Kiss Me Deadly Chapter 3: The Boys Talk, a naruto fanfic

Disclaimer: I really really want to own the series...or Kishimoto's free will.

Chapter Summary: The deal pulls them together and pushes them away.

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And love is not a victory march; it's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah.

-Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah

In all the years of knowing, brawling, and insulting one another, it was the very first time Sasuke had ever used Naruto's first name.

Chapter Three: The Boys Talk

He's early today.

That was the very first thought that came to Naruto's mind as he felt himself being roughly pulled behind a crumbling wall of concrete of an abandoned building near the school. Familiar with this impulsive handling but not enough to suppress the instinctive growl from his throat, the blond fiercely met the blank stare of the other with his own livid eyes. Two hands were already on his shoulders, nails deeply digging into the flesh of his back. They didn't hurt, but it was enough pressure to make Naruto flinch at the contact.

Sasuke immediately saw this and gave a self-righteous smirk. Hands still pressing the shorter male against the wall, he leaned closer until his breathe ghosted over the outer shell of Naruto's right ear. "After all this time, you should've gotten used to this by now," the Uchiha whispered teasingly, "You're still being such a girl about it, dead-last."

Instantly, Naruto turned his head to the side and faced the amused eyes of his rival. "Shut up!" Naruto spitted, a deep red dusting his cheeks. "What about you, huh! You're acting like you're actually enjoying all of this, sick bastard!" However, the shorter boy couldn't deny what Sasuke said was true. He was still as anxious and uncomfortable with this situation as that fateful day in the Student Council room. He had hoped beyond hope of placing these awkward moments into a normal tolerable routine but it seemed the Uchiha had other plans. 'Normal' seemed like a very futile goal.

Sasuke liked acting as the dominator and had taken upon himself to kiss Naruto in the most unexpected situations to emphasize this fact. Because both had important reasons to hide this from the public, every brush with the bastard had seemed spontaneous and slightly rushed to prevent any unwanted attention. It was a miracle that no one had caught them yet since the paler boy had become increasingly bolder with time. Sasuke must've developed a strange rush or high as he seemingly dared himself to raise the risks higher and higher each day. It was confusing at first when the tanned boy first begun to notice this. Wouldn't it make sense to be more careful, especially considering what was at stake? While it was true the pale boy rarely made front page news anymore, the media would have no hesitation painting the scandalous affair for weeks on end. It would become the talk of the town for months and would surely put the Uchiha name to shame, something Naruto was very sure Sasuke didn't want.

But on the other hand, maybe that's exactly what the bastard wanted. Maybe the great Sasuke Uchiha wanted to get caught. Maybe he wanted to spit in the face of those who had praised him. Maybe he wanted to prove that he too was a human being and contained many undesirable traits. Admittedly, it wasn't exactly reasonable but it held a twisted ring of truth to it. To an extent, Naruto would say he understood the same feelings; it seemed like a twisted version of a big prank or joke. He imagined the uptight prick laughing obnoxiously and pointing at the aghast faces of his admiring public when this 'prank' was finally revealed.

Surprise! Look everyone! I'm not as perfect as you thought I was!

I fooled you all.

It seemed incredible at first but the blond had become more observant of the paler boy, mostly to try (and fail) at avoiding the kisses. Because of which, he had figured out more than he ever wanted to know about the Uchiha and had the ability to take an educated guess at the bastard's way of thinking. True, most of the stuff was useless information such as how Sasuke would go to the bathroom everyday between fourth and fifth block or how he never ate anything sweet with his lunch. However, there were other more useful things he had witnessed too.

For example, while constantly surrounded by joking and grinning peers, he always remained rather aloof and distracted. Blank walls held his focus more than the people who were chattering beside him, hoping to get some type of acknowledgement which they would never receive. He didn't seem lonely, just uninterested in those around him. Previously, Naruto always thought this was because he was being a stuck up ass but now that title seemed too shallow to describe what Sasuke was doing. There seemed to be a reason for everything he did; a direction that only the popular Uchiha knew. Naruto didn't know what or where, but as a rival he didn't particularly care. Whatever Sasuke did in his spare time was no business of his.

Other times include those shared in his history class when the Uchiha was often the first to finish his assignments. While the majority of the others still struggled finding the correct answers and Naruto was busying himself with making an origami empire state building, Sasuke would look blankly at the empty top of his desk, looking very uncomfortable. Sometimes he'd open up a book or finish some other project for another class, but during the rare times when the Uchiha was completely done and had nothing else to do, he seemed tense, even a bit panicked. There would be strained movements of the hands and arms, a wandering disapproving head to his slower classmates, and many many intense glares at the clock or teacher. It was like he needed a goal to preoccupy himself.

