Chapter 5

Deidara stares at his reflection, carefully assessing his appearance. He is dressed in simple, modest clothes. He looks into the mirror again and then smoothes the creamy fabric around his waist.

Naruto's parents have agreed to meet people from Sasuke's clan. It's nothing short of a miracle. Deidara prays that they agree to this marriage. Sasuke's life depends on it.

Deidara knows that as the elder bride, he will be judged by Minato and Kushina. They need to know that their son will be treated well, and it's Deidara's duty to prove to them that Naruto will lead a happy, content lifestyle.

"Stop fussing."

Deidara turns away from the mirror and smiles at his husband. "How I look and behave is a reflection of our family, un. If I don't look perfect, how will the Uzumaki family know we will treat their son right?"

Said husband leans against the doorway; his eyes following the length of his mate's body hungrily. Deidara looks really good, even in plain, boring clothes. The sight of his wife's beauty sends an intense wave of desire straight to his groin. Itachi closes his eyes and takes a moment to calm his urges. They had sex just last night, and earlier this morning, but it seems that no matter how many times Itachi enjoys Deidara's body, it isn't enough. It will never be enough. Itachi will die an obsessed man.

Deidara, completely unaware of his husband's inner musings, fiddles with his wedding band nervously. "What if they don't say yes? What will happen to our Sasuke?"

Itachi scoffs. "It doesn't matter what they say. Naruto's decision is the last word. He agreed to the marriage, which is the most important part… Look at us. Your family didn't approve of me, but you left with me anyway."

"That's because I was helpless against my feelings, un. We had been going out for months. You had me under a spell." Deidara smiles when he remembers all the dates he went on with his husband before their wedding. All the time they spent getting to know each other, discovering each other. "Naruto just met Sasuke. He hasn't fallen in love yet. His need to be with Sasuke isn't frantic yet."

Itachi feels extreme relief at his bride's loving confession. He has always been an insecure person, and Deidara's words are just another reassurance that their love is forever. A reassurance Itachi is starting to need more and more as he ages. "There is no time left for a formal courting. Sasuke is nearly seventeen. We must get them married as soon as we possibly can."

Deidara turns around and stares into his husband's crimson eyes. "But how will we explain that to Naruto's parents? They have no idea what we are going through, and it's not like we can talk about the curse."

"We will convince them. I am sure of it." Itachi says in a cold, confident voice. "And even if we don't, Naruto will be ours. The Uzumaki family cannot stop us."

Deidara can't help the pride he feels at his Itachi sama's determination. "You are so stubborn, un." He says and turns towards the mirror again. "And Itachi sama?"

Itachi, who is about to head outside, pauses.

"Please inactivate your sharingan. It will scare everyone, un."

Itachi glares heatedly, but obliges, and soon enough, bright scarlet irises are replaced by dark ink. Sharingan's disappearance changes Itachi's face drastically. He looks beautiful and sane, instead of his usual deranged self.

"Thank you, un. Be good today, for Naruto's sake. We have to bring him home don't we."

Itachi nods. Of course he will behave; his brother's future depends on it.

"But what if that isn't enough?" Deidara sighs sadly. "The Uchiha family has the worst reputation ever. They won't give their son to us, no matter how hard we try, un."

"I will talk them into it." Itachi looks frightening. "My brother is not dying on my watch." Deidara can feel the demonic presence, even without the Sharingan.

"Are you two ready yet?" Sasuke calls from the doorway. "Shouldn't you leave soon?"

The couple turns toward Sasuke and have to bite the inside of their cheeks to keep from smiling at his impatience.

"We will, Sasuke." Deidara calls from over Itachi's shoulder.

The younger nods, and leaves. When his footsteps get lighter, Itachi looks into Deidara's steel blue eyes and whispers. "He was just as impatient when mother and father were leaving to talk to your parents. He yelled at them until they drove out of the driveway."

Deidara can't keep a smile from his face at that. "He was excited about meeting his brother-in-law, un."

