Author's note: Ok, I lied. NOW there'll be two more updates before I go. Warning: this chap has a touch of lime to it in the middle. It's not bad, but I figured I should give you a warning anyway.
Enjoy.
Something was wrong. Neji didn't know what, but something had gone terribly, horribly wrong within the last twenty-four hours.
Frowning lightly, he milled around in his single dorm room. Unlike the rooms of his neighbors, Neji's was very sparsely decorated: off-white carpet, black couch, computer, and a bed with a black comforter. He didn't bother with anything on the walls, since he didn't need more distractions than he already had in his life.
Unfortunately, the only distraction he wanted in his life had disappeared.
Growing fed up with the anxiety that would not go away, Neji finally headed out the door. Perhaps if he went to Naruto's dorm, he would find out what was going on.
His fists clenched lightly as he made the long walk to the blonde's dorm.
If Uchiha or Gaara is responsible for his disappearance...they'd better pray that I don't run into them.
Just as Neji made his way up the few steps leading into the dorm, the spiky-haired roommate of Naruto's exited the building. The Hyuuga paused.
What was his name again? Um...Kiba, wasn't it?
"Kiba." When the other boy glanced over at him, Neji turned towards him and placed his hands in his pockets. "Have you seen Naruto lately?"
"Naruto?" Kiba blinked in surprise. "He went home with Sasuke for the weekend."
Neji's left eye twitched. "I see. When will they be back?"
"I dunno. Some time tomorrow." Kiba lifted an eyebrow at the way Neji's expression tensed. "Mind explaining why you care?"
Neji narrowed his eyes lightly, turning away. "Yes."
"...You do realize that it's none of your business, right?"
The Hyuuga paused in his descent down the stairs. Glancing back, he saw that the other boy had adopted a casually belligerent pose, leaning his weight on one foot and squaring his shoulders. Kiba gave him a cool look.
"It's none of your beeswax if Naruto goes home for the weekend with Uchiha or with the Queen of Scots. Last time I checked, you weren't his keeper."
At the repetition of the title Uchiha had accused him of, Neji turned to face the spiky-haired boy and gave him one of his perfected poisonous glares.
"Naruto's business is my business. That has nothing to do with you."
"You may want to ask him if that's actually true." Kiba strolled past him, dropping their eye contact. "Guys like you always assume too much."
Vaguely surprised that Naruto's roommate had chosen to stand up to him, Neji watched him leave. A light frown on his face, Neji turned away from Naruto's dorm and began to head back towards his own.
Perhaps he had a point. Neji's frown increased. Where I stand with Naruto right now, I have almost no right to claim that I have any business meddling in his affairs.
He tipped his chin up as he walked.
I'll deal with that as soon as he gets back.
Unbeknownst to the departing Hyuuga, he was not the only person to learn of the blonde's location and his companion. With a shocked expression, the other person dug into her purse and dialed a number on her cell phone.
"Hey. You are not going to believe this..."
Sasuke kept a light frown on his face as the two quietly ate their lunches. Naruto had chosen to lean back on his hands, staring at the river with a thoughtful expression on his face as he polished off his third sandwich. Swallowing, Sasuke set his food down.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked eventually. The blonde briefly glanced over at him, then returned his gaze to the river.
"Nothing much."
When Naruto didn't offer any more information, Sasuke lifted an eyebrow at him.
"This is the first time I've seen you so tight-lipped." He hesitated. "Is something wrong?"
The blonde's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Not really, no. I just...lost sight of my priorities for a minute there."
His priorities? "And what would they be?"
After a moment, Naruto turned his head towards Sasuke and gave him a long, analyzing look. Sasuke frowned, unused to seeing such an expression on the normally genial blonde, much less having it directed at him.
"Sasuke..." he eventually started, his eyes still oddly intense. "Why did you agree to come home with me?"
The Uchiha in question blinked. "Well...because I wanted to spend time with you, I guess."
"You guess." Naruto's voice was flat.
Confused now, Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed and he tipped his head slightly to the side. "What do you want me to say?" he asked, an edge entering his voice. Sasuke was starting to feel defensive, and it wasn't an emotion he was fond of.
Sighing, Naruto returned his gaze to the river. "Nothing, Sasuke. Just forget it."
