Enjoy!

The Long Way Home

Part 6

Hard Work

Chapter 1/2

"We need money," Sasuke pointed out patiently.

For some reason this large town they found themselves in seemed to have a thing against leaving washing or other clean clothes out in easy to spot or reach places so Sasuke was still shirtless, they were both hungry and after sleeping so many nights on the hard ground they were both feeling the strong desire to sleep in a bed for once. But they were totally broke without even a single Ryo, Den or whatever the hell it was called here, to their names.

But Sasuke's ideas of solving their cash problems weren't sitting well with Naruto at all.

"I'm not stealing from some random person off the street and taking food from their and their family's mouths just so I don't have to sleep on the ground again," Naruto told him sternly as they walked down the street.

"Whatever. I'll do it and you'll just have to suffer."

"C'mon Sasuke, there's gotta be a better way of getting some money without hurting other people."

"You mean get a job?" Sasuke asked with a sour twist to his features.

"Well, why not? We could earn enough for some clean clothes, some food and maybe even somewhere to stay if we put in a full day." Sasuke rolled his eyes.

So Naruto went off to see about getting some work for the day. He learnt from talking to a few workers around town that the task wasn't actually that difficult since most workers here were hired by the day and there were a few jobs going even for people with little to no basic worker skills. In the end he got them a job washing out dyed cloth in the river which turned out to be surprisingly backbreaking but once Naruto got the hang of it found that he was enjoying having a chance to use his muscles to fight against the flow of the river with the heavy fabric. Sasuke on the other hand wasn't so eager about the work, but went about his tasks without complaining for the entire day, which Naruto was incredibly thankful for. He was also happy that by the end of the day, with their pockets full of money, Sasuke might see the wisdom of Naruto's brilliant plan.

The sun was already setting by the time the supervisor called a halt for the day. By that point both of them were tired and sore from fighting with the cloth in the streams and were only too eager to join the group of other people around the supervisor to receive their pay for the day. When it was Naruto and Sasuke's turn they both held their hands out while the supervisor put a few coins in their palms before moving along to the next man.

Naruto looked down at his hand and frowned. "Um, there must be some mistake."

The supervisor looked around at him, then at the coins in his hand, then back at Naruto. "No mistake mate. For unskilled day work that's pretty generous around here."

The super moved off as the last man was paid and Naruto and Sasuke were left standing by themselves staring at their palms as though looking at the feeble amount could make it larger somehow.

"Brilliant plan Naruto," Sasuke said acidly. "With our combined income for an entire wasted day we could just about afford either half a shirt or half a meal between us."

Naruto hated to admit it, but Sasuke was right. They'd wasted an entire day because Naruto refused to get money in any nefarious way and all they had to show for it was an amount that probably wouldn't even allow them a single meal to share.

Naruto sighed. "I won't steal from people."

"Yeah, you said that," Sasuke replied in annoyance.

"There's always night work if you two are that hard up for cash," a voice near them interjected.

One of their co-workers from the day was still hanging around behind them where they hadn't seen him having a quiet end of day smoke before moving on.

"Night work?" Naruto asked unperturbed by the intrusion.

"Yeah sure. You two are both young and fit looking. You oughta be able to make more in the nights than you would here."

"Doing what?"

Naruto had asked but Sasuke's expression told Naruto that his companion had already guessed what it entailed.

"Whoring, " Sasuke answered scowling at the man.

Naruto's eyes widened dramatically. "Oh, fuck no. Not this shit again! Why does it always have to turn to whoring the moment we find ourselves in a bad spot?"

"Twice isn't always," Sasuke reminded him tiredly.

"Seems like always," Naruto muttered.

The man just grinned and shrugged. "Hey, it's not so bad. I used to do it now and again when I needed to when I was a lad. Good money, sex with rich accommodating strangers, there's worse ways to earn your keep that's for sure. Actually there's a big party on up at the Saito mansion tonight. The lady there throws big lavish parties for the rich and well to do in the town and always hires the prettiest whores for entertainment. Why in a couple of hours you both could be knee deep in pretty ladies who'll pay you good money for a good time. And you both fit the bill, you're both good looking guys. I bet the lady herself would even take a special interest in you," the guy finished with a significant look at Sasuke.

