Part 19: Rays of sunny hope after stormy skies
Damn… Sasuke thinks as he waits in the elevator. That conversation lasted way longer than I had expected. Stupid principal has to meddle in my business again. I already told her I would work hard to keep up. It was just one day being sick. Nothing wrong with that! Sasuke sighs again as he looks up at the numbers, just a few more floors and he is on his department. Can't really blame her either. Finals are coming up and though I've managed to catch up with the rest, I still got a lot of studying to do if I want to make it. Then I'll finally be leaving this stupid school behind for good. The elevator doors open and Sasuke steps out, walking towards the door that leads to the office where he will find Suigetsu and Jugo working. Though I really need to find a way to make up with Naruto before finals start. Otherwise I will never see him again once we graduate. The thought of that makes Sasuke's heart cringe with heartache. He never wishes to lose his dobe again. He sighs once more before opening the door to his department.
"Ah, there he finally is then." Suigetsus says as he remains seated, not even looking up from his monitor.
"Just shut up Suige-" Sasuke says until he looks up and sees the very blond he had been thinking about before entering. In a flash Sasuke remembers the dream he had shortly after beating Naruto into the hospital. Confused he doesn't know whether this is reality or yet another dream about his dobe.
Naruto had opened his mouth to says something, but as soon as Sasuke had looked up his mind just seemed to crash and he can't say anything anymore, not even move.
Black eyes stare into bleu and for a moment the rest of the world seems to disappear. Both are in confusion, neither of them can move or say anything.
"Ah yeah. That's Naruto." Suigetsu casually as usual breaks as a wrecking ball their small little private world to smash them back to reality. "Picked him up during that card convention last week. You know, my assignment? Ah wel, anyway, he can draw pretty well. You know how hectic things here can be so I offered him an opportunity and, well, here he is.
"And Itachi approves of this?" Sasuke manages to ask, though he has a hard time keeping his eyes of his blond. He remembers that Itachi sees Naruto more as a threat for him for he encourages Sasuke's sadistic behavior.
"Kakashi approves. That's one and the same thing now right?" Suigetsu replies lazily, not really expecting an answer.
"T-thanks for working with me!" Naruto nearly shouts as he bows towards Sasuke who unconsciously takes a step back. Nervousness caused Naruto to come up with only one reaction. To be formal and treat the other as a co-worker instead of a friend.
"U-uhn… No need to be so formal…" Sasuke says uneasily, not liking this distance between them that comes with formality. Yet again, what did he expect? That Naruto would jump on him or hug him or treat him as a best friend? After all that had happened there is just no way.
"S-sorry…" Naruto says softly while scratching the back of his head. Damn this is so difficult! I hate these awkward silences… I have no clue how to act and so I am only making a fool of myself!
"Hn." Is Sasuke's reply as he takes his place behind his computer and starts it up. "You have everything you need then, Naruto?"
"Eh, ah- Yeah." Naruto answers as his trembling legs take him towards the computer between Suigetsu and Sasuke. His heart skipped a beat when his raven haired crush had called him by his name.
"Good." Sasuke replies, having gotten somewhat more a hold of himself, at least outward. I can't believe he is real! He really sits here, right next to me… I just hope Nii-san won't find out. At least, not anytime soon. "If there is anything you need, just ask." Sasuke says while keeping his eyes and attention on the screen, or at least he hopes they think he does for his mind is focused on anything but work. And what about his parents? Do they know he works here? Probably not that I am his colleague. Best get closer to him in small steps… Don't ever want to repeat that incident again… Is he here because of me? Did he take the offer because of me? Or had he forgotten that I work here? Sasuke carefully looks at Naruto from the corner of his eyes. The dobe had nodded as an answer and now is searching for inspiration on the internet. A sketchbook, a pencil, eraser and a pen lie in front of him and a bag at his feet underneath the table. Nah, he knew. He would not forget something like that… Right? Damn it, I wish we were alone.! Would be so much easier to talk to him then...
Fuck, how the hell am I supposed to survive this?! Naruto thinks as he keeps scrolling, not even seeing the images. He is so close. I could so easily touch him right now… Would he mind it? Would he push me away, ignore it? He did seem surprised to see me. I guess that is a good sign! But… Now he's… Just acting like any co-worker should I guess… So he really doesn't see us as any more than that... Naruto feels his chest tighten as he remembers their brake-up. It's my own fault… What did I expect then?! That he would jump on me? Hold me and tell me everything will be alright?! Destroy that stupid dream already, baka! Stupid, stupid me. Arg! I should really concentrate already! This isn't easy and I really do want to keep this job!
The day went by awfully slow. Naruto 'assignment revolves around a game gathering. The specific game had become a hype recently and a meeting in their town was organized by Sharingan. Naruto is responsible for making the poster that will be hung up throughout their city and some small villages around it. No small job and Naruto would be really proud if his designed poster were to hang all over town. At the same time he can already feel the pressure, not just that of time but the poster has to be flawless.
