Their lunch date was at 12:30 and it was already 12h20 when Naruto left his office after having almost kicked Itachi out, and after changing his shirt for the one Sakura had chosen. He was a little bit nervous about this even if he knew that Sasuke only wanted to ask him questions for his story.

He had told Sakura the day before that this was not a romantic date and that he needed something not too formal to wear for it, but she had went overboard, as usual, and had chose his nicest blue shirt with grey dress pants. He also had a bowtie matching the pants. At least she had not insist on the jacket, this would have been too much.

When he arrived in front of the small restaurant, he saw that the blue Mercedes was already in front. He looked at his watch, only 5 minutes late. Not too bad. He could have done worst.

He spotted Sasuke right away when he entered the restaurant. He was sitting in the back and was writing inside a notebook. Naruto felt a little better when he noticed that Sasuke was wearing black dress pants with a grey shirt. He could also see the black jacket on the back of his chair. He looked really good in this.

He smiled to the hostess and walked to the table where Sasuke sat. He cleared his throat before sitting to not startle him. "Hey! Have you been here for long?"

Sasuke quickly scribbled something in the notebook and putted it away. "Hi. No, maybe ten minutes or so."

There was the awkwardness of small talks in the beginning. They talked about the weather, the traffic, etc. They started talking about Millhaven only after the waitress took their order and brought them water.

"Alright, so I'm not really sure about the atmosphere where the inmates are. I saw a lot of things last week but we obviously did not go inside the cell blocks and my touring guide was reluctant to talk about that. I also heard that there was a riot a week before my visit, can you tell me something about that?"

"I have not been inside the cell blocks often myself, but as far as I know it's, more often than not, pretty calm. Especially during the week because they don't want their visiting privileges revoke." Naruto had only been in the cell blocks 3 times before. Only because one of his patient was reluctant to leave his cell and once because Sasori had been in distress, that was just before the riot of two weeks ago and the main cause for it.

Naruto could answer Sasuke as long as he did not disclosed any names. "As for the riot, it happened because one of the prisoner was getting transferred. He had a lot of influence inside and when his departure was announced a lot of the guys from his blocks went mad. Especially the ones he was protecting against other high heads in the jail. They succeed in taking one of the guard in hostage, while they were in the court, and try to negotiate his stay. In the end, the prisoner they were transferring is the one that ended it all. It only last four hours and the guard was in one piece. Only a couple of bruises on his ribs."

Naruto had been called in emergency that day. The riot would probably have been shorter if he had been able to free himself from the court earlier than that. Gaara had brought him to Sasori and Deidara's cell really fast and after some talking with him, Sasori had went outside and ordered calmly the other inmates to release the guard and go back to their cells in silence. That had been impressive and kind of hot, but let's not go there.

Sasuke took a few notes of what could be useful to his story and handed the notebook to Naruto. "Would you mind reading what I've lay down for now? I almost have 4 chapters done and I want to know if the atmosphere seems right to you."

Naruto smiled. "Sure I'd love too."

Naruto carefully read what was scripted in a neat writing on the white pages. He had a good feeling about the beginning but there was something a little off.

"There's something I'm a little worried about." Naruto said hesitantly.

"Alright, feel free to be honest."

"I don't think you should do a prison break. Believe me, lots of interesting things happen inside, you don't need a break out to make it good. Or if you do, don't make the escape the central plot, there's already too much of that, maybe just a side quest." Naruto blushed when he noticed that Sasuke was staring at him. "Ugh… I don't want this to look like I'm telling you what to do…" Naruto tittered, his right hand passing through his hair.

The silence lasted for awhile, but finally Sasuke answered. "It's fine, it's like we're brainstorming." Naruto still looked embarrass so Sasuke decided to try for a joke.

"As long as you don't sue me for theft of intellectual property." He said with a small smirk.

Because of his nervousness, it took some time to Naruto to realize that Sasuke was kidding. He cracked a smile, probably a bit too forced, but the atmosphere around them already felt better.

