Title: The Ukette
Author: myinukoi
Pairing: SasuNaru, NejiNaru, GaaNaru, ShikaNaru, ChouNaru, KakaNaru, ShinoNaru, KibaNaru, ItaNaru, SaiNaru.
Warning: Yaoi/Shounen-ai, second attempt at humor, serious OOCness, unbeta-ed, language (swearing), kinda AU (but they are still ninjas...just in a different environment), etc, etc...
Disclaimer: The characters portrayed in this story do not belong to me, but to the Naruto anime/manga series by Masashi Kishimoto. This is all fiction; No profit was made from this story so hence, I bear no responsibility for anything you may claim of this story.
Dedication to: (Challenge winner:) hurleysuki. Her and her alone! I'm glad that challenge was hard so she deserves some real props! The answer was from the Dave Chappelle comedy stand up Killing Them Softly. It was hilarious.
(Birthdays): xxsasunaru4evaxx (May 22), BlankityBlankBlank (Febuary 22)--Wow. That reminds me how long ago my update was...
Happy Birthday:D
(A/N: Don't feel hesitant to tell me your birthday in a review! I'll give you a dedication!)
Bold: Confessional Room
Italics: Flashback (There will be tons of flashbacks in this chapter! xD)
C h a p t e r 7: Cherries and Bananas: Part II
Naruto glanced once more at his tight schedule.
Name:-------: Place:------- Time:
Sai----- Main Living Room----- 3:00 PM
Kakashi---------Bedroom 5---------- 3:35 PM
Kiba------- Garden 1-------- 4:05 PM
Shino--------- Garden 4--------- 4:35 PM
Gaara----------- Main Fountain------------ 5:05 PM
Neji------- Semes' Dorm Loft---------- 5:35 PM
Itachi----- Elimination Room----- 6:05 PM
Shikamaru---------Garden 2---------- 6:35 PM
Sasuke------- Bedroom 3-------- 7:05 PM
Chouji--------- Dining Room--------- 7:35 PM
Neji------- Semes' Dorm Loft---------- 5:35 PM
He reentered the mansion and walked up the stairs to the room that was the center of all the other Semes' dorms.
He was greeted by Neji who, neatly cross-legged like a perfect gentleman...
Naruto's Confessional: Or a fag...
...was calmly reading a magazine.
G.4.Y-4-U: New Trends! Look So Sexy, That You'll Change Any Straight Man's Mind!!
"Um...wow, Neji. I didn't know you were into those kinds of magazines..."
The opal-eyed boy didn't blush as Naruto expected him to. The Hyuuga simply nodded and smiled. "Aa, Naruto-kun. This is the magazine that helped me make you mine."
Naruto decided to not correct the 'genius' and tell him he was not his, he was not anybody's. He instead decided to focus on how Neji believed that magazine helped him with that.
"How so?" The blond was glad that he didn't have to ask the embarrassing question of 'When did you fall in love with me??' and all that bull.
"Well, remember that one time when I..."
-(Flashback)-
"Neji, why are you in this big line...? " Naruto questioned.
Naruto was ready to go home after his solo mission in Waterfall Country. Yet a long line of determined females (and Neji) were causing some serious traffic around the exit/entrance of the foreign main gates.
"Naruto? Why are you in Waterf--"
"Mission. Why are you in Waterfall and why are you in this ridiculous line?"
Neji smiled and unfurled a rolled up magazine (G.4.Y-4-U) to reveal an ad in its center.
"I'm auditioning for a photo shoot!"
"For...Herbal Essence?" Naruto blinked.
Neji emitted stars and his eyes glowed with wonder.
"Yes. Herbal Essence. My savior."
The blond internally rolled his eyes. "First destiny and fate were your saviors. Then I was after the Chuunin exams. Now Herbal Essence? Well, aren't you the damsel in distress?"
Pupil-less eyes glared at cerulean. Sometimes, Naruto was so...argh!
"Well, I'm in no hurry to get back to Konoha. Failed the mission and I'll pretty much do anything to avoid Tsunade's wrath." Naruto shrugged.
Neji raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow. "Even be in a shampoo ad?"
Naruto nodded, blond locks dipping and rising with every shake of the head. "Even be in a shampoo ad... if it's with you of course."
Neji saved his own ego by forcefully convincing himself that red was not tainting his cheeks.
Several hours later, Neji and Naruto found themselves in the front of the line. The Hyuuga was annoyed because it seems that the small blond fell asleep during the long wait. Neji couldn't just leave the blond on the street near so many leering eyes so he carried his friend on his back and waited patiently for his turn. Of course he put his hair in a high ponytail to keep it from becoming disarrayed during his big break.
"Ya'll two pretty asses get in here and make it quick. It's not like they're gonna pick you two fags anyway." A gruff bodyguard snorted.
Naruto was stirred awake by the hoarse voice and his competitive 'give you hell' demeanor emerged in a blinding fury.
"I'll have you know, dumbfuck, that this second-rate country is dealing with Konoha's most lovely bachelors: Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Neji. Did I mention–Uzumaki Naruto?!"
Naruto dramatically leaped off of Neji's sore back and stood, legs spread apart in a triumphant pose, his fist pumped into the air in victorious pride. Actually, if you ignore the drool seeping down his chin and the sleep crust around his eyes, he could truly pass as a confident, intelligent, symbol of authority
...Er ...kinda?
The large man laughed heartily, a deep bellow that resonated from his tummy and upward, seemingly making the world around him vibrate, and he then patted Naruto's blond mop of hair, affectionately.
His heavy, calloused hand however was caught with quick Hyuuga grace by none other than a very disgruntled Neji.
"In case you have forgotten," he bitterly reminded the man, "this is a casting for hair shampoo. Our locks will need to be in tip-top shape and I would appreciate it if you kept your hands to yourself." Neji's cold, calm articulation, heavily contrasted with his previous lively, jaunty, gay self and the man was surprised.
Naruto made no effort to comment on the teen's behavior when he pushed through the door (and roughly past the bodyguard) being dragged the entire way.
The two shinobi stood before a small group of stern looking elders that seemed as though they had no business judging teen's hair for a popular shampoo ad.
For approximately three minutes, neither party made a single comment. Naruto fidgeted, nervous under their scrutinizing gaze. After a long moment of silence, the middle man in the older group spoke.
"Oi! Riko! Yuki! Get your teams and get these two in hair and make up. Photo shoot in two hours. Make it quick and nice."