Itachi shrugs. "He thought that if I got married, I would be too busy with you to pay attention to him. What he didn't expect was you being even stricter than me."

Deidara sighs. "And here I thought Sasuke was looking forward to meeting me."

"Sasuke never looks forward to anything." Itachi says. "He lives in a state of constant boredom, and will continue living so, until we bring Naruto to him."

"Then let's go talk to our in-laws, un. Before it's too late."

Naruto paces around the room, anxious and scared. He has no idea what Sasuke's family is like, and the anticipation is killing him.

These are the people he may be spending the rest of his life with; his new family. They could be cruel, and hateful. Then Naruto's parents will never give his hand to Sasuke. And Sasuke will die. Naruto will drown in his own guilt.

Or they could be quite decent. Naruto will be leaving his parents' house, and starting a new life. A married life. Either way, this is all happening too fast. Hinata was right, maybe he is cursed.

Naruto hears that Sasuke's brother is already married. There is an elder bride in the house. What if Naruto doesn't get along with this person? What if Sasuke's older brother doesn't approve of Sasuke's wife? So many things to worry about. Naruto's head spins.

Naruto's parents are not too excited about their son's choice in mate. After all, the Uchiha family's ill-repute is no laughing manner. Minato and Kushina have no intention of handing their son over to a household of psychopaths. Unfortunately, Naruto seems to be smitten with the Uchiha, and no amount of talking to has convinced him to drop the proposal. His parents have never denied him anything, and it seems that Naruto will get his wish, but to what cost? Naruto's life could be ruined.

Kushina watches her son pace and smiles nostalgically. It seems that her son is eagerly waiting for his intended. Time passes. Not too long ago, Kushina was in the same spot her son is right now, waiting for Minato to come and ask for her hand.

Minato is glaring into space. He wants to find this Uchiha, whoever he is, and rip his throat out for bewitching his son. How can these people possibly think that they can care for a boy as sweet and innocent as Naruto? Uchiha are barbarians. They will damage Naruto without even realizing it.

The doorbell rings, and Naruto winces at the shrill sound of it. It seems that the moment he was dreading is here.

Minato stands and gives his wife a look.

The door opens to reveal a young couple, barely in their twenties. Naruto trembles at the sight of them, and fights the urge to hide behind his mother. The husband seems to be a fragile, delicate man. Fair skin, dark hair, thin stern lips. His face is that of a doll, soulless and porcelain. A mature version of Sasuke yet much more stable, more controlled. His eyes are intelligent, the kind that seem to see right through everything. He runs a hand through his bangs in a manner so similar to Sasuke, that for a moment, Naruto's heart aches.

The wife has gray blue eyes and long, platinum blond hair. A few wayward strands manage to escape his ponytail and frame his face in a manner most becoming. His visage is much more expressive when compared to his husband's frosty, emotionless mask. He is an extremely submissive uke, if his docile manner and effeminate figure is anything to go by.

They are a lovely couple, and have an otherworldly quality about them. Naruto finds himself envious of their obviously successful mating.

"I am Itachi Uchiha and this is my wife, Deidara. It is a pleasure to meet you." His voice is deep and masculine, much like Sasuke's and again, Naruto feels something tug at his heart. He misses Sasuke already, which is strange, because Naruto saw him just this morning.

"Itachi. The pleasure is ours. This is my wife Kushina, and son Naruto."

Itachi looks at Naruto as if he is analyzing him; whether or not this boy is worthy of his brother. But Deidara's eyes are warm and a loving smile graces his face. "Naruto, I have wanted to meet you for such a long time, un."

Naruto blushes and gives a small smile in return. The expression on his face is vulnerable, intimidated.

Minato watches the exchange with a scowl and hisses. "Naruto, go upstairs and wait in your room. Let the adults talk." He does not want his son to get too attached to these people.

"I have a right to be here." Naruto forgets his embarrassment. "This is my life you are deciding."

