka-sensei!" he huffed and stuck out his tongue. Iruka laughed,
"If you want to ask someone about this kind of stuff, you should ask Kakashi-sensei, he's better at this stuff than me."
"That pervert! Ew! No way!" exclaimed Naruto. Iruka cringed,
"He's not that perverted..." defended Iruka.
"Yeah? How would you know? You don't see him almost everyday like I do!" The man clearly blushed and cleared his throat,
"Naruto, how's your training?" he said hoping to change the subject and avoid further embarrassment. The blonde didn't notice and began to talk,
"Oh you know," he began and started to talk about a new jutsu he was hoping to master. Iruka nodded but didn't listen as something else had caught his attention. He swore he thought he just saw someone up ahead creeping around on the other side of the bridge.
"Ah... Naruto," interrupted Iruka. The blonde stopped as Iruka dragged him off the bridge and behind a tree. "Sh... Someone's coming." Naruto gave him a weird look and crouched silently beside him. They waited until they heard the sound of footsteps. Naruto peeked around the tree and let out the breath of air he was holding.
"Iruka-sensei, why were you worried? It was only Sasuke and Sakura," laughed Naruto as he stepped out from behind the tree. Iruka joined him to see Sasuke and Sakura walking up towards them,
"Naruto," they both breathed at the same time. Iruka gave them a confused look but they obviously didn't even see him there. Both of their eyes were trained at the same spot.
On Naruto.
Gomen! I didn't mean for this chapter to take so long, but it took some effort to write. And of course I had work and school :P. I thought it would be much easier to write but I got stuck on trying to make this chapter interesting (which I hope it was! ). Don't worry, the next chapter will be more interesting, yup yup!
To my reviewers, LOVELOVELOVE! XD WaterBookLover, Lady of Gryffindor, Autumn-Firefly, Kali Swifteye and anonymous chums... thanks! (muahmuah) hehe. I like to know whether my fic is a good read or interesting. Thanks!
Azamaria-chan
Edited October 12, 2005