Chapter 8

"You're scaring me."

Naruto shook his head. "What was that?"

Sasuke glanced at Naruto before returning his eyes back on the road. "When I see that brain of yours working overtime, I can't help but worry." He accepted the slap to his arm. "What's on your mind?"

Naruto glanced out the window, admired the beautiful darkening sky. "I still feel as if this is too good to be true. I thought I'd never see you again."

"Five years is a long time."

Naruto hummed at the response. Five years is a long time. He began to think. With all the resources that Sasuke's family had, the amount of power and influence they possessed in Japan, was it really that difficult for Sasuke to find him all these years? If roles were reversed, he was sure he would've done everything in his power to find Sasuke. This had him wondering if Sasuke had searched for him. Why did it have to take a chance out of luck for Naruto to meet Itachi in order for them to be reunited. There was a lot of unanswered questions. Questions behind Sasuke's true intentions.

Sasuke smoothly parked in front of the restaurant Naruto directed him to. A strong voice sounded through the car from the speakers. Sasuke glanced up ahead at the small old fashioned restaurant. "Can I go inside?"

"No, it's unnecessary hassle," the voice replied sternly. "You need to keep a low profile. There's already enough attention on you from the media as it is."

"It'll be quick," Sasuke argued. "Just one night."

"The answer is no."

Sasuke turned to Naruto. "How about take out?"

"Can you do something for me?" Naruto asked, smiling nervously when Sasuke gave him a skeptical look. "Are you able to get out of the car, just for a few minutes?" Naruto kept his eyes on the speaker carrying the voice.

Sasuke glanced at the dashboard. "Can I?" When the man hesitantly agreed, Sasuke removed the seatbelt from across his body. "What do you need me to do? By now, I figured we're not here to eat."

"I have a friend. She's a huge fan of your family and I wanted her to meet you." Naruto hoped he sounded truthful in his lie. He's nervous when Sasuke gave him a hard stare.

"I'm not a celebrity. I don't want you parading me around like one."

"I'm not."

"Then, why didn't you tell me this plan of yours from the beginning?"

"Because, I knew you would say no."

"So, instead you lied to me."

Naruto fell silent. Why didn't he just tell Sasuke from the start? He knows the answer but he's still trying to figure out another reason. He had good intentions, truthfully he hadn't thought it'd be such a big deal. Lie or not, he still needed Sasuke to do this. He knew how much this would benefit the sweet girl from school and her family's business.

"It's just one picture, Sasuke. It would mean a lot to her."

"And if I say no?"

"You won't."

Sasuke sighed. He doesn't say anything and simply got out of the car. He walked around and opened the door for Naruto.

"Not very straight for a guy to open the door for another guy."

Sasuke's comically caught off guard. "What?"

"Nothing."

Sasuke licked over his lips as he averted his eyes to the restaurant ahead. There's a change in Naruto that he can't explain. Though, Naruto had always been a mischievous child, the cheerful boy he knew had grown up and matured into someone quite different than he had imagined.

"Stay here, I'll be right back." Naruto began towards the restaurant. Suddenly, he stopped and looked over at Sasuke. "I know you don't want to do this. But, I'm thankful you've decided to go along with it nonetheless. She'll really appreciate this."

Sasuke leaned back against his car, his hands tucked warmly inside his pockets. He's shrouded by the dark of the night. Three tall men approached and stood beside him. Two of them were young in their late twenties, while the other was slightly older. They're dressed in casual jeans and a T-shirt. Two of them were foreign while the older was Japanese. The twins, Charlie and Jackson, were hired in the states for extra security, the idea proposed to him by his overbearing mother. Apparently, Tsukasa, one of his father's men, wasn't enough protection. The twins treated him like a younger brother and he loved them like family.

"What's with the crowd?"

Suigetsu was his father when his biological father was too busy to play the role. Since a child, he's been looked after by the man as if his own child. Sasuke held the utmost respect for him.

"Well, they thought you looked pitiful standing out here alone," replied Suigetsu.

"They, huh? What's your excuse then?" Sasuke has a smile on his face.

"You hear that, Jackson?" Charlie had the biggest built. "We're a crowd."