...Why am I getting the feeling that I just struck out?
"I...don't often get a chance to just...hang out with you," Sasuke stated slowly. When Naruto glanced over at him expectantly, he forced himself to continue. "When you offered me the opportunity, I accepted it."
Naruto gazed at him, apparently deciding whether or not he was satisfied with this information. Uncomfortable with explaining himself, Sasuke decided to turn the tables on him.
"Why does it matter? We're friends, aren't we?" he questioned, giving Naruto a cool look.
Something changed in those blue eyes, but before Sasuke could determine what it was, Naruto looked away.
"Yeah, we are."
...There's that feeling again...
When Naruto turned back to the river yet again, Sasuke gritted his teeth and stood. There's no way I'm going to lose now, not after I was so close before.
Gathering his nerve, the Uchiha walked over and stood in front of the blonde. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and waited for the blonde to look up at him.
"Do you really want to know why I wanted to come out here with you?" he asked, his voice low.
Naruto blinked, suddenly in uncertain territory. "Yes..."
Smirking, Sasuke leaned forward and reached down to cup Naruto's chin. His eyes took on a dangerous glint.
"I wanted to be alone with you."
"You...did?"
"Mm." Sasuke's eyes lowered to the blonde's mouth. "It was getting frustrating."
"What was?" Naruto looked up at the Uchiha with an innocent expression, apparently unaffected by the liquid heat in Sasuke's eyes.
The raven-haired boy slowly bent down, lowering one knee to the ground and bringing Naruto's face closer to his own.
"...That I couldn't get close to you," he continued. His voice took on a husky quality as he stared into Naruto's blue eyes.
"You're close to me now, aren't you?" Naruto smirked. "You're a weird guy, Sasuke."
Finally frowning at Naruto's apparent obliviousness to what he was trying to do, the Uchiha tipped Naruto's head up and moved to ghost his lips over the blonde's neck. Temptation rose, but he refrained from actually touching the blonde.
"That's not what I meant, Naruto." He exhaled lightly on the other boy's neck, pleased when goosebumps rose on his skin.
Naruto turned his head slightly towards him, his face unseen. "Then what exactly did you mean, Sasuke?"
The Uchiha made a low noise, lifting his head to hover in front of the blonde's ear.
"If you can't figure it out by now, there's no hope for you after all."
After a long, quiet moment, Naruto began to chuckle quietly. Sasuke leaned back to look into his eyes, confused by that reaction. Naruto began to laugh harder as he stared at the Uchiha, which only perturbed the boy further.
"What's so funny?" he asked irritably.
"I'm just wondering what's gotten into you today!" Placing a hand on Sasuke's chest, Naruto lightly pushed him away. "You're not acting like yourself, Sasuke."
Eyes narrowing, Sasuke captured the offending hand within his own. "I'm being serious, Naruto."
"That's the only normal thing about you today." Grinning, Naruto made to stand up. "I still think you need to get your pills checked, man."
That does it. Sasuke scowled. "Don't blow me off, Naruto."
"What are you talking about?" Naruto glanced at him. "Who said I was blowing you off? You're the one who got all weird on me all of a sud—"
He was cut off by Sasuke suddenly tightening his grip on the blonde's hand and tugging him back to the ground. His scowl deepening, Sasuke forced Naruto's shoulders to the ground and loomed over him.
"Don't blow me off, Uzumaki. You know very well what's going on here."
Naruto blinked at him, a weak smile on his face. "Sasuke, I don't—"
"Don't play oblivious with me, either. I'm not buying it this time." He narrowed his eyes. "I know there's a brain in that thick head of yours."
The weak smile dropped off Naruto's face for a moment, revealing an expression that Sasuke had no time to interpret before the blonde suddenly reached up, threw the Uchiha to the ground next to him, and rolled over, effectively pinning him. His eyes carried a dangerous glint.
"Then maybe you're the one who should stop playing games, Uchiha," he stated quietly. When Sasuke simply stared up at him in shock, Naruto stood, giving the Uchiha an easy smile.
"Let's head back. We're taking the 'scenic route' home, so we'll need to get a move on."
With that, he turned and started gathering up the remains of the lunch, stuffing them into the original bags. Completely lost, Sasuke sat up.