Once or twice, Sasuke's vision will settle on Naruto and his poor attempts at making a miniature skyscraper. If that happened, the blond would immediately feel it and lift his head to look back at the dull questioning stare. A few seconds will pass before the tanned boy usually flicked his rival off and silently mouthed out a few insults across the room. In retort, the other will remain silent but there will be a smug and meaningful look at the blank worksheets beneath the tanned boy's arms. In order to avoid another fight in Ibiki's classroom, Naruto would usually give one last glare, stick his tongue out, and try to turn his focus back on his paper bits. After a few minutes, Sasuke would turn away also.

If Naruto cared enough to glance back at him, he would usually find him staring out the window, as still and patient as a statue; all the balled up tension from before totally evaporated.

Because of these little observations, the blond found it harder to hate the pale boy as venomously as he did before. It would feel as right as a scientist hating a rat who didn't complete a maze properly. In a way, Naruto had become someone who had become completely engulfed into figuring out how the Uchiha worked. Seeing their status as blood rivals, the prospect of pulling apart the very bare core of the other was indescribable fascinating to him. Though he still horribly hated the teen, no doubt, it wasn't in the same degree of intensity but only very very slightly.

Even with all of this, it didn't make fulfilling the bargain any easier and he had the scars to prove it from the times he had been shoved hurriedly into sharp sharp bushes. He didn't want to act like a dainty little girl but couldn't a proclaimed genius find softer spots with more leaves or even a soft pad of dirt? Naruto wouldn't put it past the bastard to purposely plan all of it beforehand, just to irate the boy even further. The Uchiha had probably even planted some of the sharper twigs beforehand just to make sure he would make Naruto's day hell. It certainly won't be out of character. Devious always-planning-ahead asshole.

On a slightly brighter note, Naruto now knew the layout of the entire school better than he ever thought possible. There were exactly four Janitor's closet, two small rooms for the school's computer servers, a private teacher's only bathroom, and a small outside shed that he never knew existed. Added to this were the non-official times when teachers would leave their classrooms for off-periods and bathroom breaks, which Sasuke had easily memorized as he did his own class schedule. The shorter male couldn't help but be impressed by how easily the prodigy dodged everyone with someone as admittedly clumsy and loud as him trailing behind.

The deal was a real bitch to carry out, no matter how good they are at hiding. It wasn't so much the kiss itself, but that self-satisfied smug look afterwards made Naruto's blood broil. It was inevitable, really, but seeing that look on his rival's face always brought his mood down considerably for the rest of the day. And today, of all days, Sasuke wanted to be early. Damn it, he had a total of three...three tests! Once again, he fantasized about breaking the deal and knocking out the Uchiha in a magnificent frenzy of well-aimed powerful punches at that perfect unmarred face. But despite what he had said about refusing to wear such a 'piece of gaudy trash', the junior class president had decided to do the contrary and the delicate silver chain now hung loosely around his pale neck, ending just below the neckline of his shirt. For Naruto, it acted as a reminder to put away the fantasies.

His lips dragged out a sigh that broke him out of his thoughts. Naruto focused back at the Uchiha, who looked at him expectantly only centimeters apart, still possessively clinging to his shoulders and still trapping the blue-eyed blond along the jagged concrete wall. They had both grown silent, breathes mingling, each hesitant on how to carry the act out. It was the first time Sasuke had dared himself to be this risky. If they didn't do it soon, other students who walked this way to school would see or hear them and any excuse would seem questionable at best. Asking for a reschedule was out of the question, of course, since the junior class president was much too prideful.

It was now or never.

As if on cue, Naruto closed his eyes tightly and loosened his jaw in order to part his mouth. Near the beginning, the paler boy had slyly noted that part of the deal had been to offer 'no resistance' and, apparently, keeping your mouth as impenetrable as possible was considered resistance. Having no place to argue, the blonde had decided to settle on acting like an immobile corpse during the time instead. Technically he wasn't resisting but it would be a freezing day in hell before he would kiss the taller teen back. If Sasuke wanted to waste his time on someone who responds like a dead fish, the jerk was welcomed to it.

Cool lips were on his shortly afterwards. He could feel the thin fingers loosen its grip and his shoulders relaxed because of it. At first, their lips were gently massaging against one another until the Uchiha's sharp front teeth started to poke through and began to nibble on Naruto's lower lip. The blond noticeably stiffened; he hated how his rival kissed. It was never just a simple peck on the lips; it always felt so intimate and passionate. Both things he was not used to, at all.

