Naruto Uzumaki stared down at the bills in front of him and frowned. He was just short of being able to buy the necessary groceries and being able to pay all of his bills. He sighed, it looked like he'd be going hungry again, sure he knew he could ask some people for help, there were still some friends in Konoha that he knew would loan him some money to get through. It was just the thought of having to pay them back that bothered Naruto, and if his landlord would stop raising his rent every month, Naruto would be able to pay his bills on time. He knew that he should probably start looking for a new apartment but the way things were going, Naruto wasn't able to save any money for a decent apartment. He didn't know why but people around Konoha couldn't stand him, and done there best to avoid him. Naruto wondered if he'd have to turn to prostitution in order to pay his bills. Naruto scowled at the thought, he didn't want to turn to something like that, he had someone he cared for and he didn't want to know what he would think if he found out that Naruto was doing such a thing.
Sighing, Naruto pushed the bills away and lay his head on the table, he didn't want to think about bills right now. He didn't want to think of being hungry until his next check, he just wanted to think about all the fun that he should have been having, instead of the struggle of surviving in Konoha. If something didn't change, Naruto feared that he would have to move away from Konoha, he couldn't keep dealing with this. Other teachers, didn't struggle as much as he did, and he knew that he was paid the same as anyone else. So why was Naruto singled out for the raise in rent and higher prices everywhere he went. Naruto really didn't understand why people seemed to hate him so much, it wouldn't have been just because he was an orphan, because he seen other orphans treated better than he was. It would have had to have been something his parents done. Of course, it was only natural that he couldn't even get anyone to talk about them so he had no idea what it could have been. He just knew that he was getting tired of struggling more than anyone else was. It wasn't fair, and he wanted nothing more than to catch a break. Maybe he should play the lottery, maybe he would get lucky and win, then again his rent would probably be jacked so high that he wouldn't be able to pay it.
Suddenly the sound of a ringing phone filled the air and Naruto reached over and grabbed it, barely looking at the screen as he answered.
"Uzumaki residence." Naruto said.
"Hey, Naruto" Sasuke's voice filled the other end of the phone line. "Are you busy?"
"No, at least not with anything that can't wait." Naruto replied. "Whatcha need?"
"I have a proposal for you." Sasuke said. "and I know that things are tough on you financially but I think I can help you with that."
"I'm not a charity case." Naruto replied. "I can deal with my money issues on my own, thanks anyways."
"That's not what I'm saying." Sasuke replied and Naruto frowned, he hadn't been aware that his best friend had even known about Naruto's struggles, he done his best to avoid talking about things like that. It was kind of embarrassing the way that he had to pay a high cost for everything, while things were easier for Sasuke who was a part of one of the richest families in Konoha. Sasuke's father, Naruto was absolutely positive, hated him and Naruto didn't understand why, it wasn't like Naruto had ever gone out of his way to annoy the man too much. Maybe Fugaku knew something about Naruto's parents and was holding whatever grudge that he held against them against Naruto. It didn't make much sense, but Naruto was too afraid of the man to ask him outright what was his problem was. Fugaku Uchiha could easily destroy him and he would if given the chance.
"Earth to Naruto are you even listening?" Sasuke's irritated voice filled Naruto's ear, and Naruto's face turned red, he had been distracted by thoughts of Naruto's father.
"Sorry, I got a little distracted." Naruto replied. "I've got a lot on my mind." Like figuring how he was supposed to eat for the next week.
"Clearly, but as I was saying. Sakura has an appointment with Tsunade later on today, but if that doesn't turn out well, I was wondering if you would consider carrying a child for Sakura and I?" Sasuke asked, and Naruto's mouth fell open, that was the last thing that he'd expected his friend to say.
"I wasn't expecting that." Naruto said, he didn't even know that Sasuke knew that he was one of the few males in Konoha that had the gene that allowed him to get pregnant. "Exactly how would that work?"
"I would have to have sex with you." Sasuke replied quietly. "And then once your pregnant you would sign a contract that states that you would hand the baby over after birth and that you would have no parental rights." Naruto frowned, he was sure if he done that, he would grow attached to the baby that would be growing inside of him.
"But would I still be able to see the child?" Naruto asked. "If I went through with this."
"Of course, but legally he wouldn't be your child. He would be mine and Sakura's." Sasuke replied. "and the child will know that."
"I don't know." Naruto replied, unsure about the situation. He was in love with Sasuke and while sleeping with his friend sounded like heaven, emotionally it likely end up damaging him in ways that he couldn't even imagine.
"What does your father think?" Naruto asked, he didn't want to step on the other man's toes.
"It's none of his damn business." Sasuke replied. "He wants us to have a child within a year of getting married, he didn't say by what means in which to have it. So he'll have to be satisfied with what he gets."
