Disclaimer: If I owned it, everyone in the series would wear bonnets. All the time. Which they don't. So I don't own it.

Warnings: This chapter gets slightly graphic. Uh, limey I guess? Barely anything at all though.

Author Note: I'd like to apologize for any errors, I was tired when I proofread it. I am also sorry if you dislike SasuNaru, since it upstages all other pairings in this chapter. We'll get to more of the characters we haven't seen yet next chapter. Yay?

By the way, I finally learned how to reply to reviews. I'm a little slow, sorry. ;;

Sasuke POV:

For as long as I have known Naruto, I was certain I found every single thing about him annoying. One thing I learned during yesterday's health period was that Naruto's habitual urge to fidget and shift positions while sitting is rather beautiful. Funny, it used to be one of the things that annoyed me the most. Maybe it was the skirt. Yes, it was probably the skirt; that and his unwillingness to sit still.

I was forced to discreetly and ungracefully drop my pencil a disturbingly large number of times just to get a good view of what was under the table. The fabric of his skirt was riding up his thighs enough for me to see them rub together as he wriggled around in his seat. I even caught a glimpse of black and pink panties. The entire sight was drool-worthy and kept me dropping my pencil again and again just to get another good eyeful, while Naruto was thoroughly distracted with getting that paper done on time, poor thing. I had this awful urge to just wrap my arms around his waist and snuggle my head onto his lap. The entire concept is, well, disgusting. Very disgusting.

I am only willing to admit that I feel these urges because I can logically blame it all on hormones. Yes. Higher powers are getting back at me for thinking that they had spared me those kinds of desires. Goodbye, asexuality, I'll miss you. I'm pretty pissed at the idiot for making me feel things I would rather not, but I'm also glad it's him. I mean, it's not like anything would ever happen, so it's good that it's not some stupid female who wears too much perfume and would all too willingly let me have my way with her. With Naruto, it's impossible, so I won't be tempted to jump him. Much.

On the subject of Naruto, the idiot actually finished the paper and won the bet. I am hoping that if I put it off enough his short attention span will make him forget all about my promise to cook for him. The contents of his paper actually weren't too bad either, a little ridiculous, but not boring at least. He ranted on and on about how parts of him were already so large that despite the effects of the steroids involving shrinking of said parts, they would remain exceptionally large. He also mentioned that the breast growth men experience as a result of taking steroids would be sexy and is also the only thing he needs to have the entire human race fall madly in love with him (because apparently every single woman is already in love with him, and is merely too shy to admit it).

I would have said Naruto's paper won hands down for most creative, if it weren't for the fact that Jiraiya had forced each student to read their paper aloud. Shikamaru Nara's paper took the cake. His read like some sort of autobiography, an epic tale of his dreams to become the idol to every child around the world. The part about the loss of his manhood being worth having his face on cereal boxes was extremely touching. Near the end of the paper he mentioned that his future wife will be too beautiful for him, but she is the least bitchy (though still very bitchy) of all the women in the world. Apparently she wouldn't stay with him unless he makes millions of dollars in order to supply her with the finest hair care products for her to maintain her overly long dark hair. The whole elaborate description of his future life, and the only woman in the he could stand to be around requiring so much money, was amazing. The blush on Hyuuga's face was also quite spectacular.

So it's Wednesday and I'm on my way to my last class of the day, law. It also happens to be the only class I share with my brother. I am looking forward to getting a higher A than him. Currently, we both have full points in every assignment we've done thus far, but I know he's going to slip up at some point. Itachi pays so much attention when the freak of a teacher is talking that I suspect he's doing a lot more than listening. Calling it ogling would be appropriate if I didn't know any better. Also, he completes in-class assignments faster than what would have ever thought was humanly possible. And for what? So he can sit doing nothing the rest of the period? What a loser.

Once I arrive to the class, which is conveniently located at the opposite end of the school from where my class before this one is, I make my way to the far end of the room and take my usual seat by the window. My seat is the second one in the row, a boy with long blonde hair by the name of Deidara occupies the seat directly in front of mine. Beside Deidara in the next row is Itachi, who had the nerve to sit so closely to me on the first day, I refuse to change my seat because that would be like admitting defeat. Adjacent from me and behind my brother is some guy named Sasori. Did I mention that this class is crawling with Itachi's friends? Even sitting behind me is our cousin Tobi, who is really fucking annoying. It didn't take me long to realize how much I absolutely loathe this class.

"Do we have to use pencil, un?" Deidara asks the teacher like a total moron. The teacher is giving us a sheet to bubble in our answers for the test, of course we have to use a pencil.

"Yes. Though when I'm looking through the sheets and I see that you used pen, I will be kind enough to give you a zero." Mr. Hoshigaki said, continuing to pass out tests.

"Unn… I only have pens," the blond moaned "Iiitachiii, lend me a pencil."

"Unlike some people, Deidara, I do not constantly misplace my writing utensils. I manage to only have one and get through the day successfully."

"Sasori, un?" Deidara was practically whimpering. I almost feel sorry for him.

"No."

"Unnnn." God, that guy's speech immediate is really fucking annoying.