"Naruto!" Kushina reprimands. "You will not disobey your father in front of our guests."

"Let him stay, un." Deidara speaks up. "We want his opinion as much as we want yours."

Naruto smiles gratefully at Deidara. Itachi sits down first, and the rest of the group follows.

"Itachi." Minato begins, "We are honored to receive a proposal from your family but I am afraid we are going to have to decline."

Naruto frowns and opens his mouth to speak, but his mother squeezes his hand and he quiets down. Although the desolate expression on his face does not go unnoticed by Deidara. "Please give us a chance to…"

"This isn't a sales pitch." Minato points out. "This is my son's life. I am not going to ruin it by giving him to your degenerate brother."

The discussion comes to a sudden halt. Itachi's shadowy black eyes meet Minato's blues. "My brother is not a degenerate." His tone is icy and promises pain. "Do not insult someone you don't know."

Deidara gives everyone a worried smile. "Please, at least listen to what we have to say, un."

Minato gives his wife another meaningful look. Kushina sighs. "That sounds fair. Go ahead."

"My husband has never treated me with anything but love. And I promise you, your son will lead a similar life. We will make sure of it, un."

Minato looks distrustfully at the other blond. "And how do I know you are not lying. That your husband hasn't forced you to say these things?"

Deidara smiles sadly and continues in a gentle tone. "My husband never forces me to say anything. And I am not speaking for the entire family. I am only speaking for myself. My relationship with my husband has never been anything but…"

Kushina interrupts, "We can tell your husband loves you very much. But this isn't about your marriage now is it? It's about our son, and your unstable brother. Sasuke has an extensive criminal record. That and his sociopathic tendencies. Our Naruto deserves someone who is capable of loving and caring for him."

"Naruto is a very sensitive boy." Minato continues. "His emotional needs need to be met as well as his financial needs. And while we know you are a very rich family. What more can you offer our son besides money?"

Deidara opens his mouth to speak, but it is Itachi who answers Minato's question. "Protection."

Minato nearly rolls his eyes but stops himself. It is never a good idea to offend an Uchiha male. "All families offer that."

"But we are the only ones who actually mean it." Itachi says in a quiet tone. "An Uchiha's mate is always secure and sheltered."

"I don't want my son to be at your brother's mercy. I mean, look at him." Minato gestures toward Naruto, who is sitting meekly in a corner. "If this was your son, would you want him mated to someone like Sasuke Uchiha?"

Itachi follows Minato's gaze and looks at Naruto's small frame, and wide blue eyes. The boy is so innocent; Sasuke will damage him if he is not careful. To be honest, if Itachi was Naruto's father, he would probably never let him mate. The boy is too soft for his own good.

Itachi quickly takes the discussion in a different direction. "If it weren't for my brother, Naruto would no longer be a suitable mate for anyone."

Minato's eyes narrow. "What exactly are you saying?"

"Your son was attacked in an alley two days ago. If my brother hadn't been there, who knows what could have happened to your son."

The small blond trembles as Minato turns to him. "Naruto, what is he saying? Is this true?"

Naruto sees the horrified looks on his parents' faces and subconsciously touches the bandages on his neck. That gesture in itself is answer enough.

Kushina gasps and almost breaks down right there, in front of their guests. "Naruto, is that how you got those wounds?"

"Sasuke sensed Naruto's panic and came to his aid." Itachi continues speaking in that monotonous voice of his, "Your son will be very safe with him. Our heightened senses allow us to guard our mates fiercely."

Minato doesn't seem to be processing anything beyond Naruto's shameful silence. "Why aren't you saying anything Naruto?" He stands; his tall frame appears large and foreboding. "Who tried to hurt you? Tell me so I can kill him."

Itachi stands with Minato. "There is no need for that Minato. We have already disposed of him."

That gets Minato's attention and he looks into dark, stormy eyes; confused. "What do you mean?"

