Beauty and the Idol

Disclaimer:Naruto was created by Masashi Kishimoto. I don't own it nor do I gain any money from this fanfiction.


Tuesday

Sasuke floated across the silent kitchen in his white slippers. Yawning, he absently picked up the television remote and turned on the sleek black plasma television perched on the corner of his cluttered kitchen counter.

"Welcome back to E!News. I'm Ryan Seacrest."

Sasuke opened the fridge, only half listening.

"Our top story: Kushina Uzumaki announced her sudden retirement from acting. With more on the story here's Ben Lyons. Ben."

The dark haired teen slowly peeked from the fridge's silver door. Uzumaki? Wasn't that insufferable blond's last name. Feeling blindly for the jug of orange juice that he knew was hiding behind several Chinese take-out boxes.

There was no way they were related. Kushina Uzumaki was a beautiful Japanese actress who had made a name for herself in the United States starring in a string of Karate franchise films. She married a German-born director whose name escaped Sasuke but they had gone through a very public and very nasty divorce. Besides, wasn't Naruto adopted?

Sasuke paused to watch the entertainment report.

"Thanks Ryan. The last time we spoke with the actress was after she wrapped her film Ninja Rebellion."

The scene cut to a beautiful young actress with long red hair and kind eyes who sat grinning on a plush maroon couch.

"Kushina had a hard time finding getting back to work after it was reported she developed breast cancer," the reporter continued. "A statement from her publicist confirms the actress wants to take time off to recuperate no word yet if she will return to film any time soon -"

"What are you watching?" a soft voice asked. Sasuke whipped around and saw his brother staring at him. Without thinking the dark haired teen reached for the remote and turned off the television.

"Nothing," he replied, his heart thumping loudly.

Itachi stood very still, staring Sasuke down with his deep penetrating black eyes.

"Are you hungry?"

Sasuke unconsciously touched his stomach. "No."

"Are you sure? I can make you someth –"

"I have to go."

Itachi's lip twitched downward in what Sasuke thought was an impression of a frown.

"I can drive you."

"No."

There was a brief moment when Sasuke was sure he saw a flutter of emotion go across his brother's face but Itachi lowered his eyes for a moment and whatever emotion that had been lurking under the surface was properly disposed of.

Sasuke stepped out of the kitchen and the house was silent once again.


That afternoon when he reported to detention he fell into routine alongside Naruto as they stacked books. They exchanged half-hearted jabs once in a while but Sasuke was grateful when they were finally allowed to leave.

Sasuke was securing his book-bag around his shoulder when Naruto stepped up to him.

"Hey..." Naruto hesitated, averting his eyes from Sasuke's steel gaze. "Um, I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

When Sasuke didn't respond Naruto cleared his throat and continued. "You know, for being such an ass."

Sasuke continued starring at Naruto as the blond scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment and turned an impressive shade of pink.

"Good talk...I'll see you tomorrow I guess," Naruto mumbled.

It wasn't until the doors to the library closed that Sasuke released a breath he hadn't known he was holding.

"Bye," Sasuke said to the silent room.


Wednesday

It wasn't until Naruto found himself openly staring at the way Sasuke's black shirt slinked up his toned stomach as he arranged books that he realized he had gone a full day without speaking to a girl. He checked his phone and smiled – he had three text messages from Tenten, a senior from his trigonometry class, asking to come over early.

Sasuke noticed Naruto grinning madly at his phone and his curiosity peaked. He hadn't realized he had been staring until the blond looked up and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Say Sasuke," Naruto began licking his lips. He put the collection of Jane Austin novels in their proper place and turned back to Sasuke. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

Sasuke stiffened, pretending to be invested in the title of the books he had just grabbed from the cart.

"No."

"Why not?" Naruto persisted.

Sasuke shook his head. "I don't have time."

Naruto chuckled softly which for some reason made Sasuke blush.

"That's your excuse?" Naruto asked incredulously.

"It's the truth," Sasuke said, hating how much his voice shook as he spoke.

"You're not part of any clubs at school. You don't have a job – or at least you haven't mentioned a job." The blond began, ticking off each item with his finger. "You don't seem to have any close friends. Sasuke, you probably have the most free-time of any guy I know."

"Or maybe…" Naruto said stroking his chin thoughtfully. Sasuke tried to ignore how his heart seemed to hiccup when he caught onto Naruto's train of thought. "You're just not interested in girls."

Sasuke dropped the books he had in his hands. He instantly dropped to his knees and started to pick them up.

Naruto blinked owlishly at him. "Wait. Am I right? Are you gay?"

Sasuke stayed kneeling, staring at the books he had gathered. Willing his hands to stop shaking.

"So what if I am," he said. The blond was bound to find out sooner or later, he was surprised Naruto's new friends hadn't filled him in yet.

Naruto shrugged, grinning. "Makes no difference to me, you're still an asshole."

Sasuke studied the blond's face and decided that his indifference was genuine enough to ignore his backhanded compliment.

"I'm assuming from the company you keep that you prefer the fairer sex," Sasuke said, hoping he sounded nonchalant about the subject.

Naruto shrugged again, frowning. "I've had my share of girlfriends." He handed Sasuke a copy of Moby Dick, making sure to make eye contact with Sasuke before he continued. "And boyfriends."

Sasuke kept a level gaze. "Are you going to let go of the book?"

Naruto chuckled lightly and stepped away.