Author's note: Food for thought- Camels spit.
Disclaimer: eye twitch, Growwwwwl.
Oh, make sure that if you want to keep reading, you either put me on alert or set your browser to accept M (R-rated) fics. I won't be able to get away with PG-13 (T) anymore, thanks to the language. Next chap will probably be in the M category, if not, then the next will be.
If you don't see an update from me by this time next week, that's what happened.
In a good mood for once, Sasuke wandered through the cafeteria in search of his elusive blonde. His eyes scanned the mass of chattering, empty-headed college students occupying the tables, but he couldn't be bothered to look at any of them.
He was only after one empty-headed college student.
Finally spotting Naruto's outrageously bright hair, Sasuke made his way over to the blonde.
"Uchiha."
"I wouldn't go over there."
The two voices he wanted to hear least in the world gave him pause. Turning, Sasuke took in the irritated expressions on Gaara and Neji's faces.
"I never would have expected to see you two together," he commented, folding his arms over his chest.
Neither rose to the occasion. Neji simply looked away, seemingly with disinterest, but Gaara locked gazes with the Uchiha.
"You're too late. I'll only warn you this once. Don't go over there."
With that, the two boys left, a confused Sasuke in their wake. Frowning, Sasuke walked over to the blonde in question. He opened his mouth to speak, but his words caught in his throat.
No way...
Naruto glanced up at him, a huge grin on his face. His fingers were interlaced with another's over the table.
"Sasuke, guess what?"
Sasuke swallowed. "What?"
"Lee asked me out this morning! Isn't that great?" He turned back to his companion, giving the exuberant, bowl-cut brunette across from him a loving smile. "I was hoping he would!"
Lee flashed him a dazzling smile and a thumbs up. "We must celebrate the spring-time of youth, Naruto-love!"
The two jumped to their feet.
"Let's go run two hundred laps!"
"And after that, we'll work out for seven hours!"
Cheering, the two lovebirds ran out of the cafeteria towards an imagined red sunset.
Completely shocked, Sasuke sank into the nearest seat.
...April fools?
Author's note: ...Gotcha! Now, for the real stuff. Enjoy.
The next morning, Sasuke sat impatiently in Kakashi's class, glancing irritably at the clock. His eyes flickered to the empty seat beside him.
Naruto still hasn't shown up. Sasuke frowned as the clock ticked away, closing down on the time left in class. It's not like him to skip this class. Did he sleep in?
Kakashi's words drifted in one ear and out the other as Sasuke automatically took notes, his mind of yesterday's events. I wonder if Naruto really was testing me yesterday. It certainly seems like it. His frown deepened. But that certainly doesn't seem to be a Naruto-brand response. If he thought I was interested, wouldn't he just say so?
He answered a question when Kakashi called on him to do so, but if asked later, he couldn't have said what either the question or the answer was about. His expression tightened sternly.
Or was he just teasing me again?
When the class was finally dismissed, Sasuke gathered his books and stalked out of the lecture hall. I swear, if he was, I'm going to—
"Uchiha."
Stopping dead in his tracks, Sasuke turned to spot a redhead leaning against the wall.
"Gaara." He frowned, turning to face the boy who was staring at him with such intensity. He lifted a brow in question when Gaara didn't say anything.
"What is your relationship with Uzumaki Naruto?" Gaara abruptly questioned, his face impassive. Sasuke blinked, not quite expecting that.
He smirked, folding his arms over his chest. "Why do you want to know?" he challenged.
Gaara's gaze grew colder, but he remained relaxed against the wall."That's not important. Answer the question."
Sasuke's smirk disappeared. "Don't give me orders."
His expression unchanging, Gaara slowly straightened up off the wall and stepped forward. Sasuke tensed, his hands dropping to his sides.
"Stay away from him, Uchiha," Gaara stated, his voice soft, but intense. Though his face remained calm, his eyes took on a dangerous glint. "That is an order."
Anger ran through Sasuke's veins, and he clenched his fists. His own face darkened in response to Gaara's.
