Author's note: There was some confusion on the last chapter: This is not the end of Chasing Naruto. It's the last chapter I can post before I leave for Japan. Sorry about the mix-up.

Anyway! I'll miss you all when I leave on Tuesday, and I'll see you when I get back with some chapters ready! Love you guys lots! And for anyone who received a comment on their story about Sasuke not being a brunette, here's what Webster had to say:

"bru·nette

Function: noun
a person having brown or black hair and usually a relatively dark complexion"

So we win. Lol. Ja ne, everyone, see you in August! Enjoy.

"Het-CHOOO!" Cursing under his breath, Naruto swiped at his nose and slumped forward in his chair, glaring irritably at the front of the room. Sasuke gave him an odd look.

"Are you catching a cold, Naruto?"

"I'm not sick," he replied firmly. "I never get sick. Ever."

Sasuke lifted an eyebrow. "You've never gotten sick in your entire life?"

Folding his arms on the table, Naruto leaned forward and rested his chin on his arms. "My immune system's one of the best on earth. I don't get sick."

Could've fooled me. "If you say so." He watched Naruto for a few minutes, taking in the blonde's uncharacteristically surly attitude. Naruto's eyes were a little red, as was the tip of the boy's nose. Pressing his lips together, Sasuke lifted a hand and folded it over Naruto's forehead.

Scowling, Naruto batted the hand away. "Will you leave me alone? I said I'm fine."

"Well, your forehead isn't warm. I guess you'll be okay." Folding his arms on the table, Sasuke pinned the blonde beside him with a "Why haven't you already spilled the beans?" glare. "How the hell did you even catch a cold in the first place?"

Naruto's cheeks turned a faint pink, and he looked away. "I dunno."

Interesting reaction... "Naruto?" He waited until the blonde looked at him, a glower on his tan face. "How did you get sick?"

The sour look Naruto gave him confused Sasuke. I feel like he's blaming me. What the hell could I have done? Frowning, Sasuke opened his mouth to question the blonde further.

"All right, that's enough for today." Scratching the back of his head, Dr. Hatake gave his students a lazy look. "I'm canceling class on Wednesday, too, so don't show up."

The students let out an immediate cheer as they stood, though one starry-eyed girl sitting up front raised her hand. "Any reason why, Dr. Hatake?"

The white-haired man looked at her for a long moment, then smiled. "I have a date the night before. I'll need my rest."

Amid the dismayed titters from the female portion of the class, Naruto stood, gathered his books, and made his way down the aisle. Sasuke followed him, surprised at Naruto's overall lack of response.

"You say you aren't sick," he began, "but you're acting far too strangely today. Why aren't you thrilled about Wednesday? Or, at least, curious?"

As the two of them hit the front of the class and brushed past the teacher, Naruto glanced over at the professor.

"Have fun with Iruka," he stated flippantly. Dr. Hatake's eyebrows shot up as Naruto smirked and left the room, an equally surprised Sasuke following after him.

Moving to walk beside Naruto as they went down the hall, Sasuke snagged the blonde's elbow.

"What was that all about?" Sasuke questioned. It's not like you to say things like that so point-blank.

Naruto rubbed his face. "I dunno. Maybe I'm not doing so good today."

Mildly concerned, Sasuke shifted his grip on the blonde's arm. "You should rest, Naruto."

The blonde sighed. "I'll think about it, okay?"

"...All right." The Uchiha watched Naruto's face, allowing his hand to remain on the blonde. Naruto hadn't seemed to notice yet, so he felt content to continue the contact.

After a long moment, Naruto finally glanced down at his arm. "Is there glue on your hand, or are you just being cute?"

Blinking, Sasuke slowly removed his hand. How am I supposed to respond to that?

Naruto smiled gently, lifting a hand and rubbing Sasuke's hair. "Being cute it is."

Sasuke batted his hand away, watching as Naruto then turned and headed away, his hands stuffed in his pockets. A light frown settled on Sasuke's face.