Tobi leans over my left shoulder and taps the boy in front of me with a pencil. "Dara, you can use--"

Deidara turns his head sharply towards Tobi, his eyes narrowed into a glare that I would have previously thought impossible for the blonde to conjure. "Get the hell away from me." He snapped. Wow, what the hell happened between those two?

Tobi shrank back in defeat while the blond turned to address the teacher. "Hoshi, I need a pencil!"

At this point the blue haired teacher has passed out everything and is standing at the front of the classroom. "Really Deidara, what grade are you in, it's not my job to supply you with what you're already supposed to bring to class." He pauses for a moment, sighing, before addressing the entire class. "How many of you are freshmen, come on, show of hands" he demonstrates by waving his own hand in the air.

I'm fairly certain I'm the only freshmen in this class, as it is generally meant to be attended by higher grade level students. I show off my wonderful willingness to participate by not raising my hand.

"Ah, good, you're all upperclassmen. That gives you the right to an endless supply of free pencils. Now go find a helpless ninth grader roaming the halls and get your pencil before you run out of time to take the test."

"Are you implying that I beat up one of the midgets, un?"

"Oh, no, of course not. Simple intimidation should work. Forget searching for someone though, there is one in this class after all, this must be your lucky day." The blue haired teacher directs his gaze towards me, grinning. Great.

"Itachi's little tiny baby brother? Intimidating someone that small and adorable is as wrong and forbidden as hitting a girl, un." Deidara sounds overly sincere, as if he's not even trying to tease me and is simply being honest. What the hell, I am not small. The blond turns slightly in his seat to look me over as well as poke me on my cheek. I swat his hand away. "Look! He's pouting! What kind of evil man are you, Hoshi, un? To suggest that I so much as look at this adorable child in a mean way… un." I officially hate all of Itachi's friends or whatever they are to him.

Just to get Deidara to leave me alone, I shove an extra pencil at him but also make sure to swipe the glittery red gel pen from his desk to use as a ransom. A quiet "Return it." is all I offer. The other boy turns around without another word, as if he hadn't just made a big deal about everything.

Dealing with this blond idiot makes me realize how much I miss my own. At least Naruto's adorable when he gets all worked up over things… Gah! That's it, next time I see that… that… king of morons, I'm going to give him a good ass kicking for making me think about him all the time. Wait, that's a lie, I don't think about him all of the time. Never. Why would I? He's an idiot. Also, unattractive. Yes, very unattractive, with his messy golden-yellow hair and tanned skin and shapely body… His cute little navel that I catch glimpses of sometimes when he's jumping around like a hyperactive dumbass is also disgusting. Maybe if I keep telling myself I hate everything about him it'll magically be come the truth. Well, I suppose it is true in a way, I really do hate everything about the blond idiot. Maybe so much so that I start to like everything there is to hate…

The test is pretty straightforward; I complete it easily and in a very small amount of time. Now I'm supposed to read chapter nine in the textbook, which is also accomplished rather quickly. There are about ten minutes or so left of the period, and since everyone has long since finished their tests the class has been given silent permission to talk quietly amongst themselves. I tune out Deidara and Sasori's bickering and Tobi's quiet muttering to himself, waiting patently for the bell to ring.

Soon enough, the bell does ring, but I wait a moment before standing as to avoid the thicker part of the crowd heading for the door. Tobi shoots out of his seat quickly, immediately dashing for Deidara and latching onto the boy's arm. Deidara, not seeming too happy about this, scowls and shoves the annoyance away, hard. Tobi braces against a desk for a moment to keep from falling before stumbling right back over to the blond and clinging to his side. This sequence repeats over and over again, even after they are out of the classroom and walking down the hall. All the while Tobi whines about something mostly incoherent to me, even though I'm walking directly behind them (at a fairly safe distance). His speech includes a lot of 'but!', 'please!' and various cutesy nicknames for Deidara, which only enrage the blonde further.

Just as I am getting bored with their antics, another blond comes into view. Tobi has been, once again, shoved into the wall, only this time it appears that he has hit his head rather hard. While my cousin is clutching his head and swaying slightly, Naruto Uzumaki places a hand on each of the Uchiha's shoulders, successfully stabilizing him.

"Whoa there! Hey man, are you dying?" Naruto asks, his eyes filled with concern for someone I am almost positive is a stranger to him.

Tobi blinks down at the smaller boy, and then over to Deidara who is already to the double doors at the end of this small hallway that exits into the main hall leading outside. Realizing that there is little chance that he can catch up to his 'Dardar' now, he shifts his gaze back to Naruto, staring at him for a moment before dropping to his knees in front of him. Tobi hooks his fingers into the front of Naruto's shirt, burying his face in it and beginning to sob unceremoniously. What a drama queen.

Naruto looks taken aback, eyes darting around for an escape root, eventually they rest on me where I stand a few feet away watching the exchange. His eyes are wide and questioning, brows knitted in confusion. Silently, he begs me fore help, so I offer said help by shrugging and continuing to look bored. Naruto glares and sticks out his tongue at me, awkwardly patting Tobi on the head.

"Nnn, you're s-so n-nice…" Tobi chokes out finally, lifting his tear streaked face to look at Naruto.

"Nah, I'm just not some cruel unfeeling bitch." Naruto's eyes flick over to me briefly.