"You can't intimidate me," he stated calmly.
The two stared each other down, neither giving an inch. The air between them grew so charged that a fly wandering by would be vaporized.
Eventually, Gaara smirked. "We'll see, Uchiha."
With that, Gaara passed Sasuke and calmly walked away, his dismissal of the brunette clear. Sasuke clenched his fists, but he schooled his face into a mask of indifference as he walked away, his angry thoughts roiling in his mind.
That bastard dared to threaten me? I'll do as I damn well please! His expression became thunderous, and the unlucky people who had to look him in the face as he walked along ducked their heads nervously and skittered out of his way.
How many suitors does Naruto HAVE?
Sasuke's mood hadn't improved by the time he made it to his room, and his lock took the brunt of his abuse as he jammed the key into the metal contraption.
"Wow. Remind me to disarm you whenever you're in a bad mood."
Glancing up, Sasuke turned to see Naruto strolling forward. The boy was dressed in a faded yellow shirt, blue jean bib-overalls, brown boots, and green gardening gloves.
And he was covered from head to toe in dirt.
"...What happened to you?" Sasuke questioned after taking him in. "Why weren't you at class?"
"Class?" Naruto blinked at him in confusion before his face cleared. "Oh, damn! Class! I totally forgot!" Naruto slapped his forehead in his consternation, resulting in a huge smear of dirt.
Sasuke smothered a smile. "What the hell were you doing that got you so dirty?"
Naruto stared blankly at him just long enough for Sasuke to begin to wonder. The blonde's face slid into an easy smile.
"I got a little carried away today in Horticulture."
"Horticulture?" Sasuke lifted an eyebrow. "During European history?"
"It's for a project, Sasuke," Naruto replied dryly. "It's due kinda soon, and I forgot about class, alright? Case closed."
Not quite convinced, Sasuke watched as Naruto peeled off his gloves, unlocked his door, and glanced back at the Uchiha.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Sasuke thought about questioning him further, but he chose to lean back against the wall instead.
"I hope you don't expect me to give you today's notes just because you flaked out."
As expected, Naruto's face immediately scrunched up. "Aw, c'mon! It was an honest mistake!"
Sasuke just looked at him.
Groaning, Naruto tipped his head up to the ceiling. "If I can't get them from you, who the hell am I supposed to ask?"
Sasuke considered him for a long, quiet moment. "I'll give them to you...on one condition."
"What?"
"We do all of the research for our project together. In my room." Sasuke wondered at his boldness as Naruto's eyebrows shot up. Was that too much? Immediately, he thought of Gaara's threat and Neji's date. No. Definitely not too much.
"...Um, alright," Naruto answered slowly, looking at Sasuke like he expected him to announce that he was an alien and wanted to suck Naruto's brain out. "We could do that."
Sasuke smirked, a sense of triumph floating through him. First step in the right direction.
Naruto turned to enter his room, then glanced back at Sasuke. "Hey, could you c'mere a sec? I want to show you something."
Obligingly, Sasuke stepped away from the wall and followed Naruto into his room, lifting an eyebrow when Naruto casually kicked the door closed behind them. Naruto wandered over to his desk, squatting down and opening the bottom drawer.
Sasuke let his eyes wander appreciatively over Naruto's back and butt as the overalls tightened. "What did you want to show me?"
"I ran across something earlier...and I forgot to show you...ah!" Standing—and inadvertently disappointing Sasuke—Naruto turned and smiled at the Uchiha. Picking up the other boy's hand, he pressed a piece of metal into it.
Confused, Sasuke glanced down at his hand. A gold pendant featuring a snake about to strike gleamed in the center of his palm.
"This is...the necklace I wore in middle school," he stated slowly.
Naruto smirked. "Yeah, the one from when you felt you had to be an ass to everyone about everything. The one I tore off you when we fought so badly, both of us ended up in the hospital."
Sasuke slowly tore his eyes off the pendant to look up at Naruto. "You kept it?"