"Ah well, thanks for the tip," Naruto told him quickly before Sasuke could make a snide comment.

He grabbed Sasuke's wrist and began dragging him back toward town. When they were away from the guy Sasuke pulled his arm free but still kept pace with Naruto, a disturbingly thoughtful and somewhat familiar look on his face.

"Ne Sasuke, don't tell me you're actually thinking of doing that are you? I know I said we should earn our money but I didn't mean-"

"I wasn't thinking that, not really."

"Oh good," Naruto said relieved.

"Though I was thinking we should go up to this mansion tonight," Sasuke continued.

"What, why?"

"You said you didn't want to steal from people who would be inconvenienced by it. How do you feel about stealing from people who probably won't notice anything is missing at all?"

"You want to steal from rich people?"

"Why not? They can afford it."

"I don't know Sasuke," Naruto said uncertainly.

Sasuke stopped Naruto and turned toward him, a stern set to his expression. Apparently his patience for the day had finally disintegrated altogether.

"I want clothes, I want to eat real food sometime this week and I want to be able to take a bath that isn't in a cold stream this month. It's petty I know, but those are the facts. I am going up there, I will present myself for a job and once I am inside I will steal anything valuable that isn't nailed down and then hightail it because I am tired and hungry. You do not have to come, you can be rest assured that I will not fuck my way into fortune in case you care, but two hands are better than one and I think doing this may we set us up for the remainder of our journey."

"You want my help?" Was what Naruto's stunned brain got out of that speech.

Sasuke looked unwilling for a moment to confirm that but he seemed to realize that doing so wouldn't do him any favors.

"If we watch one another's backs were are less likely to get caught or be cornered by some horny rich drunk woman trying to grope us in a corner."

"And just how am I supposed to stop someone doing that? Tell them your not really there to sleep with them, just rob them?" Naruto asked sarcastically.

"I don't know. Pretend you're a guest and grope me yourself. Tell them you had first dibs, I don't care. It's not like I can make them stop doing it myself without arousing a lot of suspicion."

Naruto's eyes were pretty wide by this point. "You'd prefer me to grope you than some rich pretty horny woman?"

"I'd prefer not to be groped at all, but if I do I'd prefer it done by someone of my choosing who won't expect me to fuck them afterwards. At least you're...familiar."

"Gee Sasuke, way to make a guy feel special."

"Don't be a smart ass, it's just a fact. Now are you in or not?"

Naruto didn't know why, but he had the strongest feeling that this was going to be a really bad idea.

But then his stomach chose that moment to grumble loudly and he sighed in defeat.

"Alright, I'm in."

They cleaned themselves up as best they could before heading back into town and asking directions to the Saito mansion. Apparently, there was a path they could follow that led them up to the back of the property where a number of good looking male and female people were waiting patiently.

Looking around at the assembled group Naruto realized they must be in the right place. Most of the men and the woman were all attractive and all under the age of about twenty five. Apparently, the mistress of the house liked her entertainers young. Naruto had worried they'd look too scruffy and travel stained to get in, but none of these people seemed particularly up on their luck and looked no better presented than he or Sasuke did. Terou had been right, in this place you were either rich or poor, there was no in between.

Naruto also realized something else while he was looking around that made him pretty uneasy and it wasn't just the resigned looks on some of the faces in the group.

"Uh Sasuke, I don't think this is gonna work."

"Why not?" Sasuke asked impatiently, turning to look at him.

"Look around, all these people are really...well..." Naruto tried again, "I'm not sure I'll get in."

Sasuke didn't seem to understand for the longest moment but when he did he still didn't look any less confused. "You'll get in dobe, stop freaking out."

"I'm not freaking out! Sasuke these people are all gorgeous, obviously this woman is pretty picky. I'm not gonna get in."

"Why not?"

"'Cause I don't look...I mean.."

"You'll get in dobe," Sasuke cut him off.