They were barely halfway through the main course and the subject of Sasuke's new book already seemed exploit to its full potential. Naruto decided that it was time to wander in other subjects. He took a sip of water and dove right in.

"Are you a writer full-time or do you have another job?" Naruto asked.

Sasuke looked surprise at the interrogation. Naruto had been right, this was definitely not a real date in the eye of the other, just a professional meeting. It was disappointing but Naruto was not known to retreat. If his tentative to turn this into a real date turned out to be a big flop, he would just act as if nothing had happen. Ignore the problem until it goes away. Definitely not something he would tell his patients, though.

Sasuke took a bite of his salad - that was a really sad meal in comparison to Naruto's huge steak,- and answered. "I am technically a doctor, but I don't practice."

Naruto almost jumped on the information. "Me too! Why don't you practice?" He was excited to have found a common point between them and it probably showed on his face.

Sasuke raised one eyebrow. He had not pegged Naruto as a doctor, but this definitely explain why the other was familiar with the jail. He probably had patients there. "I've completed my Phd only a couple months ago and the internship and residency do not interest me at all. Maybe I'll change my mind someday. Sooner than I wish if my publisher decides that my style of writing has not improve."

"I'm sure he will, this is great!" Naruto said excitedly pointing at Sasuke's notebook.

Sasuke snickered. "You've barely read the first chapters I wrote and the layout. You can't say if this is a change from my other books, you haven't read them."

"Maybe I did, how would you know?"

"You don't appear to be in my target audience."

Naruto laughed. "I read a lot of dark stuff."

Sasuke smirk turned into a teasing smile. "Oh yeah, I'm sure you do. Dramatic romance seems to be your type."

Naruto putted his right hand on his chest and acted scandalize. "The last volume of Twilight was pretty dark! I'm sure you can't do better than a creepy childbirth."

Sasuke laughed at that. It only lasted a minute but Naruto almost beamed hearing it.

Sasuke took his notebook previously discarded on the corner of the table, and opened it on his Mr X. story. He handed it to Naruto with a more serious look on his face.

Naruto read the short story carefully. He had not been lying when he had said that he read dark stories. He did not necessarily liked them but sometimes it helped him in thinking like some of his own patients. He felt a little bit bad about the fact that in reading this story he was not only analyzing it, he was also analyzing its writer. He was pretty sure he recognized the style and it made him think that Sasuke had a lot more baggage than he had first thought.

After a while, Naruto handed the notebook to a worried looking Sasuke. The worry was subtle but it was there. Naruto smiled, trying to be reassuring without being too obvious. "It's good." And it was, but still a little too heavy for him to really enjoy it. "I definitely read your books before."

Sasuke looked impress, then challenging. "You can tell just by that? What's my pen name?"

Naruto grabbed his fork to eat the last piece of his steak, thinking of how many chances he had to be wrong on his guess. He felt pretty certain of it and if it was wrong Sasuke would probably not welcome it with indignation. Naruto swallowed then answered. "I think you're Akashi Hebi."

If Sasuke was the type, his mouth would probably have opened out of surprise.

"Did I guess right?" Naruto asked smiling.

Sasuke did not answered right away as he was still a little nonplused and distracted by the waitress that had come to pick up their empty plates.

He cleared his throat before answering. "You definitely did. How?"

Naruto tried to deviate the question. He had not tell Sasuke that he was a psychologist, he never did on the first date, and unveiling it right now did not seem like a good idea. "I aced my literature classes in college. And to say the truth, I probably read like 12 dark books and 4 of them were of you so -"

Naruto was interrupted by their waitress. She was standing in front of the table, looking timid. "I'm really sorry but we have several people waiting and since you two are done would you mind giving your places?"

They both looked up in surprise but nodded. Five minutes later, after Sasuke had paid their bills "to thank him for answering his question," they were both standing awkwardly outside on the sidewalk. Sasuke had both his hands in his dress pants pockets and Naruto was unconsciously kicking some gravel with his left foot.

