If you have come this far, then I'm pretty sure you know what goes in this fic's disclaimer and warnings. - smiles - Gawd! I'm just so lazy to write the usual things.
The blonde made a sound at the back of his throat when his lover started drawing lazy pattern on his back. He snuggled deeper, pressing their tired but satiated bodies closer.
"Your roommate is moving to Kyoto," the Uchiha stated.
"I know. I'm planning to move to a smaller apartment," the blonde said.
"Here."
"Huh?"
"Move in here. With me," the dark-haired male offered seriously.
"But there's only one room."
"Exactly. I can have you anytime I want."
"Pervert!" the blonde muttered and none-to-gently punched him. However, he was blushing at the invitation or to be exact the meaning behind it. The Uchiha was asking him to take another leap. It wasn't bad because he too wanted to be with him.
"I don't want to be a freeloader," he stated and the Uchiha knew he had just accepted his offer. Smart bastard!
"You won't be, but leave the rent to me. We can share the rest of the expenses."
The blonde smiled. "Cool. It be-" He gasped when he felt a finger glide into him. He glanced to his grinning lover who had a predatory glint in his eyes and demanded, "What are you doing?"
"I'm horny and you're conveniently naked and right beside me," he answered matter-of-factly before pushing his lover on his back. The blonde's complain and protest slipped past his lips as nothing but sinful moans.
Chapter 24: Snatched!
Meguri meguru kimi wo tadoru
Boku no sagasu subete ni natta
Hagare ochiru kokoro ga shitteta aishiteru
Kono sora no shitade futari yurari yurari
Mata kaze ni fukare miwo yoseatte yuku
Hitori yogari no aijou wa
Kimi ni todokazu ni samayoutta
-"Roll", Porno Graffiti
Inside the Uchiha mansion, there was a room dubbed as the inner workings of Fugaku's mind. Not only did he spend most of his time in that room, but also that was where difficult decisions were; where plans to make or break and dominate companies were hatched and where promotion and demotion were approved. The man who held that power was sitting behind a wide mahogany desk, catching up what he had missed during those three days he was in France.
"Excuse me, master," the family's head butler said from the door. "Orochimaru-sama and Kabuto-sama are here." At his master's command, the man led the guests in.
"Orochimaru, I apologize for asking you to come here when it's Sunday," Fugaku said for formality's sake. "You too, Kabuto-kun."
Orochimaru chuckled lowly. "We are at your service at all times," the man replied for formality's sake too. Then they took their seats indicated by their employer's hand.
"My trip indicates success," Fugaku began. "Those French will visit our production company sometime this month. Please make sure to inform everyone involved."
There was a pause while Kabuto scribbled the silent command.
"How did your meeting with Takayama go?"
The general manager's tongue peeked out from his lips - a mannerism he never grew out of, reminding anyone who saw it, of a snake. "The man looks like he will be more than happy if we take over his company," he said in his slightly husky and silky voice.
"Your presence might have intimidated him into thinking like that," Fugaku stated lightly. It took a second or so for the other two men to realize that yes, the ever so serious Uchiha had just made a light joke, but by then their employer was now in his usual mood and talking.
"That's understandable. It's the only way to bow out from a business with his name and reputation intact." Obsidian eyes hardened in a split second. "Let's wait for him to knock on our doors before we'll buy him out."
Orochimaru smiled. "But I already sent a team to start evaluating everything. Of course, everything is done in discretion. I hope you don't mind." Of course, he knew Fugaku didn't mind. The reason he liked working under the Uchiha was because he could do whatever he wanted, as long as he did it without compromising the company's reputation; the Uchiha's honor and as long as his goals were parallel to those of Fugaku's. He was the only one in the company who had that much freedom and because of that anyone who didn't know better would think he was Fugaku's business partner.
"No, I don't. But I want a full-detailed report on your meeting with him, as well as the team's investigation."
"Of course."
"I think this all I want from you for today. If you'd like, let's have lunch here. My wife and Sasuke will be arriving soon."
"Thank you, but we have another appointment." Orochimaru cleared his throat and unconsciously did his tongue mannerism. "If I may say so, your taste for beauty is inherited by Sasuke-kun, or is it an Uchiha trait?"
If Fugaku was confused with the man's words he didn't show it. In fact, he was waiting for his subordinate to continue.