"Yeah. I always figured I'd give it back when you'd earned it by not being such a bastard." He smirked. "I'm still not sure you're ready for it, but what the hell. It was yours to begin with, wasn't it?"
Sasuke stared at him, then back down at the jewelry. The snake's gleaming fangs reminded him of who he used to be...a guy who was certain that the only way to live was by staying constantly on the offensive, letting no one get close to him without ending up pumped full of venom. It had been a self-destructive life-style, one that had nearly led to him killing himself until Naruto found him, beat the shit out of him, and threatened to kill him himself if Sasuke ever tried it again.
After that...Sasuke hadn't immediately accepted the fact that he was changing, but he had, steadily. Now, looking back on it...he couldn't believe that his outlook on life had ever been so bleak.
He didn't look up as Naruto stepped past him, but his voice softly drifted into the air.
"How do you do it?"
"Hmm?" Naruto turned to look at him. "Do what?"
"Change people...the way you do." Sasuke ran his fingers over the metal. "You changed Neji, changed Gaara, and even saved me from myself."
His face unreadable, he finally looked over at the blonde. "How do you do it?"
Naruto looked down, his features solemn. "...I know I don't act like it," he began slowly, "but I went through that same kind of self-condemning thing myself as a kid. I couldn't stand it, and I couldn't stand myself." He glanced up, his eyes suddenly fierce. "Later, I couldn't stand to see people like you three just accept that the world was a horrible place. I made my world better, so what the fuck was stopping you?"
He turned away, his broad shoulders tense. "I had to prove you guys wrong...or else everything I'd come to believe about myself was a lie."
Silence settled thickly in the room. Abruptly, Naruto glanced back at him and smirked.
"I should've known I was right all along!"
Sasuke stared at him for a long moment before cracking a smile. "For once, yeah, I guess you were."
Naruto flashed him a fox grin. "Heh. So, now that that's settled..."
Looking down, Naruto unsnapped the buttons holding up his overalls and let them drop.
Sasuke choked as Naruto also shrugged out of his shirt, now standing in nothing but his boxers. Face red, he couldn't stop himself from staring shamelessly at Naruto's toned body.
"W-what the hell are you doing?"
"Getting ready to take a shower," he stated calmly, rolling up his clothes and walking to his hamper like nothing out of the ordinary was happening. Glancing over at Sasuke, he gave him an odd look. "You ok there, buddy?"
"You—I—" He tore his eyes away, looking steadfastly to the side. "Do you have no shame?"
Naruto blinked at him. "It is my room, and the door is shut, Sasuke. It's not like I'm putting on a show."
"But I'm here!"
Naruto shrugged. "So? I do it in front of Kiba, and he doesn't care."
Kiba doesn't want to jump you. "It's not the same," he ground out.
Naruto simply rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I'll stop offending your virgin eyes." Stepping into the bathroom and shutting the door, he called out, "Didn't you ever change in the locker room at school?"
"It's not the same!" Sasuke repeated, beginning to feel slightly foolish. He swore he heard Naruto mutter, "Sissy," before the spray of water from the shower turned on. Taking a deep breath, Sasuke sat on the edge of Naruto's bed.
"Do you want me to stay or leave?" he called out after some thought. There was a moment of silence from the shower.
"Stay," Naruto decided. "If you leave, I'd probably have to get out and lock the door."
Trying desperately not to imagine Naruto in the shower—or joining Naruto in the shower...damn, now he needed a tissue—Sasuke looked around the blonde's room. Snagging a tissue and pressing it to his nose, he stood and moved to study some of the posters and pictures Naruto had put up. Naruto had decorated his side of the room very eclectically, scattering anime merchandise, pictures of nature, and pictures of friends all over the walls. With some satisfaction, Sasuke noted that he appeared in a lot of the photos, though he was hardly alone; he recognized Sakura, who had dated Naruto for a very short time when they were younger, in several shots.
Musing over this, Sasuke crumpled the bloodied tissue and tossed it into the trash. He wandered over to Naruto's desk, which had an open notebook on it. Picking it up, he started to peruse its contents.