...What the hell just happened here? He watched as Naruto placed the bags back into his saddlebags. I feel like I just lost a competition.
Naruto glanced over at him, moving towards the lead ropes tying the horses to the picket line.
"You coming or what?"
After a moment's hesitation, Sasuke stood and moved over to the blonde's side. Naruto watched him approach, his hands resting on the slipknot keeping Leo's lead rope attached.
"C'mere, I'll need you to hold these." He waited until Sasuke reluctantly approached him before reaching out and snagging the nape of the shorter boy's neck, turning Sasuke towards him and bringing their faces close together.
"And just for the record," he murmured, "I hate being thrown down."
With a smirk, he released the stunned boy and untied the knot, handing the rope over. He silently untied Sioux and handed Sasuke her lead rope, then went to work untying the actual picket line. Sasuke simply stared at him, temporarily forgetting just how close he was standing to the horses.
Somewhere in the back of his confused mind, a scorecard currently read: Naruto: 1, Sasuke: 0.
God damn him. Naruto kept a genial expression on his face as he finished packing their saddlebags, but frustration simmered just beneath the surface. Would it kill him to just make an admission? Is it really that hard to just say, "I like you, Naruto"?
He waited until the obviously perplexed Uchiha climbed into his saddle before he flipped Leo's reins over the horse's head and climbed into his own saddle. As someone well accustomed to people underestimating him, Naruto had learned long ago that confusion worked wonders on getting out of awkward situations. When in doubt, freak them out.
As proved by Sasuke's current inability to grasp the situation. Naruto stifled a sigh and looked longingly at the cool river flowing calmly along before him. Even if he had managed to look like he was impervious (oblivious, whatever) to Sasuke's advances, he was human...and that river was looking awfully refreshing right about now...
Shaking his head, Naruto turned and flashed Sasuke a challenging grin. "Think you'll be able to handle cantering on the way back, or will you wet yourself again?"
Sasuke glanced over at him.
Ooo, if looks could kill. Chuckling, Naruto turned Leo and led them along the riverbank. Poor little pissy man.
Naruto laughed aloud when he realized what he'd just thought. The dirty look he received from Sasuke burned into his back, but he ignored it.
As they rode, Naruto struck up a one-sided conversation with Leo, allowing his own mind to wander.
I almost kissed him back there. His eyelids lowered. I know I shouldn't, but... Heaving a light sigh, Naruto glanced at the surrounding forest.
Am I wrong for wanting Sasuke to admit he cares about me? I know he's attracted to me—hell, I'm attracted to him—but I've seen how his relationships in the past have worked out. A light frown fleetingly crossed his lips before his smile was restored. He always, always ends up ending the relationship because he claims that he doesn't care as much as he thought (or should, I've heard him use that one before) about his partner.
Navigating Leo around a particular patch of soggy ground, Naruto narrowed his eyes. And I'll be damned if I'll be just another roll in the hay for him. Or worse...someone he only wants because others are showing an interest.
Steeling his jaw, he gazed at the trail ahead of him.
No. Before I let anything happen, he has to say that he cares about me. His eyes narrowed again. And if he mentions Neji or Gaara when he does, I'll shoot him.
Sasuke gave up on trying to understand what had really occurred by the riverside. Naruto had given him so many confusing messages within fifteen minutes that Sasuke doubted he would untangle what the blonde wanted for at least another three days. Frowning, he watched as the blonde spoke companionably to his horse about how cool it was to ride through the woods again.
Looks like the situation didn't bother him at all. Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed as he contemplated the blonde. I had no idea he could be so mercurial. How can he go from joking to sexy to serious, then confused to innocent and finally to dangerous before putting on that damn smile again? Is he insane, or is he just that practiced at controlling his emotions?
The thought gave him pause. I always assumed Naruto was an open book...but with each step I take, I learn a little more about him. After a long moment, a slight smile lit his face. He's frustrating and confusing, but...
...I think I like this complex Naruto. His smile turned into a smirk. It should be fun to see how well we can keep each other on our toes.
Naruto hadn't been kidding when he said they were taking the "scenic route" home. A light chill took to the air as the stable finally came back into sight, the sun dipping down towards the horizon. Shivering slightly, Sasuke lifted a hand to rub his arm as Sioux picked up her pace.