"Coincidentally, I have seen his partner. Although, his date doesn't have your lovely wife's beauty, femininity and gracefulness, he was beautiful in his own right. I'm certain he'll be more attractive as years go by." He took a glance at the Uchiha and it was obvious it still hadn't registered to him the pronoun he was using. "They are like day and night... sun and moon perfectly complementing and contrasting each other." He mentally blanched at his poetic personification of both boys. He extended a hand to Kabuto who gave him a manila envelope and he left it on the table.
"We'll take our leave, if you excuse us." The two bowed and left the room.
Orochimaru chuckled lowly, pleased with what he did. He had nothing against the Uchiha. All he wanted was to cause big ripples on the surface of calm waters or a chip on an ice block. That was all.
Fugaku unsealed the envelope, wanting to see the person who was the cause of the subtle change in his younger son's behavior. His eyes widened as he looked at the first picture. Coldness suddenly gripped him. No, it can't be. It just can't be.
One picture had Sasuke and Naruto holding hands while walking under a dim street towards an empty and poor-lit park. The second picture had them both standing by a swing, their lips brushing and eyes half-closed. In the third picture, Naruto was sitting on the swing, his hands on the chains, his neck stretched to its maximum and his head tilted backward. Behind the blonde, Sasuke stood with his left hand covering Naruto's while his other hand was holding the blonde's chin as they shared what looked like a very passionate kiss.
Fugaku closed his eyes willing the pictures to fade and for the bitter and painful memories to go back where they had been for twenty-one years. Why was this part of history repeating? Must he now experience what he made his parents go through during that period? Was this his punishment for rebelling against them? However, what about his letting go of Arashi? Wasn't that enough for a punishment?
Fugaku looked at the pictures disdainfully, leaned back on his chair and started thinking.
-SasuNaru is love-
"Let me have them," Sasuke told his mom and took the paper bags from her. At Mikoto's request, he had accompanied her to shop some bed sheets, pillowcases and curtains.
"You're carrying too much. Besides, its just five steps from the main door," Mikoto replied.
As they took the first step of the short stairs that would lead them to the entrance, the front doors opened and three maids hurried to meet and take the packages from them.
One step above, their butler bowed. "Welcome home. The master wants both of you in his study room." They were soon led to Fugaku's study.
When Mikoto and Sasuke stepped into the room, their spine tingled at the heavy anger and malice hanging above. Since Fugaku had the back of his chair towards them, they couldn't see his face.
"We're here," Mikoto said quietly but calmly.
"Have a seat," Fugaku said before he swiveled his chair to face them. "And take a look at these." He extended the manila envelope to her.
Seeing that he was being ignored, Sasuke wondered if his father asked for him too, or if their butler had just misheard.
Mikoto stared with disbelief at the incriminating pictures. Her heart pounded loudly while her blood rushed everywhere in her body. "How? Why?" she uttered under her breath. This was impossible. They weren't... they couldn't- what happened to the prayers and wishes she made once in while for them not to fall in love? She looked at the confused Sasuke and extended the pictures. "Tell me these were edited by an expert for a sick joke."
Sasuke glanced at the picture and paled- a reaction noted by his father as a telltale. How? Sasuke wondered. They went to that park around eleven in the evening; both he and Naruto had even made sure nobody was there.
"Sasuke?" Mikoto whispered, still waiting for an answer.
The younger male looked away from pleading eyes. "Naruto and I are dating each other," he confessed with a flat voice. Instantly, he could feel his mother emotionally withdrawing away from him like a beautifully blooming flower suddenly wilting and he felt naked and defenseless.
"Hand over your mobile and wallet, Sasuke," Fugaku ordered calmly with threat wrapped around his command.
"Eh? Why?"
Fugaku extended his hand, never bothering to give a reply. The innate fear he had towards his father, made Sasuke obey the command.
"Until I won't ask for you, you'll be with your grandparents."
"What? You can't do that," the lad exploded.
"I'm against it," Mikoto said, her control on her temper dissipating. "Sasuke stays here. I refuse to involve anyone. What will your parents say when they'll know about Sasuke being..." There was a meaningful pause. "... About this!"
"I told my mother that her favorite grandson is involved with someone who's beneath us." Fugaku ignored the dark scowl his second son threw at him. "Knowing her and her pride, she won't discuss such matter with anyone."