Stubbornly, the blonde remained limp and unresponsive but the Uchiha didn't seem to notice. Out of the corner of his half-lidded eye, the class president was able to see the concentration of deep angry lines above the tanned brow line and, though the eyes were shut, Sasuke could freely imagine how vivid the blue in his eyes. Through time, the hot-tempered boy had learned to tone done his initial rage considerably but was still far from being submissive. He wasn't too worried though; the prodigy considered himself a rather patient guy.

Sasuke, in a momentary lapse of concentration, bit down harder than had meant to be, causing the blonde to let out a small choke of surprise which became caught in the midst of their kiss. A velvety tongue smoothly glided itself over the place of the bite in a half-hearted apology before plunging itself deeper into Naruto's mouth. He gradually continued to plunder the other's mouth, urging the blond to react in other ways. It took a lot for Naruto not to snap his jaw shut and clip the tip of that tongue with his sharp canines.

Though the image of a frantic tongue less Uchiha was rather amusing, he opted for another action. He had attempted this before, many many times, but maybe Sasuke wouldn't be as alert this time. After all, it was early morning and he knew the other was far from being a morning person. If this were to succeed, he might be able to savage the rest of his junior year with some amount of masculine pride. With the grip on his shoulders loosened, his arm was able to raise itself minutely and carefully positioned his hands on the back of the pale neck. Praying that the taller boy wouldn't notice, his tanned fingers softly padded the skin for the clasp.

Sasuke did notice.

BAM!

And judging by the increasing pain on his stomach, he noticed a lot.

Azure eyes immediately split open and the hands around the Uchiha's neck quickly retracted back to his side. Sasuke now stood a foot away from him, looking infuriated as ever at his attempt to sneak the necklace back. Dark eyes glared down at Naruto as if he was a guilty child with one hand in the cookie jar. With a scowl and a spit, the blond avoided the accusing glare and gingerly touched his abdomen, feeling the developing bruise underneath his shirt. Somewhere in his gut, Naruto knew it had been a bad idea to try a fool a genius but everything was worth a shot or two...or twenty-seven. Besides, he was never the one to give up easily.

"Bastard," he muttered darkly, flinching as the pain splintered out when his hand nursed the injury, "You didn't have to hit so hard."

In return, Sasuke scoffed arrogantly. "You should've known better ungrateful moron."

Naruto's head snapped up. "Ungrateful...?" he started, voice rising in tone, "Ungrateful! I'm ungrateful?" Given, he did just try to break an already agreed upon deal and he did feel a pang of guilt for it but it didn't give the bastard the right to call him ungrateful. If anything, his dark-haired rival should be called ungrateful for being such an egotistical narcissistic jackass. His hands were immediately in front of him, balled into tight shaking fists.

"How the hell do you get away with calling me ungrateful-!"

"And a moron," the other interrupted cheekily.

"Arrgh!" screamed the boy, jabbing a finger at the other, "I'm gonna kill you!" Blindly, he ran forward, arm back and fist positioned to return the punch in the stomach from earlier. His blue eyes saw the arrogant smirk widen a bit and a familiar predatory glint in the dark eyes before his fist collided with...air. While Naruto was stronger than the leaner Uchiha, he couldn't compare to the other's speed and agility. The whiskered teen was sure he had the ability to knock out in one punch if he could only land one properly. He had done it before to other opponents but admittedly, they were small fry compared to Sasuke.

"Damn it. Bastard. Stop. Dodging!" Naruto cried out each time his hand brushed past its intended target. This wasn't going well; he was wasting a lot of invested energy and power not hitting the other. A fist, originally aimed at the genius' head, brushed past the stiff collar of the button down shirt and was promptly grabbed out of the air by a pale hand. The other pale hand swiftly blocked and enclosed the other fist, effectively stopping the onslaught of punches.

"It isn't my fault you can't land a punch," Sasuke said with an air of superiority," Or choose the fights you can't wi-oomph!" A harsh knee kick had landed smartly on his stomach. He had allowed himself to get too distracted. Dark eyes narrowed at the grinning boy until they were thin slits. Naruto laughed proudly.

"Ha! Who's the-!" Before he could finish relishing in his moment of glory, a solid punch was sent across his face. His body went rigid at the shock but quickly regained its composure when he was faced with the heated glare of his rival. Both teens lunged at one another, fists colliding and kicks freely given in places without discrimination. They were very aware of each other's limitations after years of encounters; their stamina had extended far beyond of normal people. This gave them a sense of delicious freedom, absent of any remorse holding them back. Punches gave into kicking. Kicking gave into pushing. Pushing eventually ended them on the dirt yard of the abandoned lot and into the sidewalk into the street. All the while, cursing and sneering tactlessly at each other.