Home! Home again, home again, home again. Food, snacks, water, hay...Hoooome!
Caught a little off guard by Sioux's sudden eagerness, Sasuke tried to resettle himself in the saddle. His muscles protested as he moved.
How long have I been on this horse now? Frowning lightly, the Uchiha looked down at the animal beneath him. His absolute terror had dimmed over the course of the ride (after all, it was rather hard to keep up that level of fear for hours straight), though he was definitely looking forward to the moment he could finally get off the animal and move as FAR AWAY as was humanly possible.
Pulling up in front of the barn, Naruto reined in Leo and brought him to a stop. Mimicking him, Sasuke watched as Naruto then sighed, took a deep breath, and swung his right leg over the saddle.
"Ooooookaaaay, it's been WAY too long since I've ridden," he groaned, flopping over the saddle for a long moment. "Blood, meet feet. Get to know each other."
After a moment, the blonde dropped to the ground, winced, and looked up at Sasuke.
"Be careful when you get down. It may...hurt a little."
Sasuke furrowed his eyebrows at him. "I'm sure I can manage." With that, he attempted to lift his right leg from the stirrup—
—And froze.
His eyes widened slightly. That...really...hurts. A perplexed frown darkened his lips. How am I supposed to get down?
After a minute or so of Sasuke just sitting on top of his horse, Naruto lifted an eyebrow. "You ok up there, Sasuke? If you need help, I can—"
"I'm FINE." I just can't get DOWN.
"Ok, ok." Naruto waited patiently, taking the reins down from over Leo's head and holding them. Murmuring random words of affection, Naruto stroked the horse's muzzle and watched Sasuke.
The weight of Naruto's gaze on him made Sasuke shift uncomfortably. He glanced down, trying to see if there way any way of getting off the horse without taking his leg over Sioux's back. Unfortunately, the only option he could see was to slide backwards off the horse's rump, but that had three problems: one, it was humiliating and Naruto would never let him live it down; two, it was quite a big fit, and Sasuke was definitely not flexible enough to handle such a maneuver with ease; and three, he would land in immediate kicking range, and he didn't have a death wish.
All in all, it looked like he was stuck.
After about ten minutes of Sasuke sitting atop Sioux looking vaguely helpless, Naruto shook his head and sighed.
"Oi, Shikamaru!" he called. After a minute, the Nara boy appeared from somewhere inside the barn, a bored expression on his face. Naruto handed him Leo's reins. "Hold these for a sec."
Sasuke watched warily as the blonde made his way over to his side. "What are you doing? I told you, I'm fine."
"I'm sure you are, but I don't feel like waiting three days for you to get down from there," Naruto replied flippantly. Reaching up, he placed one hand on Sasuke's knee and the other on the boy's elbow.
Sasuke tried to pull away. "Dammit, Naruto, I can do this by myse—"
"Heave!" Smirking, the blonde gave a mighty tug on Sasuke, yanking the boy off the horse in a rather undignified fashion.
Sasuke wasn't quite sure what happened next—one second, he was falling, the next he was turning, and the next thing he knew, Naruto was staggering backwards a few steps as Sasuke was caught. Blinking, the Uchiha tried to process what was happening.
Eventually, he realized that when Naruto had caught him, he'd wrapped both arms tightly around the blonde's neck and both legs about the taller boy's waist...and he was currently clinging to him like a burr.
...And, Naruto was supporting his weight with a hand on his butt.
Somewhere amongst his screaming legs and increasingly excited body, Sasuke's brain managed to realize that he was embarrassed. His face turned scarlet.
You know, if this were happening under other circumstances... Unable to help himself, Sasuke suddenly envisioned the two of them kissing furiously, Naruto's hands clenching on his bottom as he moved forward and slammed the Uchiha's back against the wall. Of course, this time they probably wouldn't make it to the bed down the hall, but...
A low chuckle from Naruto snapped Sasuke out of his daydream. Sasuke's blush intensified.
Of all the times to fantasize about him, I had to choose now? He felt like banging his head against a wall. Dammit, Uchiha! Were you always this idiotic, or did you catch it from him?
After a moment, Sasuke replied to the blonde's chuckle. "Just what is so funny, Uzumaki?" he ground out.