There was a small silence filled with only sounds of Tobi's sniffling. "…I got your s-shirt all w-wet…"

"Don't worry about it, I'm used to getting wet. My kitchen slave and I have engaged in more than a few wet tee-shirt competitions in our time." Naruto grinned and Tobi looked confused.

Despite being vexed at being referred to as his own personal kitchen slave, I add "They also usually double as mud wrestling competitions." I might have smiled a little myself, remembering. A grassy field on a rainy day had always been my favorite setting for kicking the blond idiot's ass. I may not have realized it at the time, but I actually enjoyed sparring with him… It's a shame we have both matured a little and don't get into fistfights as much as we used to…

Tobi turned his head at the sound of my voice, apparently just noticing that I was there. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by another familiar voice coming from behind us.

"How cute, and here I thought you didn't have the adequate skills to acquire friends, little brother" Said one disturbingly amused looking Itachi. Fuck, I had forgotten he usually hangs back to talk with Mr. Hoshigaki.

"He's not my friend," I snap. I chance a glance over at Naruto, prepared to dare him to say otherwise, but am surprised to see how… hurt he looks. This causes me to falter momentarily, my annoyance at both him and my brother quickly drained by that damned look in his eyes. The idiot is the closest thing I've ever had to a friend, in some sort of fucked up way, but I don't exactly want to admit it. I hastily mutter "It's more complicated than that." And advert my gaze to the floor.

"Oh, is that so?" Itachi sounds even more amused.

My mind starts to formulate possible explanations, but Naruto saves me the trouble by speaking first. "Well, mostly we're rivals… and uh, well I wear panties for him on Tuesdays annnd… he cooks me ramen?" Naruto struggled to describe our relationship and failed miserably. What the fuck was that moron thinking!? Forget whatever I said previously, I really truly hate this guy.

Through my embarrassment I blurt out "I haven't cooked you anything yet!"

"Yet being the keyword! Until you keep your promise you're my official ramen cooking housewife!" he shot back.

"If anyone is the wife, it would be you."

"Nuh-uh! You look better with a soaked tee-shirt, only chicks are supposed to be that sexy wet and clothed!!"

"What the fuck you moron! You're the one always pinned to the groun-"

"WRONG! I'm always pinning you to the ground, you just pin me to-"

"Trees. Yes, but the woman can work her magic while straddling a guy, but it would be much harder for her to while pinning him upright against a flat surface."

"But...!! I—"

"Give it up you moron, all evidence points to you being the wife."

Naruto huffed in defeat. "Fine, but that makes you Mr. Mom."

I bite my lip to keep myself from arguing further, it's fucking pointless. Glaring at Naruto, I notice how flushed his cheeks are. He looks positively adorable with his combined expression of a glare and a pout; the adorableness is completely befitting of my wife. …Erk! By that I mean, it's not… he's not…

Naruto stops pout-glaring at me to favor grinning sheepishly down at Tobi, who is still loosely clinging to Naruto's shirt. "Hey, uh, sorry about that. Are you alright now?" Tobi certainly looks alright, obviously holding back laughter.

Tobi gets to his feet using Naruto as a support. "Yes, better now. Thank you Mr. Sasuke's Wife. Thank you for taking such good care of him" he snickered.

Itachi brushes past me, the smile on his lips indicating that we will be discussing this matter further at a later time. Ugh. "I second that thank you. We often worry about our dear Sasuke." Itachi adds, touching Tobi's back lightly and gently escorting him down the hallway.

"Hee, uhh, you're… welcome?"

Tobi turned around to frantically wave goodbye before the two older Uchiha made their way through the double doors, leaving the hallway deserted bar Naruto and I.

Naruto shifts uncomfortably where he stands, scratching the back of his head nervously. His face is still deliciously flushed as he directs his sheepish grin towards me instead. Whatever the idiot sees in my expression causes his grin to widen into a more confident one. For the first time since I've met Naruto years and years ago, I notice how devastatingly handsome he is. Not only the way he looks either, everything about him is handsome, from his looks to his demeanor to his disposition. It astonishes me that someone so idiotic and clumsy can be so becoming.

All I can do is stare.

Naruto is the first to break the silence. "So that other guy was related to you too? I knew the girly looking one was your brother, I mean, I've seen him before but never really spoke to him…"

I nod, not fully trusting myself to speak yet I merely supply him with the word "Cousin."

"Ah. Does he always cry that much?"

I shrug.

"…I've met more of your family today than I have in… how many years have I had the misfortune to know your pale Uchiha ass…" The blond was attempting to count on his fingers.

"Moron."

"Bastard!" He snaps back easily, as if it were the most natural thing in the world for us to call each other rude names. Perhaps it was. "Ah, well that's beside the point. Did I make a good impression, ya'think?"

I snort. "If successfully causing the both of us to look like homosexuals counts as a good impression, than yes."

"Feh, who cares about what they think? I know I'm no fag so it doesn't bother me."

"Are you implying that I am one?" I ask, narrowing my eyes.

He shrugs, his grin twisting into a playful, taunting one.

"Why don't I pin you to the wall and we'll find out who the fag is." I growl, not quite sure why I'm so annoyed.