A sleek white car came down the road and halted at the two boys fighting in the middle of the road. A familiar older woman stepped out, eyes twitching in irritation at the sight that laid before her. The too male teens, if they hadn't been too distracted, would've normally treated the change of atmosphere with caution. Instead, they continued their brawl, ignorant of the homicidal principal approaching them.

"For God's sake!" Tsunade yelled; face red with anger as she separated both boys with an iron grip on their upper arms. "You two are going to be in after school and weekend detentions until the fuckin' sun burns out!"

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"B-but I have work this weekend-!"

"Shut it, brat. You shouldn't have a fight in the middle of the street."

"But Sakura will kill me if I'm late again!"

"If you don't be quiet, I'll have that pleasure."

To the side of the room, hugging the shadows of a tall miniature tree, Sasuke rolled his eyes while pressing his injuries from one bruise to the next. He didn't get anything serious and the scars had stopped bleeding minutes after the nurse had wrapped him up in the medical linen. Naruto, on the other hand, was moving so erratically while arguing with the Kohona High principal that his bandages were unraveling on their own. Truthfully, the Uchiha didn't like the idea of extra detentions either (he had other more important things to do) but at least he had some self-control, unlike Uzumaki.

"Ms. Godaime," he interrupted politely, earning a pointed look from both, "Technically the fight happened outside of the school grounds, which is beyond your jurisdiction. So, technically, you do not have the authority to punish us." Naruto's eyes widened hopefully and waited for Tsunade to answer. Instead, the busty woman held a self-assured smirk comparable to Sasuke's. She had expected the school genius to object and had been well prepared for it.

"Nice try, Mr. Uchiha," she answered easily, waving a dismissive hand in his direction, "But you two were indeed within the boundaries of the school. That abandoned property is currently undergoing renovations to be the new practice field for the sport teams. So, technically, the fight did happen within school grounds and, technically, within my jurisdiction and power to punish."

Sasuke gave a scowl and continued to brood while a crestfallen Naruto returned babbling about the unfair justice system of the public educational system. Tsunade rolled her eyes and shoved a hall pass in front of the loud teen. Grumbling at his vain efforts to get out of detention, Naruto gave one last 'its-all-your-fault-bastard' look at Sasuke before heading out the door in a huff. Custom with the routine, the paler boy stepped forward, hand outreached for the same hall pass.

However, Tsunade still held on to the slip of paper and gave a meaningful eye at the Uchiha. She eyed him carefully, as if aiming to read her star student's mind. Sasuke, face completely blank, tugged at the pass to break the principal's intense stare. It seemed to have work, for now the older woman shook her head loosely and retreated to give a less aggressive look.

"Mr. Sasuke Uchiha," she said, exhaling the name, "What is going on between you and Naruto Uzumaki?"

The class president immediately stiffened, lowering his arm to the side and careful to keep the expression on his face completely blank. Did she suspect? After all, he had noticed her friendly interest in his rival and it wouldn't be too farfetched to see the damn loud-mouth blow their cover. However, if she did know everything, why would she ask him the question? He would have to choose his words carefully.

"Me and Uzumaki have always had an unfriendly relationship, Ms. Godaime," Sasuke started mechanically, meticulously sure that his tone did not change.

"Cut the crap, Uchiha," the principal impatiently snapped back, "You and Naruto have had more fights in the past few months than last year altogether. They have become so intense and so frequent that the nurse has filed a request for a raise. Not to mention the way you two have acted...differently altogether." There was a deliberate sigh. "I want to know why." Her glare had become more powerful, determined in getting her answers. Miraculously, the paler teen did not flinch under her infamous hardened gaze.

"I did not realize you were so interested in your student's personal lives," he stated, voice mildly laced in annoyance.

"I'm very interested if it disrupts my school," she answered back," And having fights almost every other day is very disrupting. I suggest you don't test my patience, Mr. Uchiha. It has already been thinned enough."

Sasuke broke out of his blank face to give a scowl. Secretly, he had somewhat admired the administrator for having a backbone and running the school so cleanly but it was bothersome being on the other side of her penetrating glare. Before, he had attempted to use his name's influence over the board members to fire her but she had proven too popular. Apparently, the busty blonde had been a known medical expert throughout the country but chose to live the life of ease as a mere high school principal. Her resume had been packed to the brim with glowing recommendations from the most elite schools and so been hired on the spot. Only something really drastic, such as expelling the last Uchiha, would push her off that cushioned swivel chair.