Naruto's mouth was agape. How could such a professional, scary looking guy sound like such a Queer Eye for the Straight Guy devotee?
Hm...well, that's the industrial fashion/cosmetic business for you.
Neji smirked smugly at Naruto as if to say, 'I told you so. This is our big break.'
Cobalt blue eyes narrowed in apprehension and nervousness. "Neji, I'm not sure about this. I'm kinda frightened now. Do you think Konoha will be okay with us making dumbass advertisements instead of protecting out village? What will Hiashi say when he finds out you did this in the name of the Hyuuga clan? What will Tsunade say when she finds out I'm getting pimped out instead of returning my mission report? What will--"
Neji placed clean, moisturized fingers on Naruto's pink, perk lips; effectively shushing him.
"What would you say if I told you I really don't give a flying shit?"
Naruto gasped, yet was unable to respond as he and his brunette friend were whisked away by excited cosmetic artists.
As he was hurriedly put into a rather comfortable seat, he felt tears welling up in his eyes because these employees weren't even preparing him for his photo shoot. They were rather pulling at his hair and cheeks, commenting on how cute he was, would he like a date, and other forms of general flirting.
It seemed that within the span of two long, aggravating, excessive hours, they were finally done with simply washing his hair, gelling it a bit, cleaning his face, and changing his clothes. Why it took a team of twelve more than a quick thirty minutes to complete that task was beyond Naruto's comprehension.
When Naruto met with Neji again right before the shoot, he was quite surprised to find that the older boy looked very (long, glossy hair reflecting the lights of the camera lights) erm... (a black, tight, sleeveless turtleneck. dark baggy pants that barely stayed on his thin hips, allowing a thin sliver of pale milky skin to be made visible) why do his eyes...? (pupil-less orbs of pure ivory glowed with unbidden amusement and lus--) look kinda...
...Horny??
Er... Naruto shrugged. He probably got a blowjob from one of those horny cosmeticians. Poor them. No one can resist Neji's hair...
Neji leered openly when he first saw Naruto. The blond's hair, if possible, shined more than before (he sighed dreamily...the work of Herbal no doubt...), truly rivaling the sun. The bright, bleached highlights of his hair now stood more pronounced, it's hot white blond contrasted beautifully with the pure based deep gold. (lovely...) His thin, lithe arms seemed so delicate outside the slightly puffy black, fur-line hooded winter unzipped vest. A white gold chain dangled down to his bare tanned chest. (I could kiss every square inch...) Denim, ebony, hip huggers showed a patch of golden skin and tight muscles where the two items of clothing did not meet. (yum! yum!)
Neji was also ecstatic to discover that Naruto seemed just as impressed by his new look.
"Stop oogling each other, bishounens, and get over here! The shoot is to begin!!"
The two blushed, Naruto more than Neji, and allowed themselves to pulled to the assigned positions, Neji more than Naruto.
The boys were behind a pure white background and Naruto could only acquire that this photo shoot would be based on winter instead of the current season: fall. Assuming the background and their clothing...
The shoot began immediately. The two were in very enticing, yet heartwarming poses that had the crew of the shoot sighing dreamily or giggling perversely.
One shot was with the brunette carrying the blond on his back, the fan in the background allowed their hair to drift with lovely, inhuman grace.
Another, with them holding onto one another as though they are preparing for a formal dance, but rather they are still as their hair frolics around them.
And the winning shot occurred right after the photographer decided to bring fruits into the final frame.
A single, vivid red cherry was giving to the two. Naruto playfully put the stem of the fruit in between his perk, pink lips.
Neji could no longer control himself as he took the round, red bulb that dangled against the blond's chin half way into his mouth. Even with his mouth partially full, he was able to make a smug, sexy smirk appear in turn to Naruto's blushed surprised look. Both of their eyes, however, were hidden beneath their windswept highlighted locks.
The last shot had their hair clashing in the man-made wind like night and day. The shot was edited to have them and their surroundings in black and white, the brilliant, crimson cherry the only source of color.
(AN: Shit. I should be a photo director! What the hell am I doing on my computer? Oh. Making my reviewers happy of course. xD)
By late November, the lovely picture was pasted on every billboard, fastened to every source of public transportation, famed on every magazine, and under the mattress of nearly every boy and girl within a ten thousand mile radius of Waterfall.
Naruto's failed mission was easily forgiven by Tsunade when she saw his and Neji's picture in the Konoha Tribune. Also, that he of course offered her his acquired money from the shoot.
Neji, however, was less fortunate when he met up with his fellow shinobi teammates in Konoha. Even Gaara visited from Suna to join the banded group, led by Rookie Nine's males.
Even though Neji was hospitalized for three months after the incident, his famous pic, granted lifetime supply of Herbal Essence (which he used up in a year), and Naruto's kind nursing, made it seem worthwhile.
-(End Flashback)-
"Hey, Neji!! That's when all those boys suddenly confessed to me! That was because of you?"
The other rolled his eyes and picked up his magazine from the center table, flipping to find his lost page.
"I would guess so..." he shrugged.
"You don't seem to care..." the blond frowned.
"Why should I? I'm going to win anyway..."
Naruto internally growled at Neji's vanity. "I wouldn't be so sure of that considering the present you got me..."
"What!! You didn't like my present?"
"Some fucking gum and chopsticks, Neji?! I'm easily pleased...but c'mon!!"
"I never knew you were so spoiled, Uzumaki. Maybe caring for you will be more difficult then I imagined..."
"You dirty son of a bitch!! If you don't want me than you can fucking leave this competition! No one's forcing you to be here!"
Neji pouted and dropped his mag, pulling the smaller teen into his lap. "Aww, Naru-kun. Don't get like that. You know I looooove you..." The last part was muffled as Neji begin to nuzzle the other male's neck. "Forgive me?"
Naruto smiled. Sometimes Neji could be so cute. "Fine." he hushed, turning his head down so his blush was hidden.
When Neji began placing minuscule kisses onto the other's neck, Naruto's eyes shot open.
Naruto's Confessional: Oh no!! It's Sai all over again!!
Before Neji could even blink, a blond blur was out of his arms and down the stairs. Instead of chasing the younger one, he shrugged, refolded his legs like the perfect gentleman he was brought up to be, picked up his gay magazine and continued to read.