Naruto laughed again, his grip on the Uchiha's bottom tightening briefly. Before Sasuke could determine whether or not that was a squeeze, Naruto shifted the arm on the shorter boy's back. A hand began to lightly pat his back as Naruto's other hand—the one his brain was currently obsessed with—began to lightly jostle him up and down.
"It's okay, Sasuke-kuuuun," Naruto crooned. "You're off the big bad horsey! Shhhh. It's okay, babyyy."
Sasuke's eyes widened further than he thought was possible.
A second later, his pride kicked in. "NARUTO! That's NOT funny!" His ego took another bleeding shot as the blonde simply laughed aloud. "Dammit, put me down!"
"I'm not stopping you, Sasuke," Naruto replied, amusement coloring his voice. "If you release that death-grip you've got on my waist, you should drop right down."
Utterly humiliated, Sasuke pried his crying legs from the blonde's nicely toned waist. Surely enough, Naruto's hold on him allowed him to slide down the taller boy's front, and his feet landed heavily on the ground. Naruto chuckled again, his arms still about the Uchiha's waist.
"If I let go, you're not going to just crumple to the ground, are you?"
Sasuke ground his teeth. "No, I'm not."
"Good." He paused, making Sasuke wonder why he seemed so content to stand there with his arms about the shorter boy's waist. His face pressed against Naruto's shoulder, Sasuke felt his heart start pounding.
Could it be because...he doesn't want to let go?
"Um, Sasuke?" He sensed more than saw the blonde look down at him.
"What?"
"...You can let go of my neck any time now."
...Oh. Trying to regain his dignity, Sasuke unwrapped his arms from the blonde's neck. Naruto released him almost immediately, stepping back and stuffing his hands in his pockets. A grin lit his face.
"I had no idea you were so clingy, Sasuke."
"Shut. Up." Haven't I suffered enough for one day?
Naruto simply laughed at him, turning around to take Sioux's reins from Shikamaru, who had rolled his eyes and taken them during the couple's...extended interlude.
"C'mon, Cling-Boy, we need to give the horses a rub down," he called as he and Shikamaru led the two horses into the barn. Glancing back, he grinned at the Uchiha. "Or are you still getting your legs to work?"
Yup. I hate you. Slowly managing to conquer his blush, Sasuke uncomfortably followed the blonde into the barn. He had to force himself not to walk bow-legged, his pride having taken enough mortal wounds for the day.
But still...that was really nice back there, even though it was humiliating. He tipped his chin up slightly, his eyebrows furrowing in thought.
Was that a butt-squeeze?
By the time the two had taken off the two horses' tackle and given them a rub down, the sun had already set. Naruto closed Leo's door and locked it with a sense of finality, Sioux already in her stall and peacefully guzzling water from her bucket.
His eyes bright, Naruto turned to Sasuke. "Almost ready to go?"
Nodding stiffly, Sasuke turned to walk out of the barn. Naruto observed him quietly for a moment, then walked over to the table in front of Leo's stall, grabbed a tube lying there, and faced the Uchiha.
"Hey, Sasuke." He waited until the shorter boy turned to look at him. "Try this stuff. It should help."
Sasuke reached out as Naruto tossed the tube at him, catching it and gazing quizzically at it.
...Udder Butter?
"...What's this for?" he asked hesitantly. Naruto shrugged.
"Saddle sores. Trust me, it helps." As the blonde turned to have a short conversation with Shikamaru, Sasuke read the label.
Corona Udder Butter is a lanolin-rich, moisture balancing unguent formulated to relieve the pain and discomfort of chapped, sore, raw udder and teats caused by exposure to adverse environmental or weather conditions.
Naruto reached through the bars of Leo's stall, rubbing the horse's muzzle as the gelding lifted his head for attention. Laughing, Naruto cooed and offered him praise on his good looks.
Massaged into the afflicted areas, Udder Butter eases the discomfort of sensitive inflamed skin...
The blonde paused in his application of Tender Loving Care to question Shikamaru as to why the gelding was so "skinny."
As is normal in pre-milking sanitation, wash teats and udder thoroughly before milking to avoid residues in milk.
The two proceeded to get into a mild argument about how many flakes of hay the horse should be getting.