Fortunately, as intelligent as the woman was, she wasn't a mind reader and seemed ignorant to about the deal between him and Uzuamki. He let out a small breath of relief at this and gave a disarming smirk. "Truthfully? I do not know myself," he lied, "It might be because of all the stress teenagers get these days. Hormones, girls, schoolwork, etc. We are boys, after all, and boys will be boys." He gave a nonchalant shrug.

Tsunade frowned. She had wished to hear something enlightening for she was really worried about Naruto. Ever since she had suggested Sasuke's assistance in helping his friends, the tanned boy had been acting more erratically than ever before. He was often jumpy and nervous; like a hunted fox waiting for the sound of a gunshot. And the fighting, which she was often called to ease, was becoming out of control. Many times she had attempted to get Naruto to talk about what actually conspired between him and his rival but the boy simply laughed it off and excused himself to class or the gym or wherever he could get away from her piercing questions.

She supposed it would've been satisfactory enough for Naruto to have his friends back. Jittery-ness aside, the boy seemed genuinely happy but she couldn't shake away the feeling that something had gone terribly wrong. Naturally, a big favor undoubtedly meant a big payment in return. What could it have been? Sasuke wasn't going to tell her anything, she was sure of that much, but she was surprised that Naruto had kept his mouth lidded also. Tsunade looked over the Uchiha heir carefully, her eyes traveling from the smug glint in his eyes and down to the devilish curl of the lips. What could-?

Wait a minute!

"Where did you get that necklace, Uchiha?" she asked immediately, eyes flaring. She couldn't see anything clearly but there was a faint familiar outline just beneath the collar of his shirt. Tsunade had to suppress a growl at the student. That necklace...was that it? The payment? How dare he take what she personally gave to Naruto! Sasuke seemed unfazed at the sudden rage emitting from his principal and fingered the chain confidently.

"Oh this? A few months ago. It caught my eye and I couldn't pass up such a good deal it came with," he shadily replied. He caught the change in Tsunade's expression and pressed on further, wondering how far he could push the woman. "The original owner seemed to be in a dilemma and offered it to me personally. I couldn't refuse." Maybe she knew something but she obviously didn't know everything. And, judging by the way the conversation had been unfolding, the older blonde seemed a bit secretive herself.

'That spoiled punk,' Tsunade thought bitterly. No wonder Naruto had been avoiding her so insistently. Truthfully, she was disappointed in his decision to hand it over to the Uchiha kid but she couldn't blame him. The boy was faced with a hard decision and made the best choice out of those available. However, she was powerless to get the necklace back since it would unveil her own guilty participation in the act. Until she found a way to confiscate the necklace, by the books, and sneak it back to Naruto from the Uchiha, Tsunade would have to wait it out. Sasuke used the necklace to tease the shorter junior into fighting (thus the violent increase in... violence) so he would take care of the item until then.

Now, there wasn't anything she could do. And Sasuke knew it, judging by how self-assured he was acting.

Hesitantly, they exchanged one last set of glare and she finally handed over the hall pass.

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Weekend detention. AKA, five hours of staring at an empty chalkboard in an empty classroom in an empty school.

It was the black plague of Naruto's life. Ever since the deal was made, he and Sasuke haven't enjoyed an entire Saturday afternoon because of their constant 'misbehaving'. His friends, the ungrateful pricks, only laughed and vex him about all the girl action they had seen with his absence. Though he highly doubted Kiba's account of a stripper parade at a hidden nude beach was true, he still wished he was outside rather than stuck in a classroom with only his English teacher, Jariaya, as company. Even the Uchiha would've been a welcomed but Tsunade had learned long ago to not keep the two in the same room for too long. They had separate detentions in undisclosed rooms each time.

Today was a really nice day too; the type with clear blue skies, a smiling sun, and singing birds. Bright and with a light sense of energy filling the air, it defined days the hyperactive boy lived for. For the hundredth time, Naruto stretched out over his desk like a cat and tucked his head back into his crossed arms.

"Gah! It's so boring!" he sighed, reaching behind the back of his hand and scratching off an itch, "Why can't I just go? It's not like I have anything to do!"

"Shut it brat," muttered a long spiky mane of grey hair behind an unfolded newspaper, "It's your fault for picking fights with that Uchiha kid."

Naruto huffed and straightened himself in the metal seat. "He's the one who picks fight on me, old pervert."