It's a journal... Sasuke realized as he turned the pages, but not a normal one. It looks like he filled it with random observations he made throughout the day. Intrigued, he read some of the passages.
October forth, 2004. I mentioned the Europeans in Genetics today, and Dr. Umino blushed a little, even though I wasn't talking to him. I thought about it, and made a passing comment about Dr. Hatake as I left the class. He blushed again. I think he has a thing for him...
December sixth, 2004. I talked to Sakura today at lunch. She must have put herself on a diet again, since she steered clear of all carbs today. I'll bet she's trying to make herself thinner for Sasuke, but you know, I brought him up during the conversation and it took her a second before reacting. I don't think she realizes it, but she probably doesn't like him as much as she wishes she does.
December twelfth, 2004. Aunt Tsunade called me today, wondering if I was going to be ok for Christmas, since she just found out that she couldn't spend it with me. Two things—one, I think she's feeling guilty about not always being there for me, and two, I think she blew all of her money gambling again and she's stuck in Vegas trying to work up enough money to make it home. Not that she'd ever say so.
January first, 2005. I was right about Sakura. She just admitted to me today that her crush on Sasuke wasn't as strong as she thought it was. Swish! Nothing but net!
Sasuke was surprised. In these musings, Naruto had apparently picked up on a lot of little details that some people would miss. In fact, he realized as he read some of the other passages, it looked like Naruto noticed almost everything going on around him. He didn't always draw a conclusion from his observations, often missing the final point until it was made blindingly obvious to everyone concerned, but the fact remained that Naruto still picked up on it.
Why does he act so oblivious, then? It's obvious that even when he doesn't connect Point A and B, he has a vague idea of what's going on. Frowning, Sasuke started to flip forward to Naruto's more current entries. I wonder what he wrote about me...
"Having fun?"
Stiffening, Sasuke closed the journal. He turned around, ready to be reamed out for invading Naruto's priva—
Oh dear god.
Sasuke's heart skipped a beat and his tongue dried out when he saw Naruto standing before him, clad only in a blue towel wrapped loosely around his waist. The blonde rubbed his hair with another towel, unknowingly showing off the muscles in his chest as he did so. He stared at the notebook in Sasuke's hands.
"You know, I never would've thought you were the kind of guy who'd read someone else's journal," he stated dryly. Hanging the second towel about his neck, he walked forward and took the book from Sasuke's slackened grip. "Next time, could you at least ask for permission?"
It would've taken more brain power than Sasuke currently had to respond, occupied as he was with staring at Naruto. With his blonde hair wet and tiny rivulets of water running down his sun-kissed skin, the boy looked slick, steamy, and just overall delicious. Sasuke had to remind himself to keep breathing, the ability to look away long since lost to him.
God, if I touched him now...I just know he's not wearing anything under that towel...
...Where did that tissue run off to?
"Hello? Sasuke? You in there?" Blinking, Sasuke managed to focus on the hand Naruto was waving in front of his face. He stared at Naruto's face, fighting the instinct to just reach out, throw the blonde onto the bed, and have his way with him.
"...I'm sorry," he finally replied, realizing what Naruto was waiting for. The blonde lifted an eyebrow at him, so he cleared his throat and continued. "I wouldn't have gone through it, but your entries were...interesting."
"Interesting?" Naruto blinked in surprise. "How so?"
"I hadn't realized you were so...observant."
"Oh. That's because I'm usually not until I get it down on paper." He set the notebook back on his desk. "Aunt Tsunade suggested that I keep a journal and write what I noticed about people throughout the day so that I'd stop being such a dumbass."
Sasuke smirked, fighting to keep his eyes on Naruto's face. "It didn't work."
"And the mighty Uchiha cracks a joke," Naruto replied sarcastically. "I'll have to put that one down immediately."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Are you going to put your clothes on?" he heard himself ask.
Shaking his head, Naruto moved past him and headed for his dresser. "Prude."