"I won't go!"
"And I won't have you doing such despicable thing," Fugaku barked while wondering when did he become like his father. Also, if by calling what his and Arashi's sons shared as despicable, was he also insulting what he had with Arashi?
"Despicable?" Sasuke echoed, his voice and body trembling with suppressed rage. "Is it because we're both males? Or is it because it's Naruto whom you hated ever since?"
The door opened, making his father looked up. The next words that came from the man's mouth angered and made Sasuke more desperate. "My driver will take you there and to ensure that you won't try to escape along the way, I have two bodyguards to watch over you."
A maid entered and informed, "Sasuke-sama's luggage is ready."
Victorious, the Uchiha leader looked at his foolish son. "Leave, Sasuke."
Sasuke frowned. There was something wrong with the situation. Everything was moving too fast and his emergency exits were all sealed. He couldn't even run away because of his father's connections. He looked at his mother who was still on the chair unmoving like a statue and her face turned away from his general direction. The feeling of betrayal welled up in him and it burned his stomach with its acidity. He was alone. All alone, especially now that his partner... his dearest partner had been cut off from him. Tears of desperation fell from his eyes.
Naruto... Naruto... I won't say goodbye.
-SasuNaru is love-
It was almost ten in the evening when Sasuke arrived at his grandparents' house. Stepping inside the sprawling old Japanese house, he saw his grandmother standing by the genkan. Even at the age of sixty-seven, she still carried herself with a snobbish air of aristocracy and gracefulness that made him stiffly formal.
"Good evening, grandmother. Please excuse me for my intrusion," a sullen Sasuke automatically said.
"I hope you had a good trip," she replied softly, pleased to have the lad in her house. She looked at the other gentlemen. "Thank you for bringing Sasuke here." Addressing their butler, she continued, "Guide these men to the rooms the maids prepared. Then have someone bring Sasuke's luggage to his room later on." She then took her leave and Sasuke, knowing he was expected to follow, walked after her.
"You're no stranger to this place," his grandmother said as they stepped inside his room. "So treat this as your home."
"Then allow me to use the phone or the computer," Sasuke beseeched.
The woman's lips pursed. "You aren't allowed. And just so you know, all telephones have access numbers and computer, password."
"Then I'm a prisoner."
"Don't be silly, child. Your life doesn't depend on such technology. Their absence means more time for you to spend time with your grandfather and me. Not to mention your cousin Sai is here since a week ago." And she gave a controlled laughter.
Sasuke growled. Why couldn't they understand that he needed to speak with the blonde? That Naruto was the only one he wanted to spend time with? Naruto, his heart desperately screamed.
-SasuNaru is love-
Naruto had lost count on how many times he took a glance at Sasuke's empty seat while wondering where the bastard was. Was he sick? No, it couldn't be. Sasuke barely got sick and when he did, he'd call him. Unable to take his worrying, he excused himself from the class and went to the restroom where he called Sasuke.
Please pick up, he chanted unconsciously. He scowled when the recorded female voice told him that following the users wish service subscription had been terminated. Did the bastard change his number? No, everything was strange. Something was fishy and his heart was beating too fast. What was this? This feeling that made his heart throbbed slightly.
Hearing the bell signaling the end of a class period, he sprinted back to his classroom and to Gaara's seat. "Call Sasuke's landline."
"?"
Not wanting to waste more time, he snatched his friend's mobile unit and made a call to the Uchiha's residence. And although he was a blacklisted person in the Uchiha household, he directly talked with the butler. "Jisan? Jisan! Is Sasuke okay?"
The butler blinked blankly, his head taking a second or two to recognize the owner of such frantic voice. "Sasuke-sama is fine, but is currently unavailable."
"Eh? Why?"
"He is not here and the staff does not where he is."
"Then he's in danger!"
"Naruto-kun, his parents know his location. Excuse me." Then he quickly ended the call.
The blonde stared at Gaara's handset. Negative thoughts and painful assumptions came swirling in his mind.
His parents know his location.
With that in mind, he left the classroom running.
"What's wrong with him?" Kiba asked.
"Is Sasuke-kun sick?" Sakura wondered loud enough to be heard by her friends.
All of them looked up when Gaara calmly stood up and left the room.