I wonder if he's really okay. Naruto definitely isn't acting like himself right now. He hesitated, but Sasuke decided to leave the blonde alone. I'll just check up on him later.

Funny how Naruto never realized just how much he HATED going to Genetics before.

Clutching his lightly aching head, Naruto waited irritably as the room began to fill with students. He let out a frustrated sigh.

"I guess I really am sick," he stated to the air in front of him. He frowned. And if it weren't for Sasuke, I wouldn't be.

He hated to admit it, but he'd been feeling a little odd ever since that cold shower of his. How long was I really in there, anyway? He glared at the long table in front of him. And then there was that whole issue of what Sasuke was doing the other night. Thinking about that for too long, and I had to take another damn cold shower...and then I couldn't sleep well last night for God knows what reason...

His glare melted into a glower. Damn it all.

The chair next to him shifted. Glancing up, he saw Neji seat himself next to him. He sighed.

"What's up, Neji?"

The Hyuuga watched him curiously. "You look a little under the weather. Are you all—"

"Will you guys stop babying me? I'm fine!" Pouting, he folded his arms on the table and put his head down. "I'm not sick, dammit."

"Of course you're not. Your eyes are naturally red and watery."

At the dry sarcasm in Neji's voice, Naruto lifted his head and glowered at him. "Don't start. I dealt with enough smartass comments from Sasuke over the weekend, and I really don't need them from you, too."

Neji's eyebrows twitched, but his expression didn't change. "You don't have to stay if you're not feeling well."

Naruto made a low noise in his throat, turning forward to rest his chin on his arms. "I'm fine. I can make it through another class."

"If you aren't feeling well, is it even worth it? The information will go in one ear and out the other." He watched the boy next to him for a long moment. "I'll take notes for you today."

Naruto's eyes darted over to him. "What do you mean?"

"I'll take notes for you and bring them to you later. If you go to bed right now." The boy's expression became stern. "Keeping yourself out here will only make you feel worse."

The blonde frowned, sitting up. "But I said I'm—"

Neji's hand darted out, snagging the nape of Naruto's neck and drawing him closer. Naruto's words died in his throat as Neji tipped his head forward, resting his forehead upon Naruto's.

"N-Neji, what the hell—"

"You don't have a fever yet," the other boy stated softly, "but you're a little warm." Lifting his head, Neji stared into Naruto's eyes. "You should take better care of yourself."

Swallowing, Naruto fought down a light blush. "I—"

"Just go back to your room, Naruto," Neji requested quietly. "I'd feel a lot better if you did."

Naruto hesitated, put off balance by Neji's proximity. "I don't know, Neji. I'd be taking time out of your day and—"

"Please?"

That one word drew Naruto's protests to a halt. Neji was rarely one to say please unless it was about something really important to him. Blinking, Naruto looked into the Hyuuga's normally emotionless eyes...and saw concern.

After a moment, the blonde sighed. "All right, all right, you win. I'll go to bed."

He was immediately gifted with a small, pleased smile from the Hyuuga as his neck was released. "Good. I'll bring you the notes once class is over."

"Yeah, yeah." Grumbling, Naruto shoved his notebook into his bag and zipped it. Since when am I a sucker for a few nice words from Neji? I really must be under the weather.

Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he passed the boy next to him. "...Thanks, Neji."

The Hyuuga's small smile grew. "Any time."

Two hours later, a mostly-asleep Naruto heard his door quietly swing open. Rolling onto his back, he blinked blearily at Neji. The Hyuuga had his notebook in one hand and a bowl with saran wrap over it in the other. Lifting an eyebrow, Naruto sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"What's with the bowl?" he questioned. "And why'd it take you two hours to get here after a fifty minute class?"

Smirking, Neji used his elbow to push the door shut and made his way over to Naruto's bed. Naruto straightened when the door closed, abruptly reminded of the last time he and Neji were alone in his room. He smiled somewhat nervously.

