Taku: Hey everyone, I started another story! It's called 'The Bet' for lack of a better name at the moment, but I'd like it a lot if you could find time to check it out. The prologue is short, and right now I'm working on the first actual chapter. This means this story might be postponed again sadly.

Sasuke: …So what you're saying is that it'll take longer for you to update-possibly- because of this other story?

Taku: Yes…

Sasuke: And by doing this, me and Naruto will be left alone for longer?

Taku: -blank stare- yeeesssss…

Sasuke: Hmm..-sigh- well if that's the way things have to be then so be it.

Naruto: -jaw drops and eyes grow wide after hearing all this- You horny self-absorbed bastard!!! You just want him gone longer so you can have your w-

Sasuke: -silences Naruto with a kiss-

Naruto: -mewls into kiss and pulls Sasuke onto the floor and starts to take off his shirt-

Taku: …um guys…? …Guys?? ….-takes in deep breath- SEX-OBSESSED-TEENAGES HAVING HOT MAKE-OUT SESSION ON MY FLOOR!!!!!

Sasuke and Naruto: -both stop what they're doing and glare up at me-

Taku: Er….um…mind taking it out of my room?

Sasuke: -picks Naruto up and slings him over his shoulder. Walks out mumbling-

Taku: Aheh, heh, heh…enjoy.

Disclaimer: Once again I depressingly state I don't own our sexy blonde or his companions.

Chapter 8- Happy Birthday to You

His voice is faint. My vision is blurry but I know it's him. How could it not be? By now Iruka would have me on my way to the hospital by now. He'd find some weird disease that deals with excessive sleep (a/n: no shit ppl, there really is a disease that's sleep related, but fear not! Sasuke doesn't have it). Nope, the man hovering above me isn't the worry-wart-uke. It's the lazy, carefree, wannabe father seme. I've referred to them like this many a time before. Iruka looked like he was about to throw a bitch fit, meanwhile Kakashi just sniggered and kissed his cheek. Maybe it's because of growing up with these two that I'm gay. Well isn't that something; like father like son. Ugh, oh my god! What the hell does ultra-perv here want? I think as the shaking and my name being said repeatedly continues. Only when he calls for Iruka do I move. The last thing I need is for 'mommy' to come in here.

"Ugh…what do you want?" I croak out into my pillow after rolling over.

"Sasuke, what's been up with you these past few days? All you've done is sleep!" Iruka says worriedly standing behind Kakashi.

"Really? Well…good then lemme sleep. I'm young and need lots of…mmm Naruto…"

"What was that last part!?"

"I said sleep! Lemme sleep with…my Naru-chan…"

"Kakashi, we need to talk," Iruka says somewhat frustrated. Shit, what did I-oh fuck! "Hallway. Now." Iruka demands.

I turn my head towards them groggily opening my eyes.

"You never told him?" I muter out. "It's been like…-yawn- three months."

As I finish they walk out of my room closing the door behind them. Fast as I can I stand up to tip-toe to the door. Due to the fact I'm just now waking up it takes about a minute or two. Pressing my ear to the door, I listen in. This is the oldest trick in the book, I can't believe these two.

"-This happen?" I hear Iruka's voice.

"-sigh- About three months ago is when I found out."

"How'd you find out? We both know Sasuke hardly tells us anything."

"I kinda…overheard him…"

"Doing what?"

Oh my god you've GOT to be shitting me! He's not-

"What all teenage boys do!" Kakashi interrupts my thoughts.

He did. I fell a slight blush stretching across my face.

"But don't worry. Why does it matter if Sasuke has feelings for Naruto?"

"Because…"

"Because…why?""

"I'm like a father to him and the fact he's going out with Kiba bugs me!"

"Why is that?"

Both their voices have slightly raised. My heart pings at hearing these words again. Naruto and Kiba. Why did he do it? How did Kiba win him over?

"It just does 'Kashi-kun! I just don't want Naruto hurt."

"So you're saying that if Sasuke and Naruto dated that you think Sasuke would hurt him? Don't you think that's a low blow?"

"I never said that!"

"No, but it's what you meant! You should know Sasuke isn't that cold-hearted! And from what Tsunade told me, Naruto hasn't been giving Sasuke the time of day away from training and missions."

Woah! What the fuck happened to doctor to patient confidentiality!? Both are moving away now, downstairs as their voices increase in volume yet again. Well that's that.

No one has faith in me except Kakashi. I'm a moody, brooding, mean hurtful teenager that will hurt the one I love. At least Kakashi tried to stick up for me…sorta. That doesn't outdo the fact he and the shrink are going behind my back. I need to get out of here. Go somewhere that will benefit me. Maybe I can go beat up Itachi. It might help. I think as I grab my backpack from the floor. Around the room I pick up clothes, kunai, ipod, essential stuff for running away. In the drawer where I stashed those pills Neji gave me under all the papers and stuff lies my stash of money.

All the money I've saved up from my missions. A really big wad of cash, which now resides in my pocket. After making sure I have everything real quick I open the window. Before I jump out I see Naruto's gift on my dresser. I've been avoiding it this whole time. Turning back to face outside I see his face on my roof. Well a picture fragment of his face anyways. From the one I tore up yesterday. With my mind nagging me I sigh and run across the same space. After grabbing it I jump out my window successfully. I don't even turn around to look at my house. My backpack slung over my shoulder and Naruto's gift in hand, I walk towards the dobe's house. The sun is setting.