"Suppose we go back in the car now and Sasuke gets jacked for his Armani shoes?" Jackson joined in on the fun as he swung his arm around Sasuke's shoulders. "Think we'll be in trouble if that happened?"

"I wonder what Ana would think." Tsukasa's Japanese accent was strong in his english. Unlike his fellow peers, he's average in height. Sasuke has grown to now even tower above him.

The trio were having a grand time at Sasuke's expense. It's their fourth or fifth teasing session of the day. They're laughing amongst themselves when a single stern look from Suigetsu has them quieting down instantly. They looked like children being reprimanded by an adult.

"What are we doing here, Sasuke?" Suigetsu asked softly. His eyes roamed the empty parking lot.

"I'm not sure." Sasuke has his eyes closed.

After a long wait, Sasuke's eyes flickered open at the call of his name. Naruto was heading towards him with a girl he presumed to be the so called fan.

"This is Hinata."

Hinata stood in awe as she stared at the infamous Sasuke Uchiha. He's breathtakingly handsome. Her mouth fell open, completely star-struck. Her reaction made Naruto's lie of her being a fan seem legit and he couldn't be any happier. She's dressed in her work uniform, a red kimono styled top with wide-legged trousers and a black apron wrapped around her slim waist.

Sasuke extended his hand out in a handshake as he introduced himself.

Hinata wiped her sweaty palm against her apron and eagerly accepted the offered hand. "Hinata Hyuuga. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Uchiha." She bowed her head.

Sasuke smiled at her charmingly. He watched her amusingly as she began to shift nervously on her heels.

Naruto cleared his throat when Sasuke's eyes met him. "Hinata has participated in some of the charity programs provided by your family. Her dream for the past few years has been to meet a member of your family and express her gratitude in all the good things your programs do for the community."

Sasuke's impressed by what he's told. "That is very noble of you. Which one of our programs did you participate in?"

"Oh, well, actually I-"

"She's lost for words." Naruto interrupted quickly. "Sasuke, it would mean the world to her if she could get a picture with you to document in her community service portfolio."

Sasuke nodded. "It'll be my pleasure."

"Awesome. Just stand right in front of the restaurant if you don't mind."

"Make sure you get the name in it," said Sasuke. "You know, just for convenience sake."

How did he? Naruto couldn't believe it. To think he thought he could fool the smartest person he's known.

Hinata had to remind herself to breathe. The one and only Sasuke Uchiha stood pressed against her body, his hand on the small of her back and when she looked up, he looked like a prince out of a fairytale. His cologne was faint, a mixture of musk and amber. She couldn't believe this was happening, and more importantly how? How did Naruto know Sasuke Uchiha?

"Give me a smile you two." It's obvious Naruto's enjoying this way more than he should. He might as well enjoy the moment for what it's worth. He knew he was in for an earful afterwards.

Sasuke's eyes peered down at Hinata while Hinata's innocent eyes, soft and bright, stared ahead at the camera. Her body leaned into Sasuke's, and for a moment, they appeared a couple.

Naruto snapped the picture and looked down at his phone. His heart fluttered seeing the look in Sasuke's eyes. It's the same look Sasuke gave him yesterday. For a second, he thought that look had meant something more. He's actually amazed by how easily Sasuke could manipulate his expression to look at a stranger as if the love of his life. That sort of control, so effortless, was scary. Concerning thoughts again cloud his judgment regarding Sasuke's motives.

"Naruto?"

He glanced up to a smiling Hinata. "Got the picture. Thanks for lending me your time."

"Yeah, but I'm not sure-"

"How to thank me? Don't worry, I'm sure you'll come up with something."

Naruto watched her as she rushed back to the restaurant. He walked over to Sasuke, a wide grin on his face.

"Impressive portfolio of community service?" Sasuke mocked him.

"Yeah, that was a bit much." Naruto sucked the corner of his lip between his teeth when the front of his hoodie was grabbed and he's pulled gently forward. His heartbeat sped at the close proximity between him and Sasuke. "Thank you."

"What was this about?" Sasuke asked him softly.

"Her family's restaurant isn't doing very well. I could've just given her money. But, if people saw that you were at the restaurant, then it would attract a lot of business."