Jariaya looked up from his newspaper and regarded the sullen boy wearily. "Hey, don't take it out on me if you don't know how to choose your battles. If you knew how to throw a decent punch once in a while, both of us would be doing better things."

"What! I can so throw a punch! Sasuke just cheats and dodges a lot!" the blond yelled, crossing his arms, "Besides, what could an old pervert like you be doing anyway? Not like you have a date or something- ouch!" A flying pen landed soundly on his head. Naruto lifted his hand to the spot and shot his English teacher a dirty look.

"I did have something planned," the teacher replied irritably, going back to his newspaper, "There is a television special on a certain movie of a certain adult series and I'm going to miss it because I have to baby-sit a sixteen-year-old baby." Naruto ignored the insult. Muttering curses under his breath, the blue-eyed blond was going to try and nap again but an idea suddenly popped into his head.

"Ya'know, the student council room has a television..." the whiskered boy said slowly, "And I bet it has a lot of different channels..."

The bait was immediately hungrily snatched. There was a rustle of a newspaper being quickly folded on the large wooden desk and the whiskered teen had a hard time hiding his grin. "What room number is it?"

Naruto gave an innocent shrug of the shoulders and spread himself over his seat. "I'm not too sure exactly...I mean, this room is making me so claustrophobic with all of these...empty chairs around." Jariaya rolled his eyes. "I think my brain might remember better if I can get some fresh air..."

The English teacher looked thoughtful, closing his eyes and rubbing his chin. "So, you need some fresh air right?" Naruto nodded eagerly, his blue eyes already shining at the prospect of freedom. "Fine, tell me the room number first and I promise to give you that fresh air." At the teen blond's skeptical look, Jariaya pointed two fingers up and held a solemn face. "Scout's honor, boy."

After one last scrutinizing look, the student finally gave in. It wasn't as if he had a choice, any who. "Okay, the student council room is number 248. In the science hall, third door to the right. Now can I go, pervert?" His English teacher, satisfied with the answer, gathered his things and started to head for the door. Naruto, following his example, stood up and trailed behind. He waited patiently for the older man to turn off the room's thermostat before leaving the door when he was abruptly pushed back into the room. Before he knew it, his teacher was on the other side of the door, outside the room, laughing openly through the small window.

"What the hell?" Naruto yelled, banging his fist at the door and turning the locked doorknob, "I thought we had a deal! Scout's honor you old wrinkled prune!" In anger, he kicked at the window where he could still see his teacher's amused face.

"We did," the other replied through breathless chuckled, "I said I'll give you fresh air. Well, I just turned on the air conditioner brat so I did keep my end of the bargain!"

"What! I meant I wanted to go outside stupid! Not the damn air conditioner!"

Two fingers formed into a v-shape replaced the face formerly at the window. "Should've paid more attention in class, brat. Then you would've known how to use words more carefully. I'll come back and let you go once the show is over." Naruto flattened his face against the glass just in time to see a happy Jariaya pocketing the keys as he walked his way to the science hall. Unbelievable, he was locked inside the classroom. Is every teacher in this school out of their mind? He gave the door one last kick before settling himself on one of the desks in the front row and banging his head repeatedly on the glossy top.

"Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stu-"

"No need to repeat it, moron," came a smooth voice, "Everyone already knows you are."

Naruto let out a long moan as he lifted his head up and came face to face with a smirking Uchiha. He narrowed his eyes immediately and stuck out his tongue. "Shut up, bastard. What the hell are you doing here, anyway? You're supposed to be detention too." The golden haired teen quickly became aware of the opened door behind the other and his expression turned to shock. "H-how did you-?"

A pale hand pulled out a large set of keys held together by a thick copper ring. "I'm in student council and we take turns taking care of the council's set of keys, dumbass. The teacher I'm with lets me walk around whenever I want because I usually have some after school things I need to finish." Onyx eyes looked at the fresh shoe marks on the door. "And your loud kicking brought me here." His smirk grew wider at Naruto's stunned look. "So, even Jariaya couldn't stand being with you for so long, right?"

Naruto immediately stood up and took a defensive stance. "Shut up, asshole! The old pervert locked me in here to watch some TV show in another room!" He made a move towards the opened door. Like hell he was going to stay and wait for the perverted English teacher or willingly stay in the same room as Sasuke. However, just as he was about to pass the smug council member, the door was swiftly shut and locked.

"What the hell, Uchiha!" he yelled, turning to glare straightly at the bastard, who had by now tucked his keys securely in his front pants pocket.