"Aaarg!" Naruto growls as he throws another ball of paper behind him on the ground and messes up his spiky hair. "I just can't seem to get it right! I don't understand where I draw it wrong…" Elbows on the tables, hands still in his hair, Naruto stares at the blank paper in front of him. He hardly notices how Sasuke leans back and picks up the last attempt of Naruto's try to look at it. On his turn the raven doesn't notice how intrigued purple eyes follow his movement.
"Hnnn…" Sasuke says as he looks at the sketch on which the subject is out of proportion. But only slightly so it is hard to see what part of it is out of proportion. Can't blame the dobe. Sasuke thinks. Only an experienced eye sees where the faults are and even then it is often overlooked because one is too close to their own work, yet someone with a fresh look at it can see the mistake easily. Sasuke sighs. "Look here. You've got to draw this line more in that way."
"Uhn uhn." Naruto nods, yet he is extremely aware of Sasuke being so close to him. He's warm. We're in one another's personal space now. The only reason this isn't seen as weird is because I'm still seated and he stands, leaning half over me… Damn I want to hug him so bad! Naruto wishes feverishly. Shit what was he saying again?! Concentrate! Concentrate on what he is saying!
"Naruto? Do you get it now?" Sasuke asks, seeing that the blond has only half his attention on the paper and noting the adoring blush around his cheeks. Ah, so I do still have this much effect on him when I get closer. Interesting… Sasuke smirks to himself silently. If Suigetsu and Jugo weren't here I would have experimented some more, but I guess this is it for now. Time to cool off, and that goes for the both of us. "Don't forget to take a break every now and then. Taking some distance from your work will also help you see some mistakes you have overlooked before." Sasuke says as he sits down behind his own computer again while Naruto stands up and nods. "And if you go take a break you might as well fetch us some drinks along the way."
"Ah! Good idea! Coffee! Oh and on floor two you can find cookies, try to take some of those with ya. Anda if you're going that way anyway you might as well bring back those scissors to floor three." Suigetsu grins at Naruto, who gets irritated at Suigetsus games again, while Sasuke just silently smirks as he enjoys the panorama of emotions that show on his crushes face.
"Naruto." Sasuke says as he sees that Naruto is about to protest and show just how much he is done with being Suigetsu's arrant boy. "I know how annoying Suigetsu can be, but it does give you the opportunity to get to know the building and where you can find what, if you ever are in need of something."
"Fine…" Naruto sighs as he annoyed takes the scissors back. "But this is the last time!" Naruto stomps of while growling and complaining under his breath, though he can't deny that Sasuke had a point.
Sasuke watches him leave, a small smirk around his lips, completely unaware that behind him Suigetsu also has a smirk around his lips, though for an entirely different reason. Oh yes, Suigetsu has Sasuke all figured out alright…
"Tadayma…" Naruto sighs as he enters his home again around eight o'clock, not looking forward to the expected interrogation with his parents again.
"Welcome home sweetie." Kushina calls back from the kitchen. "Could you lend me a hand for a minute?"
Surprised Naruto walks through the living room towards the kitchen where his mother is cooking dinner. From the smell of it its Naruto's favorite; home-made Ramen cooked with motherly love.
"I hope you haven't eaten yet?" Kushina says after steering the pan and takes some bowls from the cupboard to hand over to her son so he can set the table.
"No… Not yet." Naruto replies, still dazed at the casual way his mother acts, instead of the hysterical 'Where have you been?!' he had expected.
"Ah, welcome home son." Minato says as he enters the kitchen as well. "Has been a long day huh?"
"H-hn…" Naruto resists cringing as his father playfully messes up his hair.
"So, tell us?" Kushina says as she takes the pan to the table. "How was your day?"
"W- I.. Eh…" Naruto stumbles over his words in his confusion. When was the last time that they asked me this question like this? "I- I don't know where to begin…"
"Well…" Kushina and Minato glance uncertain at each other, having hoped the conversation would go more smoothly, like old times. "You could tell us about school? Sit down Naruto, or would you prefer to eat you ramen cold? I'm sure we have some ice blocks in the freezer still if you'd prefer-"
"Ah no!" In a split second Naruto is seated at his place at the table, graciously he accepts the full bowl his mother hands over to him. "There is no way I would let mom's Ramen go to waste… Ghehe." Naruto nervously laughs and Kushina nods and smiles.
"The note you left behind said you were late because of work?" Minato asks and thanks his wife as he gets his portion of dinner.
"Eh yeah…" Naruto says, focusing on his favorite food while telling them his tale. "Last week I went to this card convention and one of the organizers asked me if I wanted to make a living of drawing, after he saw my sketchbook. I took the chance he offered. I got through the intake and the upcoming two months are a trial to see if I live up to their expectations and for me to see if I really want to keep working there."
