The Coco Sifted Disclaimer: We own…oh look nothing….and yeah we can't be bothered to make up a song/limerick…so next time, we promise.

The Fudge Flavored Authoresses Note: Hello everyone, first of all we are EXTREMELY sorry for the long wait, but we have been beyond busy with school, life and trying to talk with a 18hour time difference. Still we do hope you enjoy this chapter….and the plot twists we have added to it. Again we apologize….we feel so guilty. 'both give sheepish look'

With Grace,

Peppermint and Sugar

Chapter 5 Dinner And A Show

A smug looking dark-haired boy stared with a smirk at another boy, the two seeming to have a stare down while the blonde in-between them simply smiled cautiously. "Shall we go in, Kazuhiko-san?" Sasuke said in a mock respectful tone. Kazu glared at the Uchiha, looking like he had just eaten something sour.

"Naruto and I will go in. Why don't you go back downstairs, Uchiha-san. Your missing the party." Kazu sneered. "I think I would rather accompany my teammate, after all, it's up to one's team to keep each other 'safe', right?" Kazuhiko stiffened and Sasuke smirked in victory. "Come on Naruto. Let's go in." Naruto, who had been ignoring the two raven's argument, merely smiled, letting loose a "Dattebayo!" before he pushed open two magnificent chestnut doors that led into the ritual room.

Naruto opened the doors and stopped dead in his tracks his eyes widening. The room was two times the size of his old genin classroom and almost all the walls were covered in bookshelves, filled with magic books he was sure. As his eyes scanned the room he noticed skulls, jars of what looked like dead bugs, talismans, athames, candles and a variety of other things.

It was when he noticed a desk in the room that a chill seemed to go down his spine. Hesitantly he took a step into the room, when nothing happened he kept walking his pace becoming more determined as he walked. When he reached the table his eyes flashed red for a second before going back to blue. It was at that moment as he stared at the book with a skull on the front that he knew, this book had been waiting for the Kyuubi and its vessel.

"Naruto?" Sasuke followed the blonde across the room, observing all of the odd trinkets, spell books, and novels that were sprawled around the area. "Naruto, what's wrong?" Sasuke asked, placing a hand on the blonde's shoulder, both were surprised at the contact.

Snapping out of his trance Naruto nodded. "Yeah I'm fine." Looking back at the book he couldn't help but ask. "Hey, Kazuhiko…what's book is this?" He made a small indication with his hand; his eyes never left the book, but more specifically the skull. He heard the shuffling of feet indicating that Kazuhiko had entered the room. When he stopped beside them he took in a sharp intake of breath.

He quickly went to grab it but when he went to touch it he seemed to get zapped by red lightning making him recoil, holding his hands, they both had a thin red line where the lightning had struck. "What the hell? Is there some jutsu on that?" Sasuke asked, making sure to stay away from the book. Kazuhiko shook his head but didn't answer.

Getting annoyed Sasuke walked over to him and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. "You better start being forth coming with your information, especially when you tried to stop us from seeing it." Kazuhiko didn't answer just glared at Sasuke, he didn't seem intimidated even though Sasuke's sharingan was spinning rapidly.

Tuning out the noises of the two raven's Naruto looked back at the book. It seemed to be calling him, even Kyuubi seemed intrigued if not somewhat agitated. Lifting his hand he touched the book…nothing happened. Moving his hand up towards the skull he only barely touched it when he felt what seemed like chakra start to emanate from the book. Pulling his hand away quickly he felt it fade back inside.

Eyes widening he quickly turned around, not even noticing that Sasuke was holding Kazu by the scruff of the neck. "Hey guys this is getting boring…let's go see what everyone's doing k?" They both turned to look at him. Shrugging Sasuke let go of the other boy "Why not, it's not like I wanted to come up here anyway." Naruto nodded before grabbing the two of them by the arm and practically dragging them out of them room. When they were all outside he shut the doors, a small shiver ripping through him…there was something weird about that room.

Sasuke had been eager to exit the room himself, something hadn't felt right. Relieved when Naruto had wanted to leave, the two were now sitting side by side in a long, brightly lit hall, a long table stretching out in front of them. The other shinobi were also seated here, looking around with curiosity at the elaborate decor. Long Persian rugs red with complicated designs fell from the ceiling, a large chandelier hanging from the centre, sparkling brilliantly upon the castle's guests. Sadao stood at the head of the table, smiling impishly.