Neji: It was nice. I really think Naruto enjoyed it. ((Continues to read G.4.Y- 4-U))
Naruto: Neji is so...strange. Is he worth figuring out or should I just eliminate him? Gah!! This competition is becoming so difficult! ((Pulls hair))
Itachi----- Elimination Room----- 6:05 PM
Naruto skipped over to the elimination room. The spherical area was empty, Itachi nowhere in sight. So the impatient blond decided to be out of character and withstand the wait.
After ten minutes, the ex-missing-nin appeared. The doors burst open with a loud BANG! and Itachi glided through the wooden aperture as it he was skating on air. He gracefully stopped in front of the blond, he slowly unbuttoned his dark collar, with each pop! the younger boy's eyes grew larger in amazement.
"Sugoi..." Naruto breathed in astonishment.
The beautiful man chuckled at the blond's response.
Naruto, on the other hand, was amazed. If Kakashi looked this good when he arrived late, maybe it would be easier for him to find it in his golden heart to forgive him.
Itachi, also thought that the blond looked very appealing. A cute blush decorated his cheeks and his eyes sparkled in adorance and utter cuteness. A winning shy smile completed the adorable look.
The only thing this scene seemed to lack at this point were random floating bubbles, feathers and/or cherry blossom petals, though whenever Itachi looked down at Naruto's angelic, endearing face, he could envision these missing items with surprising clarity.
"I apologize for my tardiness. I had to prepare for our meeting Naruto-kun."
"But, Itachi? It's 6:20. You had over three hours!!"
"Eternity is not enough time to prepare for you, Naruto-kun..."
Naruto's Confessional: Aww...(blush) what a way with words...
"Okay!" the blond beamed. "I forgive you."
Itachi's lip quirked upward in a poor imitation of Naruto's brilliant smile.
"So..Itachi. D'ya mind me asking you a few questions...?"
"No problem, Naruto-kun."
"Ano...why do you wear your Akatsuki uniform? Haven't you disbanded?"
Itachi twirled in a circle. "It's stylish, no?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Of course. Red clouds are all the rage..."
Itachi smiled at the obvious sarcasm. "Any other questions?"
"When did you–er? When did you become interested in me?"
Itachi has never been so amused. Being with the blond allowed him to indulge in countless little humors. These seven minutes with the blond allowed him to smile more than he had in his twenty-two years of life.
"Well you see... it started back when I was a member of Akatsuki, naturally..."
-(Flashback)-
Itachi felt a little perverted at first, watching a beautiful twelve-year-old child through his daily routines, alone. He regretted allowing Kisame to rent a hotel while he watched the Kyuubi kid. He reminded himself that it was a mission. Yet, as he went throughout the day watching the blond with stalkeresque fascination, he quickly forgot about his feeling of self-consciousness.
He twirled a kunai in between his fingers as he waited patiently for the blond to emerge from the Ichiraku ramen stand. Naruto came out, licking his lips happily, after his satisfactory meal. Itachi clutched the kunai in his tightened fist.
Tch...the boy was such a tease.
He followed the adolescent teen throughout the day, his hands shook uncontrollably as he watched how Konoha civilians reacted to the blond's presence. Love, awe, and lust.
When the handle to his first kunai broke in his rage, he calmly replaced it with another one and continued to twirl the weapon around his fingers lazily.
After a continuous twelve hours of watching the younger child intently, he found Kisame waiting for him at the base of the tree he was perched upon; right outside Naruto-kun's apartment.
"He's sleeping," Kisame called up. "What else is there to watch? C'mon, Itachi. We're both tired and I rented us a room hours ago... let's sleep. We'll continue observing the Kyuubi in the morning."
"He could wake up in the middle of the night. It seems he ran out of ramen. He'll need some for breakfast tomorrow. Place on a genjutsu and go fetch him some." Itachi called back down, his eyes never leaving the bedroom window where Naruto slept.
Kisame grumbled his disapproval. They were meant to watch the child, not feed him. He let his partner know exactly how he felt about the order.
"Hmm...anyone sense obsession? And I'm not talking about the Kyuubi fox..."
-(End Flashback)-
"Gah! You cared for me even when you were back in Akatsuki?" Naruto yelled, pointing an accusing finger at Itachi.
"Aa." The young man confirmed.
"How did the rest of the organization take it, assuming you told them." Naruto questioned.
"Hmm...I don't think they minded. They found it quite amusing in any case."
-(In Akatsuki's Lair)-
"Oh, Naruto-kun!! I love you! Let's get married and have man-babies!!" Kisame, with a wig that looked quite similar to Itachi's, pledged.
"Ah, Itachi. You're a very bad man. You're so naughty! That causes our love to be forbidden." Deidara, who discarded his Akatsuki cloak for an orange jumpsuit, giggled in return.
"Bravo!!" The rest of Akatsuki applauded the show.
Then, they all sneezed
-(Back in the Mansion)-
"Amused? Hm..." Naruto then discarded the thought. "See you again, Itachi! I have to go meet Shika now!"
"Goodbye, Naruto-kun."
"Bye, Ita-chan!!"
Itachi: Naruto-chan is so beautiful. We'll make a perfect match. I can't wait until I return to Akatsuki with my Kyuu-kun!
Naruto: Itachiiiii is soooo preeeeetty!!
Shikamaru---------Garden 2---------- 6:35 PM
Shikamaru ignored the expensive ivory bench and chose to lay on the emerald ground instead. His earthy locks clashed with the green grass and his dull gray eyes. The golden sun centered the sky and for once, instead of the clouds, was the focus of Shikamaru's gaze this evening.
Suddenly, a spiky head of similar gold popped up into the frame and a bright, bright smile blinded the shadow user's eyes.
"Am I late?" the blond panted out.
"Would I care?" Shikamaru retorted languidly.
"Hm?" the blond mused. "I guess not."
Naruto sat his perk bottom right next to his friend's. He imitated his admirer by lying flat on his back as well.
Shikamaru sighed tiredly.
Shikamaru's Confessional: Three...
Blue eyes turned to gaze at the other boy 'subtlety'.
Shikamaru's Confessional: Two...
He sighed and rolled over onto his belly to watch the other boy even more obviously.
Shikamaru's Confessional: One...
"Oi! Shika-kun?"
Shikamaru's Confessional: Tch... can't keep quiet for more than three seconds, that idiot.
"Hm?" The brunette didn't open his eyes, but grunted to let the other know he was paying attention.
"Ano... why did you come to this competition? Wouldn't it be a lot of work for someone... like you?"