After milking, gently bathe with hot water, thoroughly strip out milk, pat surface dry with a clean towel and spread Udder Butter generously over the afflicted area, letting the emollients remain to soothe, soften and protect.
Finally, Naruto turned to Sasuke and grinned. "You ok over there?"
Continue to use routinely as described, applying as needed until condition is alleviated.
"...Sasuke?"
If conditions persist, consult your veterinarian.
"...What did you want me to use this for?" Sasuke asked, his voice low.
"Saddle sores."
"Which are where, exactly?"
Naruto blinked at him, then grinned. "Well, they're typically wherever you rubbed against the saddle, Sasuke." His grin widened. "Do you need me to show you?"
After a moment's thought, the Uchiha blushed lightly and turned away.
"Because, you know, the stuff works wonders if it's applied correctly."
Sasuke threw the tube at him.
About twenty minutes later, a cheerful Naruto and a slightly limping Sasuke walked back into the blonde's apartment. The blonde kicked the door closed the moment Sasuke stepped through it, locking it as an afterthought.
"So, honestly, how are you feeling, Sasuke?" the blonde questioned, folding his arms and leaning back against the door. "If I'm sore and I've been riding for years, I know you're in pain."
"I'm fine, Naruto. Stop asking," the Uchiha replied irritably. He lifted one shoulder slightly, trying to stretch it without actually looking like he was doing so.
With a sigh, Naruto placed both hands on Sasuke's shoulders and turned him, steering him down the hall. The shorter boy looked at him over his shoulder, his annoyance clear.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Ignoring your pride." Stopping, Naruto gently shoved Sasuke into the bathroom and leaned against the doorjamb. "At least take a warm bath, Sasuke. I don't want you to be immobilized tomorrow."
When Sasuke started to protest, the blonde frowned. "Look, just do it! Pride and pain don't go hand in hand, you know. You can deal with one without the other."
Naruto turned and walked out of the bathroom, snagging the doorknob as he went. Sasuke stared at the door after it was shut, debating whether or not it was worth it to argue.
"If I don't hear water running in ten seconds, I'm coming in there and forcing you to take a bath." Sasuke could feel the blonde's glare through the wood door. "And trust me, it won't be pretty."
Rolling his eyes, Sasuke moved forward, leaned over the side of the tub and turned on the faucet.
"Good boy."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the unseen blonde, ignoring the fact that his glare wouldn't penetrate the wood. Idiot. Ordering me around like I'm some misbehaved brat. Snorting, Sasuke straightened and pulled off his shirt. Like he's more mature than me.
Wincing, the raven-haired boy gingerly sat down beside the tub, one arm resting on its cool porcelain surface as the basin slowly filled with hot water. He sighed heavily.
The things I go through for that boy... Shaking his head, he ran a hand through his hair and shuddered. I can't believe I rode a HORSE...
After a few minutes, Sasuke declared the tub fit for entry and turned off the water. He stripped off the rest of his clothes—which he just realized smelled foul—and stepped into the water, hissing as his sore muscles protested. Slowly, he sank into the water and rested his head against the rim of the tub, closing his eyes.
For all that he was obnoxious when getting me in here, I have to admit that Naruto was right. This feels wonderful. He opened his eyes briefly, contemplating the ceiling before closing them again. I guess he was worried about me.
As he soaked in the steamy water, Sasuke felt all of his muscles relax. His mind grew fuzzy.
Wouldn't it be great if he joined me in here...?
"Well now, here's a pleasant sight."
Jumping, Sasuke sat upright, his eyes snapping open. Naruto was leaning against the bathroom wall, looking down at him with an enigmatic smile on his face. Sasuke stared at him, a light blush crossing his cheeks as he realized that from the blonde's position, he could see everything.
Smirking, Sasuke leaned back against the tub and lifted his arms to rest along the rim, subsequently presenting himself for the blonde's perusal. Naruto's eyes roamed over him, a glint entering his eyes.
"Like what you see?" Sasuke mentally patted himself on the back at his tone of voice—it was damn sexy, if he did say so himself.
Naruto apparently agreed, if the suddenly hungry look in his eyes as he glanced up was any indication.