"As someone who has vowed to uphold the rules of this school, I can't very well allow you to simply walk away from a punishment."

"Wh-what! That's total crap and you know it! You just want me to stay here and suffer asshole!"

"Hn, and what of it?"

"Gah! I hate you, bastard! I wish you'll suffocate in you're own pile of shit!" Naruto cried, jabbing an angry finger at the smirking Uchiha, "Then I'll be pointing and laughing as you try to climb out but because you're so pretty, you'll probably be too busy complaining and whining about how dirty you are and then wild starving animals will come and try to eat you but because you're so stinky the animals will go like 'eww' and-"

"Get on with it, moron," Sasuke interrupted, bringing his fingers up to massage the side of his head, "You're talking too much, again."

Naruto growled in retort and took a few steps away from the paler youth to lean himself comfortably on Jariaya's desk. What in the world was Uchiha's problem? It wasn't as if the blond woke up one day and thought it would be fun to have a violent rivalry with the other. Even though his memory was a blur, he was sure it wasn't as if they made a concious decision to beat each other up the first time they met. People often fought each other after knowing them gradually and then realizing traits that didn't bode well when the two are together. And even though he and Uchiha were often in conflict with one another, it didn't explain the surge of hatred twisting between them.

In the past, he had often lost sleep over this and its just become more frequent with the 'deal'. Naruto wouldn't admit it out loud, but he was partially proud of his ability to gain a rise of the Uchiha when no one else seems to be able. But he also had to admit that the same pleasure might belong to Sasuke as well towards him. Even knowing this, the blond couldn't say he minded. He was an easily exciteable person; Kiba, Chouji, and Shika did it to him all the time and they all managed to get along well. However, the young Uchiha was different; there was more energy invested in their verbal and physical arguments. But all the bruisings on their skins and egos couldn't shake a tiny haunting whisper Naruto often heard.

"Why are we still fighting?" he breathed, voice barely audible. "Why do we still hate each other so much?"

Naruto expected Sasuke to look at him strangely or ask (in his usual know-it-all tone) to clarify what he said more clearly. However, what he didn't expect was hearing the steady breathing of the other skip a few seconds before settling back down to its original pace. "People hate because we're too different," the Uchiha said bluntly, lifting his eyes to stare at the side of the wall. The air became unbearably still around them; Naruto could almost feel the emptyness in the sentence and avoided looking at the other because of it.

No, that wasn't it.

The mixture of hate and disgust between them was in too great a volume to be explained away so easily. It couldn't possibly be something that simple.

Other people hate because they're too different.

"But...we're not like other people, are we Sasuke?" he whispered. Naruto finally looked up and saw dark eyes looking back.

You must've realized it too, don't you?

"What exactly are you getting at, Uzumaki?" Sasuke said softly, daring the other to finish his thoughts. The atmosphere suddenly grew murderous.

There was a brief moment of hesitation. It might've been a bad idea to bring up the subject altogether since they've been doing fine without it; after all, fights were not meant to be speculated and scrutinized so vividly. Often it raises uncomfortable questions about both participants which would be better being left uncovered. However, the blond simply wouldn't...couldn't let the subject go. He had been carrying this thought around for a long time and could no longer dismiss it so easily now that its out in the open. Now, alone and guaranteed freedom from any interruptions, was as good of a time as any to say something. His throat grew grievously parched and dry as he spoke.

"We're not like other people, Sasuke. We hate each other because we're the same."

And we can't stand each other because of it.

Something seemed to have cracked as the words awkwardly tumbled out of his lips. Before he knew it, two hands came to his chest and vehemently pushed him towards the blackboard. He bended his arms backwards to stop himself from colliding with the chalky surface and immediately glared at the one who pushed him. With surprising speed, Sasuke was already hovering over the shorter boy with two outstretched arms to the side of the blond's head.

"Know this, dead-last," the other hissed, a deadly rage glimmering in his dark eyes. "You can't even compare to someone like me. Don't even try that type of bullshit."

"Asshole!" Naruto remarked back, face wrinkling at the condescending tone, "Is it that hard to accept? Maybe we are the same! Maybe that's why we're always fighting! Have you ever thought about that, dumb bastard!" He made an attempt to get away but a harsh push on the shoulders kept him back. There was a soft 'thunk' as the back of his head collided with the blackboard behind him.

"I'm not anything like you," came a low snarl. The young Uchiha finally took a step back and regarded Naruto with a fierce glare. He smirked wildly when he found the glare returned with equal passion. With full grace, he stepped back towards the shorter boy, a wild grin of malice on unblemished features. Naruto, never one for the defensive, stood rooted where he stood with Sasuke boring down on him inches away. His heart thumped savagely in his chest. His breathing shortened drastically.