"The one doing the raping, duh!" he chirps. "Not that I would let you get that far though."

"Whatever, moron. I'm not the one who's the rapist." I glare at him pointedly.

Naruto looks confused. "What the hell do you mean by that, bastard?"

I glare at him for another long moment before turning to make my way down the hall, leaving one very confused Naruto to stare dumbly at my back. It's a while before Naruto's hurried footsteps can be heard following me.

"Hey, wait up bastard! I came all the way down here to see you, after all!"

I pause at the doors into the main hall, peering at him with slight curiosity when he catches up. "What for?"

"I want my ramen!" he demands as he pushes the door open and holds it for me.

We fall into step, walking together towards the main doors leading outside and into the parking lot. "Is that the only reason you have to come and see me?" I ask, my voice mockingly feigning hurt.

"Well…" he began as we walk through the doors leading outside.

The air smells refreshingly moist. "Well what?" I urged, looking blankly over the now nearly deserted area. Wait, deserted…

"Well, fuck!" Naruto exclaims, stepping forward a few steps anxiously. "I missed my bus! It's all fucking your fault too, you bas-"

"Hey, Naruto." I interrupt his rant, staring out towards the distant football field to the right of the parking lot. The grey sky would have been gloomy if it weren't for the sun shining brightly from behind the storm clouds. The rays of light illuminate the wet pavement, grass, and leaves, allowing them to shine dully.

"…Sasuke?" the other boy questions, sounding vaguely worried.

I walk forward until I'm out from under the awning that shelters the area around the doors. Fat droplets of water splash against me from above, already starting to soak my clothes. It's raining. Hard.

"Hellooo, Saasssuukeee-baaastarrrdd, should I call an ambulance?"

I turn around to look at the confused, dry boy, making no effort to shelter myself from the rain. "Fight me."

"…What?"

"You heard me."

This is the first time I have ever challenged him to a fight, it's always been the other way around. Naruto looks at me like I have gone insane. "…Sasuke, what's wrong?"

Growling in frustration, I start to shout at him without really meaning to. "I want to fight you, you moron! In the football field, the soccer field, the grassy area behind the building, the front lawn, over by those trees, in your bedroom, on the bleachers, hell, even right here in the parking lot even though the pavement would hurt like fuck! I don't care where, idiot! I just want to fight you! Right now! I haven't had a good thrill in a long time!"

For once in his life the blond is stunned into silence. He stares at me while I fume silently, a little embarrassed and confused by my own outburst. Speaking of embarrassment, Naruto's cheeks are redder than I had ever seen them before….what?

"M-my… b-bedroom?" Naruto stutters, his voice almost inaudible. Wait, what? I didn't say that did I? Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck! While we're on the subject of 'fuck', it hits me that maybe subconsciously I was replacing 'fight' with a certain four letter verb beginning with the same letter.

My thoughts are racing; I'm panicking, silently dying in my own stupidity while Naruto fidgets with the hem of his shirt, rocking back and forth on his heels anxiously. I turn sharply, walking off towards the football field only fast enough so it wouldn't look like I'm running away, though I want to very badly. I want nothing more than to get away from Naruto and curl up alone on the wet, muddy grass somewhere and drown in said stupidity.

It wasn't long before Naruto steps out into the rain to follow me, I can tell without looking back by the sound of his footsteps splashing against the pavement. "F-forget it… S-sasuke, w-what do you mean 'thrill', are you saying you enjoy hurting me?" he accused, opting for a change of subject.

I ignore him and quicken my pace, but he easily catches up with me and matches my pace, standing close to my side. He had taken off his orange jacket and was using it to shelter himself from the rain, when he got close to me he shifted it higher so it sheltered us both. Tch, as if I wasn't already blushing enough. "I don't care if I get wet, Uzumaki."

"Neither do I, but I can't see your face clearly if I have to squint to keep the water out of my eyes." He moves even closer to me, causing our shoulders and arms brush together as we walk.

"…" I really don't want to be around him right now, especially when he's being so…

"Answer my question."

I sigh. "No, I don't enjoy hurting you. I didn't mean it like that. I just… I like sparring with you. Even when I'm angry at you, I feel better afterwards. Looking back, it always felt like we were… well, playing." I chucked slightly at the absurdity of my words, truthful as they were. "Even if the game was filled with harsh words, blood, bruises, and the occasional broken bone."

"A little healthy competition never hurt anyone," Naruto offered, smiling and nudging me with his elbow.

I turn my head to get a better look at him, his face is close to mine and his smile bright and sincere. Just looking at him made me want to smile, I think I did, because before I knew it we were both laughing. Laughing and stumbling through the soggy grass together side by side.

I suppose… I suppose it's fine if Naruto Uzumaki completely raped my asexuality. As long as it's him. Besides, at this point, I doubt it's really rape anyway.

Hinata POV:

I feel like a complete and utter delinquent for skipping gym yesterday, by lying no less. I don't really know if I'm more amazed at the fact that Tayuya's scheme worked, or at the fact that I didn't mind spending the rest of the entire school day on the roof with her. I feel like the biggest trouble maker in the world for skipping not only gym, but also my next three classes with her. I don't know how many times Tayuya had to reassure me that we weren't going to get caught, but in the end she was right, we never did. She really knew what she was doing. She had a broad range of knowledge regarding all the locations in and around the school that are always deserted and have a very low risk of getting caught skipping at.