Smiling dangerously, the blonde sauntered over to the Uchiha and leaned down. Bracing himself with one arm on the rim of the tub, he placed one knee on the tile floor and brought his face close to Sasuke's. His blue eyes had darkened.
"You know," he stated slowly, his voice rumbling up from deep in his chest, "you really have to work on that, Uchiha. If you keep tempting me like this, something...untoward may happen to you."
"Oh?" He closed his eyes and relaxed against the side of the tub, a smirk tweaking his lips. "That's your problem, Uzumaki."
A low chuckle sounded beside him, and a hand slid along his cheek to bury itself in his hair. Naruto's warm breath ghosted over the opposite cheek.
"It's your problem now, Uchiha."
Peeling his eyes open, Sasuke turned his head towards the blonde to make a smart comment. Naruto didn't bother to wait, leaning forward immediately to claim the brunette's lips with his own.
Eyes wide, Sasuke froze for a moment. He's kissing me. Naruto is...kissing me! His heart pounding, he closed his eyes and sank into the kiss. He's...he's mine now.
Naruto explored his mouth passionately, driving the Uchiha's head back against the porcelain rim of the tub. Eyebrows furrowing slightly at the way the hard surface bit into his skull, Sasuke lifted a hand to Naruto's shoulder—
—Which gripped the blonde spasmodically as the hand on his cheek began to wander downward.
Gasping into Naruto's mouth, Sasuke shifted anxiously in the tub as Naruto's hand explored his chest, teasing the sensitive skin with light, feathery touches. Sasuke lifted his other arm, reaching up to fist his hand in the blonde's hair. Wordlessly, he demanded more from him.
Naruto chuckled, pulling back from the kiss to grin lazily at Sasuke's flushed face.
"What do you want, Sasuke-kun?"
The brunette narrowed his eyes. "You know very well what I want, Uzumaki."
Chuckling again, Naruto planted another kiss on Sasuke's swollen lips. He pulled back slightly and grinned dangerously.
"I see. I'll just have to give it to you then, now won't I?" With that, he rocked his mouth determinedly over Sasuke's, kissing the Uchiha ferociously as his hand slid completely under the water. Sasuke inhaled sharply as the blonde's fingers brushed over his erection, straining upwards for more—
"Oi! Sasuke!"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"You didn't drown in there, did you?"
Gasping, Sasuke snapped his eyes open and sat up in the tub. Disoriented, he glanced around.
He...Naruto's not in here? He blinked, trying to force his muddled brain to work properly again. The continued knocking on the door shook him out of his stupor.
"I'm fine, dammit! Can't I even enjoy a bath without being harassed by you, Uzumaki!"
Silence reigned on the opposite of the door for a long moment. "Are you ok? Your voice sounds weird..."
"I SAID I'M FINE!" Grinding his teeth together, the Uchiha sank in the tub again. I must've fallen asleep...dammit. He sighed, ducking his head briefly under the water. And things were getting good, too...
After a few more minutes of idly washing himself with the bar of soap he'd spotted on a tiny ledge on the shower wall, Sasuke stood, climbed out of the tub, and let the water drain. His mood plummeting, he grumpily looked around for a towel.
...And kept looking.
Slowly, Sasuke realized that there weren't any clean towels in the bathroom, which meant that he was either going to have to ask for help or sneak out and try to find one himself. He struggled with himself for a long moment, but he decided that he really didn't want to chance having the blonde catch him running down the hall butt-naked...
...Well. Not at this point in time, anyway.
Cracking open the door, Sasuke poked his head out.
"Oi! Dobe. Where are you?"
The blonde appeared from his room after a moment, a disgruntled expression on his face.
"What, now you need me for something?"
Sasuke simply gave him a flat glare. "There are no towels in here."
Naruto blinked at him. "What?"
"I said, there are no towels in here." He waited impatiently as the blonde crossed his arms over his chest and gazed at him. "Are you going to get me one, or do I have to come out there?"
Naruto tipped his chin up, reaching up with one hand to rub it thoughtfully.
"Dammit, Naruto!" He scowled when the blonde smirked at him. "Is it really that difficult a request?"
"Well, hold on a minute." He grinned mischievously. "What's it worth to you?"
Sasuke's gaze darkened. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"The towel. What'll you do for it?"
"Is this another ploy to get free ramen out of me?"