"I hope you all enjoyed the parade, I apologize for the dancers... they're usually more, contained." He said, trying to suppress a chuckle as he glanced at Neji, who was currently sporting mass amounts of ribbon and kissy-marks all over him. (and I mean ALL over him...) "I know it has been a long day, so I have had my very best chefs prepare a wonderful feast for you!"

Suddenly, servants burst out of doors from every direction, carrying steaming plates and dressed in elaborate outfits. Tabards of every colour decorated the servers, which flew around as they danced to their designated serving space. Placed in front of the Konoha shinobi were dishes such as Kayu, Tokiyaki, Kare Raisu, and several onigiri. In front of Naruto and Sasuke were chicken stir-fry and oden, both beautifully prepared. "This is... AMAZING!" Lee cried from Naruto's left, making him and Sasuke both cringe.

A chair was pulled out next to Naruto causing him to turn and smile. Kazuhiko had joined them just as he had promised. "Sorry I took a while Naruto-Kun but there were some things I needed to do." Naruto just smiled warmly. "Not a problem." Turning back to the food Naruto tried some of the chicken stir fry a small moan escaping him as he ate. He thought he heard a gasping noise but he soon forgot it when he heard a small chuckle come from Kazuhiko "Enjoying it?" He asked. Naruto only nodded before taking another bite that was soon followed by another moan.

Sasuke tried to ignore the sounds Naruto was making and instead growled and glared at Kazuhiko from Naruto's right side, instinctively scooting closer to his blonde teammate, and covering it up by making it seem like he was reaching for the oden. Taking a pair of chopsticks, he broke them apart with an irritated, "Itadakimasu."

Naruto noticing the irritation stopped eating and turned towards his teammate. "Hey Sasuke." Sasuke looked up his usual scowl planted on his face. "What dobe?" Ignoring the comment he said "Why are you so….flustered." Sasuke's eyebrow twitched slightly "I'm not flustered." Naruto frowned but before he could speak he was interrupted when a shadow fell over his face, looking up he meet the smiling face of Kazuhiko's sister Nyoko. "Hi, you're playing Juliet right? Nartuo-kun isn't it?" He nodded causing her smile to widen. "Awesome. I'm Nyoko your Romeo understudy."

He felt himself smile. "That's great." He went to take another bite of food but she spoke before he could. "I no this is probably a bad time to talk to you but I'm here to ask you a question." Looking up again he gave her a curious look. "Yeah?" She took a breath before saying "Okay it's rather simple but….your not going to turn down Kazuhiko's offer to date him just because you used to date me right?" A clatter of chopsticks was heard as Sasuke dropped them. Naruto would have turned and laughed had he not been so surprised. "What the fuck?" came the enraged cry from Kazuhiko.

Sasuke twitched. "Dating?" He grasped his pant leg, his knuckles turning white under the table from the pressure. A sharp pain enveloped his heart. /I am NEVER going to get the chance to be with him, am I?!/ The raven thought bitterly, swirling red threatening to emerge from underneath obsidian.

Naruto dropped his fork before quickly standing up. Jumping over the table he grabbed her elbow and through clenched teeth said "We need to talk." Pulling her away from the stares of his friends he quickly disappeared into another room with her. Quickly closing the door he turned to her his face furious. "What the hell do you think your doing?!?" Nyoko shrugged unconcerned about his anger. "Asking a genuine question…which I still want an answer for by the way."

Trying to hold back his anger he growled out "Why did you say it in front of them, everyone will know about it soon, do you know how much shit I will cop? Not to mention the fact that you made it sound like we had been a serious couple." Giving him a hurt look she said "What did our time together mean nothing to you? Was I just a fling? Get the chick part out of you before going completely to guys?" He rolled his eyes at her display. "Cut it out Ny. You know I only dated you to get the asshole of a x-boyfriend away from you."

She shrugged "Okay so maybe that's true but that doesn't mean I can't have some fun with it." His eyes widened "You wouldn't." She just smiled before walking over to him. Giving him a hug she said "Don't worry I won't tell your village your gay. I'll keep it up that your bi, or if you really want we can go out there as a new couple and you can keep your heterosexual reputation. I don't mind which one you choose. You helped me so I'm happy to help you." Pulling back she smiled. "But we better still be planning on pranking the castle." He smiled. "You know it!"

Letting each other go she asked "So what you going to be?" He shrugged. "Let's just keep it secret, don't say a word about what happened." He smirked. "Just go back to where you were sitting if you want. Let's make them die from curiosity." She laughed. "You're evil…I love that." Wrapping his arm around her shoulders and hers around his waist they exited the room, ready to have some fun with the dining room's occupants.