Sasuke decided not to comment, forcing himself to look away while Naruto made himself presentable. At least once he's dressed, I can think normally. Not to mention the fact that I'll be able to keep myself from jumping him...theoretically.
"All right, Uchiha, it's safe to look."
Sasuke glanced over at him, both relieved and sorely disappointed that Naruto was fully clad in a T-shirt and jeans.
"You're an exhibitionist, aren't you?"
"No. I just don't care," he flippantly replied. Moving forward, he gathered his books. "I have to kick you out now. I have Genetics in fifteen minutes."
Nodding briefly, Sasuke dutifully preceded Naruto out into the hall, then waited as he locked his door.
"Come to my room after class, if you can," he requested abruptly. "We'll get moving on our paper."
"Alright. I might be a bit late, though."
Sasuke lifted an eyebrow. "Why's that?"
"Because I need to have a little chat with Neji." Smiling, he waved at the startled Uchiha. "Catch you later!"
Before Sasuke could formulate a reply, Naruto was already gone.
Bookbag slung over his shoulder, Naruto wandered into his Genetics class. His eyes automatically scanned for the pale-eyed Hyuuga, and he smiled lightly when he spotted the boy among the middle rows in the lecture hall. Neji was already watching him, and he gave a soft nod of acknowledgement when Naruto waved.
Ok, Naruto thought as he snagged an empty seat up front, he probably hasn't realized that I know what really happened yesterday. Sighing lightly, he pulled out his notebook and opened to an empty page. I really hate to shoot him down, but I can't afford to have him think that he can just get away with stuff like that. I'm not into him that way, though he wishes I was.
Naruto thought about that for a moment, then snorted at the double entendre.
Throughout class, he could feel Neji's gaze burning into his back. He didn't bother to turn around, since he was sure Neji would've looked away before he got his head all the way around, but it made him feel slightly uncomfortable.
How long has this been going on, anyway? Frowning, Naruto thought back through his other run-ins with the proud Hyuuga. Now, he could pick up on several occasions when Neji had been overly protective, had seemed to be watching him, or had seemed to favor him over everyone else. The first time through, he'd assumed it was because Neji liked him...not because Neji liked him. The other possibility simply hadn't occurred to him.
Of course, that also went for Sasuke. His reaction yesterday showed that Sasuke was at least attracted to him. Now it was just a question of how much feeling backed that up.
Chewing lightly on the end of his pencil, Naruto decided that Sasuke's jealousy alone—and it was jealousy, no doubt about that—didn't really establish any sort of real affection for him. Sasuke always was a possessive bastard.
Naruto scowled at a problem on misplaced genes before setting down his pencil. And then there's Gaara. I can't tell if the guy just has a mother hen instinct towards me or if he's another one I'll have to worry about. Or is that my ego talking? He leaned back in his seat and decided to count ceiling tiles until he was either called on or class was dismissed. Oh well. First things first—where should I take Neji?
About a half hour and one hundred twenty-six ceiling tiles later, Iruka (he'd told them all to call him that the first day, since "Dr. Umino" sounded so formal. He then proceeded to blush the first few times he was addressed) decided to dismiss them. Standing, Naruto flagged down Neji.
"Hey, do you have a minute?"
The Hyuuga lifted an eyebrow. "Yes."
Naruto shifted, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I want to talk to you. Somewhere private."
Clearly surprised, Neji gave him a short nod and followed him out of the Genetics building. He watched Naruto curiously as they crossed the street.
"What is this about?" he asked at length. Naruto glanced at him, then down the road as he waited for a car to pass before crossing the next intersection.
"I think you know, Neji," he answered. After a few minutes, he added, "I've been thinking things over since Saturday."
"...I see." Neji fell silent.
As Naruto's dorm came into view, Neji looked curiously at him. "Where are we going?"
"My room."
"Your...room?"
"It's the only place I can think of where we can talk without someone listening in." He sent Neji a sidelong glance. "Your fan club has spies everywhere. I don't want to get mauled by some foaming-at-the-bit psycho-girl."