"Um, you can just leave the notes on my desk. I'll copy them and get them back to you tomorrow, okay?"

"All right." Apparently agreeable, the Hyuuga dutifully set his notebook down on the blonde's messy desk, but instead of taking his leave, he sat down on the edge of Naruto's bed. His lips twitched when Naruto shifted away. "I'm not going to bite you, you know."

"Says you." He narrowed his eyes at the boy in front of him. "You do remember that I said you're not allowed to kiss me, right?"

Neji sighed softly. "Believe me, I think about it all the time." His lips twitched again when Naruto's cheeks began to turn red. "That's not why I'm sitting here."

Smiling, he unwrapped the bowl and pushed it into Naruto's hands. The blonde blinked and stared down.

"Chicken soup?" The tantalizing aroma drifted up to tickle his nose, causing Naruto to close his eyes and inhale deeply. Oh god...FOOOOOOD.

Waking up, Naruto's stomach let out a loud rumble of appreciation. Naruto's mouth began to water as he stared down into the bowl. He could swear the chicken was calling to him.

"It looks...really good," he managed. He looked over at Neji as the boy handed him a spoon, his eyes wide. "You went to all this trouble for me?"

Neji stared at him. "...Don't you dare tell me that I went to all that trouble to take you to a concert and buy you flowers, and all I had to do was make you soup."

Naruto chuckled, deciding to give in to his food-lust and attacking the bowl in his hands. "I'm a little tougher to woo than that, Neji." He sighed happily as the first spoonful passed his lips and dove into his eagerly waiting stomach. "Just not much."

Neji shook his head, shifting so that one leg lay folded on Naruto's bed as he watched the blonde eat. Naruto's world zeroed in on the food in his hands and the bliss that hit his tongue every time he took another spoonful, but a part of his brain was always keeping tabs on the quiet boy next to him. Thankfully, Neji hadn't made a move...yet.

After exactly one minute thirty-two point five seconds, Naruto slurped up the last of the broth from the bottom of the bowl. He sighed happily, lowering the bowl from his face.

"Thank you, Neji. That really hit the spot."

"It was no trouble," the pale boy replied, smiling gently as he took the bowl back. "Do you feel any better?"

Naruto thought about it. His head had stopped hurting sometime during his two hour nap, and the soup had cleared up his sniffles. After a moment, he smiled.

"Yeah, I guess I do." His smile became dry as he looked at Neji. "And you don't have to say it. You were right and I was wrong. Happy now?"

Neji simply smirked in response. "Very. It always makes my day when I'm proven your intellectual superior."

Naruto stuck his tongue out at him. "I'm not as dumb as I look, Neji."

"Mm." Neji's response was delayed, his attention locked on Naruto's mouth. Abruptly self-conscious, Naruto retracted his tongue and lifted a hand to rub the back of his head.

"A-anyway, Neji, thanks for giving me a hand today. When can I get those notes back to you?"

Blinking as though to snap himself out of it, Neji lifted his gaze to Naruto's eyes. "I'll drop by tomorrow night to get them."

"Sounds good." Naruto glanced away, unsure of what to do next. I can't just kick him out, but if he stays...

"In that case," Neji started, rising to his feet, "I'll see you tomorrow, Naruto."

"Huh?" Blinking up at the other boy, Naruto furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "You're just...leaving?"

"You still need your rest, Naruto. Much as I'd like to watch you sleep," the Hyuuga fought with a smile, "I think it'd be best if I left."

"Um, ok..." After a moment, Naruto smiled. "Thanks again."

Nodding, Neji quietly left the room and closed the door behind him. Naruto stared at the closed door, a thoughtful expression on his face.

That was really nice of him. And he actually didn't try to jump me. Naruto's eyebrows furrowed. I think I like him better like this, when he's not so pushy.

