Title: Kremlin Dusk

Author: sky75rk

A/N: I'm sorry for not being able to update and my last update seemed like everything happened too fast. I just realized now that it was a mistake, but I can't take the chapter back now, because you've already read it. However, I might replace it with something longer sometime soon. Yes, soon.

I also noticed how only a few people review, and yes, it also deters me from writing, but I know that everyone's so busy nowadays and I am thankful for all those who do review. You all have my heartfelt gratitude.

Lastly, I also need a beta-reader for this fic and Sic Itur Ad Astra. So if anyone really wants to help me with that, just email me or send me a message and we will work things, okay?

Thanks a lot...

Standard disclaimers apply.

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Seventh Channel: Broken Ember

Busting tables over at the small restaurant gave Naruto ample time to think things over. It was already about seven in the evening, yet the store still proved to be ever so popular among the masses, that the tables were still so full and there were other customers waiting to be served at the door. His shift would end at nine in the evening and then he would go to his night shift over at the construction site. This is how he worked during the days where he would have afternoon classes.

Yes, he has plenty of time to mull over what happened that day before he has to go home and face the everyday wraths of Tsunade and Shizune and the attacks of his little brothers and sisters.

He moved to table number seven situated beside the window and cleared the used plates and glasses so it could be used by other people. What am I thinking? Stupid! Stupid! The blonde youth began cursing himself and at the same time he plopped down at the seat and banged his head on the dirty table. The customers around were either very disturbed at the involuntary show or amused at the antics of the blonde kid.

"Oi! Kill yourself somewhere else and let other people eat," came an arrogant tone. It rang warning bells over Naruto's mind.

No. Nononononono. He reiterated in his brain, his heart almost suffering from severe emotional attacks. He slowly turned his golden head and blue eyes rose up and saw a dark-haired man seated in front of him. "What are you doing back here again? I thought you already left," he said silently, eyes frantically looking side to side in case his boss went out and saw him talking to his customers in a rude way.

"Why not? I'm also here to eat. Serve me some food," Sasuke commanded, his face maintaining his indifference he always had. He tapped the dirty table once. "And make sure to clean this filthy table. I won't eat in this," he added. You could almost hear the smirk in his voice as he spoke and his look spoke volumes as he, again, commanded the blonde. Naruto said nothing, but threw the Uchiha a glare and cleared the table. He did so perfectly and left without bothering to take his order.

"Oi!" he heard the Uchiha call after him. "Don't forget my order,"

Naruto stopped short. "You didn't order anything," he replied venomously as he turned around. He itched to give him a dirty finger as he still carried the empty utensils.

"So? Then get me the special," he simply said and then proceeded to ignore him.

What the—he gave him another glare before returning to the dirty kitchen. He told the owner the order and whispered his explanation of his behavior, in which the owner smiled inwardly to. All of these were not witnessed by the Uchiha.

Sasuke, on the other hand, was having a blast. He came earlier to rile up the blonde boy and that, he did. He noticed that he was irritating the boy more than ever now than before. If the Hyuuga still hasn't manage to do anything yet, then… then…

A loud blow on the table top caused him to return from his musings and he felt warm soup splatter over his clothes. "What the hell are you doing!" he almost shouted and he immediately reached in his pocket for a handkerchief and tried to wipe the soup before it stains.

"There's your order. Enjoy," Naruto curtly said as he turned his back on his annoying customer. He felt a hand grab his wrist, jerk him back and forced him to sit at the chair.

"Stay there,"

Blue eyes glowed with anger. "Who the fuck are you to order me around huh? Why do you keep acting like you own me when you don't?" Naruto realized that he must've said that in a loud tone when he noticed the mixed glares and smiles he receives from others. He lowered down his voice before continuing to talk. "Why don't you just leave me the hell alone?"

Sasuke ignored the ranting boy. Instead, he took a glance at the food lain in front of him and studied it. It looked surprisingly edible, from a place like this, he thought to himself and he began poking it with his chopsticks before tasting some.

Naruto, on the other hand, was beginning to get furious for being ignored. "Don't disregard someone who is talking to you," he hissed and his mind urged him to punch the living daylights out of that conceited, superior feeling Uchiha Sasuke. If only he never vowed to never hurt someone again then…

The food was rather good, Sasuke realized, but it was made even better by the presence of the blue-eyed youth who was still trying to get his attention in vain. It amused him to no end.

Exasperated, Naruto stood and tried to go back to work. Why am I wasting time with him? I should be thinking about what I did this afternoon. His blue eyes darkened in thought as he recalled how he just dove into a relationship without considering the consequences of his actions. Baka!

The owner handed him a glass of water as he returned at the counter and told him to give it to the customer in table number seven. The bastard's table, he renamed and put down the glass without bothering to even take a glance at him.

Sasuke took everything in stride and he remained sitting there, removing some books from his bag and proceeded to study.

Two hours have passed and he still didn't have the intention on standing up. Naruto walked out of the kitchen, bag in hand, surprised when he saw Sasuke still at table number seven, his table unclear of the utensils, yet still studying. The restaurant was beginning to be cleared up by the other staff.

"Owner, why didn't you tell him to leave already?" he asked and the owner gave him a smile.