Sasuke just didn't seem to be getting it and it was making Naruto a little frustrated. "I'm not looking for a self confidence boost here, I'm just telling you the truth."

"I'm not offering to stroke your ego," Sasuke told him bluntly. "But I think your version of the truth is full of shit. I assure you you'll get it so stop going on about it."

Sasuke's little pep talk had drawn a few attentions of those around him most of which seemed haughty and disdainful, but a few were smiling. An especially pretty blond girl next to him even smiled with an added wink.

"He's right you know, you're cuter than most here," the girl told him. "You know sometimes they like to pay us to do things with each other just so they can watch. I will be happy to come find you later if I get such a proposition if you like. Very happy.'

Sasuke was scowling over his shoulder at the girl, which was strange considering she'd only helped him with her case. Meanwhile Naruto was flushing a little and trying to look like she hadn't just surprised the ever-living crap out of him.

"Uh, thanks. I guess. Just what kind of party is this anyway?"

"Yeah, I thought you and your friend looked new. Just passing through town?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"Well these things, they're not so much parties as orgies really. There's the big ballroom and dining hall in the front section of the house for the regular party but we all get put in the upstairs area where the guests will come up to unwind. We get paid by Lady Saito for the whole night, but the guests will often tip really generously or will even offer you an extra fee to tempt you away from another prospective client. It's really quite fun."

Naruto wasn't real sure about the 'fun' part.

"I'm Suki, by the way."

"Naruto."

"Cause you're new and cute I'll give you a bit of a heads up though. It's not just women you might have to please. The lady gets real nasty if you turn down any guest."

"What do you mean?"

"She means you might have to get fucked by men, dobe," Sasuke told him impatiently.

"Oh, right," Naruto said a little faintly. Not that he should be nervous about that, or any of what this girl was telling him. According to Sasuke they were only going to be here as long as it took to find something worth stealing and then escaping. No orgies, no uncomfortableness and absolutely no getting fucked up the ass by strange men.

"Of course if you do end up in that kind of situation," the girl continued with a slightly lecherous smirk, "I might pay to watch."

Naruto gave the girl an uncertain smile and took a closer step toward Sasuke.

"Sasuke, maybe we should think this-"

But Naruto was interrupted by the doors opening and bathing them all in soft yellow light from the interior of the house. The crowd didn't surge forward, there was no clamor to be picked, they all just lined up to be inspected at the door before they went inside. Apparently Lady Saito would take anyone who looked the part. A man and a woman, servants by the look of the outfits, were giving the prospective entertainment quick examinations before they were allowed to enter. A few who must be regulars were just nodded through, while newbies like he and Sasuke were eyed a little more speculatively.

Both servants seemed quickly happy with Sasuke and motioned him inside without too much hassle and to Naruto's own surprise he got waved in just as quickly. A few in the line weren't quite so lucky and were told they wouldn't be needed but Naruto wasn't amongst them liked he'd feared.

Or was that hoped?

Once inside they were taken to a large indoor bathhouse where they were told to strip and bathe, which Naruto accomplished almost entirely without looking at anyone out of sheer embarrassment. It was probably lucky he was so embarrassed because being in a room naked with so many gorgeous people could result in even more embarrassing issues.

Even confident Sasuke kept his eyes low most of the time though he didn't seem in the least embarrassed by his own nakedness. Naruto couldn't blame him. Even in a sea of attractive faces he was probably the best looking one there with no reason to feel shame about his appearance.

After their bath all the newbies were each treated to a bit of an examination probably to make sure they were all healthy and clean which was uncomfortable to say the least. Naruto was left by the end of it, dressed only in some weird and very sheer loincloth wondering whether there might have been far easier ways to rob rich people than this. Even Sasuke seemed to be rethinking his plan to judge by the annoyed look on his face when Naruto finally caught up with him in the upstairs area a bit later.

The expression didn't last too long when he saw Naruto though and instead got replaced by something a little more unbelieving.

"What the hell are you wearing?" Sasuke questioned sharply.

"Exactly the same thing you are," Naruto retorted a little put off by the behavior.