I'm not sure what possessed me to get coaxed into staying with her, but there has to be something special about the girl for me to have not run back to the classroom with my tail between my legs. Maybe it was the way she spoke, the things she talked about casually since I was reluctant to make conversation. I don't know how we talked for so long, but we did. Tayuya seems to really enjoy talking about her family; the things she and her older brother used to get up to when they were younger. She seemed even more egged on by my surprised gasps and questions that came with her tales. She had such captivating stories to tell. I don't think I've ever paid such rapt attention to anyone while they spoke to me before. She and her sibling would get into the kind of basic childhood trouble that I thought only happened on television, or maybe only decades ago.

The things she did, still does, I wouldn't ever dream of doing. Okay, I would dream of it, and I do, it's the kind of thing I wish I could do but know I will never have the courage to; an impossible goal, aspiration. The kind of stuff you can only get away with while you're young, mostly harmless trouble, the stuff that's only wrong because adults tell you that you're not supposed to. Skipping class is even something I thought impossible for me. The whole afternoon gave me such a rush. I know it's really lame that I consider that an accomplishment, but it really was something amazing in my eyes.

So, maybe if I were anyone else Tayuya's stories wouldn't have been as fascinating, or the day wouldn't have been as fun and exciting for me. I know I'm a bit of a special case when it comes to shyness and my unwillingness to do 'wrong' due to an abnormally large conscience. But, for once in my life, I'm glad for it. I'm glad I'm different, glad I'm boring. In those few hours yesterday, everything I hated about myself I suddenly was grateful for. Because, if I wasn't the way I am, I don't think Tayuya would have been as beautiful as she was, sitting with me on the roof, the sun beating down on us, the chilly wind being filled with our words and laughter.

When I had told Tayuya that there was no way I would have ever done any of thing things she had, she gave me a strange look and told me that she'll be kidnapping me after school the next day, since I had obviously been sheltered far too much. The 'tomorrow' is now today, and here I am after school sitting in the rain with her under my floral-print umbrella. I was unwilling to stray too far away from the school, maybe she knew, because she had lead me to the football field where we now resided on the bleachers. I had worked up my courage to ask my father permission to go out with 'friends' after school, but he had promptly denied such requests with the excuse of too short a notice.

My initial nervousness about disobeying my father now seemed insignificant to the discomfort of the water that had already gathered on the bleachers now soaking into my pants. Truthfully, I was worried about being out against my father's wishes, but being here, semi-wet and huddled beside Tayuya under the umbrella made me almost forget entirely about that constant guilt nagging at my conscience.

"So, when the train slows down to, I don't know, bout, less than five miles an hour, really slow in any case, you can just hop on." Tayuya explains while I stare at her dumbly.

"Isn't… Isn't that really dangerous?"

"Yeah, totally." She grins, "But so are a lotta things. You just need the proper timing and instinct and it's not all too hard. Still, one wrong slip and your feet get sliced off. Most people get on before the train starts moving and get off once it stops to avoid getting hurt."

I'm sure my expression is probably one of mixed amazement and horror. "S-so you've…" My word trail off as I lean forward to make sure her feet are still intact.

"You bet, I used to walk along the tracks and watch the trains go by all the time, it was only a matter of time before I learned all the points where they slow down and stop completely."

"T-that's… wow. I would never be able to do that, a-at least not jump on while it's moving."

Tayuya suddenly looks very serious, her grin fading away completely. "Of course you wouldn't. You're not going to."

"I! I know! I j-just meant t-that even if I was brave enough to attempt it I--"

"Even if you weren't a chicken I wouldn't let you anyway. I don't want you getting hurt. And I'm not even letting you train hop the safe way by getting on when it's stopped," she pauses for a moment, thinking something over. "At least not until I save up enough money to hire medics incase you pass out from how dirty the boxcars are." Her humor returns, and she smiles at me.

Apparently Tayuya already deems me worthy of protection even though we've only been on friendly terms for a little while, I blush at that.

"Since when am I that obsessed with cleanliness?" The question falls easily from my lips.

"Since forever, I can tell. It's not that you're obsessed though, per se, I just doubt that you've ever once in your life gotten dirty, I mean really fucking dirty."

"…I've f-fallen in the mud plenty of times."

"Wow! Really!? That's amazing, Hinata! That must mean the sight of people actually voluntarily rolling around in the mud, like those two, is enough to make you hurl!" The older girl exclaimed, voice teasing as she gestured to our right.

"N-no." I mutter before completely turning my head to look at who she was referring to. It took me a beat to recognize the figures tumbling around in the muddy field to the immediate right of fence inclosing the football area. They were far enough away that it was impossible to make out anything they might be saying (or shouting) above the sound of the rain, but close enough that I could easily make out tanned skin and unmistakably blonde hair. Even if I didn't know his profile better than anyone else's, it would have been obvious that it was him due to the sight of the dark haired boy he was with.