Neji smirked. "What makes you think I would let them?"
"You can't be everywhere at once, man. Sooner or later, they'd catch me." He shuddered. "Swinging by my toes from the roof doesn't sound appealing, thank you very much."
Chuckling, Neji looked ahead. "Your room it is, then."
A part of Naruto's brain was waving red flags, blowing whistles and running around in circles with a banner saying, "BAD IDEA!" He chose to ignore it.
Neither boy said anything as they made their way up to the third floor and walked past the multitude of open doors and the few shut ones that declared, "Dammit, you guys! Can't I ever study here? Shut up!" on dry erase boards. Pulling out his keys, Naruto unlocked his door and let them in, tossing his bag down. Per his habit, he kicked the door shut.
He didn't notice the door opening a few rooms down the hall.
"Ok. Neji, I wanted to talk to you about that concert." Moving forward, he sat heavily on the edge of his bed and looked up at the pale Hyuuga. Neji frowned.
"What about it?"
"Was that..." He hesitated, then continued warily. "Was that a date?"
Neji was silent for a long time before he answered. "Yes, it was."
"I figured." Sighing, Naruto leaned back and placed his hands behind him. "You know that I had no idea, right? Hell, I didn't even know you liked me."
"...And now?"
Naruto gave him a dry look. "Well, it's pretty damn obvious now." He blushed lightly and looked away. "Especially after that kiss on the cheek," he added quietly.
After a moment, Neji sat beside him. "Did I...offend you?"
"What?" Naruto blinked at him. "No, it's nothing like that, but it was one of the most out of the blue moments of my life. How long have you felt that way?"
Apparently unsure of whether this was a good conversation or a bad one, Neji slowly replied, "Since middle school."
Naruto's eyes bugged out. "That long?" His jaw fell slightly slack as Neji simply looked at him. "Why didn't you tell me?"
The other boy gave a gentle shrug. "I didn't think there was a point. You obviously didn't feel the same way about me."
Naruto lifted an eyebrow, slightly unnerved both by how much information the Hyuuga was giving out and by how intensely he was now being stared at.
"And, um, what changed, exactly?"
After a moment's consideration, Neji leaned closer. "I decided not to wait any longer," he replied, his voice low.
Red alerts, tornado warnings, and SWAT teams were now going on a rampage through Naruto's mind. Smiling weakly, he started to lean away.
"O-Ok, but, Neji, I—"
"You what?" Neji had moved closer again, his eyelids lowered to half mast. Nervously, Naruto tried to shift away.
"U-um, I..." A blush lit his face as he realized he was running out of places to go. "Look, Neji, about that kiss Saturday night—"
"I missed."
"What?" Naruto's blush increased when Neji suddenly lifted his hand to cup the blonde's cheek. Oooh, this was SO a bad idea! "Wait a minute, Neji, this isn't what I—"
"And I plan to make up for that."
Before Naruto could protest, Neji's lips were soundly locked onto his. The motion made him lose his balance, and he fell backwards against the bed, breaking the kiss. He had an instant to look up at Neji before the other boy's eyes narrowed and he leaned forward, slipping his tongue into Naruto's mouth.
THIS WAS SO A BAD IDEA!
Arms flailing, Naruto tried to find purchase among his bedclothes as Neji fisted his hand in his hair, rocking his mouth over Naruto's with determination. Another of Neji's hands found its way up Naruto's shirt, making his stomach muscles jump. Sucking in a sharp breath through his nose, Naruto slid a hand between them and pushed at Neji's chest.
When the boy refused to move, Naruto had to stiff-arm him away, blessing every moment he'd spent in the gym. Panting, he glared up at Neji.
"Now hold on a damn minute! I don't know where you got the wrong idea, but..." he trailed off as he realized that his door, which he had definitely closed, was wide open. The color draining from his face, he let his eyes move over to the boy who was now standing feet away, looking like he was ready to destroy something.
"Sasuke..." Naruto swallowed, only one thought going through his mind.
Oh...shit.
Author's note: Runs from flames!
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