"But I can see almost everything. It doesn't cover much."

"Yeah well I can practically see your everything too," Naruto groused. "You've seen me naked plenty of times, don't be such a freak about it."

Sasuke's cheeks actually went a little pink and he turned his head away quickly. "Forget it."

Naruto eyed him strangely. "Is this one of those weird Sasuke moments where something is perfectly okay while something practically the same isn't? Cause it just about did my head in the last time figuring that out."

"Well rest assured, you won't have to kiss me to find out what makes me uncomfortable this time," Sasuke replied acidly.

"Not unless the guests want to watch us do it," Naruto responded a little annoyed himself. "And personally I had enough of that shit with Morio."

"That bad, was it?"

"Not that time exactly cause you had to look into it but generally touching you is like touching a venomous snake when you're not sure whether it's going to like the touch or bite you instead."

"I only bit you once," Sasuke reminded him.

"I didn't mean it literally teme! C'mon Sasuke, this place is weird, I'm wearing nothing but a scarf and I've been poked and prodded so much I feel like I've been violated already except they didn't leave me a very good tip. can we just cut our losses, be glad we finally got to have a warm bath and get the fuck out of here before this gets even stranger?"

"All the more reason to stay so it wasn't for nothing. I had a look around while you were apparently being violated and there are some big doors at the far end of the hall which I'm guessing is where the Lady's rooms are along with the stairs that lead down to the real party. I think it's our best bet of getting something valuable."

"So what are we waiting for?"

"The doors are locked and guarded."

"Yeah well, I can see the fault in your master plan already."

"Guests also seem to be coming in that way," Sasuke continued ignoring him. "I'm betting they're leaving their clothes somewhere through there as well."

Sasuke was right, after they went over to inspect the doors again an eager guest came through in a robe and nothing else. Luckily for the pair he didn't spare them a look as he went past apparently not interested in anything male. But neither of them failed to hear the door click loudly as it closed behind him.

"Locks automatically," Sasuke observed.

"Thanks captain obvious," Naruto muttered.

Sasuke scowled at him. "Maybe you should go find some girl and fuck her brains out after all, it might put you in a better mood."

"Maybe I will," Naruto challenged turning to prepare to walk away before Sasuke grabbed his arm and stopped him.

"Don't be an idiot, I was just joking."

"So? I might as well get something out of this whole thing."

"You don't really want your first time to be whoring yourself out in front of a heap of horny guests do you?"

"Who said anything about my first time?" Naruto asked hotly.

"If anyone has 'virgin' stamped in bright colors across their forehead it's you. You blush at everything."

"I do not! And who cares, my first kiss was already spoiled by you, seems okay that my first time is as well."

He hadn't meant to say that. It wasn't that he felt bad about bringing up the fact that his first kiss had been an embarrassing accidental lip lock with Sasuke himself. He just wished that he hadn't bought it up at all. But instead of teasing him, Sasuke took the unexpected approach.

"Spoiled?"

"Unfortunate wording," Naruto muttered.

"So is this why you don't seem to mind kissing me now, because its already happened and been spoiled so why not?"

"Doesn't seem like such a big deal."

"Flattering," Sasuke remarked acerbically.

"Was I supposed to be trying to flatter you? I just meant that it's you and you're, what did you say before, familiar. You aren't some weird stranger, you're Sasuke and that's, I dunno, sort of comfortable."

"Comfortable?"

"Argh, Sasuke, what's the big deal anyway?"

"So kissing me is no big deal huh?"

Naruto felt the almost irresistible urge to smack his own forehead. "I don't know how to answer that so I don't end up pissing you off more. I only meant to say it doesn't feel all nerve-wracking or whatever anymore. It's like giving a friend a hug, that's all."

"Then you obviously aren't doing it right," Sasuke observed.

"Go fuck yourself Sasuke."

"No," Sasuke replied, his concentration shifting to something over Naruto's shoulder. "I think I might try her instead."