"You think that some pervert will try and molest a bride from our family, and we will let him get away?" Itachi smirks in a manner most arrogant. "We are Uchiha, and we hold our honor close."

The next few minutes are spent in silence. Eventually, Minato and Itachi sit back down.

Naruto seems pale, deathly so, humiliated in front of Sasuke's family. This is not the way he had imagined this meeting would go.

Minato looks at his wife, who is still shocked by her son's revelation. Uke are rare and highly prized, but only if they are virgins. For them, being raped means dying alone, forever unmated.

Minato finally turns toward his son. "What do you want Naruto?"

"I want to be with Sasuke." Naruto speaks, his voice barely audible. "He will take care of me, and I will take care of him."

"Oh Naruto." Kushina looks at her son tearfully. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Tell you what? That I almost got raped? That your son almost lost his dignity in a filthy alley?" Naruto hisses. "Sasuke may be crazy, but he is still better than the piece of scum who tried to…"

"Naruto!" Minato barks out. "That's enough. Don't you dare say another word!"

Naruto bows his head and collapses against a thick cushion. Kushina leans forward, and pulls him in her arms, her eyes full of motherly affection.

Minato doesn't want to agree to this, but what choice does he have? He owes the Uchiha boy. If not for him, Naruto's life would be ruined; he would never find a husband. Minato chokes back his own tears and nods solemnly. "Then it's decided. Our son will marry your brother in six months."

Before Itachi can say anything, Naruto speaks, a little louder this time. "No, I want to marry him sooner. We can't wait six months."

Minato pauses. "Fine, three months it is."

Naruto shakes his head. "No, I want to marry Sasuke next week."

"This is a wedding Naruto, we need much more time. How do you expect us to plan it in a week?" Kushina is clearly appalled.

Naruto sniffles. "I don't know. Just make it happen." He sounds like a spoiled brat, but he doesn't care. He refuses to let Sasuke bastard die.

"Fine, next week it is. Of course, we request help." He really wants more time with his son, but if Naruto is this eager to leave his parents, then so be it. Minato looks toward Deidara who nods eagerly.

"Of course. We are going to plan the best wedding ever, un. Worthy of your son."

"Then it's settled." Itachi says, eager to finish the argument. He wants to leave this place. It's too bright, too lively, nothing like the Uchiha mansion. "Sasuke will marry Naruto in seven days."

That said he takes Deidara's arm who gives Naruto a tender smile. "It was lovely meeting you."

Itachi nods in agreement. "Welcome to the family, Naruto."

Naruto, who looks every bit as emotionally exhausted as he is feeling, shrugs out of his mother's embrace. Bowing to his future family, he leaves the room.

Itachi can tell by the look on Deidara's face that he wants to follow the smaller blond, but refuses to let go of his wife's arm. If he has to spend another moment at this house, he will set it on fire. This place is suffocating him.

They bid their goodbyes to Minato and Kushina, who look dejected, defeated.

"I will call you and let you know how the wedding preparations are going, un." Deidara says to Kushina, and finally lets his husband drag him out of the house.

After they are gone, Minato turns to Kushina. "This is a horrible idea. These people will ruin Naruto."

Kushina doesn't say anything. She is afraid that if she opens her mouth she will scream at the top of her lungs.

Itachi face is as blank as ever, but Deidara is practically radiating happiness. Sasuke is a hundred percent sure that Naruto's parents have agreed to the proposal, but he asks anyway. "What did they say?"

"They said yes, un. The wedding is in a week. Naruto's parents were hesitant at first, but Itachi sama convinced them." Deidara's smile is full of love.

Sasuke isn't surprised. His brother is capable of convincing anyone of everything.

"Your bride is so beautiful, un. Sasuke is so lucky to have Naruto as his mate." Deidara continues. "He is so sweet and pretty. He is going to be such a good wife."

Itachi nods in agreement. "Indeed, the boy is lovely. You will enjoy him thoroughly."