"It seems he is deep in his work and I don't want to disturb him. Why don't you tell him instead?" his blue eyes snapped at his owner, incredulous and tried to find a way to escape. The owner nudged him and pushed him forward. The other staff snickered and he glared at them. All of them turned their eyes away, some whistling, others checking their nails.

Is this some kind of conspiracy? He demanded them in his mind as he made his way towards the bane of his existence. The dark-haired boy sensed his coming and looked up, suddenly clearing his things and putting them inside his bag. "What are you doing?" he inquired instead, confusion written all over his face as Sasuke stood up and was now slinging his bag behind him.

"Your work is done now, right? Then we should go,"

"W-w," his throat got clogged at his words. He cleared it and spoke again. "We?"

"Yes, we. You've worked so long. Next time, cut it short. I don't have too much time to spare you,"

"W-what! Who told you to wait for me anyway?" it was unbelievable. He was unbelievable. "I never asked you to sit there and wait for me to finish! I wasn't the one who told you to come here and eat! Hell, I wasn't even the one who wanted to see you here in the first place!" he lashed, and he heard feet scuffling around and escaping.

Sasuke remained nonchalant "I know. And you point being..?"

Naruto stomped his feet on the ground. Sasuke raised a fine brow. "What the hell are you doing?"

Naruto stopped. "You. Are. Going. To. Drive. Me. Insane," he grinded and went out, slamming the door in the process. Sasuke smirked and followed. God, how he loved this day.

The pavement was rather bright now than before, since the restaurant was situated in the middle of the city. In his fuming mind, it was a miracle that Naruto remembered that Neji was supposed to pick him up.

Fumbling with his hand phone, he pressed one and speed dialed Neji. It rang twice before the long-haired boy answer. "Hey," Naruto started. "Don't pick me at the res. I'm now heading to the construction site for my night shift," he waited for Neji to reply to him before he hung up.

"So… another job huh?" a voice whispered in his ear. He whipped around and covered said ear.

"What are you doing?" he asked slowly, wondering why the Uchiha was still following him around that late in the night.

"What about you? What are you doing?" he asked back and Sasuke put his hands on his pocket. "Aren't you supposed to be back in your big house relaxing?"

You're the one to talk, he muttered. "I'm working, can't you see that? Or at least trying to," he added before his sentence finished, looking pointedly at the dark-haired boy.

"Why work? You're clearly rich enough to support yourself and everyone in your family,"

"It's none of your business, Uchiha. Now go away and leave me in peace,"

"You're also studying at Tokyo U, right?"

"Yes, so?"

Sasuke followed a step behind Naruto, silent. "So?" the blonde repeated.

"You just didn't strike me as someone who could pass such prestigious school,"

Naruto clenched his fist. "What? Are you insinuating that I'm not good enough to study there?" he was getting angry again, the second time that night.

"Well, now I know," Sasuke was unfazed.

The bus stop was up ahead and blue eyes saw that the bus was already waiting and was about to depart. He jogged, taking Sasuke by alarm, a minute before he followed the blonde suit.

The door closed at once as Naruto boarded, leaving Sasuke outside, still. He stuck his tongue at the stunned-for-the-first-time boy and flashed his student id, before taking his seat.

Finally, he smiled. The night was looking up.

---

"What the hell are you thinking, Tsunade-san! We're in a very tight budget this month, how could you do this?" wailed Shizune as she paced around the same floor for the hundredth time. Tsunade was put out for drinking alcohol, so intoxicated that her speech was slightly incoherent.

Another problem manifested that day. Shizune was trying so hard to control Tsunade's antics, yet she failed. She failed Naruto who was working so hard just to keep them living and this job, she cannot do.

"What are we going to tell Naruto when he returns? I—we--," she corrected. "We can't tell him about this, he would surely take this into his hands and decide to pay for it himself. God knows how many jobs he's been doing this days!"

Tsunade was barely also awake that time, yet, she still mumbled an apology. "I…uhm… sorry. I…I… thought I could…uhm…" she fell silent. Shizune looked at her and saw that she fell asleep. Their predicament was bad, yet she still smiled. I know you just wanted to help, Tsunade-san. But gambling isn't the way to do it. You know how unlucky you are at gambling. She told her in her mind and went to carry her, albeit very slowly, to the couch in the living room area.

What will I tell Naruto? How will I tell him? She tried to rack her mind for answers that could salvage them all before the loan sharks decide to end their deadline and throw them off the streets. Or worse, before Naruto finds out, opts to quit school to work on a twenty-four hour basis, exhausts him just to get them out of the hole Tsunade, herself, dug.

There was only one choice actually. Shizune stopped her pacing that she started again after she settled Tsunade into the couch. I'll go to Neji and ask for help. Naruto will certainly not approve on this course of action, but it was the only way.

All she has to do was tell Neji to keep this their little secret.

-Continued-

A/N: I've been depressed lately, and my holidays are getting worse by the second. I suppose I should be happy that I already have a university I can go to, but somehow, I still doubt. Also, I feel wronged somehow, when I see the number of hits my story receives, yet the number of reviews drop significantly. Please help me feel better. Your reviews are greatly appreciated.

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