"Not here," Naruto murmured when he couldn't find Juugo in his classroom. Where were Suigetsu, Juugo and Karin? He had gone to the Student Council office and to their respective classrooms but they weren't there. Should he check the rooftop? With nothing to lose, he decided to do so.
"Did something happen?" Gaara asked when he found his friend. But instead of answering him, Naruto just grabbed his hand and dragged him to wherever he was going.
-SasuNaru is love-
"You prick!" Karin growled and lunged towards the annoying Suigetsu, intent to punch the living daylights out of him when she was brought short. "Yes?" she snapped at the blonde then slightly grimaced when she received a withering look from the redhead.
Juugo and Suigetsu looked at them.
"Ummm... you see," Naruto began. "I... Can you call Sasuke's residence?"
"Why should we?" Suigetsu drawled, an eyebrow arching.
Karin adjusted her eyeglasses, obviously waiting for the big scope.
Naruto chuckled dryly. How was he going to answer that question? Should he lie or tell them the truth? And if he would do the latter, how much light should he shed on the matter?
"Naruto owes Uchiha a fight or two," Gaara explained, "but it seems he's running away."
"Sasuke Uchiha never runs from a fight," Juugo said in conviction.
"His absence says otherwise," Gaara countered, "Unless you know the reason why he's not here." Then he turned his gaze to the contemplating Karin, "Don't you even wonder where your Sasuke-kun is?"
Hers?! Naruto repeated mentally, obviously annoyed, but he remained quiet.
Karin slightly blushed and giggled.
"If you wanted to know where he is, why don't you call his residence?" Suigetsu suggested while giving them a toothy smile.
"Whatever, prick," the female growled at Sugietsu while she pulled out her cellular phone. "Okay, give me the number."
The Uchiha butler gave Karin the same information he had given Naruto. When the girl told him that there was a project that needed Sasuke's approval, she was transferred to Mikoto. Unfortunately, the Uchiha mistress just apologized sincerely and gave the same information.
After the disappointing call, Karin relayed the information and Naruto's system went to autopilot mode. He thanked them with a polite bow- a move that surprised the three SC members and left.
Naruto sat on the stairs and Gaara followed suit. For a long time, silence hung over them until the former drew a shaky breath.
"Gaara, I think I just lost Sasuke," he whispered. He took a big gulp of air to swallow the lump of tears. His heart felt so heavy and it felt weird. He had always thought that Sasuke would always be with him, so his sudden disappearance caught him off guard. And to make matters worst, nobody could help him, not even Itachi. The man was in London for a business trip and he'd be there for a long time and he- Naruto didn't have his contact number.
"He'll come back," Gaara told him, "because, as corny as it may sound, you're his most important person and he'd hate to make you cry."
A second later, Naruto was smiling. "If he doesn't come back, I'll just have to continue looking for him." Because he's my most important person too! Was the unsaid statement and Gaara knew that. "Thanks, Gaara."
Gaara just nodded, and side-by-side, they walked back to their classroom with Naruto in a better mood.
... And I hate to see you cry or sad.
-SasuNaru is love-
Ino stretch her arms sideward, took a deep breath and exhaled. Beside her, Tenten let out an appreciative sound as she stared at the blue water sparkling under the bright sun. "Nothing beats being in the beach during summer!"
"Being in bed does," Shikamaru grumbled. They had met up around half past three in the morning, took the four A.M. bus to arrive at the place around nine. Although he had slept during the ride, it wasn't enough, especially when Kiba, Naruto, Ino and Sakura made such a huge ruckus.
The four girls looked at each other and grinned.
"We're going to find a place," Sakura airily said, as if they were doing the males a favor.
"While you get our bags to our room," Ino finished for her best friend. Except for Hinata who gently placed her bag on the sand, the three females dropped theirs carelessly.
"Make sure you don't drag them and properly place them in one corner of our room, got it?" Tenten commanded threateningly.
"Thanks, guys," Hinata said before following the others.
"Damn. They talk as if we're their errand boys," an annoyed Kiba muttered.
"Let's show them our manly strength," the enthusiastic Lee told them as he flexed his arm muscles. He picked two bags and found himself unable to straighten himself. "What the?" He picked one bag and even with that he staggered to his feet.
Kiba wasn't faring better. "Fuck! Aren't they the ones who told us to travel light?"