"Hn. The way you said it was offensive." he muttered.
"Ah! Gomen! I just... er... even with trying to ask all the other guys these questions... it's still so difficult..." he blushed.
"Well it's the second time you asked me. Didn't we already discuss this over our date?"
"Yes, but Shikamaru? Why did you...when did you...fall in love with me?"
"Hn. So troublesome..."
-(Flashback)-
Shikamaru scribbled in his leather bound notebook.
"I think it's a blonde thing..." Chouji commented before ramming a handful of barbeque potato chips into his mouth.
"Blonde thing?" Asuma enquired.
"Yeah," Chouji nodded confidently. The two shinobi ignored the fact that the subject of their conversation was relaxing right next to them. "I mean dating Ino and Temari at the same time? No one would be that stupid, and in Shika's case, since he's not stupid, daring. It must be some sort of fetish..."
Shikamaru continued working in his notebook pad, ignoring his team.
"Hm? A blond fetish? It does seem plausible..." Asuma lifted a thick, calloused thumb to scratch his bearded chin thoughtfully.
Ino came running into the Mongolian barbeque restaurant; Team 10's equivalent to Team 7's Ichiraku.
"He's back!! That blond baka is back!!
"Er..." Asuma sweat dropped, mentally reviewing all those Ino would consider a 'blond baka'. "Do you mean the Uzumaki kid, Temari-chan, or that cousin of yours that always wears his pants backwards??" (AN: I have a friend who does that. He says that reversing your pants zipper to your backside is good luck.)
"Konoha's most suprising ninja!" Ino laughed gleefully. "The one and only."
"He has returned from that training mission with Jiraiya-sama?" Chouji questioned.
"Yup. It's been over two years, you guys! Get your asses in gear and let's go greet the idiot."
"Maa..." Chouji whined. "Can't we greet him after lunch. It's not good to exert much effort on a full stomach." The large boy excused himself. "I'll say hi to him later."
"What about you Shika?" Ino asked, finally spotting him. He was as quiet as ever, but this time something caught his interest long enough for him to put in worthwhile effort. "Not that goddam notebook pad, again." She was so tired of his pale, miserable, introspective-poet act.
Shikamaru looked up from his notebook for the first time in a long while and glared lightly at Girlfriend No. 1. "Yes, Ino-chan. It is this goddamn notebook again."
Ino's pale blue eyes curved into tiny crescents of slyness. "Sooo, Shika-chaaan. Mind showing me what it is your writing. Is it about me, the love of your life? The golden sunshine that broke through the shadowed layers of your heart? Is it about me, your precious Ino-chan, who's very name sends your loins a quiver? Is it about me, the sun to your moon, the ups to your downs, the Gucci to your Walmart?"
"Ino," the shadow-user sighed. "It's not about you."
She gasped indignantly, a pale hand covered her pink lips in dramatized horror. "Well, then who is it about?!"
"Naruto." he spoke honestly. He could find no reason to lie.
Her pale blue eyes widened, before closing again in mirth. "Haha! My Shika-chan. You're so funny. So humorus in fact, that I'm going to write Temari letting her know what she's missing out on...For some disturbing reason, she believes in that horribly twisted head of hers that your dating her. Ha!" She giggled once before pivoting around, prepared to leave the restaurant. That was, before she was stopped by an disguised, cool voice.
Yet, if Ino were to turn around, she would bluntly notice the tiny beads of perspiration trickling down the shadow-users brow and the slight shake of his hands that was distributing light, messy scrawls to his notebook work.
Yet she didn't turn around, hence she didn't notice.
Chouji rolled his eyes.
"She thinks I'm dating her? And what do you think of all this?" Shikamaru asked, his tone was as cool as a cucumber, thanks to many years of perfected shinobi emotional training.
"I think she's a retarded bimbo and brings shame to the faces of all blonds."
"Hn..." Shikamaru breathed out a sigh of relief and continued to write in his journal.
Ino left.
"You will not get away with that. No way." Asuma warned. "Quit while you're ahead, man. You're luck enough to let this bypass for two weeks, but any longer than that...you're really pushing your luck."
"Whatever..." Shikamaru yawned.
"Asuma's right." Chouji piped in, full and finished with his glutton-induced stomach ache. "I don't even know where you got off thinking you could cheat. No one can get away with that. You. Will. Get Caught. It doesn't matter if you're James Bond, those chicks are gonna find out."
Shikamaru, tired of his friends bickering, left to his favorite café.
The shadow-nin entered the small coffee shop and took a seat. He pulled out of his pocket a pack of Marlboros and a full book of matches. He loved the café, not for it's strong, crappy, coffee (the way a tortured, poetic artist needed the daily caffeine) but for it's lenient policies.
He gazed out the window, the cigarette dangling attractively from his pouty lips. Predictably, girls noticeably slowed down their fast 'things-to-do-places-to-shop' power walk to enjoy the nice window view.
Shikamaru ignored them, until he saw a golden sight at the window. He watched as his plastic coffee-cup lid skittered to the polished white floor of the café. His cigarette fell from his open lips and the fused tip sunk to the bottom of the thin, brown liquid with a small sizzle.
Naruto.
He quickly tried to bring forth another Marlbaro, but his hands were shaking so much, it took the normally cool, inquisitive ninja several times until his attempt was not in vain. His thumb got singed in the process, but he didn't even feel it.
He watched as the blond turned around, his sunshine hair waving slowly in a slight breeze that blew by reminding Shikamaru of a fairytale princess. A gentle smile came to his lips as blue eyes that were inhabited with unlimited mirth met his. A bright grin reminded him that after two and a half long, long years, he was finally reunited with his...
friend
As he gawkily left his seat to greet his old companion, with clumsiness only something as baffling as Naruto could convey, he left the coffee bar to its outside window.
He snatched up his brown leather accumulation with shaky, sweaty hands. The latest page was scribbled with boring cliches such as 'sunshine blond hair' and 'eyes as deep as the ocean, no the sky!', all crossed out furiously by Shikamaru. He refused for his work to be common.
When they met and greeted each other, finally stricking up conversation, Naruto mentioned that when training with Ero-Sennin, every time he did something stupid, or was required to think out a strategic plan, he always thought 'What would Shikamaru do?'
The nin was shocked, assuming the blond would think of the Teme more than he would the Shadow Manipulator. After all, that was the main reason for his demanding training. He was surprised that his old friend even spared a thought for him at all.