A part of his brain decided to shut him up there before he went any further with that train of thought. Somewhat confused, Naruto lay back down, burrowed his face in his pillow, and went back to sleep.

Neji leaned with his back against the wall beside Naruto's door, taking several slow, calming breaths. The moment he'd set foot inside Naruto's room and closed the door, he'd been instantly reminded of the last time they'd been alone together.

It had taken some effort, but he'd managed not to repeat history.

Of course, his efforts were helped by how unsure Naruto had seemed once the door had shut. Neji didn't often see the blonde feel awkward, and it wasn't something he liked. Sure, he wanted to make a move on the boy...but anything he tried would be wasted if Naruto was uncomfortable around him.

Jaw tightening with determination, Neji straightened. My first objective is clear now. Before I can do anything, I have to make sure that Naruto trusts me, or everything I do will be pointless. A slight smirk tugged at one corner of his mouth. Not to mention that being nice will help me get on his good side.

Turning to look at the closed door, Neji rested one hand briefly upon the cool wood. Despite himself, a gentle smile crossed his face.

"Get well soon, Naruto."

...All right, that does it. I can't lie down anymore. Sitting up several hours later—or an hour, whatever—Naruto stretched and rose to his feet. He sniffled lightly as he went to gather his workout clothes.

"I always feel better when I'm weight lifting anyway," he murmured to himself. Leaving the room and throwing the lock, Naruto frowned. But still, what was with Neji today? I'm still surprised that he didn't make a move on me. His eyebrows furrowed. What drugs did he take this morning?

...Or maybe he just...cares?

"Oi, Naruto! Where are you going?"

The blonde turned at Kiba's voice, putting a smile on his face to cover his inner confusion. "I'm going to go work out. See you later."

The spiky-haired boy lifted an eyebrow as he moved forward to unlock their door. "I thought you weren't feeling well this morning."

"I'm better. Besides, you know me." He winked. "The better I look, the better I feel. What could clear up a cold quicker than showing off my beautiful body?"

The dog lover groaned. "Just go already! Sheesh!"

Chuckling, Naruto turned and left. As he walked, a vague thought entered his mind.

I wonder if Gaara's going to be there...

Naruto grunted as he lifted both legs high into the air, using his arms as support to keep them there. His shirt fell away from his stomach, showing everyone in the gym his sweat-slicked abs as he tensed them to keep his posture. Grinning, he rolled his head back at his quiet companion. Gaara's shirt had darkened from the exercising they'd been doing, and he stood patiently by while Naruto worked on his torso on the floor. Naruto's grin turned into a smirk.

"Are you going to get on a machine, Gaara, or are you content to stare at me?"

His arms folded over his slim chest, Gaara didn't give any sign that he'd heard the blonde. His cool eyes were apparently glued to Naruto's revealed stomach.

"...Gaara?" Naruto lifted an eyebrow, his torso starting to tremble slightly from the effort of keeping himself aloft. "Hello? You in there?"

Still no reply. Though the redhead's face remained impassive, an odd glint was entering the boy's eyes. Pursing his lips, Naruto finally lowered his legs.

"Hellooooo, Gaaaaaaara. This is Houston. Come in, Gaara."

The boy finally blinked, shifting his gaze to meet the pair of blue eyes looking up at him. "What?"

"You spaced out on me. What planet was your brain just on?"

Gaara stared down at him for a long moment before looking away and mumbling something under his breath. Curious, Naruto sat up.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." When he returned his gaze to the blonde, Naruto felt an odd vibe from him...much like the one he used to give off when they were in middle school.

Naruto stood, confused. "Gaara, why are you looking at me like I'm a piece of meat?"

Gaara blinked in surprise, his lips twitching faintly. Naruto frowned. What was so funny about that?

"Look," Naruto continued grumpily, "either answer me or get on a damn machine. Have you worked your arms yet today?"

After a moment, Gaara lifted a hand to his shoulder and gave a slight grimace. "No. I think I pulled a muscle when I came in yesterday."