Sasuke released his hold on Naruto's sweater. "What are you going to do with that picture?"

"Spread it around school, social media."

Sasuke pulled off of the car. "Let's go."

Naruto sat in the car and Sasuke drove off. Naruto glanced at him from the corner of his eye as he fixed on his seat belt. The tension was high. Sasuke kept his attention on the road, the back of his hand over his mouth as he appeared in deep thought. Naruto didn't understand the sudden cold shoulder. Sasuke had agreed to take the picture. Why was he so angry? He cleared his throat awkwardly. Maybe he should say something.

"I'm sorry," he said softly.

Sasuke's eyes remained on the road. "Don't make a habit of lying to me."

"I know, and that's why I'm apologizing." There's an accusation in Sasuke's tone that Naruto doesn't like. "I did it for a good cause."

"Why didn't you tell me upfront?" Sasuke looked over to him. "Why lie?"

"Because, like I said, I knew you'd say no."

"Exactly." Sasuke frowned. "My choice. One that you should've respected instead of luring me there to do your bidding."

"My bidding?" Naruto repeated incredulously. "That poor girl needed help and just you standing there helped her and her family in more ways than you can ever imagine and you wanna yell at me for it?"

Sasuke screeched the car to an abrupt stop. "I'm yelling at you because you lied to me!"

"As if I have never done that before!" Naruto saw the anger twisting Sasuke's features. He too was angry and for what? A picture? A stupid little lie? What the hell was the big deal? He leaned back into the leather seat, staring out the window as the car fell into silence.

Sasuke exhaled a deep breath. He doesn't say anything for a long minute and instead prioritized himself in controlling his emotions.

"I'm sorry." He sounded remorseful.

Naruto hated the sudden tension between them. Their second day out together and they're already arguing. It wasn't normal for them. As kids they never once fought. Five years apart has changed a lot between them. They were practically strangers starting all over again learning about each other. Their favorite foods, colors, pet peeves which in this case seemed to be lying for Sasuke. Whether he fully agreed in regards to the seriousness of the matter or not, it definitely bothered Sasuke and for Naruto that was enough.

"I'm sorry too," Naruto whispered. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"Someone close to me once lied to me and I didn't know about it until it was too late. I cared about him a lot, and I thought he held the same affection for me. In the end, he broke my trust. Really hurt me. Really hurt someone close to me." Sasuke sighed. "I guess I'm just sensitive when it comes to dishonesty. I want everyone around me to always be truthful with me in everything. Especially those I care about."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"I never told you." Sasuke smiled at him. "Anyway, let's get something to eat. I'm starving."

Sasuke's ringtone suddenly rang. Naruto glanced at the phone expecting Sasuke to answer. He noticed the slight hesitation in Sasuke's hand as he pressed down on the dashboard, answering the call.

"Angel," Sasuke greeted tenderly.

Naruto's never heard his voice so full of love and when the soft voice of a female filled the car, Naruto understood why. He was silent, eavesdropping on a conversation that was spoken with the intimacy of two lovers. Naruto felt as if he was invading their privacy. He's never in his life felt so out of place. There's a whirlpool of emotions going through him. Jealousy, betrayal, anger for some reason. The idea of someone now occupying a larger space in Sasuke's heart has him fidgeting his hands and struggling to swallow down the lump in his throat.

The conversation ended quickly. Naruto had expected Sasuke to introduce him to this person and for whatever reason, he doesn't.

"Analeina," Sasuke said, reminding Naruto of her name. "She's with a client so I couldn't take much of her time. Next time, I'll introduce you to her. I talk so much about you back home. She can't wait to hear your voice."

"Angel?" Naruto bit his lip when he failed to hide the bitterness from his tone. He expected Sasuke to scold him and he's shocked when he only smiled.

"Yeah, I get a lot of grief from Itachi on the name. Claims it's not fitting for a millennial. But I like it, and she loves it."

Naruto hummed in response. He doesn't say anything else. He was never good at hiding his emotions. He had no room to be angry. Sasuke didn't deserve it and neither did she.

"When are you going back?"

"Back where?" Sasuke asked.

"The states," Naruto replied.