After Shikamaru treated his companion to lunch at the infamous Ichiraku and left his blond comrade to greet other acquaintances with a heart-warming 'Ja ne!', he let another kind smile break his 'don't-give-a-crap' mask. Shit, he felt good. He smiled more times today then he has in the past two and a half years since the blond left. It was funny- all of a sudden, he was the guy he usually hated reading about in those 'disgustingly lovesick' poems. The happiest guy alive.
And his wandering mind returned to his bundle of compositions of analogies, cliches, proses, similes, and symbolisms, that all failed to describe the blond boy, but now he believed he found the perfect metaphor to depict Naruto.
Love.
-(End Flashback)-
"What!" Naruto screeched. "You were dating Ino and Temari at the same time."
"Tch," Shikamaru scoffed, "I give you such a heartfelt confession and that's all you could think about? No wonder you don't have a girlfriend. You sure know how to ruin the moment."
Tan cheeks burned red. "M-Moment!? There was no moment to ruin, asshole."
Shikamaru clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "You had best stick with me if you want to show the average individual any type of decent courtesy."
If Naruto was an average man with an average IQ, he would have realized that Shikamaru was using one of his most prized traits as a strategist: manipulation.
Yet Naruto isn't, so he didn't.
"Oh...?! So all of a sudden, you mess with two girls and you're a playa! as well as an expert at relationships and flirting?" He huffed.
Shikamaru nodded, as well as he could lying down on the grass. "When you've been playing with two of the most powerful kunoichi from two of the most powerful Hidden Villages for years? Yes."
Naruto was turning red with frustration. There was no winning with this guy. "Shikamaru..."
The blue-eyes teen stomped away, and his disapprovement grew tenfold as he heard the lazy man call after him teasingly, "What can I say? It's a fetish! Blond's are just too easy!"
He smirked as he heard the blond cursing his name. He made sure to get the blond riled up, not enough too get him eliminated, but long enough too keep himself on the blond's mind.
A technique studied, analyzed, and picked up after the one and only, Uchiha Sasuke.
Speaking of the bastard, isn't that Naruto's next meeting?
Shikamaru: We need to review the meeting?? Damn. How troublesome. Um...it was good. ((yawn))
Naruto: Shikamaru's a player. I don't know if he could be faithful to me. Yet, I heard he dumped Ino and Temari after out meeting at the ramen bar. Do you think that has something to do with me? As flattered as I am, it hurts me to know I broke Ino and Temari's hearts...even though it wasn't on purpose. Swear!
Sasuke------- Bedroom 3-------- 7:05 PM
(AN: The one you rabid SxN fangirls have been waiting for! Here you go you disgusting, impatient, deranged beast! myinukoi is a hypocrite) .
"Sa-su-ke." Naruto broke apart the syllables to his friend's name right next to the raven's ear.
"Hm...?" the Uchiha was startled awake from his light slumber by a faint, pleasant noise, its breath tickling his ear teasingly.
"I said–WAKE UP, DATTEBAYO!!!" The blond's voice resonated along the walls of the mansion, causing all the men to chuckle at the usual blond's antics, causing a few picture frames to slip off the wall...
"Gah!" He woke up with a start. Surely that same voice was incapable of imitating the past tone that had been calling out to him so sweetly and softly only a few seconds ago...?
He looked up into bright, amused eyes and knew immediately: Naruto.
He's capable of anything.
"Dobe. Why can't you wake me up like normal people? A tap on the shoulder, a poke in the side?"
"Teme, I'm not a normal person!" Naruto chided back.
He rolled his dark eyes. "Obviously..."
"Well, get your lazy ass up. Unless you want to sleep through our entire meeting!"
That wouldn't be so bad, thought Sasuke. He'd lay with the blond in his arms, and they'll cuddle throughout the night. He'll totally forget about the fatass and the elimination. Yet, the next day he'll throw everyone out of the house saying that the previous night with him and Sasuke was beautiful and he never felt so right in anyone's arms before. They'll then run off into a sunset that was convienetly placed for the heart-touching occasion, and at nightfall elope. They would make love under the stars and in the morning they'd make love to the orange glow of the sunrise. Naruto would somehow find out that he can have babies thanks to whatever supernatural abilities the Kyuubi bestowed upon him. The two would have beautiful, tan, brunette, blue-eyed children who fought like Sannins and were loved by all as heroes. They'd become nomads, stopping in exotic ports, letting natives dance for them and give them rare jewels and furs. In time, they'd amass so much treasure, they'd be known around the world as the richest, most beautiful couple in the universe. Eventually, the now wrinkly, old, and incredibly jealous Itachi would attempt to steal their riches and kidnap their impossibly beautiful Ralf Lauren model-type children. But Sasuke would kill Itachi with a simple flick of the wrist, that sends a sharp kunai directly into his puckered face and he would die a horribly dramatic death. The entire Uchiha-Uzumaki family would laugh at each last, tortured breath. Then Sasuke and Naruto would dance under the moonlight, unharmed, and more in love than ever.
It could happen.
By now, the blond was dozing off, and the glassy, dreamy look was immediately taken off his face. Of course he would love to snuggle with the blond and make his fantasy come true, but he believed such ambitions should be saved for another day. Now was his time to get close (mentally) to his kitsune.
"Naruto..." No response. "Naruto!" A little louder plus a poke in the rib. "Naruto!" he 'shouted' as loud as an Uchiha is allowed to shout. "You dobe! I'll eat your ramen!"
A blond mop shot up and Sasuke almost got rammed in the nose. "Teme-baka! Don't touch my ramen. Uwee—!!"
Smoky eyes were aggravated and he just wanted to get some communication going.
"Idiot. You fell asleep."
Naruto blushed.
"So, is there anything you want to ask me?" Sasuke questioned.
Naruto brightened up and nodded. "Er...ano, Teme. When did you fall in love with m-me??"
Asking this to Sasuke was more difficult than the other contestants, seeing as he knew the Uchiha longer than any of the other competitors.
"Hmm...lemme think..."
-(Flashback)-
Uchiha saw the cutest child he had ever met in his four and a half years of existence. He decided he wanted to talk to the boy.
"Hi, I'm Sasuke Uchiha. Do you want to be my boyfriend?"
"Ew. Boys are icky." Naruto recited the same line he heard from Sakura every time he asked her out and repeated her action as well by punching the foreign boy in the face and running away.
Sasuke sighed happily.
I'm in love... he thought.
