Title: Kremlin Dusk
Author: sky75rk
Standard disclaimers apply. This story is not beta-edited. Anyone interested in becoming my beta-reader?
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Ninth Channel: Is it or isn't it?
Can I do this? Shizune asked herself as she sat across Neji, who was waiting patiently for what she had to say. She was sweating profusely, nervousness seeping into her body and mind, and she didn't feel like continuing any longer. Oh no, I can't do this.
"Shizune…san?" Neji called out to her, and he glanced at his watch. There was time to talk before his next class, but it would be consumed if Naruto's guardian refused to talk any time soon. "There is nothing wrong with Naruto now… isn't it?" he was worried, because if there was something the matter with his beloved blonde, well, he would do everything to fix it.
Shizune sighed. "There… will be… if we don't do anything about it soon," she started and as soon as she finished that particular sentence, she took a deep breath.
The Hyuuga frowned and narrowed his eyes. "What… do you mean?"
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They were running farther and farther away from the school, and Naruto had no choice but to follow, as he was being dragged by a certain, stubborn Uchiha Sasuke. Earlier, he tried to free himself by pulling his wrist from the dark-haired boy's grasp but Sasuke held it firmly. He was sure that it would bruise the next day.
"Where are you taking me, you bastard?" he demanded when he turned around the block and continued running. "I still have another class and you're making me miss it!"
Sasuke responded with a look that shut him up. Not because of fear that came with that vicious glare, but because for the first time, he saw Sasuke smile a sincere smile. Naruto had to stop talking to breathe in air as those usually cold black eyes softened and his lips that marred a frown disappeared. He looks… different. The blonde told himself, and when the raven-haired boy turned away, Naruto was almost wistful that this might be the last time he would see that face. I wonder what made him so happy.
Sasuke, on the other hand, was really having fun that moment. He never felt so free before and the blonde made him feel that way, despite the fact that it was him who was actually dragging the blonde boy down with him. He couldn't help the feelings, as much as he should loathe it. It had been so long since he smiled and it was wonderful. Though he wouldn't smile for anyone else. He wasn't capable of that still. It was only when he is with Naruto that he was able to lose the indifference he has.
Perhaps because the blonde was unlike any other. He wasn't like the people who flocked him because of his good looks or because of his wealth. He was not like those who had hidden agendas in order to get something from him. He wasn't those who liked him because of the name he carries with him.
"T-teme! Don't think that you're off the hook yet! Your pretty smiles won't save you when I'm done with you!" he threatened the dark-haired boy who stopped for a moment and looked at him in solemnity.
"You think that my smiles are pretty?" there was a grave look in his eyes and for the second time around, Naruto found himself speechless. Before he could answer though, Sasuke moved again, dragging the blonde unwillingly.
By the time Naruto saw his shoulders shaking, his face heated up in embarrassment. "Are you laughing at me?"
There was no response only a continuous shaking of shoulders.
"You are!"
Naruto, then, ran, catching up to the older boy and smacked him on the head. Sasuke stopped laughing. His dark eyes focused on blue with a glare. "Dobe!"
"Bastard!"
They looked at each other for a while, a battle of stares, before they smiled at each other. Sasuke let go of Naruto's wrist and started walking. The blonde, instead of running back to the university, followed the Uchiha willingly, catching up so he was walking side by side with him.
They reached a common understanding.
As much as the blonde youth hated missing his classes, he realized that in the span of time that he was being heaved out of his course, he hadn't thought about his problems and how he could solve it. There was only a feeling of freedom that he hadn't felt for a very long time, and he was quite sure that Sasuke experiences the same as well.
There was still, of course, something niggling him at the back of mind, something trivial that will probably bother him for a few days, but right now, he wanted to forget and see what the raven-haired ice prince wanted to show him.
It was as if he already forgot that it was only last night that he told himself that he never wanted to see that boy again, for irritating him more than anyone. And it was only last night that he left him outside the bus station, sticking out his tongue on him and gloating on his victory to get out of his hair with him not noticing it before late. Alas, times change and a day after punching his pillow, wishing that it was the boy whom he was punching, he was now walking alongside him, thought not chatting amiably; he was thoroughly enjoying being distracted.
Can he afford to be distracted right now?
"Where are we really going?" he asked, deciding to discard his bastard comment in the mean time.
"You'll see," said the Uchiha, secretive of the place they were going to. "Just don't get lost while following me, dobe," he smirked, and it infuriated the blonde.
"Grr… what if I decide to leave you alone then? That'll show you,"
"You won't," was the simple reply of the Uchiha.
It irked Naruto more. "You sound so sure of yourself,"
"I am,"
"Bastard,"
"Moron,"
The blonde didn't notice that he was being led right inside the central park and were now crossing the boundaries. The foliage of trees was getting thicker, yet the blonde still haven't realized that.
"Maybe I should just leave y--,"
"—we're here," Sasuke interrupted and stopped, his eyes staring straight ahead. Blue eyes followed the line of sight of the dark-haired boy and he found himself looking at a small patch of land ultimately covered in flowers of different kinds, sizes, and color. The wind blew a gentle one and the petals scattered all over, drifting in the air as the wind carried them and laid them slowly on the ground.
"Wow," was all that the blonde could say. He didn't know that there was a place like this inside the city.
"Yes, it's pretty amazing," replied the stoic young man.
While still staring ahead, the blonde asked Sasuke. "Why'd you take me here?"
Sasuke shrugged and said, "Since you're a biology student, I figured that you might appreciate the view,"
Now, it was Naruto's turn to smack the stoic boy. "Baka. Everyone can appreciate this kind of beauty. Not just biology students," he did a double take "Wait, how'd you know I'm a biology student?" he sounded suspicious just now, that Sasuke wanted to laugh outright at how ridiculous he looked with his blue eyes narrowed.
"Here and there," and then the conversation finished.
"Bastard,"
"Dobe,"
"Asshole,"
"Usuratonkachi,"
"Nani!"
Naruto was about to hit the Uchiha again for that comment. His fists were already raised and poised and was about to strike the stoic boy. When he brought down his hand, Sasuke deftly caught it with one hand and tugged. Naruto was surprised as he was jerked forward and he closed his eyes as he felt gravity doing its job.
There was no cold earth that connected with his body; there was only the warmth of another arm snaking around his waist, pulling him closer, and the sensation of soft lips over his own. Before he could react though, Sasuke broke the unforeseen kiss and moved his lips over Naruto's ear. "This should give you a reason to think about me," he whispered, and then left.
-Continued-
Next Channel will focus on Shizune's talk with Neji and Naruto's reaction. Will Shizune tell Neji or back out o her idea? Will Naruto ever find out about it? Will Sasuke do other means to distance Naruto away from Neji?
Please review. Feedbacks are greatly appreciated. I'll give you a cookie if you do!