Sasuke watched with inner horror as the two walked back into the main dining area, Naruto's arm around the girl's shoulders. He felt like a knife was being jabbed through his heart, and a certain blonde kitsune's fingers were curled around the shaft. Of course, Sasuke should have known, I mean Naruto wasn't even gay! How could Sasuke ever have even imagined that he could have Naruto as his own? The raven inwardly sighed, making a mental note to get some Prozac on him.

As they moved closer to where he had been sitting Naruto noticed Sasuke was watching them, he saw something briefly flash through the ravens eyes but before he could recognize it Sasuke's eyes went back to there usual glare. He mentally sighed making a mental note to figure out what exactly was shoved so far up the Uchiha's ass. "Are you usually this popular?" Nyoko whispered. Looking down at her he raised an eyebrow. She grinned. "We're getting glares from a lot of people you know." He blinked but before he could answer they had arrived back at the table where Kazuhiko asked. "You two look awfully….friendly."

Sasuke glared his patented Uchiha glare at Nyoko, unable to restrain the jealousy and bitterness he felt toward her. Not wanting Naruto to realize his anger, he whipped his head around, facing the table once more and deciding to ignore the blonde and everyone else if he could help it. Stabbing a piece of chicken, he picked at the food in front of him, onyx eyes envisioning the mutilated poultry as a certain someone's head.

Naruto gave a small nervous chuckle but before he could answer Nyoko was speaking. "What's this Kazuhiko….jealous? Cause I get the guy?" A small sound came from Sasuke making Naruto turn to him. He gave them a cloaked expression before asking. "So are you two Dismissing the hesitation Nyoko said. "No…well not exactly….more like we're on a break, we don't know which way to go, still a couple but not completely."

Giving them a wink she said. "Stop panicking you're not out of the race just yet…." Both the ravens gave her a wide eyed stare, Naruto just blinked, acting clueless. "What race?" He seemed to be directing the question more at the guys then Nyoko.

Sasuke shook his head at Naruto's blatant obliviousness to everything and took to watching the people around him rather than the somewhat painful scene in front of him. The genin of Konoha seemed to be enjoying themselves, talking with excitement, and eating the delicious food. He saw Kiba and Hinata who seemed to be flirting making Sasuke look away, only to find his eyes focusing on a blushing Tenten, with Lee sitting next to her. Now even the freak in spandex was hooking up! If he could, and Sasuke couldn't, he would never get a chance.

Becoming even more depressed than before, Sasuke stood, walking over to a servant in order to get directions to his room. "Excuse me, where will I be sleeping?" Sasuke asked in monotone. The young servant girl smiled at him, handing him a slip of paper labeled, 'Sasuke Uchiha'. Sasuke was a little curious as to why this girl already knew who he was, and why she so conveniently had these little mini maps on hand, but decided not to worry about it, slipping into his brooding mode was more important than asking. Leaving the dining hall through the double doors on the east end Sauske made his way down the hall to where the map indicated.

Naruto saw Sasuke leave from the corner of his eyes, confusion rising up inside him; it was soon replaced however by fear as he went over the conversation. Sasuke must have picked up on Nyoko's hint at his sexual preference. He gulped. If Sasuke was mad he was screwed, he would still have to kiss the guy during the play…and well if Sasuke thought he might have feelings for him…that would be bad. Mentally groaning he turned to Nyoko. "Hey I got to go find the Teme before Kakashi-Sensei or Sakura yell at me."

She smiled in a way that made him feel like he was missing something. Shrugging it off he turned to Kazuhiko. "I'll be back soon okay?" He gave a small nod making Naruto smile. "Cool." Running over to the servant girl Sasuke had talked to he called out "Hey!" She turned and gave him a smile. "Yes?"

"Where did that other guy you talked to go?" She looked confused for a few seconds before realization hit. "You mean the blue haired ninja?" He nodded. Smiling she handed him a card that said 'Naruto Uzumaki' "He went to his room; you can find it using the map enclosed." Naruto smiled in thanks before jogging out of the halls, to find and hopefully talk to the other.

The Dark Chocolate Covered And Filled Authoresses Note: Well people what do you think? We hope you have enjoyed chapter 5…again sorry for the wait. Hehehe another person has joined the 'Will get Naruto before me' list of Sasuke's. Still it should prove to add more fun ne? Anyways we would love a review…but again it's not optional…still we hope to hear your opinions. Thank you for reading!!

With Grace,

Peppermint and Sugar