-(End Flashback)-
"That's not very interesting..." The blond noted dully.
Sasuke shrugged. "It's the truth."
"Aaah! Why are you always so dull. Fine! Just tell me something interesting that happened after your oh-so glorious epiphany."
"Hm...what about this...?"
-(Flashback)-
"Alright. Naruto, you stay with Sakura here at the camp site and you two try to start a fire. Me and Sasuke--"
Sakura interrupted. "Sasuke and I." she corrected.
Kakashi glared at her, irritated. She smiled sheepishly. Improper grammar was always one of her pet peeves and she corrected it automatically whenever she noticed a literary flaw. "Sasuke and I," he continued, grudgingly taking Sakura's advice and cursing her intellect, "will search for a nearby water source."
Yet, Sasuke, knowing the blond had a barefaced crush and the rosette, objected heatedly.
"Sakura's metally unstable. I don't want her and the dobe alone. Let me stay with him and you let Sakura go with yo--"
"SASUKE-KUN!!! I AM NOT MENTALLY UNSTAAAABLE!!! HAS THE BAKA BEEN TELLING YOU THIS NOOONSENSE!?!?!" Sakura screamed, her pink hair in a scary disarray from a large gust of wind that convienetly blew by, her pupils were dilated madly, her cheeks round and indignant and her hands were curled in tight, threatening fists.
Kakashi and Naruto stared at her, shocked.
Sasuke simply rolled his eyes and gave a 'This proves my point' smirk. "That's right, I'm just a liar..." he mock-yawned sarcastically.
Sasuke is a manipulator, Sakura realized. He wants to stay with Naruto so he's trying to trick me into...Gah!
Sakura couldn't believe this. Her crush was accusing her of being insane. Just because she has an undying love for him, gets slightly jealous of Naruto, and stalks her Uchiha daily doesn't mean that she's...
Um, actually...
'Well, I'm just crazy about Sasuke.' she assured herself mentally and then giggled aloud.
Naruto began to quake in fear and Kakashi sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose. "Sakura. Let's go scout for water."
"But--"
"No questions." Kakashi interjected and the two began to walk away, one sullenly behind the other.
Naruto called after them. "Don't worry, Sakura! After this mission is over, we'll take you to Tsunade-baasan and she'll treat you. I'll be by your side through the entire painful psychological recovery! We'll conquer this together! Believe it!"
Sakura ignored him.
"Besides, I heard it is better when it's a little crazy, hehe, if you know what I mean..."
Sakura threw a mid-sized boulder at Naruto with her inhuman strength, Sasuke's face went tomato red as he flared up with rage and worry and grabbed Naruto by his orange-clad arm, pulling him out of the deadly boulder's path, while Kakashi was no longer happy that he taught Naruto about the Kunai and Shuriken (AN: Refer to chapter 6. ;D).
Sasuke winked at Sakura coyly, making her blush and causing her knees to buckle. The he mock-slapped Naruto's ass (without really touching it) when the blond bent over to pick up a piece of firewood. Sakura choked on her sobs.
Sasuke was happy and decided to spend the rest of the afternoon...
Hm? What will he do?
Well, of course he's supposed to be inspecting the forest for proper firewood, but who ever really listens and follows along with what their sensei ask anyways? Sasuke knows. Squares! That's right. Straight L7's. And he's been spending the last week trying to prove to Naruto that he isn't one ever since the blond called him 'the perfect square. With proper ten degree angles and everything!'. Unfortunately, he proved the blond's point by responding that triangles have 90 degree angles.
But it wasn't Sasuke's fault he told Kakashi that the blond was attempting to play a prank on Tsunade. He just wanted to make sure the blond wouldn't get hurt by her Fist of Fury™. He was worried with a concern that could only come forth from the depths of his heart by a fluttery force called love
Naruto continued to search for firewood, just as his sensei had asked. He let Sasuke continue to daydream on the base of the tree.
The brunette hugged himself. Just thinking about his kitsune made him feel as though he had to pee. Underneath those hard glares and the emo facade, he was just a seme looking for some nice ass.
Face it: They're all the same.
Naruto, growing impatient with his lack of aid, yelled, "Teme-square. Come help me with this damn fire."
"Dobe." the brunette blushed at the 'square' comment again. Naruto's words hurt. He began to cry...on the inside. "You hurt yourself already?"
"Baka! You can't make me do all this work while you sit there, thinking of my Sakura-chan, trying to get yourself wood!"
"Sakura! The fuck, dobe?!" Sasuke yelled enraged.
Naruto pointed to the dark teen's flushed face. Sasuke touched his reddened cheek, and trailed his pale, shaking fingers above his top lip then quickly removed them startled.
He gulped audibly, and looked down at his hands, surprised to find warm blood.
"Fuck." he cursed.
Sasuke, at the ripe age of 12 and a half, experienced his first sexual-induced nosebleed.
-(End Flashback)-
"Um...wow Sasuke that was your...er..." Naruto fumbled with his words.
"The first moment when I began physically lusting after you, yes." The brunettes bangs bristled a bit with his curt nod.
"Ahh...Oh. I see." Naruto blushed for the countless time that day and made a mental note to ask Iruka that if the blood is always centered around your face, does that make the rest of your body feel tingly and odd? Because that's exactly how he's feeling with the way his best friend/rival was staring at him right now. Those same tingles were traveling up and down his spine at an alarming rate and he truly felt as if he had to get out of the room right now, before...
"A-Ano...I think I should leave. I know I still have five minutes left b-but I just want to take a small break. You know... running around this huge mansion, and I trust you, my very, very best friend to be as gracious as to let me cut our time short..."
Sasuke ignored the blond's ramblings (even though he was proud that the idiot used words and phrases to politely excuse himself from the conversation, just as he had taught him) and instead focused his thoughts to the pink, bumbling lips, the small flushed nose, the baby blue eyes...
Naruto's hands shot up into the air, confused as if to push the invading brunette away or pull him closer; but he sure as hell couldn't say anything in protest or agreement seeing as Sasuke pressed his lips to the blond's, making sure any oral contact was only communicated with tongue and lips rather than actual words.
When they broke apart, Naruto's face was flushed as deeply as it was with Sai's in the beginning of the meetings and he flitted his blue eyes quickly to the left to see how Sasuke was taking the aftereffect.