Sasuke thought over the question. "Um, well, I have some business I need to attend to while I'm here. So, after that's done then I'll head back."

"What if I wanted to come with you?"

Sasuke glanced over at him. "To the states?"

Naruto nodded his head, nervous.

"Uh… what about school? How many years do you have left?"

Naruto chuckled. "A year and a semester. I can just continue in America. Graduate there, go to college, major in arts. Maybe, I'd even get my work showcased in one of those fancy galleries."

Sasuke grinned. "Seems you've got it all figured out."

"I've thought about it once or twice."

Sasuke cleared his throat. "Well, it'll be a big change. I mean, you've got your whole life here, school."

"Fuck school."

Sasuke turned to him, slightly taken aback by the remark. "What about your family? Kyuubi."

"Fuck Kyuubi."

Sasuke heard the hatred in his voice, the frustration. "You two had a fight or something? Is that why he hit you?"

"He hit me because he's a fucking lunatic."

Sasuke made a sharp turn at the intercepting street. "You two were never really close growing up. Still, don't you think you should cut him some slack? He's still your brother, the closest family you have left."

"Just like good ole pacifist Sasuke to try and make peace."

"He's been through a lot, Naruto."

Naruto scoffed. "Spare me." He blinked away the tears. "You know, you don't get to walk back into my life and tell me how I should feel about my brother. You don't know shit about what I've been through. Everyone has their own personal shit show they have to deal with so spare me the sympathethy. Fuck him and fuck you too."

The car swerved swiftly to a stop. Sasuke thought back to Kyuubi's words from yesterday. Naruto's irritability, his instability. One disagreement was all it took. True to Naruto's words he didn't know all about Naruto's life in the last five years. Still, he imagined Kyuubi had made sure Naruto lived a good life. He can't understand what could've happened to make Naruto so angry, so hateful of his own brother.

"Why do you hate him so much?"

"Shut up." Naruto pulled off his seatbelt. He went to open the door but found it locked. "Unlock it."

"If you had any idea what happened to him, you would understand."

"Unlock the fucking the door, Sasuke!"

After a silent second, Sasuke confessed softly. "I was the one who told him to leave."

Naruto felt a sting in his chest like none other. It rippled through him till his whole body ached and he suddenly felt dizzy. His eyes peered at Sasuke wide and in disbelief.

"What did you say?"

Sasuke unlocked his phone. "I've known you've been here all these years. I've kept in touch with Kyuubi since the day you left." He threw the phone to Naruto, on the screen conversations between him and Kyuubi. "I was the one who told Itachi to come to the city."

Naruto scrolled through the messages, some recent, others going back to a few weeks. He laid down the phone gently on the console. Sasuke won't even look at him. "Why didn't you reach out to me?" He physically flinched when Sasuke turned and stared at him with no emotions within his brown eyes. As if he was looking at a stranger.

"I had a lot going on."

Naruto swallowed the lump in his throat. "For five years?" he whispered.

"Yes."

Naruto felt his eyes glaze over with tears. "It only takes one minute for a fucking phone call. A text."

Sasuke shrugged. "Guess I didn't see it that way."

"All these years, you have no idea what I've gone through. I kept thinking of you, the day you'll come back and I thought maybe that was something worth living for." He stopped when his voice cracked. "And all this time, you've - what the actual fuck?"

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry," Naruto whispered the word. He's never experienced such a strong feeling of emptiness. Not even Kiba had the power to make him feel like this low of himself.

"Let me take you home," Sasuke offered.

"Unlock the door."

Sasuke unlocked it. "It's dark."

Naruto pushed the door open. "Don't ever come near me again. I promise you if you ever come near me, I'll fucking kill you." His threat was real, full of raw emotions.

Sasuke's arms grew goosebumps as he received the threat with a stoic face.

Naruto stepped out of the car, his hands roughly wiping away the tears that fell down his face. He walked down the vacant street not once looking back.

The calmness of the night surrounded him as he walked with no particular destination in mind. A scream ripped through him loud and angry, full of pain and hurt. He cried loudly, tears rushing down his face like a waterfall. The moon tried its best to comfort him and the street lights offered him companionship. He broke down, crying like a child.

—

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