"...Maybe. Ramen's always nice." After a frustratingly long moment of thought, Naruto smiled. Sasuke immediately grew nervous.
Why is it that I have the sinking feeling that I'm not going to like whatever he's planning?
"Next Friday night, you have to come to a show with me." His grin grew wider. "Is it a deal?"
"A...show?" He lifted an eyebrow. "What kind of show?"
"Doesn't matter. Is it a deal?"
Sasuke hesitated, but he couldn't exactly manage on his own. Warily, he agreed. "Deal."
Chuckling lightly, Naruto turned to a nearby closet and pulled out a fluffy orange towel. He threw it to Sasuke.
"Don't worry, Sasuke. You won't regret it." Whistling, he walked away and headed for the kitchen.
Wondering if he should fear for his life, Sasuke ducked back into the bathroom and dried himself off.
Naruto: 2, Sasuke: 0.
After he'd managed to get dressed (unfortunately, "dressed" meant those god-awful pajamas that Naruto had lent him the previous night), Sasuke followed the sound of the TV into the living room. He crossed his arms, looking at the blonde sprawled on the couch.
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like?" Without looking up, Naruto grabbed a bowl of soup off the table and held it up. "Here. Dinner."
Sasuke walked over and took it, taking a sip without bothering to test it—he'd learned by now that however inept Naruto looked, the boy could definitely cook. His appetite suddenly demanding attention, Sasuke downed the bowl of soup in record time (well, for a non-Uzumaki) and set the bowl and utensil down on the table. Glancing over at the blonde, who was sprawled upon the couch, he lifted an eyebrow.
"And where exactly do you plan for me to sit, dobe?"
Naruto glanced up at him, then smirked. "C'mere."
The Uchiha kept his eyebrow elevated as he made his way over to Naruto's side. Folding his arms, he gazed down at the blonde.
"And? Now what?" he questioned flatly. Naruto simply grinned, sat up...
...And, throwing his arms about the Uchiha's waist, tugged him down onto the couch.
Sputtering, Sasuke tried to get off the blonde. "Dammit, Naruto, what are you thinking? Let go!"
Naruto chuckled, lying back down on the couch, his arms firmly wrapped about Sasuke's waist.
"You might as well make yourself comfortable, because I can guarantee that you're not going anywhere."
Sasuke lifted his head and gave Naruto the Glare of Death for a few minutes, but he eventually sighed when it had no effect. Grumbling, he turned over onto his back and scooted up. Naruto shifted with him, eventually resulting in Sasuke being cocooned in Naruto's arms, his head upon the blonde's chest and his legs between the taller boy's. A light blush on his cheeks, he glared up at Naruto.
Naruto simply looked down at him and chuckled. "Hey, don't blame me. It's your fault for looking cuddly."
Sasuke grunted, shifting his gaze to the TV screen. Deep in his chest, his heart was pounding furiously.
I've never been held like this before. Lowering his eyelids to half mast, he subtly shifted closer to the blonde. He's comfortable.
They stayed like that for the next hour, Naruto's arms loosely wrapped about the brunette's chest and his breath fanning the hair above Sasuke ear. As he grew more and more relaxed, Sasuke found himself falling asleep.
I could stay like this, wrapped in his arms. He closed his eyes, relishing the long-forgotten sensation of being held so carefully. I could stay here forever, if he'd let me.
After a long moment, he softly asked, "Why did you care so much that I took a bath?"
A pause, then Naruto's arms tightened slightly. "If you're not going to take care of yourself," he replied softly, "then I guess I'm going to have to do it for you, aren't I?"
"Mm. Don't assume so much, Uzumaki." A soft smile lit Sasuke's face as he started to fall asleep. "I'm not your pet."
Naruto chuckled. "I guess you're right."
Warm and comfortable, Sasuke finally fell asleep. His eyes caught a view of Naruto's face as the blonde smiled down at him just before they fluttered closed.
Naruto...I think I...
His head sank against the blonde's chest.
I think I...
Before he could finish the thought, he was lost to the world.
Author's note: Real label, I swear. There'll be more from Naruto's POV in the next chap...I decided that there was enough mystery about him already.
Make sure you review! Some of you guys have been slacking off. :-P Lol.