I reflexively bring my hands to my mouth in silent surprise. "N-Naruto…"

Tayuya places her own hand on my shoulder, shaking it slightly. "Hey, you aren't actually getting sick, are you…?" she asks tentatively.

"N-no, it's just, I know them." Remembering the umbrella, I resist the urge to stand up to get a better look.

I squint, trying to better make out what's going on between Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha, worried that they had gotten into yet another of their fistfights. It takes me a few moments to realize that they aren't fighting at all… Then why…?

Beside me, Tayuya chuckles. "Heh, this is better than watching those scrambled stations on TV."

I feel my cheeks grow uncomfortably warm immediately after my brain works out what she's getting at. "T-they c-can't b-be…. I-I mean, N-naruto, h-he, b-but S-s-sasuke d-doesn't—"

"Relax, their clothes are still on."

Naruto POV:

My clothes, my hair, my entire body, everything was completely soaked through and through. My back pressed against the soppy grass, it was more wet and itchy than muddy. I should have been cold, the rain pouring down on me, the wetness covering me sure was. Even the sky as it stared down upon me seemed cold, unwelcoming, the sun having disappeared completely behind an endless blanket of clouds. But I wasn't looking at the sky.

I was looking into something usually even colder, more unfeeling than something the petty sky could ever appear. For once though, his eyes were anything but cold. Sasuke's gaze was boring into mine, burning, smoldering, smothering me. I might as well have been face down, drowning in the rainwater.

Sasuke straddled my hips, at the same time he was bent low over me, his face hovering just above mine so that we were nose to nose. My hands were lying limply against the rain softened ground on either side of my head. Warm hands were on my own, his fingers threading through mine and squeezing just tight enough that it wasn't uncomfortable. The hand holding was entirely one sided, I made no effort to fold my fingers down and squeeze back.

My captor says nothing. We've barely spoken since we had reached the field. Everything had been automatic, the chasing, the pushing, the pinning, the pulling, the touching; all communication had been purely physical, aside from our laughter. It hadn't been fighting like the other suggested, it seemed more like playing, but at the same time entirely different. I don't quite know what it was. What it is. Why everything had suddenly turned so serious. Why my heart won't stop throbbing painfully in my chest, why my palms and every part he's touching feels tingly, why time seems to have slowed down and why we seem to be the only ones left occupying the world. Why, why, why ,why,WHY!?

I don't understand. I don't understand any of this. I comprehend even less when the other boy's damp hair tickles my face even more as he closes the emptiness between our faces by firmly pressing his lips against my own.

My mind barely registers that this is the third time I've ever been kissed. My first was on the first day of my first year in middle school. It had been a complete accident, a blunder, a simple push causing me to fall forward and land precisely on Sasuke's lips with my own. The second kiss occurred a few years later and has a bit of a lengthy story attached to it, but it involved Sasuke and I conned into playing a game of seven minutes in heaven, of course we had somehow ended up shoved and locked into a closet together. Naturally we argued with each other, which resulted, long story short, into a violent make-out session (competition, more like) against the closet walls. It's a given that we never spoke of it again, there was no reason.

The feel of Sasuke's lips against mine is familiar, the surprising gentleness of the kiss warm and welcoming. I was already returning the kiss by the time I thought about reacting better. This time there was no tongue, no teeth, no bloody lips, it was just soft. Soft, pleasant, calm, more deliberate. My eyes slip closed and my mind works on imprinting the feeling into my memory permanently. Out of all of his kisses, this one was definitely the best. The soft pitter-patter sound of the rain falling to the earth, the smell of damp grass and fresh rain washed air, the warm weight on my lower stomach, it all made everything more amazing, completely overwhelming my senses.

When Sasuke finally pulls away, I expect him to get up, to leave, to just walk away, to do something. But no, he's still hovering over me, his face only slightly further away than before, his eyes searching mine. His fingers flex, squeezing my hands a little tighter, I finally fold my fingers down over the back of his hand and squeeze back, reassuring him, urging him to say something, or at least letting him know I wouldn't mind if he leaned in and kissed me again.

There is a small, sharp intake of breath on Sasuke's part and he pauses for a moment before whispering, "The rain, it doesn't look like it will be letting up anytime soon."

Calmly, I tear my gaze away from him to favor squinting up at the sky. Heh, it's still coming down hard. "…Yeah…" even I can hear the content sigh that comes with my words….

Hey… wait a minute, that's all he has to say, after, after…!!

A light chuckle from above me indicates I must be looking rather scandalized right now. "Moron."

I start to complain but am quickly silenced by Sasuke nuzzling my cheek. It's about now that everything starts to catch up to me, what had happened, what is happening, how odd Sasuke's being, how tight my pants are, how the simple affectionate nuzzling is making my face flush even more than the kiss did. But I mostly noticed how tight my pants were. That and how deliciously warm and heavy his body was on top of mine.

"Fucking hormones…" I curse under my breath.

Sasuke snorts, I shiver at the feeling of his warm breath fanning against my neck as he speaks. "You're lucky. A moron like you can just go and blame it on hormones. I certainly want to. It's not as simple as that."

I grunt lightly to indicate my confusion, since words don't seem to want to come to me at the moment.