Chouji grunted as he heaved Ino's rather large bag. Shikamaru sighed, muttered something about girls, then took Chouji's bag so his best friend could concentrate on carrying Ino's 'anvil'.
Naruto was about to bend down when Gaara beat him to it. The redhead's poker face remained as he carried Sakura's bag.
Shino and Neji followed them quietly.
-SasuNaru is love-
After playing 'strike the watermelon' and eating the juicy fruit to their heart's content, Naruto rolled to his feet, stretched his body and said, "I'll never grow tired coming here! Guys, I'm going to take a walk."
"Be careful, ok?" Sakura said, still worried of his friend. Although Naruto was back to his cheerful self, she sometimes could see glimpses of loneliness in his eyes. "Make sure you have your mobile unit with you."
"Don't worry. I'm a grown up boy, mom." He hightailed when his pink-haired friend reached for the baseball bat.
-SasuNaru is love-
Tick tock. Tick tock.
Sasuke's heart and mind chorused with the wall clock in his room of his grandparents' beach house. He was bored and he was going insane. Was this what it felt like? To be excommunicated?
He buried his face into his pillow to stifle his growl. The sound of the crashing waves didn't help him either. It reminded him of the blueness of the sea, which in turn reminded of cornflower blue eyes. He was bored. He missed the blonde. He was going insane. And his moping in the room for two days made him feel worse. Not that talking with his grandparents would make him feel better and he wasn't desperate enough to talk with his cousin Sai. The last time he had talked with him had been a week ago, when he- Sasuke wanted to borrow his mobile unit. Unfortunately, his cousin was sent to their grandparents' place similar to his state- penniless and with no mobile phone. For what reason and purpose? He didn't ask because he didn't care and had no interest.
Sighing, he rolled from bed and decided to take a swim.
"Sasuke, the Nakamuras are coming tonight. This is a perfect change for you to get reacquainted with their dainty daughter," his grandmother said sweetly.
"I don't recall meeting their daughter."
"Of course, you did."
"I'm going to take a swim," he said and took his beach towel.
"You're going to dine with us, no?"
Sasuke paused and looked over his shoulder. "If I don't have anything else to do."
The proud woman smiled. Her favorite grandson would definitely attend because he had nothing else to do.
The dinner with the Nakamura conveniently slipped from his mind when he stepped outside. He indifferently walked the cobblestones that would lead to the beach and a minute later, he faltered in his steps.
Oh God! Don't let it be a trick of light.
After wandering aimlessly and savoring the salty and cool sea breeze, Naruto stood by the cliff. Below him, the waves violently crashed against the jagged slope, violently reshaping it on their whim. At every thunderous crash, hundreds of droplets splattered everywhere and few of them landed on Naruto's shirt, leaving wet stains.
He took his cellular phone and dialed Sasuke's number. He didn't understand why he was still doing it but he did and he couldn't stop himself. He listened to the recorded message twice before he cut the call. A second later, he had his hands cupped around his mouth.
"SASUKE!" he screamed, the sound of the crashing waves drowning his scream. But why would he care? His voice won't reach the object of his thoughts. He was just doing this to dislodge the pent up loneliness within him. Over and over again, he shouted his name.
"SA-SU-KE!" he screamed for the nth time, his throat aching. He took a deep breath. "SA-"
"Noisy, aren't you?" a familiar voice commented behind him making him swallow the remaining syllables. Slowly, ever so slowly, he turned around and his blue eyes widened. Standing in front of him, was none other than a smirking Sasuke.
Had the water sprites, if they truly existed, took pity of him and made an illusion? While wondering, Naruto watched as his boyfriend strutted towards him. He sucked his breath when Sasuke draped his pale left arm over his right shoulder and leaned against him. At that moment, his scent and warmth wrapped around Naruto, awakening his senses.
"Fancy meeting you here," Sasuke whispered, his hot breath making his boyfriend shiver. He wondered if Naruto could hear it, the rapid beating of his heart? Could the blonde see it? The relief and happiness of seeing him once more in the most unlikely place? The restlessness he felt had ceased and there was serenity inside him. He felt he was at home.
"That should be my line," Naruto replied softly. He turned his head to look at Sasuke and the latter immediately pressed his lips against the other pair.
While Sasuke savored Naruto's taste, Naruto savored the feeling of having him like this, with his tongue exploring his warm cavern. When Sasuke pulled back, Naruto followed him, and initiated another kiss. This time, it was his turn to explore, taste and conquer. For a while, Sasuke let him have his way.