"So…" Naruto started. "I can't believe we've just been kicked out."

Sasuke hummed. "Yes, well I needed to leave anyway." He turned his upper body to look at his car parked right behind him, only three meters away.

Naruto was panicking. He wanted to ask for a real date but was not sure if it would be inappropriate of him to do so. He had not been on a date since his first year of college, thus he was a little rusty. However, he was pretty sure that the good vibe had been there pretty much during the entire conversation, but maybe it was just on his side.

Sasuke definitely noticed that Naruto was frozen and did not know what to do. He was pretty much in the same situation himself but he was definitely better at hiding it. He had had a really good time with Naruto and even if his intentions had completely been professional at first, he now had the impression that he could invest himself a little more in this. Naruto seemed to be the good type of guy to dive in a relationship with. Or at least try to, Sasuke knew he had some issues to solve if he wanted to be in a real relationship.

He took a deep breath and slowly started backing away toward his car. Once his door was open and he stood a little behind it, he finally had the courage to talk.

"Make sure you're the one to call me next, Naruto."

"Did you kiss him?" Sakura asked with enthusiasm.

Naruto had to stop his rant about how wonderful his date had been and how great Sasuke was to answer. "What? No! We're definitely not there yet. There was just a hint that he might be interested."

"Come on! Of course he's interested, you're freaking hot!" Kiba said while taking his fifth shot.

Every Time one of them had a date, they would meet at a bar or a restaurant to explain everything in details. It had been a really long time since Naruto had been the one talking about his experience. It felt refreshing.

"Being hot is not the only important thing!" Sakura said slapping Kiba lightly on the arm. "Does he have money?"

It was silent for a couple of second before Sakura rolled her eyes. "That was a joke. Come on, you guys!"

Kiba ignored Sakura and ordered another drink. "So when are you gonna call him?"

Naruto took a small sip of his beer, not sure what to answer. "I don't know… Maybe I should wait a couple of days. I don't want to appear clingy -"

"Don't!" Sakura interrupted him. "This thing about waiting before giving news is full of crap. You need to call him fast so he doesn't have time to change his mind and his joy about the previous date is still there."

Kiba choked on his shot and laughed. "Are you saying that if he thinks about it, he'll change his mind about dating this guy?" He pointed Naruto with his empty glass.

Sakura sighed. "You know that's not what I meant. It applies for everyone."

"Alright, I'll call him tomorrow in the evening." Naruto said. He corrected himself when he saw Sakura staring at him with a hard look. "Or in the morning. Morning sounds good to me."

"Perfect. I already know what you're going to wear on your next date. I saw this really nice button down shirt at Rideau Centre the last time I went to Ottawa and it would look amazing on you."

"I'm not sure I have time for a 4 hours roadtrip Sakura. My only day off is Sunday and -"

Kiba interrupted him, almost falling down the stool in his excitation. "It's gaming day!"

"And family day. I know." Sakura said. "That's why I bought it and kept it in my closet for a month."

"You never buy me things." Kiba pouted, about to call the bartender for another round before being stopped by Naruto.

"I think you've had enough, mate. You're on duty tomorrow." Naruto said.

"I buy new toys for Akamaru every week or so!" Sakura said indignantly.

"You don't buy things for me!" Kiba whines.

Naruto shook his head, Kiba was really drunk. He always got a little jealous of Naruto and Sakura's relation in those moments. Even if there was nothing to be jealous about.

"You don't like fashion! I'm not going to buy you loads of clothes. I thought giving things to your dog made you happy."

"It does. I just feel like you like Akamaru more than me."

"I don't even like dogs!" Sakura said enraged.

Naruto sighed. It was going to be a long night.

There it is! Hope you liked it.

There is a high risk that Sasuke will learn about Itachi's disease in the next chapter so the mood will be a little down for a time. See y'all!