The Uchiha was laying back on the bed, his hands behind his head in a calm, relaxed position that Naruto never saw him in before. His dark shirt was drawn slightly above his waist, showing a tiny sliver of pale, supple skin. When blue eyes met black, the blond was surprised to discover that his shinobi comrade had been staring at him through half-lidded, pleasured, amused eyes.
Sasuke couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the kitsune's adorable expression. He closed his eyes in bliss and whispered huskily, "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that..."
Waiting a few more moments, Naruto began to quietly sneak out of the room seeing as the Uchiha was obviously preoccupied in whatever drunken ecstacy he was submerged in.
He closed the door quietly behind him, with a rare shy smile on his bruised, puckered lips.
Sasuke: I kissed Naruto and he liked it... Fuck, I'm in heaven. His lips will have my dreams occupied for at least three months...
Naruto:He kissed me! Gah! What perverts in this house!! And when he was done, instead of bring all romantic, he just laid there! Staring at me! No confession or nothing. ((Sigh)) Maybe I'm just overreacting... it's been a long day and it's not fair to get upset at others because I'm impatient for a nap. I like all these guys so much...how will I ever be able to choose?
Chouji--------- Dining Room--------- 7:35 PM
"Ah! Chouji! This all looks so delicious! I don't know what to say!!" Naruto gushed.
Chouji didn't know what was more mystifying, the large range of food that was prepared for his and Naruto's 'dinner date' or Naruto's bright, 1,000-watt smile.
"All you have to say is 'Itadakimasu'."
Naruto's smiling face beamed like the sun. "Itadakimasu!!"
One bite, and Naruto closed his eyes in bliss.
Naruto's Confessional: Kebo beef... I can't wait to tell those rich bastards Hyuuga and Uchiha about this. They'll be so jealous...
After the large buffet of a meal, the two leaned back in their chairs (the legs were on the verge of breaking thanks to the newly acquired weight) their pants unzipped and unbuttoned to make room for their expanded stomachs.
"Hmmm..." the Itis of the large meal was beginning to kick in, and once you include Naruto's busy schedule and overloaded mentality from the entire afternoon to evening, he was ready to hit the sack Yet, the only thing keeping him awake was the need to question Chouji. The ones whose still valid presence was a continuous mystery to him, not to mention the other occupants in the mansion.
"Chouji," Naruto murmured, and then in his mind he felt glad that Iruka and the Uke Squad watched the entire preparation of this meal, otherwise he would have a sneaking suspicion something has been done to his food. But surely there isn't another deranged Kabuto in the competition...right?
"Hm, Naruto-kun?"
"When did you develop feelings for me?"
It seems both Chouji's and Naruto's shyness and humbleness have been deterred from the Kebo beef.
It has magical powers, I swear!
-(Flashback)-
"Come on Chouji! Just ten more! You can do it!!" Ino and Sakura cheered on their client.
Client? To Ino and Sakura's Fitness Program™ of course!
"I-I-I caaaaan't." The boy struggled. Push ups? What kind of deranged man invented such a thing?!
"Chou-ji! You can do it! Chou-ji!" They cheered. Ino, in her blue and green fitness sweats and light gray sleeveless top plus her best friend, Sakura in pink and red sweats and a similar, yet white top were quite the sights to see. Their trained bodies caught the wandering focuses of other gym members, and all the men in the exercise establishment could only wonder what the two local hotties were doing with the most gluttonous, unattractive, male in Konoha.
"Oi! Chouji! Are you done with that crap." All eyes turned to the neon yellow flash that disrupted the competitive tranquility of the health club.
"N-N-Naruto...Fuck, save me!"
"Er...alright." A strong tanned arm helped pull the larger boy off the dirty, sweaty gymnasium floor. Using the help of a little chakra of course.
The two girl's glares reverted from Naruto to Chouji.
"What do you mean 'Save me!'? We're doing you a favor remember. You came to us telling us how you wanted our help loosing weight!"
"I-I know, Ino-chan."
"Naruto-baka! Don't take him away! Can't you see Chouji's trying to better himself?! Fix himself?!"
Naruto gazed down fondly at his fat friend, who was panting and clutching his stomache dramatically. "Sakura-chan, you say that as if he's broken..."
Ino's eyes widened and Sakura blushed, ashamed. "Ah...I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that, y'know. He wants to make himself healthy and all..." Ino was about to pitch in her apology when Chouji began to talk.
"No worries, you guys!" Chouji caught in the middle of the guilt-rant. "I asked for it, remember? I'm just so glad that you guys were willing to take your time out for me and seriously help me out. Thank you."
The two girls smiled softly, and went over to give their huge friend an 'all-is-forgiven' hug, yet when they came within a few feet of him, they backed away, their faces puckered in disgust.
"Ew, Chouji you smell!!" They choked out simataneously with an unison that can only be mentally choreographed between two very, very close friends.
The four comrades laughed, before Ino and Sakura took their leave (not before getting a few phone numbers from admiring boys though).
"I think we did good today. Don't you think so, Sakura-chan?" Ino smiled fondly.
"Aa." Sakura agreed. "Does this count for our 'Good Deed of The Week'?"
Ino laughed. "Yep. Let's get started on next week!"
"Perhaps a charity drive? Food for the homeless?" she suggested.
"Or we could wax Lee's eyebrows? We'll work on the haircut the week after."
"Hell yes!" Sakura cheered, and the two giggling girls made their way down the road.
Naruto and Chouji agreed to go to Ichiraku and use the coupons they prized for being the 'Best Frequent Customers'. Obviously, Naruto had more, so he was willingly to give up some of his for the both of them.
Naruto is so kind, Chouji thought. Not at all like me when it comes to food.
Naruto was also gorgeous, strong, beloved by all that truly knew him, and could eat all he wanted without his waistline facing the consequences.
Chouji looked at his own waistline, but all disappeared except the tip of his sandaled toes when he tried to look past his bulging tummy.
While Naruto ordered five bowls of ramen, Chouji placed his order, and tried to impress Naruto by showing he was watching his weight.
"Today..." he began throatily, "I want four pork ramen, seven shrimp ramen, three chicken ramen, five teriyaki beef ramen..." Chouji continued.
Naruto sighed and pulled out his heavy wallet full of coupons.
"...two more Cajun chicken ramen and a diet coke." He finished proudly.
Naruto gawked.
Shit, Chouji thought, I embarrassed myself again...
"Wow. What an appetite." Naruto mumbled.