Sasuke's left hand slowly traveled over Naruto's right arm while his right hand mirrored the act on the blonde's left arm. He moved it slowly, making sure to leave hot trails and to awaken each pore under his caress. Not long after, his hands were around the blonde's waist pulling him closer.
Naruto moaned Sasuke's name into his mouth while he let his hand slide across his lover's chest before settling it on pale nape to clasp his hands together. At the back of his mind, the blonde swore that if this were just a dream, he would certainly jump off from the first cliff he'd see.
After the long stirring kiss, they pressed their heads while trying to steady their breathing.
Sasuke pulled back from the blonde who still had his eyes closed. "Don't you want to see me?" he teasingly asked.
"I'm afraid if I open my eyes, I'll find out that you're not really here," Naruto answered truthfully. "I want to see Sasuke so much that I'm aching with it." And because he had his eyes closed, he missed the look that settled on the dark-haired lad's face.
Sasuke cupped his chin and thumbed his swollen lips. He gulped and assured softly, "I'll be here. I promise you that." And he waited for what almost look like a snatch of eternity before eyelids fluttered open and gazed directly into his eyes. "Hi, dobe," he greeted arrogantly.
Naruto pushed away from him and angrily pointed his finger towards him. "You! How could you worry me like that! Where the hell are you? What was this all about?"
The Uchiha sighed. However, instead of diving into discussing their problem, Sasuke stretched a hand towards his blonde. "Let's go somewhere and then I'll tell you." The blonde could have accused him for buying his time but there was something with his voice that brought the former short. He placed his hand on the offered one and the other male didn't waste another second to pull him to wherever they were going. It didn't matter to Naruto where, as long as he and Sasuke were together.
…Together…
They trek the slippery and slightly submerged stones, wade into ankle-deep murky water, entered a cave and crawled but in the end, the trouble had been worth it.
Naruto's eyes widened at the scenic view in front of him. It was the bluest part of the sea he had ever seen in his life. It was calm and perfect that he felt like he was in front of something sacred. And the cave they were in was a nature-lover's treasure itself. They were standing on fine sands that glittered under the shafts of sunlight that filtered through the small holes above them.
The place was so beautiful and similar to what Sasuke had told him back when they were kids.
"So you weren't lying back then," Naruto said, feeling ashamed that he had accused his friend of doing so.
Sasuke snorted. "Of course not. But you were so-"
"But the way you described this place to me was almost unreal," he reasoned out. "And this place looks unreal," Sasuke heard Naruto murmur. Then blue eyes stared at him. "Sasuke, you... you still remember..."
Sasuke casually shrugged his shoulders as if what he did was of no importance. "I figured that with you around the area, it was a day as good as any to keep the promise I made to you when we were kids and bring you here."
Naruto could only shake his head in slight amusement. It had been a promise he had shrugged off, thinking that the place was just a figment of his imagination, and yet Sasuke... Damn! The bastard just made him love him deeper. Damn!
Naruto dropped to the ground and Sasuke followed suit. He stretched his legs in front of him and leaned back on his elbows. "And the reason you got spirited away was?" he asked teasingly.
Sasuke took a deep breath and said, "My father knows about us. He had pictures of us in his possession and he immediately sent me at my grandparents' place. Then two days ago, we came here for a short vacation."
Naruto sullenly looked at the ceiling. His joy of seeing Sasuke once more had crumbled upon knowing that Fugaku knew. Would he be as understanding and accepting as his father? Now that he thought about it, probably not. Hmm...nope, definitely not a possibility. It would kill the proud man to be out of character.
Even though Sasuke had remained quiet and his back turned to him, Naruto knew he was waiting for his reaction... expecting it even. He gulped silently. "Then I guess I have to get my suits ready. Or perhaps my school uniform would be fine," he said lightly and he had his idiotic grin ready when Sasuke looked at him.
The Uchiha immediately caught on and he smirked. "I suggest suits. It would create a good impression on him when he invites you for dinner."
"I'm already shaking at such thought. Your mother will definitely join us and-"
"You'll suffer more than I did with uncle. But if you survive, a mind-blowing sex awaits you."
Naruto blushed as an image appeared in his mind. "Who was the bastard who took those pictures?"