"You did?" Naruto headed straight up to the other boy, placing his hands gingerly on the accused muscle. "Did you stretch beforehand?"

Gaara shrugged the other shoulder, his eyes on Naruto. "A little."

Tsk-ing, Naruto frowned at him. "You should always stretch before you lift weights, Gaara. Don't be such an idiot."

That earned the blonde a frown. "I'm not an idiot."

"You are if you hurt yourself like this. Jeez." Keeping his hand on the shorter boy's shoulder, he frowned down at him in concern. "Do you want me to give you a rub down? It may help."

Gaara's left eyebrow twitched. "Sure."

Nodding shortly, Naruto turned and headed for the locker room. Pushing open the door, he noted that it seemed completely deserted. Must be because it's getting late.

He selected a wide bench in the center of one aisle of lockers and turned to the redhead. "Alrighty then. Lie down on your stomach."

Gaara started to comply, but Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder. "Wait a second." He frowned when Gaara's shirt stuck to the redhead's skin at the added pressure. "You might as well take your shirt off. It's just going to get in the way."

The redhead lifted an eyebrow. "You want to see me with my shirt off, Uzumaki?"

Naruto gave him a sour look. "Don't start with the sexual innuendos, ok? I've heard enough of them lately."

Gaara's eyes narrowed slightly as he ducked his head and pulled his shirt off. "Who did you hear them from?" he asked eventually.

Naruto heaved a sigh. "Sasuke and Neji, mainly...though I guess Neji's backing off a little lately." He frowned, then smoothed out his face and smiled at Gaara. "Anyway, that's not important right now. Lie down."

The redhead gazed at him for a moment before stretching out on his stomach on the bench. Blinking, Naruto shook his head.

That glint was there again. His eyebrows creased. Is this a bad idea? I mean, I'm not sure if Gaara likes me or not, but...

Shaking his head again, Naruto straddled Gaara's hips and went to work on the boy's shoulders. I'll worry about that later.

Naruto gently kneaded the boy's sore shoulder, leaning forward slightly to get a glimpse of Gaara's face.

"Does that feel any better?" he asked quietly. Beneath him, warmth from Gaara's sweat-slicked body sifted into his legs and bottom. The redhead turned his head slightly to the side, pinning Naruto with his gaze.

"Better than you know," was his quiet reply. For some reason, Naruto found himself beginning to blush under Gaara's scrutiny. Swallowing, Naruto smiled and returned his attention to the other boy's back.

"Glad to hear it." When he was satisfied with Gaara's injured shoulder, Naruto began to make his way down the boy's back. His hands slipped slightly with the sweat on Gaara's skin. Not surprisingly, Gaara had a lot of knots in his back, too.

Shaking his head, Naruto smoothed his hands up and back down Gaara's back. "What is it with you brooding types and stiff backs?"

Gaara didn't reply for a long moment, continuing to stare up at the blonde. "Maybe we're denying ourselves."

"Denying yourselves what?"

"Something we've wanted for a very long time." Gaara's voice had deepened. That odd glint entered his eyes again, sending an odd shiver down Naruto's spine. The blonde smiled weakly.

"And...what is that exactly?"

Without a word, Gaara abruptly rolled over under Naruto's legs. The blonde frowned, lifting himself to accommodate the boy.

"My specialty is backs, you know. I'm not sure I'll do a very good job on your—" He sat down as he spoke, then froze, his eyes going wide. Swallowing, he glanced down. "...Chest..."

Naruto had found himself sitting atop Gaara's rather...insistent erection.

Blushing, Naruto opened his mouth to say something, failed, and tried again.

"So...um...is that what you were referring to?" he asked hoarsely. He swallowed again when Gaara simply smiled and lifted himself onto his elbows.

"What do you think...Naruto?" The redhead's voice had lowered again, gaining a husky quality as he let his eyes travel over Naruto's body. "You said you were tired of sexual innuendos..."