Everything had happened so fast; it was dizzying. Almost terrifying.

"Why than, Sasuke?" Naruto muttered lowly, increasingly frenzied, "Am I just that annoying? Loud? Stupid?" He bit down on his lower lip and narrowed his flaring azure eyes while his rival looked down at him evenly. "Why than! Why! Why the hell do you hate me so much!" When it was finished, a deadly silence flooded the room, thickening the air and chilling the room like a mist. The blond waited patiently for a reply, a reaction, anything so as to prove that he was being heard. Finally, the Uchiha prodigy spoke.

"Because you're..."

It came in a raspy fragile voice the tanned boy didn't' know the other was capable of. Before he could question it further, Naruto realized both of their bodies were being closed in. His eyes widened incredulously up towards the taller paler boy. What the hell did Sasuke think he was doing? Weren't they screaming at each other mere moments ago? Looking at the sullen look on the pale face, Naruto was surprised to find the lack of any rage that had been so prevalent earlier. His mouth grew dryer and dryer as Sasuke leaned nearer, making it hard to voice any protest.

"Because you're..." the voice faltered again before the distance between them completely closed. As a reflex, the blond immediately closed his eyes and stiffened his body. Two lips delicately touched the middle of his forehead, just above the bridge of his nose. Soon afterwards, the taller boy pulled away leaving a lingering warmth on the honey skin. Cautiously, Naruto opened his eyes and waited for something more dramatic, thinking the kiss on the forehead had been some sort of tease. Instead, he found a set of dark turbulent eyes staring unblinkingly into his own. There was no smirk this time, not even a slight curve at the edges; the mouth was thinned into a tight line. The Uchiha was so close that the whiskered boy felt claustrophobic. He wanted to push the other way but his hands felt too numb and heavy to do anything.

"S-Sasuke?"

Naruto's shaky voice seemed to have snapped the dark-haired boy out of his daze. He straightened up, hands shoved in his pockets as he regained his formal composure. Those stormy eyes still remained and Naruto distracted himself from looking at them by facing the window. No words were exchanged as the paler teen turned and promptly left the room, leaving the blond contemplative of what had just unfolded between them. The forgotten door was left ajar but the blond's mind was too distracted to care anymore.

That kiss...

It was completely unlike the other times when Sasuke had kissed him. They were usually rough, angry, and thoughtless. Forceful and dominating. Cold and without heart.

Those were the kisses of a rival.

But this one felt different. Completely and thoroughly unlike the kisses he expected and previously received. He had been kissed enough by the bastard to realize the difference when the two compared. He didn't mean the fact that it was on his forehead or how fleeting it was. The kiss was soft and light, like a feather had just been dragged across his skin. It sent tiny shivers down his spine when he touched the lingering warmth and, most importantly, didn't make him want to swallow a gallon of mouthwash.

It felt nice. Gentle and kind. The exact opposite of what he had experienced so far from the stoic teen.

Could something like that possibly come from someone like Sasuke? Bastard-prissy-arrogant-Sasuke Uchiha? For that brief moment, it didn't; it felt like a completely different person.

It had felt like someone who cared.

-to be continued-

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Author's Note:

This chapter was amonsterto write. Revised like whoa so it took an incredibly long time to write. It was originally supposed to be much shorter, acting as a sort of catch up but it eventually grew and grew and, before I knew it, this thing happened. D; Is it just me or are the chapters getting longer and longer? I hope you guys don't mind me clipping the word count down on the later ones. I'm not used to writing such a long story.

And the reviews! Oh, the reviews which I imagined a chibi form of me swimming in when I opened my inbox. I absolutely adore 'em and can't thank you guys enough for taking your time to write them. -hugs- Some of them were so flattering too! There were even a few of you who aren't even into AU-highschool or fans of the pairing who liked the story! Wow! -hughughug- Again, thank you, especially to those who took their time writing the longer reviews! I really appreciate them!

Sorry, I can't offer a snipit of the next chapter like I hoped but it will be an eventful one. Kakashi and Sakura will be added, you'll see a little of what Sasuke and Naruto are like outside of the school setting, and the plot thickens up a bit more. Neji, Shikamaru, Chouji, and Kiba, unfortunately, aren't going to appear much until near the end when they start to take a more active role. -thumbs up-

Remember to leave a bit of comment and critique on your way out, please. I love love long reviews. 8'D