"I don't know, but it must be one of my fangirls." Argh! Such arrogance, but so Sasuke-like.
"Must be a fan of our relationship."
Lies... all lies exchanged lightly and with poker face. They both knew the other was lying, joking and pretending and they knew the other knew. But so what? So what if everything was a lie? If in and through it they'd find the truth of them being together.
The two looked at each other and lies and truth disintegrated into nothingness. There was just a big gap between them threatening to swallow them alive if they wouldn't do anything about it.
In a blink of an eye, Sasuke lunged at him while Naruto jerked him forward. And their clash of intimacy was rough, urgent and brimming with the feelings that had coursed through them during those days of separation.
-SasuNaru is love-
Sakura crossed her arms in front her chest, her left pointer finger tapping on an arm. She was growing impatient but wasn't the only one.
"Where. Is. That. Idiot?" She asked loudly on behalf of everyone. They had agreed to meet by six to have dinner and everybody was there except the blonde.
"He's not answering my call," Ino said. "Or to be exact, his unit is out of coverage area."
"Does that mean something bad has happened to Naruto-kun?" a very worried Hinata asked.
"He's a good swimmer," Kiba immediately assured her.
"Even good swimmers aren't safe from muscles cramps," Neji stated coolly.
"He must have been spirited away," Lee chipped in.
"There's a higher chance of him falling from a cliff than being spirited away," Tenten said.
"He's fine," Gaara almost snapped coldly. "I don't know where he is but I know he's fine."
Everybody fell quiet. If Gaara said so, then it must be true. After all, the redhead shared a deeper bond with Naruto.
"Let's just wait for him for awhile," Shino suggested.
Sasuke spread tanned legs wider as he roughly shoved himself deeper. At the left corner of his eyes, he could see Naruto's beach sandal dangling by his toe, and to him it was an erotic sight.
"Nngh... Sa..." Naruto panted, his fingers digging into the sand. "Sasu-"
"I can't hold back anymore," Sasuke breathed between nibbles on his ear.
"Then don't. I'm about to..." The remaining words melted and gave way to a scream as he reached his second orgasm. He moaned when he felt Sasuke ejaculate inside of him.
Perfection.
"Naruto isn't coming," Chouji said. "We might as well alert the authorities."
Shikamaru wiped sleepiness from his eyes. "It would be better if we searched for him before alerting anyone." He waited for anyone to protest, but everybody was looking at him, expecting him to continue. "We'll break into one-man team except for the girls." He looked at them. "Stay together. Don't trust anyone." Then he addressed the whole group, "I want feedback every ten minutes either through MMS or call."
"How long are we going to look for him?" Kiba asked.
"That depends on everybody's feedback. Okay, for your areas..."
On his hands and knees, a dazed Naruto stared into the blue sea with its surface shining like glass under the full moon. A dark moan erupted from his mouth as Sasuke entered him from behind. There was no pain, just pleasure and an aching need.
His toes curled, his throat constricted at the onslaught of sensation. He shook his head trying to fight the clouds of inevitable orgasm. He could feel Sasuke... burning and pulsating.
Sasuke grunted as he pushed deeper and thrust harder. Naruto was tightening around him, clasping unto him in a very good way. He was close...very close but he didn't slow down... couldn't.
"Sasukeh! Sasu... is," he choked as he felt hot liquid spurting from his lover.
Bliss
For every second that ticked into minutes, worry and concern grew within the girls to the point of being palpable.
"His phone is still out of coverage area," Hinata said.
"When we find that idiot, he'll definitely get it from me!" Sakura growled. Her world shook when she bumped into someone. Fighting the glare off her face, she looked up and the apology died in her lips.
"Sasuke-kun?" she whispered, shocked.
"Close. I'm his cousin- Sai," the man replied with an empty smile on his lips.
At that moment, they could see the striking difference between this Sai and Sasuke.
"Then do you know where Sasuke-kun is right now?" Ino asked. Naruto would be glad if there was news about his boyfriend's location.
"No idea but I did saw him three hours ago dragging a blonde away from a cliff."
"Blonde?" Tenten repeated. "Was he a male? A tanned male?"
"I was far from them but yes... a tanned blond male. They were in a hurry," he added.
"Are you sure of this?" Sakura and Ino asked impatiently while leaning too close towards him. Sai leaned backwards, away from the frightening girls. "Of course. My eyes had never deceived me."