"Hormones," Sasuke elaborates "Are where teenagers place the fault when they get their girlfriend pregnant."

"…"

"This," he breathed "Isn't hormones." Sasuke pauses in speaking for a moment to trail kisses along my jaw line. "Sasuke Uchiha could resist mere hormonal urges."

I lie there for a long time, the meaning of his words sinking in, while he busies himself with nibbling on my earlobe. Really fucking distracting. Nevertheless, I easily comprehend what he said; I just don't fully understand why he said it, why he's doing all of this so suddenly.

"Please let me come over to your house."

My words cause Sasuke's entire body to tense. Slowly and stiffly, he rises up into a sitting position, still straddling my hips. "…"

"I really need to block a few channels on your TV, dude. God damn, you've been watching too many romance movies!"

Now it's someone else's turn to look scandalized. Sasuke narrows his eyes and lightly thwacks me over the head. "Moron. I was not being romantic." The blush on his face suggests that he's reevaluating his previous actions in his head just to make sure his own words are true. He suddenly looked doubtful of himself. "…Fuck."

"Well that just killed the mood."

"Like you hadn't already killed it," he snapped.

"What mood? I thought there wasn't one, Sa-su-ke."

"Whatever. At least I was the one making the moves."

I realize that when Sasuke had sat up, he took my hands with him. Our palms were no longer pressed together, but our fingers were still laced, residing in his lap. I hastily tugged my hands away from him, scowling. "If I were the one making the moves, you would've already had a sex change and be whimpering and crying into a pillow right now."

"…Some sick fantasy you have there, Uzumaki. Of all people, I wouldn't expect you to be one to not be with someone based on gender, especially if you really lo--… Especially if you are really attracted to them. And judging by your current state, I would say you're pretty damn attracted." He emphasized his point by rolling his hips against mine once. I bite my lip to keep from moaning.

"…Nnn… Doesn't mean you wouldn't look nice with tits." I manage to say.

"You've thought about this before." It wasn't a question.

I only grin in response. Sasuke smiles in spite of himself and hits me again.

It's strange how we're so comfortable around each other, even when the situation should cause us to feel anything but. Even before, when everything had felt so… intimate, so serious, it hadn't really been uncomfortable, just odd. Ha ha, Sasuke Uchiha himself finally admits he wants me. Hot damn. Can't say I didn't know I was good though. They should lock me up for being so suave.

"Don't make me kiss you again to rid you of that stupid expression." Sasuke chides.

"Right, right," I laugh, "What now?"

Sasuke appears to think it over for a while. "Hell if I know." He says finally, shrugging.

"Sasuke, I'm ashamed. Where's your valiant steed? Why aren't you whisking me away to the magical land where everyone lives happily ever after? Clearly you haven't been watching those romance movies right!" My voice is teasing, laced with false concern.

The other boy rolls his eyes. "I'll start studying again right away, princess."

"Great!" I clap my hands together, "Let's do that."

"…As in the both of us?"

"Sure why not? I do hate studying though. Maybe I'll abandon you two seconds into it. Hey, your house has like, a million bathrooms right? I need to shower before going home or else Iruka will murder me!"

"Naruto…" Sasuke began, his voice sounding skeptical already, obviously reluctant to allow me inside his house. Sigh.

"Fine, whatever!" I interrupt before he has a chance to say anything, trying not to sound hurt. "Can I use your cell phone though? 'Ruka's gunna be pissed when he comes to pick me up and I completely soak the inside of his car." I start to sit up, trying to give the other boy the hint to get the fuck off of me now. Why the hell am I so upset? It's not like he rejected me or anything… I hadn't given him the chance to.

"I guess…" Sasuke starts hesitantly, watching me carefully. "I guess, combined, Itachi and my mother do own quite the collection of romance movies." As an afterthought he adds, "There are more than a few bathrooms in our house as well..."

I stare at him dumbstruck.

"…I'll call a taxi. After that while we're waiting for it you can call Iruka and tell him you'll be at my house for a while. He's probably worried, not knowing where you are and all."

Sasuke slowly gets to his feet, looking uncomfortable, only to be tackled right back down to the ground. I hug him tighter than I ever have hugged anyone before, laughing and not caring too much about whether or not I was allowing him an adequate air supply. He'd made me short of breath plenty of times today, so it's payback.

"Moron."

Sasori POV:

"When's he coming home, un? I'm sick of waaaaiting." Deidara groaned, splaying himself limply on across one of the large sofa in Itachi's living room. He had previously been pacing. Really. The boy needs some sort of hobby to help him release his sporadic bursts of energy that usually cause him to become easily frustrated and extremely liable to shout. Having clay in his hands usually helps him calm down, but he often runs out of it quickly.

"Deidara. Relax, I'm sure my little brother is being kind to your gel pen. You are well aware it's your own fault for forgetting to get it back, yes?"

"B-but, it needs special nourishment!" the blond looked disgusted at the mere suggestion that someone else could take care of his pen properly. "And it's not my fault un, that annoying guy distracted me!"

"Of course, we've established that. Tobi is in the kitchen making you dinner to make up for that right now."

"Pftun. That guy will never be able to reconcile for all he's done to me."

"…Right."

"Un."