Sasuke smirks at Itachi's approval of Naruto. He has always been envious of his brother's mate. Deidara is an exquisite uke, with a never-ending need to please Itachi in every way possible. Now Sasuke is going to have a pretty blond female of his own. Someone who will take care of him and warm his bed.

"He is rather on the scrawny side though." Itachi continues to speak. "Be careful with him. His parents did not like the idea of having you as a son-in-law. Who knows what they will do if you break their son."

"What do you mean?" Sasuke frowns. "They don't like me?"

"Minato's exact words were, and I quote: This is my son's life. I am not going to ruin it by giving him to your degenerate brother."

Sasuke feels extremely offended. If anyone but Naruto's parents had said those words, he would slaughter them. However, murdering your wife's parents is hardly a good way to start a marriage. So Sasuke clenches his fists, and closes his eyes to calm himself down.

Itachi takes this opportunity to step into Sasuke's personal space and noses along his jaw line, sniffing delicately as he does.

Sasuke freezes, his eyes remain close. Itachi has episodes of cuddliness. It's better to just let it happen than fight it.

Deidara finds it endearing, and Sasuke doesn't know what to do about it. Pushing Itachi away is not an option, he has always been stronger than Sasuke. And on some deeper, subconscious level, Sasuke doesn't want to push his brother away. His demon actually craves the contact.

So Sasuke stands frozen and lets his brother scent him until Itachi gets enough of it and walks away with Deidara, leaving him standing alone.

Sighing softly, he heads toward the stairs which lead to his room. His demon is calm, probably lulled to sleep because of Itachi's animalistic cuddling, and his body wants to shut down as well.

The mansion is quiet. Nearly all of the servants have finished their duties and gone home for the day and those that remain are mostly security. Kisame, the head servant nods at Sasuke, who nods absently in return.

Once Sasuke reaches his room, he begins his nightly routine, but it seems as if his mind is elsewhere. Even mundane tasks such as brushing his teeth or running a brush through his hair require twice the concentration they usually do.

When he's done, he turns toward his bed, but it seems far away, and the expensive silk sheets look uninviting. It is a large bed, and its emptiness only seems to make it even larger. A pyromanic urge comes out of nowhere, and he is tempted to burn his bed again. Sasuke is disgusted at all the space that he is supposed to fill without Naruto.

He closes his eyes, and sees the smiling face of his bride-to-be. Naruto is beautiful in his memory, and his demon, now suddenly awake and restless at the thought of his mate, instantly commands him to find the boy that has been promised to him today.

It's late in the evening. Naruto's house is on the other side of Konoha, which is in no way a small town to get through, especially at this time of night. But Sasuke needs to see Naruto, now, and he is not going to let distance get in his way.

So he leaves his room, and finds the head servant.

Kisame doesn't want to let him go without waking Itachi and asking for permission. However, Sasuke can be quite convincing when he wants to be. And Kisame has always had a soft spot for him.

"Be back by 9 am, or I tell Itachi exactly where you are going." Kisame says. "And don't do anything stupid. I don't want to have to bail you out of jail, again. Your wedding's in a week for god sake. Have some shame!"

Sasuke nods and thanks the man. It is impossible to enter or leave the Uchiha mansion without Kisame's blessing. He decides who comes and who goes. But the shark seems to be in a giving mood tonight and even goes as far as help Sasuke sneak out in peace.

The moon hangs over the sky, beautiful and soulful. It's seductive glow entrances and captivates the eyes of wanderers. Sasuke on the other hand, could care less about the moon's particularly ethereal appearance tonight. His only desire is Naruto.

Sasuke makes his way through the gardens and eventually makes it to the open road. He doesn't bother taking a car; Itachi would be alerted by the servant in charge of mobiles if he tries. Instead, he takes a few steep turns, and ends up at a bus stop.

Usually, someone of noble blood like Sasuke wouldn't be caught dead on public transit. But tonight, he is desperate. He would sell his soul to the devil if it meant getting closer to his bride.