The girls shared a look that stirred wariness within the young man. Tenten smiled. "We'd like to see your identity card please."
"Eh? W-why?" These girls were getting creepy. Were they possible stalkers?
"Just so we can kill you if you're mistaken." Was it just a trick of light or did they look like predators just now?
"I said-" he was caught off by a camera flash. What the?
"I took a picture of him," Hinata told them. The other three seemed to be satisfied with his picture, as they didn't ask for his identity card.
"Thank you," the girls chorused too cutely for his taste before leaving him. He needed water and aspirin.
Pale hands expertly caressed the tanned inner thighs, almost distracting Naruto from his torture. Almost. The blonde through half-mast eyes looked down at his lover and smirked. He moved up high enough for the tip of Sasuke's engorged manhood to just brush against his puckered hole.
Sasuke growled when he wriggled his hips. When he let the blonde straddled him and gave him control, he didn't know he'd be playing this titillating game of torture and teasing. He rolled his hand around the head of Naruto's erection before thumbing his slit, spreading more precum.
"Sasuke," the blonde breathed and slowly, he sunk downward sheathing Sasuke once again.
"Naruto," Sasuke groaned with need as the blonde started riding him once more. God! He could never get enough of him... never. He thrust upward matching the blonde... speed-by-speed; force-by-force; heat-by-heat.
It wasn't long before their cries echoed throughout the cave as they came together. Then, Naruto slumped on top of Sasuke.
The blonde wanted to tell him how much he loved him but just like before the heavy words got stuck in his throat. He pushed himself up and stared at the man beneath him.
Ne, will you ever know without me saying the words?
He gazed down at him like a man who found something he had lost and which he knew he would lose once more. He looked at him in a manner that made Sasuke's heart bleed. He stared at him with eyes… eyes that were too unfathomable with an emotion the Uchiha couldn't lay a finger on.
Naruto laid a gentle kiss on his forehead, his cheeks, his nose and his chin. He put a small distance between their heads. He whispered his name. Sasuke pressed their lips together and rolled them so he'd be on top. Like before and in the future, Naruto bloomed under his touches.
Completeness.
-SasuNaru is love-
By the first ray of the sun streaking through the sky, Sasuke and Naruto stood by the sand dunes where they would part from each other. The sea breeze toyed with their wet hair strands while they waited for each other to say a temporary goodbye.
Sasuke sighed. "See you."
Naruto nodded, "Yeah." Yet neither of them moved away. Taking that one step away from each other was harder than they thought it would be. Naruto did move but towards the Uchiha, not away. Wordlessly, he took Sasuke's lips for a kiss and a make-out ensued.
When Naruto arrived in the hotel, he found Gaara by the hotel's terrace.
"You're up already," he stated.
Gaara looked at his friend who was glowing with happiness that was tainted with sadness and uncertainty. He nodded without bothering to tell that he hadn't slept all night because he was still worried, even though he was with Sasuke. Naruto didn't have to know about that, just like his feelings for him.
-SasuNaru is love-
Another week had passed before Sasuke found himself back at his parents' house and in his father's study room.
"Your mother is against the idea of you quitting Konoha high and leave for London when you're graduating this school year," Fugaku explained. "So I'll allow you to go back to Konoha, but you won't establish any form of contact with Arashi's son by any means." Sasuke scowled. "When I will learn that you did, I'll send you to London despite what Mikoto says." It wasn't a threat or a bluff. His father, Sasuke realized, was serious. But what would he choose?
Go to Konoha, see the blonde, but never interact with him. Or, go to London, where Naruto would never be there.
The choices were painful but he had to choose the lesser evil. He swallowed before looking back at his parents.
TBC
This is the longest chapter in ATT. 24 pages!
And now for notes:
Breaking the watermelon. You probably have seen it on some animes/mangas/doujinshi. Japanese do that at the beach as a game. The one who'd hit the watermelon would be blindfolded, would be turned once or twice and walked to where he thought the watermelon was. He had to listen to his friends who would be coaching his directions, be it correct or wrong. Then he would hit the fruit with a baseball bat. Then later on, they'd eat it.
For the uniform and suits: In Japan, school uniform is considered a formal attire. One can even attend a formal ceremony like wedding wearing a school uniform without being criticized.