Smirking, he drew his eyes up to Naruto's. "Does this count?"

Well, that answers the question of whether or not he's after me... "Um...Gaara, you know, I—"

Before he could finish his statement, Gaara sat up further. Naruto hissed in a breath when Gaara'sarousal rubbed against him.

"G-Gaara..."

"Hmm?" Eyelids lowering, the redhead slid a hand underneath Naruto's shirt and let his fingers play over the muscles he found there. When Naruto felt an answering response below him, he swallowed and closed his eyes.

"Gaara, I don't think we should..." he started to lose his train of thought when Gaara's other hand joined the first in roaming beneath his shirt. "W-We shouldn't...um..."

Gaara leaned forward, his warm breath ghosting across the blonde's neck. "We shouldn't what, Naruto?"

Damn it, why does he sound so sexy all of a sudden? Opening his eyes, he frowned and moved to push the redhead away. "We shouldn't be doing this."

Naruto gasped and shivered when Gaara's tongue darted out and swiped at the base of his neck. One of those damnable hands began to wander lower, causing heat to begin pooling in Naruto's groin.

Ok. SO not happening.

Gritting his teeth, Naruto captured the more dangerously wandering hand and pulled it away. He glared down at the redhead, shifting his neck away from the other boy's face.

"Gaara, stop it." He frowned when the redhead simply leaned forward to continue his gentle attack on Naruto's neck. "I said stop it! I'm not going to—"

Gaara abruptly lifted his head, placing his face inches from Naruto's. His eyes were smoky, desire pouring out in waves from the pale blue orbs. Naruto took a shaking breath, unprepared for that depth of emotion.

His eyes intense and unblinking, Gaara moved imperceptibly closer. "You asked what I've been denying myself, Naruto. Do you want to know what it was?"

Naruto found himself unable to answer as Gaara drew his captured hand towards his head, shifting to snag the blonde's wrist and bury the blonde's hand in his red hair. Shifting uneasily atop the redhead—which, to his dismay, only resulted in rubbing himself against the other boy—Naruto started to pull his head back. His heart gave a sharp thump when the redhead simply followed, brushing their noses together.

That glint in his eyes—which Naruto belatedly realized was lust—sparked as Gaara stared into Naruto's eyes. The smaller boy's breathing was slightly uneven, ghosting across Naruto's mouth as he subtly lifted his hips into the boy on top of him.

Swallowing hard, Naruto felt his eyes lower to Gaara's lips. Despite himself, he felt a stirring of temptation within his gut. His lips parting, Naruto started to lean forward.

He vaguely heard Gaara's breath catch in the smaller boy's chest as he moved forward. His eyes slid closed.

"What. The. FUCK?"

Jumping, Naruto snapped himself out of it and spun to face the person who'd spoken behind him. His face paling, Naruto stared.

"S-Sasuke. What are you doing here?" The look he received was venomous enough to have killed him on the spot. Something odd tightening in his chest, Naruto climbed off the redhead beneath him. "Sasuke..."

Sparing a look of pure hatred to the glaring Gaara, who had turned to lower his feet to the ground and scowl at the intruder, Sasuke strode forward. He grabbed Naruto's wrist and ground his teeth, his eyes trading daggers with Gaara.

"We're leaving," Sasuke declared. "Right. Now."

Without another word, Sasuke turned and dragged the blonde out of the locker room. Naruto followed passively, odd emotions he wasn't sure he could decipher at the moment sweeping through him.

For a second there, I honestly wanted to make out with Gaara. A worried frown settled on his face. But I like Sasuke, right? I thought I did...I mean, why else would I worry about his feelings for me?

Naruto hadn't felt this confused since Neji had planted that kiss on his cheek. Before, he'd been able to settle himself by finding out how exactly the guys felt about him, and since his thoughts had immediately turned to Sasuke, he'd assumed that the Uchiha was the one he was interested in. Was he...wrong?