Naruto looked to where Sasuke's was gesturing and saw a lady decked out to the nines in a long sweeping black dress, her neck, ears and hair practically glittering in jewelry and a very pleased air about her. She must have been the only guest so far that hadn't come in wearing a robe and that was probably why Sasuke had singled her out of the ever growing crowd. This person was probably Lady Saito come to check on the starting festivities.

"Your really going to try and..." Naruto asked a little pale. Sure she was a beautiful woman albeit at least twenty years or more older than Sasuke but he hadn't thought Sasuke would go to such lengths just to get a meal.

"I'll try my hardest not to," Sasuke affirmed. "But she's the host, she's probably the most influential here and I doubt she will lower herself to a spectacle in front of her quests. If she wants any fun for herself she'll probably have that fun elsewhere, preferably in her own room."

"So what, get her to take you through the door and past the guards, and then what? I doubt she's just gonna leave you alone to take all her stuff now is she?"

"No, but you're part of the plan too. I will make sure the door doesn't lock behind me. You create a diversion out here to bring the guard away from the door and perhaps even get the lady to leave me alone. You come through the door, take anything you can get your hands on, find me if I haven't found you and then we escape."

"You know for a generally smart guy, your plans are pretty stupid teme. There's too many things that can wrong. What if the door locks anyway? What if I can't make a diversion? What if she isn't even interested in you?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at him in that last part. "Who isn't interested?"

The smug jerk bastard with the ego the size of the moon had an annoyingly good point. Pretty much anyone with an eye for the guys liked the look or Sasuke and that wasn't even when he was actively pursuing them. And if he did, the woman would probably faint at his feet.

"Lots of people," Naruto lied.

"We'll see. C'mon it's the best plan we have."

"It's the only plan," Naruto corrected.

Sasuke wandered off over toward Lady Saito while Naruto followed at a discreet distance. Truth be told he was a little curious to see Sasuke really try to attract someone. Usually they chased him and he ignored them almost completely. Naruto had never actually seen Sasuke try to pick up so he figured it might be quite an education.

As eager as he was to see the show however he was more than a little distracted by the unfolding show around him. The entertainment people had only just been filtering in and making themselves at home when Naruto and Sasuke had gone to check out their door to riches. But now that some guests had started arriving the party seemed to be kicking into full gear. Most of the sections of rooms were nothing but low tables with wine jugs, glasses a few assorted nibbles and a hell of a lot of cushions.

Naruto was only just now getting a good idea as to why this was. Mostly naked people in couples or even sometimes more were strewn here and there on the cushions and Naruto felt his face go red as he got a good look as to what was going on.

"Holy shit," Naruto said under his breath in amazement both at the display and the fact that people were so openly going about it. Obviously he'd never seen anything like this before and it took him a good few moments to tear his eyes away, refocus his mind and search out Sasuke in the growing sea of faces.

He saw him a few moments later, leaning up against a wall just in Lady's Saito's field of vision with an intense look on his face. It wasn't the best 'come fuck me' expression Naruto had ever witnessed but then he realized Sasuke was just waiting to catch the Lady's eye. When her head turned casually toward him Naruto was almost floored by his change in expression. The way a small corner of his mouth tipped up and the lazy almost nonchalant way he made eye contact where nothing on their own until the full expression formed. It was such a simple look yet so effective. The overall confident and inviting set to his features seemed to say, 'I will make your night'. It seemed to be working too because the Lady's eyes hadn't moved on yet and although Naruto couldn't quite see her expression from this angle she seemed pretty intent. Then Sasuke tipped his head to the side just a fraction but the subtle movement conveying clear invitation and the Lady turned to the servant, spoke for a few moments before walking toward Sasuke and speaking to him herself. She stood very close to him, so close she might have been standing against him while the pair of them conversed for a few moments. Then the Lady began walking away and Sasuke pushed himself off the wall to follow at her heels toward the locked door. As they passed Naruto, the smug look on Sasuke's face almost made Naruto want to hit him.

"Fucking great, I'm never going to hear the end of this," Naruto muttered to himself.

He watched them both until she and Sasuke disappeared through the doors then scanned the room eager to get his part in the plan going before something could go wrong.

TBC