"Yeah, whatever." Chouji sighed and felt the need for a heart-rendering confession. "I know I'm fat. I deny it because I don't want people to y'know...tell me. It's like, if I can pretend they don't notice it, maybe I won't either and can kinda get through this."
"I don't know where you got the 'fat', Chouji. You're just big. Fat people sure as hell wouldn't survive as ninjas, and here you are: A Chuunin! You may be big, but you are by no means unhealthy. It seems Sakura and Ino got the two confused when they were helping you at the gym..." Naruto slurped up a noodle, once again oblivious to a life he had just changed.
Chouji took an overly large, calloused thumb to the blond's cheek and rubbed off a splatter of miso broth. When blue eyes turned to inspect the foreign object in his close proximity, he was quite startled to see Chouji, only a few inches, maybe centimeters, away, staring at him closely and his finger still on his face.
"Woah!" Naruto exclaimed, playfully slapping the thumb away. "Personal space, buddy." The blond returned to his ramen to hide his self-consciousness.
Chouji backed off quietly, and no longer felt the utter need to eat his remaining fifteen bowls of ramen, not like he did a simple minute ago.
The rest of the dinner was eaten in silence.
-(End Flashback)-
Chouji mumbled the last few words of his admittance and fell into a light sleep.
Naruto giggled recalling the entire day.
He'll send a servant to wake up Chouji. After preparing the meal, stressing over the other dates, the Kobe beef, and waiting to be last impatiently, Naruto believed Chouji deserved a break more than he did.
But now, he smiled sadly, it's time for Elimination.
Chouji: ...zzz...
Naruto: Chouji's sweet...but something about him. It's definitely from the confession. I simply can't remember it right now. Hopefully I will during ceremony...
-(Elimination Ceremony)-
This time there were nine styrofoam ramen cups. Naruto stood next to them, looking cheerless. Seeing as it was always said the blond's mood was contagious, the rest of the semes looked distraught as well. Naruto had unintentionally set a gloomy mood, replacing the boisterous egos of the semes for the first time during an Ukette Elimination Ceremony.
"Let the Eliminations begin!" The Uke Squad called out, their shrill, adolescent voices cracking at the surge of authority.
"Ah," Naruto sighed. "This will be the hardest elimination to date." He whispered mournfully. After confessing such heartfelt words to me, and then to eliminate you right after... I don't think I've done anything so cruel...besides the fangirls challenge." A smirk returned to his fox-ish features. The contestants scowled.
"Haha..." Naruto laughed nervously. "We'll let's get on with it. I believe the first cup will be going to..."
Pause.
"Sai."
Sai smirked. He knew his tongue had a way with words. Whatever pun you can find intended! He went up to the blond, planning on giving the whole competition a good show of the best make out session they have ever seen, when a styrofoam cup was shoved harshly into his gut.
"Don't try that shit again. Every other contestant managed to keep their hands off me much better than you. You're lucky your still here." Naruto whispered harshly, low enough so the other contestants wouldn't here.
"Naru-chaaaan...!" Sai pouted, but his trademark false grin, a pale imitation of Naruto's, quickly replaced it.
Sai's Confessional: He knows he liked it. ((grins pervertedly))
As he walked back to his previous position he was so caught up in the joy that he had been the only one to touch the blond like that, that he didn't care for any other name, especially not: "Gaara Sabaku,"'s.
Gaara's Confessional: I knew we had made a connection. Our two lost, dark, demon-ridden souls have found each other even though country alliances and great evils tried to keep us apar– Ah, yeah... Naruto-chan said I should stop with my emo bullshit. Damn.
"Itachi Uchiha!" the blond blushed once again when the crimson eyes looked his way. Itachi smirked and accepted his cup gratefully.
When Sasuke's name was called, the exchange was ver quiet, both blushed furiously, both were very shy. It made the contestants flair up with jealousy.
Just what had happened during the junior Uchiha's meeting with the blue-eyed boy?
"Shikamaru Nara!"
"Kakashi Hatake!"
"Kiba Inuzuka!"
"Hyuuga Neji!"
They were all called down, the last two remaining were Chouji Akimichi and Shino Aburame.
"The last cup, I would like it to go to..."
The blond paused, his face was downcast. "I'm so ashamed. How cruel am I? What was I thinking when I thought up such a challenge? I simply couldn't imagine being in either of your places right now."
We wouldn't want you in our place, Chouji thought miserably. We wouldn't want your heart to get crushed.
"I apologize," the blond continued. "But Shino...?"
The Aburame's head didn't move at all, it was seemingly still staring at him, yet Naruto knew he was given the bug boy's entire attention.
"Would you please accept this cup?"
He revealed the final cup, with Shino's name written in neat, elegant cursive.
Shino's heart soared while Chouji's plummeted.
"Why?" The overweight boy though miserably...
"Because, for some reason, I believe you're not here for love, but rather for acceptance. Unlike all the other confessions, you told me of the first time I made you feel...normal. That's it. I didn't make you feel all the similar characteristics that I seemingly made all the other men feel. Maybe what you feel for me isn't love at all, but friendship."
Chouji nodded in understanding.
Iruka was close to tears. Naruto made such a difficult decision on his own, completely analyzing, comparing, contrasting, and coming up with a solution by himself. Before, in his Genin days, he would have simply asked for Sakura, Sasuke, or Kakashi to figure it out for him. Either that, or do 'eeny-meeny-miney-mo!', a strategy Iruka had to beat out of him in the ol' Genin days. This moment, more than his eighteenth birthday or his many admirers, has proven that Naruto is a man.
Chouji left the mansion quietly, no comment to his love's decision, no questions. He just left and Naruto's sad smile was quickly replaced at the thought that maybe Chouji would find a friend and a lover in the same person... it just wasn't him...
"Ja, Chouji-kun."
Shino gazed at the stars from his bedroom window. Gaara stirred slightly in his sleep.
Naruto wants me to stay...he still wants me here. I'm so happy.
Thank you, Naruto-chan...
AN: Damn, this was a late update and it was crappy. I don't even know if this was remotely funny. Fuck, I'm sorry. I'm leaving to Washington D.C. today and I just wanted to get this out to you or it would have been bothering me my whole trip. Well, at least I got this out to you all.
Challenge: What book served as inspiration for certain passages and quotes in this chapter. There wasn't many. I won't point out the passages or quotes because if you read the books, even only the first one, you should know.
Goodbye my friends and I apologize for the late update. But like I said, no matter when it comes, it's coming. I'm not giving up on this story.