"I really did sleep these past few days away…" I say to myself, walking down his street.

I look up into his place and see lights on and people inside. Kiba I spot immediately. Standing with his arms wrapped around the front of Naruto's waist as he stands behind him. They're in the kitchen, along with Sakura and those three pesky little kids from the academy. The third's grandson and his two annoying buddies. Is one a girl? I can't tell. It's dark now. Across the street, sitting under a street light I now sit, with a pencil and paper on my lap. As best I can, I write out a note.

Then, when I finish I stick it to the wrapping paper. Careful so that no one sees me, I approach his front door. There his present lay, with my note underneath it. By the time he finds it, I'll be gone. So what if I walk out on this village? All it's done for me is hold me back. I can't seriously stay here and expect to find love. Can I? The one I love already turned his back on me. He barely acknowledges my existence anymore. All because I fucked up and kissed him.

Through the darkness of the park that surrounds me now, I can make out the entrance to the village. Also, the person standing in front of the two big gates. Quickly I duck into some bushes. Then, as I'm watching, waiting for the person to leave, a hand reaches out and grabs me from behind. Now, I'm a very composed person, but when that happened, at night, when I'm already on edge, I damn hear shat myself! So, this person walks us out into the open. Managing to pull myself away, I fling myself around to face said person. He laughs. Laughs an unmistakable laugh I can't forget. It's Kakashi. The person by the gate runs closer. That must be Iruka. Suddenly the laughing stops.

"Sasuke, what the hell is wrong with you?" Kakashi asks, taking on a very serious tone as Iruka shows up by his side.

"You tell me. The shrink and you are in league so why are asking? Don't you already know? How many more years of therapy?"

"That's no-'

"How many1?" I shout at him, interrupting him, quickly losing my temper.

"None, if that's what you want." Iruka answers for him calmly.

"It's not your turn yet!" I spit back. "How many, Kakashi?"

"Sasuke, it all depends on how much progress you make. Does this have to do with Iruka and my fight earlier? Or is it about Naruto being with Kiba?" Kakashi asks sternly.

"DON'T SAY THAT! Naruto doesn't know what it's like to be in the shadows. Loving someone you can't have! To be mocked, challenged every day!!"

They look at each other and then back at me.

"Ok, so maybe he does know the second part. But not the first! Kiba and him…they're…" I trail off and latch myself onto Kakashi.

I'm hugging him as if my life depends on it. His hands roam up and down my back, patting me comfortingly.

"…They're happy together. Everyone's happy. With someone else. Why can't I?" I sob into his chest. "Why can't I be happy with the one I love?" I choke out.

They stay silent. We all do, and for a long time we stand here while I cry all over Kakashi. Too much time passes apparently because as I detach myself I see Kiba walking towards us. Fuck, could this get any worse? I ask myself as he stops in front of me. Iruka and Kakashi stand behind me as the tension rises dramatically.

"Sasuke, we need to talk. Now. Alone. …Please?" Kiba sounds sad. Almost angry. Shouldn't he be angry at me and not sad?

We walk a few feet away from the adults and he whispers: "Naruto broke up with me. For no apparent reason."

"Wait, what?" I try and not sound happy about it.

"At his party. After everyone else left. I stayed to clean up and help. …But then, out of nowhere he says he can't be with me anymore. That he'll only end up hurting me." Kiba explains.

"Kiba, I didn't even know you two were going out. I… don't even know what to say." I lie. Inside my heart's beating like crazy. Why would he break up with Kiba? There's no way it could be cause of me…?

"Well…why would he tell me to come see you?"

"I honestly don't know. I'll go find out. I'll get back to you, kay?" I say, starting to walk away.

"Yeah…sure…whatever. Actually, don't. I don't care." Kiba says walking away briskly.

Whatever floats your boat dude. I'm finding out why though! My mind's racing as I begin to run of towards Naruto's place. Somewhere along the way I drop my bag. Like that matters, to me all that matters is my hunch and seeing Naruto. Seriously, I need to stop spacing out, cause every time I do I end up somewhere and I don't realize it. Yup, before I know it I'm at Naruto's. Slight fear makes my muscles tighten up before I can knock on his door. All the lights are off it seems like. I don't want to disturb him. If he's asleep that'll just give him another reason to be mad at me.

I turn away, about to leave before the door is swung open. As if nothing else mattered I whip myself back around. For the first time in months we make eye contact. Lusting, helpless, confused darkness clashes with a sea of watery, crying out, waiting cerulean. He's…crying? What exa-

"Sa…Sasuke…" Naruto whispers out. "I'm so sorry…"

"For what? It's your birthday, you shouldn't be sorry for anything on your birthday, dobe." I whisper back, stepping towards him.

"But I-"

Sshhh, it doesn't matter now."

"I got your present."

"You got half of it." We're so close. "Time for the other." I finish off the rest of the space for a brief kiss. "Happy birthday Naruto…"

Taku: Oh and scene! Heh, you're all gonna hate me for the next chapter or two. Well Sasuke and Naruto still aren't back yet which surprises me cause…well I'll keep that to myself incase Sasuke finds out. O.o Nyways, if you'd be ever so kind to hit the review button and let me know what you thought of this I'd love it!!