Konoha is a dangerous town at night. Going out alone after a certain hour is extremely ill-advised. But Sasuke has no other way of getting to Naruto at this time, so he boards a ratty looking bus.

The passengers of the bus regard his lovely, fragrant figure with hunger, and if he wasn't an Uchiha, he would have already been jumped by now. But his body is alive with impossible strength, and even the drunk sitting in the back has enough sense to not mess with Sasuke.

Sasuke stays on the bus for forty-five minutes, and even then the bus doesn't exactly stop in front of Naruto's house. There's a half an hour walk ahead of him.

It's around 11 pm now, and pitch black. The area Naruto lives in is asleep, none of the windows are lit. Everybody is already in bed and all tuckered out.

Sasuke has had to drop Naruto at his place once (after the dreaded alley incident), so he knows where he is going. But even if he didn't, his sharp sense of smell would have led him right to his fiancé.

Naruto's luscious smell is as clear in his mind as a drop of blood would be to a shark. Sasuke can smell the sunshine easily. He follows the sweetness to the Uzumaki residence, standing outside for a few moments.

He knows he should turn back, that visiting Naruto this late at night is an indecent thing to do. But his body is aching, and the demon inside him is whispering promises of pleasure.

Naruto's scent is strongest near the north wing of the house, where his bedroom no doubt is. Sasuke makes his way through the vast and impressive gardens.

It takes him a while to break into the house alarms, but he doesn't get frustrated. It's good that the Uzumaki residence has difficult access. He doesn't want Naruto to be vulnerable to intruders.

Finding Naruto's room is easy. Watching Naruto sniffle sadly through the window is not. Within seconds, Sasuke lets himself in the room and crosses it to get to his mate.

"Dobe?"

Naruto doesn't looks surprised at all to see Sasuke. "I hate your brother, he's mean."

Sasuke waits patiently until Naruto gets himself together.

"I can't believe he told my parents about what happened in the alley." Naruto says after wiping his nose on a tissue. "He didn't have to bring up something that embarrassing. I was humiliated in front of my parents."

Sasuke dares to get close to Naruto, a risk, because the dobe can get scared and scream for his father. Minato would come to Naruto's aid, only to find his son's degenerate fiancé in his home. Sasuke does not want to get caught in that particular mess.

But Naruto welcomes Sasuke's presence and buries his face in the Uchiha's neck. "You smell nice."

Sasuke's demon purrs seductively at that. "It's because you accepted my proposal. My body is healing, and my temperature is going back to normal." He explains to Naruto, whose eyes are closed in pleasure.

"Sasuke bastard smells like heaven." The blond nuzzles even closer, much like Itachi did earlier that night, and Sasuke suddenly wishes he could smell himself. Only so he would know what Itachi and Naruto are going on about.

"My brother definitely agrees with you. He can't keep his hands off me." Sasuke says.

Naruto stops scenting Sasuke, and glares up at him. "Itachi is mean. You shouldn't let him smell you."

Sasuke runs a hand through the blond head, in an attempt to soothe his mate. "I can't stop Itachi from doing what he wants. His demon has always been more powerful." The last part slips out. Sasuke has planned on telling Naruto about his family's demon problem far into the future but now really isn't the time. Fortunately, Naruto only applies the slip up to Itachi. "He has a demon inside him? That explains why he is so mean." Naruto doesn't particularly care if Itachi is a demon host. The creepy older brother is Deidara's problem, not Naruto's.

Demon hosts have been known to randomly appear in families. The fact that the Uchiha family has one isn't surprising at all. The thought that every single person in the Uchiha family is a demon host doesn't occur to Naruto in the slightest.

"You should yell at Itachi." Naruto grabs Sasuke's hand in his own small one and starts nosing his palm like an innocent kitten. "I hate him."