"Wauw, Naruto… That is wonderful news. Where do you work now then? A studio or something?" Minato asks.
"Actually…" Naruto scratches the back of his head. "It is a company. An event management company called 'Sharingan'."
"Sharingan, huh. If you had told me you wanted to work, there or anywhere, I could have pulled some strings. Our company, the Yellow flash, works quite often together with Sharingan."
"Ah." Naruto sheepishly grins. "To be honest It just came on my path. I didn't think about working next to school before the opportunity arose." Minato nods on this in understanding, but it triggers a next question from Kushina.
"You are sure you can handle this next to your school work, sweetie?" She asks worried for her sons future. "Exams will be coming up soon right? Don't put yourself under too much pressure."
"I know." Naruto replies, being weary and alert to find any sign that they suspect him of something he had not done. Though I really hope they won't start to ask about Sasuke… He thinks and quickly replies before the silence stretches too long. "I know what I'm doing mom. I'll be fine! School comes first after all. Been a high schooler for way to long already and I promise you, I have no intention of staying there a day longer than is necessary." Naruto drinks the remains of his soup and grins.
"I'm glad to hear that." Kushina replies with a sigh of relief. "We're proud of you, Naruto. You're really growing up." Kushina smiles at her son, proud, but a sting of pain tugs at her heart to think that her little boy is growing up so soon.
After dinner Naruto lies in his bed while looking up at his ceiling with a smile on his face. Today was perfect! He thinks. Ever since Sasuke came back into my live my parents are acting normal again too. And Sasuke even helped me! He stood so close to me… Blushing and giggling Naruto turns on his side, hiding his head under the covers. His heart beats rapidly and it feels as if thousands of butterflies could make his stomach explode. Can't wait for tomorrow!
Sasuke yawns and stretches before he checks one last time if he's got all the preparations ready. All the right colors of paint, the blank white canvas paper taped securely on the wall, brushes, pallet, paper towels, water and his sketchbook. Sasuke had gone to Sharingan early in the morning, even though it is Saturday, hoping Naruto would come work to. Suigetsu only starts working around eight in the evening and it's Jugo's day off. They would be alone. Sasuke doesn't know what he would do once they were alone, he just would take things as they went. At least they would be able to talk freely.
It has been past twelve already… I doubt he will show up… Sasuke thinks disappointed. He sighs once more and opens his eyes, determined to not get distracted by the thought of his dobe and to get some work done.
Sasuke hardly notices how, a couple of hours later, Naruto enters their office. Naruto intends to announce his presence but quickly shuts his mouth as he sees how concentrated Sasuke is at work. There isn't much to see yet, just a smooth flow of black to light blue, green and yellow as Sasuke is first putting on the light and darker shades. It seems… Naruto thinks as he looks around the office. That we are alone. Should I say something? Shall I walk up to him? But won't that disturb him and what if I cause him to make a mistake!? No… No walking up to him. Naruto muses silently. I better get to my own work, silently. As Naruto is about to walk to his pc, he sees Sasuke's sketchbook on the corner of the long table. Would he mind if I…? Naruto thinks as he walks over to it and picks it up. I'm sure he wouldn't. He did see mine after all, only fair I get a look at how good he is at it.
"Wow…" Naruto can't help but whisper in awe. He opened the book at the page where a note sticks out. The sketch for Sasuke's current assignment. Though it hardly looks as a sketch… Naruto notices. Look at that detail! It's a dragon, well adjust to its surroundings, and a male figure with antlers and other, more animal like characteristics. He plays, it seems, a flute and other magical, more tiny, creatures gather around him. Is it just me or does he kinda look like me? Naruto thinks, studying the image.
"W-what do you think you're doing?" Sasuke says as he quickly puts his brush in the water, having heard Naruto's awed reaction to his work. "I did not say you could-"
"Sasuke this is amazing!" Naruto says enthusiastically while taking some steps towards Sasuke with sparkling eyes, which just stuns Sasuke for a moment, causing him unable to do or say anything. "What else have you got?" Naruto says as he intends to skip some more through Sasuke's sketchbook.
Oh no! Sasuke thinks, able to move again out of his shock and fear. In that book I have drawn Naruto a couple of times to!
To be continued…
Ah. Sasuke is in trouble again. :P How will he get out of this one huh?
Sorry for the late updates. School stuff, lack of inspiration and such.
But I do hope I still have some readers left who enjoy this story... .
Next part: Mending or breaking
The only thing we writers ask of our readers for putting this story out there free to read, is to share your opinions about our work. ;P
Sasuke is always the one and ultimate seme, Naruto will always be his one and ultimate uke!
Always stay true to only SasuNaru! :3