Itachi crossed his arms over his chest and stared at Deidara evenly from his position on the couch adjacent to the one the blond and I occupied. "So you still haven't told me why you care about the pen so much. I don't understand your love for those types of pens, they are utterly unreliable and run out of ink too quickly."

"…It was a gift," Deidara says quickly, his eyes flicking briefly over to me where I sit at the opposite end of the couch. "And I love that they run out quickly, in fact, that's exactly why I need this one back. I need to use it all up, un."

Itachi raised a delicate brow, shifting his attention to me. "I'm not sure I want to know."

I realize that was my cue to elaborate. "Just his 'fleeting' obsession again. The ink is pretty, flashy, and gone annoyingly quick." I shrug.

"Unn" Deidara agrees "I love them, especially the red one un, it glides across skin so beautifully." He purrs.

"…So who's body did you deface?" Itachi inquires.

"..Unn." I definitely do not like the devious smile on that idiot's face. Deidara cautiously crawls over the length of the couch towards me, his eyes locked with mine. I tense slightly and return his stare with a bored expression. "Well…" Deidara starts as he pounces on me. There is a small struggle but I quickly surrender and allow myself to be pulled into his lap. The boy's hands wrap around to grip the front of my shirt, quickly lifting it up. "Isn't the art amazing, Itachi un?" the excitement and joy was so apparent in his voice that I felt myself smiling a little.

Itachi stared, one eyebrow raised, at the various sparkly-red-ink drawings littering my midsection . "Nice mushroom cloud. The flaming hearts are also quite charming."

"I rather like the one of Moltres." I deadpan.

Deidara whines, "I drew a lovely fireworks display up one of his arms but he washed it off, un." I can hear the pout in his voice.

"I wouldn't have bothered scrubbing so hard if I didn't know for sure Chiyo would kill me if I set a bad example for the relatives." I assure.

"Un! That's right, you said something about them coming to live with you and grandmamma Chichi soon. How is she by the way un?"

"She's fine, says it'll make her feel alive to have so many people living in the house again. And yes, soon being today. They've probably already arrived actually."

Finally Deidara seems to remember to lower my shirt, smoothing it down and allowing his hands to rest on my hips. "So that's why you suggested we come to Itachi's house instead of yours, un… I would be offended but I guess it's best not to overwhelm them—wait, un!! Waitwaitwait!You're depriving me of women in bonnets! How could you, Sasori un. Some friend you are!"

"Oh please, Temari chose to leave the Amish community when she decided she wanted to continue on with schooling. She would have stopped wearing traditional clothing years ago. When I saw her and Kankuro about a year ago they were both dressing and living normally. I'm not sure about the littlest one, technically he shouldn't even be starting his rumspringa for a few more years." I sigh, "Chiyo isn't giving me the full details, but there must've been some reason for the older two to want to take him away from the house early."

Itachi leans forward slightly, taking interest in the subject. "The older siblings were living together before, correct? Are they resorting to living with their great-aunt because they can't support the younger one while juggling school and work?"

"Bingo."

"Now I'm curious as to why the youngest was rushed outta there years early, un. If you don't find out soon, I think I'll have to subtly pry it out of them once they start at our school. When is that, by the way un?"

"Anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, who knows." I shrug. "Anyway, I should be getting home now."

"But dinner un! That guy'll be upset if you skip after he's been working so hard to make it."

"Deidara, stop referring to Tobi like you have no association with him whatsoever. I know you're upset with him, but really, stop being childish." I pry his hands from my hips and stand up. "Tell him I'm sorry, but Chiyo will be expecting me to dine with them."

"Fine, un."

Both Deidara and Itachi follow me through the main hall and to the front door.

"Oh, and if Tobi cries about my absence, kick him for me and let him to stop whining." I add as an afterthought, reaching for the doorknob. Only, the door opens from the outside before I have a chance to open it.

Itachi's little brother stands frozen, staring up at us, one foot already into the house. He is soaking wet and harboring a little lost puppy in form of a tan blonde haired boy at his side. "…"

"Little brother, you're going to drip all over the floor."

"Not my fault our driveway is fucking long, had to walk all the way up and, incase you haven't noticed, it's raining." Sasuke snaps.

"Right. Well, I suggest you hastily make your way to the nearest lavatory and get yourself and," the eldest brother looks Naruto up and down "…Your wife cleaned up."

A look of recognition crosses Deidara's face, and he snickers, having heard the story about Sasuke's interesting argument from Tobi.

Sasuke growls "He's not. Itachi, that isn't funny, you-"

"Sasuke. Get cleaned up now before you catch a cold. I don't want you dripping all over the floor either."

The younger boy glares for a moment before complying, grabbing his companion's hand and tugging the smaller boy along with him.

"Faster little brother. Run."

At his brother's words, Sasuke does run, practically dragging the other boy down the hall and up a flight of stairs.

"Interesting, un. I wonder what the little one has been up to, un.."

"As do I" Itachi agrees.

I give Itachi a questioning look before saying my goodbyes, allowing Deidara to give me a peck on the cheek, and heading out to my car alone.

Author Note: Review and you will be blessed with the superior culinary skills that all Uchiha possess. Click the review button and win free ramen, etc.