Abruptly, the blonde realized that Sasuke had already dragged him out of the building, and the cool evening air slapped his over-heated skin. Glancing at the fuming Uchiha beside him, his lips tightened.

No. I need to figure this out. Right now.

Drawing to a stop, he tugged on the arm Sasuke held. The Uchiha immediately whirled on him, fury clear in his eyes.

"What the hell were you doing in there, Uzumaki? Did I ruin your precious moment with Gaara?" he spat out. Naruto simply stared at him, his face set in hard lines. Sasuke bristled, his eyes lighting with several emotions—Naruto could only make out rage and jealousy—and snapped. "You asshole! I drop by your room, worried about you because you were sick this morning, and your fucking roommate tells me you went to work out! THEN I come all the way here, just to make sure that you aren't pushing yourself, and what do I find? YOU sitting on top of GAARA, about to fucking molest him!"

When Naruto still didn't respond, Sasuke balled his shaking hands into fists. "You ASSHO—"

Naruto chose then to cut the boy off, wrapping his arms about him and pulling him tight against his chest. Burying his face in Sasuke's raven hair, he closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry." His voice was quiet as he held the stiff Uchiha against him. After a long moment, Sasuke sagged against him.

"I should've shot you years ago, Uzumaki," Sasuke stated, but his voice lacked his normal cutting edge. A small smile tugged at one corner of Naruto's lips.

"Nah, if you'd shot me, who'd make fun of you all the time? Life would be awfully boring, don't you think?" His smile grew when Sasuke let out a derisive snort against his shoulder. "C'mon, admit it."

Sasuke was silent for a long moment. "...Do you...like him?" he asked quietly.

Naruto hesitated, then shook his head. "No. Not like that."

"I see." Naruto felt Sasuke hesitate, then lift his arms to gently rest on the blonde's back. Warmth settling within him, he tightened his grip on the Uchiha.

This feels right. Giving Sasuke one last squeeze, Naruto stepped back and made a show of shivering.

"Can we leave now? It's cold without my sweatshirt on!" He grinned when Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Say, why don't you give me your shirt? That should warm me up."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, his cheeks turning faintly red. "If I gave you my shirt, you'd probably burst the seams."

"But Saaaaasukeeeeeee..." he whined.

"No! Stop being such a brat."

Naruto kept up the show, clinging to the Uchiha's arm and whining about how he'd catch another cold out here as they began the walk back to the dorm. That odd pressure in his chest finally began to ease as they settled into a more normal atmosphere.

"Sasukeeeee! Stop being so mean to me!" We're going to be okay. Good.

"Naruto, will you leave me alone?"

"No! I just got over being sick, dammit, and you dragged me out here without my change of clothes!"

"Get over it."

Naruto glowered at him for a long moment, then smirked. "I have a better idea."

"What?" The Uchiha's eyes went wide when Naruto suddenly snagged the bottom of his shirt and yanked it over his head. His arms were caught for a second, shocking him into a brief silence.

"There! Now you're as cold as I am!"

"Dammit, Naruto, give me back my shirt!"

Naruto stuck his tongue out at him. "Fat chance!" He wrapped the shirt about his neck, dodging the shorter Uchiha. "Misery loves company, right?"

Rubbing his arms, Sasuke glared at him with a light blush on his face. "You really suck, Uzumaki."

"You wish." Grinning, he tossed his arm over Sasuke's shoulders. "Now let's go home. I'm starving to death."

"You're always hungry."

"True. Hey, you know, if you're tired from all that running around, I can carry you back to the dorm."

"In your dreams, Uzumaki."

"Every night, Sasuke. Every night."

Author's note: Before you ask, I'll repeat: Yes, this is going to be a NaruSasu, lol. I wouldn't say anything, but since I'm gone for two months, I figured I'd reassure you. Love you all lots, cya in August!

Akai