"That's such a strange condition." Naruto said. "Why does he want you to have a child so bad?"
"I don't know, I think Itachi knows something but I'm not sure." Sasuke replied. "I've been meaning to talk to him too." Naruto frowned, why would Itachi keep something from Sasuke, that wasn't like the older Uchiha unless he was trying to protect Sasuke from something.
"How did you know I even have that ability?" Naruto asked, "I don't exactly go around telling anyone. I think the only person I've ever told is Tsunade and she kind of has to know."
"I don't know." Sasuke said frowning, he wasn't exactly sure where he'd found that information out either, it was just something that Itachi had causally mentioned during one of their conversations. It was almost like Itachi had known that Sakura was having trouble conceiving.
"If I'm being honest I think it was something that Itachi mentioned, as for how exactly he knows I'm not sure." Sasuke replied. "He's kind of the one that threw the idea in my head." Naruto frowned, he really didn't like that Itachi had figured it out for himself.
"If your father hates me now, it's going to be even worse if I bear you a child." Naruto pointed out. "That's not fair to me, I shouldn't have to put up with his shit just because he decided that it's his right to decide when you have a child."
"I know it wouldn't be easy." Sasuke said gruffly. "I know my father is a hard ass, especially with you, but I promise I won't leave you alone with him. He won't be allowed anywhere near you if you end up getting pregnant."
"I have to think about it." Naruto said quietly. "It's a big responsibility and needs a lot of thought."
"What's to think about?" Sasuke asked. "Sakura and I will pay the check up bills so that you only have to worry about your other bills."
"It's the other bills that I am thinking about." Naruto muttered. "Being pregnant would affect my ability to work and to pay those bills."
"We'll work something out." Sasuke said. "We'll get said bills paid up for a little while anyways."
"My landlord tends to change the amount of rent that I pay every other month or so." Naruto pointed out.
"I'm sure Itachi can have a little talk with him." Sasuke said. "You're landlord shouldn't be pulling that shit anyways. You're no different than anyone else in that building."
"Except that I house a demon." Naruto pointed out. "No one else does that, I guess he feels that he can charge me whatever he wants just because I'm a little different."
"I don't care what reason he thinks he has." Sasuke replied. "He's done playing those kinds of games. You can barely survive on what your making as it is." Naruto grimaced, he had hoped that his rich friend hadn't noticed that detail. He didn't know why it bothered him so much but it embarrassed him that he was put in that situation. He didn't want Sasuke to think that he was after his families money, Naruto was sure that's what Sasuke's father believed Naruto's interest really was about.
"I know your embarrassed about your situation, it's not your fault everyone is a prick towards you." Sasuke told his unnaturally quiet friend. "But I know the truth, I know the kind of person that you are, I know that you're not a gold digger."
"It's you're father that I'm worried about. He's going to find a way to make his opinion known, and he's going to find a way to do it when you're not with me." Naruto said. "I really don't know what his issue is but he hates me."
"He just doesn't know you." Sasuke replied, "he's always been a busy man so if you can take the time to spend with him he'll come around."
"Why does it have to be my time?" Naruto asked, he felt like crying. Sasuke didn't get it, Naruto truly was tired of the snide comments that Fugaku Uchiha made every time he was invited over to the Uchiha Mansion, and the comments were always made when Sasuke wasn't in the room. Naruto didn't want anything to do with the other man. He really didn't want to incur the other man's wrath by baring Sasuke and Sakura a child.
"You know what I mean, maybe you just need to spend a little more time with him." Sasuke said. "Once the pregnancy is over and Sakura and I have our child you won't ever have to see him again." And where will that leave me? Naruto wondered left alone until someone has use for me again? That was unfair to Naruto but at the same time he knew that he couldn't exactly deny Sasuke and Sakura, they had been his only friends during their school years and he would do anything for them. There were many times that Sasuke got into fights when someone took things too far and beat the hell out of Naruto. Would they abandon Naruto once they got the family that they wanted? Naruto didn't want to be forgotten about, but he did want to be able help them even if it broke his own heart in the process. He supposed there was only one thing that he could say.
"If you think you can make it work, I'll do it for you two." Naruto said quietly. "It would be the least I can do to repay you for what the two of you have done for me over the years."
"I never expected you to repay me idiot." Sasuke said gruffly. "I done that because you deserved to have someone stand up for you. You aren't what people fear you to be you know. One day people will recognize you for all the work you do and the kindness you offer to people who aren't even nice to you." Naruto shrugged, while it hurt that people still thought him some kind of demon, (just because he had one sealed in him, it didn't mean that he was an actual demon) His life had been made hell because of the demon and no one cared that Naruto would do anything for those that he cared about. He supposed that he could get through one pregnancy and put up with Fugaku Uchiha, as long as he wasn't expected to get around him too much.
Thanks for reading and commenting Liz