"Yelling at Itachi is highly ill-advised." Sasuke is confused at Naruto's affections. He is not used to anyone but his brother touching him non-sexually. Usually people just want him to fuck and leave. Naruto on the other hand…

The blond moves on to Sasuke's wrist. Frowning at the scars, Naruto places a soft kiss on the vulnerable flesh. "If you ever cut yourself again I will kill you."

Naruto's eyes are filled with pure hurt. Sasuke nods quickly and gathers the blond fully in his arms. "I have no reason to do so, dobe."

Naruto presses into Sasuke's embrace with all his might; as if he is trying to disappear within him. "Sasuke, stay here tonight. Help me sleep."

"Our wedding is in a week. If your father walks in on us…" Sasuke starts to protest, but Naruto is already pushing him into bed and covering him with a criminally orange comforter.

Naruto's spicy, sensual scent clings to everything in the room, especially the bed. The demon purrs even louder, like the most content cat in the world, and Sasuke is even more convinced of how bad an idea this is. "We will be sleeping together for the rest of our lives. Why can't you wait another seven days?" He questions the blond, who is pawing through his closet, probably in search of some pajamas to sleep in.

"I want Sasuke to stay with me. Is that too much to ask?" Naruto whines softly, reminding Sasuke just how much of a child his mate really is.

"Dobe? How old are you?" Sasuke asks Naruto, who is regarding a flannel shirt with a petulant frown.

"I will turn sixteen in October." Naruto replies proudly. Sasuke is left breathless. His mate is ridiculously young and even more vulnerable. No wonder his parents are hesitant to give him into marriage so early. Sasuke wishes he was a little closer to Naruto's age, not that it would accomplish anything. They are only a year apart. It's not that big of a difference.

And it's not like brides haven't been younger before. There have been instances in the past, where an Uchiha would be nearing his seventeenth, and his mate would be eight or nine years old. A grim situation, because the husband needed to consummate the relationship to complete the mating and save himself. Sasuke shudders at the thought of a child that young being forced into sex. Way too pedophile for his tastes.

Naruto turns around to face Sasuke and watches the disgusted expression. "What's wrong? It's not my fault I am young."

"No," Sasuke shakes his head. "I am glad. Your age is fine. Thank god you are not younger."

"Oh, well it's not like you are an old geezer yourself. Sasuke is young and sexy."

"Damn right I am." Sasuke approves of his mate's opinion of him.

After five minutes of fussing, Naruto shrugs at a bright pink number and rushes into the bathroom. Sasuke hears the lock being clicked into place loudly.

He takes this opportunity to study Naruto's room. Well, his soon to be previous room. A week from now, Sasuke's room will be Naruto's room. The very thought sends a pleasurable tingle through his body. Sasuke isn't going to be alone anymore. His mate is going to come live with him.

The sheer orangeness of the whole place is disgusting. His dobe sure has bad taste… in everything. From Naruto's bedding, to the curtains, even the goddamn carpet. The walls, the chairs in the far corner. Sasuke wants to throw up. There is no way he is bringing any of this into my house. I am burning it as soon as we get married. Sasuke thinks decisively.

Naruto brushes his teeth and hums noisily as he does it. Sasuke finds the loudness of the boy both annoying and endearing at the same time.

The dobe exits wearing his choice of pajamas for the night. Sasuke blinks when he sees the strawberry pattern which covers his mate's body. "You could not be wearing anything uglier if you tried."

Naruto glares at the cloud of arrogance that is his future husband. "These are my favourite pajamas, you asshole."

"They are pink, with ugly and fat strawberries on them. You will not bring these to your new home." Sasuke wants to strip his dobe, and then burn the pajamas, and then fuck the pretty little blond's brains out. Another reason why spending the night in Naruto's bed is a terrible idea.

"Like hell I won't!" Naruto actually wants to hit Sasuke. How dare he boss me around like this?

"Replace this crap with sexy lingerie."

"Like hell I will." Naruto says, his breathing oddly shallow, his heartbeat fast. "Buy lingerie for yourself if you want it that bad."

From what Sasuke's hearing is telling him, Naruto is going into some kind of panic attack. When Naruto starts to hyperventilate, Sasuke quickly gathers the blond into his arms, hoping to comfort him. "You can wear whatever you want. Stop freaking out."

Naruto doesn't understand why the thought of lingerie of all things is scaring him so much. Maybe because the thought of being controlled by someone at that level is so frightening that his heart seems to want to stop. "I am sorry." He gasps out.

"Don't worry about it." Sasuke shrugs and tries to look casual to appease Naruto. I just scared him half to death. Are all uke this sensitive? I have never seen a girl react like this.

Naruto buries himself in Sasuke, leaning against his solid frame. "I don't want to dress up like a whore. I like my comfortable old jammies."

I can't believe he actually used the word jammies. Sasuke thinks with exasperation. Clearly his mate is still very immature, and not ready to be somebody's wife. If Sasuke's life wasn't on the line, he definitely would have waited a few years before proposing, giving Naruto the chance to grow.

"Dressing up for your husband doesn't make you a whore." Sasuke says to the blond who is breathing warmly into his neck. "But I don't care. Wear whatever you want. Just stop pouting."

"I am not pouting!" Naruto glares up at Sasuke, annoyed that he has to look up at all. He hates being the shorter one. It doesn't matter if he is uke, he should at least be eye level with his husband. "And why do you have to be so tall?"

Sasuke actually appreciates the height difference. He is the dominant male in this relationship, and his stature should highlight that fact.

Naruto huffs and pushes Sasuke backwards until his knees hit the back of the orange infested bed. "It's way past my bedtime. My parents will get mad if I don't get enough sleep."

Sasuke sits on the bed with Naruto in his lap, perturbed. "You have a bedtime?"

"Yes, don't you?"

My parents could care less... "Not really. I sleep when I want." Or not. Why sleep when you can get high?

"Oh," Naruto says, "Well, that will change when we get married. Sasuke has to sleep properly so he can get rid of the dark circles under his eyes."

He has a panic attack when I try to get him to wear lingerie, but he has no problem bossing me around. Sasuke thinks to himself as he starts taking his clothes off.

"W-what are you doing?" Naruto stammers out.

"Taking my clothes off." Sasuke says as he undresses. "You want me to sleep here, don't you?"

"Do you always sleep naked?"

Sasuke's smirk is answer enough but out of courtesy, he leaves his boxers on. No need to induce another panic attack.

"You are beautiful." Naruto says. He is staring, mesmerized, at Sasuke's perfect body.

"You like my body?" Sasuke asks, "You should try it out."

"No!" Naruto yells, but quickly lowers his volume. He doesn't want his parents to show up. They will kill Sasuke. "We aren't married yet."

"So? One week doesn't make a difference. Come on," Sasuke tempts, "You know you want to. It's like test driving a car you are going to buy. Come here and ride me."

"Sasuke's bad." Naruto whimpers. "Stop talking like this or I will run away."

As if you could ever escape me. Sasuke scoffs but obeys. "Fine, no sex. You want to delay the inevitable then that's your call." That said, he crawls under the ugly orange blanket (with little foxes on it) and covers his body up.

Naruto sighs with relief as the Adonis is hidden from view. His heart beat finally starts to slow down to a normal level. It takes a lot of courage, but Naruto approaches his bed, and crawls in beside Sasuke, trembling at the feverish heat of his body. "Why are you so hot?"

"The fever will start dropping next week, after we mate."

Naruto closes his eyes and presses as close to Sasuke's body as humanly possible. He is absolutely sure that no nightmares will trouble him tonight.

Naruto's smaller frame is a very pleasant sensation for Sasuke. He feels that he deserves a medal for resisting the temptation of sex tonight. Making sure Naruto's body is completely covered and protected by his own, Sasuke falls into a dreamless sleep.