Yes! I chose Sasuke, What can I say I am sucker for him!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Totally Beta'd by Mad Mardigan, the best damn grammar god! I know anyway…

Chapter 3: Getting over the hill

Neji at first entered Naruto's body thrusting wildly, a feeling of need overwhelming him. His wild rhythm slowed to a more acceptable pace as his current partner laid a light hand on his chest. The touch seemed to calm the urges raging inside. That simple contact eased the ache of penetration, turning it into something more, something better.

'God! He's driving me nuts! His hands are so tight, so strong. And, how he moves. Shit! I can feel it in my stomach every time he jerks his hips!'

He could feel the blunt edges of Neji's nails as they dug half-moon shaped welts into the flesh of his waist. Sensation fired his nerves. He could feel the heat of completion singing in his veins, and he welcomed it. Pushing his body down, he shivered as the man above him moaned.

"Oh! Shit, yes" The brunet hissed, intoxicated by the body of someone he had just met. It would only take seconds for him to fall from his precarious edge. Where had his typical self-control gone? This may have been a normal situation, but how he reacted to it was far from it. Touch, heat, every sense burning him with its rebirth. He beheld the situation with all the beauty and wonder he felt at seeing his first sunset as it fired the sky. Brain rushing to try and encompass the enormity of his action, he froze for a minute before tremors racked his body. A soft, barely heard whisper nearly broke what little control he had left.

"Mmmph… Neji! Cumming..." Broken words and inarticulate sounds whispered through those sensual lips once more. Orgasm of one caused a chain reaction, sending Neji rocketing into a place dominated by white. Amazing was the only word he could think to encompass the situation he found himself in, caught up in the newness of it all.

What strength he had in him was sapped, his limbs as tensile as jelly. He grunted softly as his weight landed on the blond beneath him. "I really want to thank you for the evening Neji. I enjoyed my time with you, a lot." Naruto whispered into the night. Moving to rise from the mattress, he felt a hand close around his wrist. "Naruto. Stay the night. I mean, I would like very much for you to stay with me, tonight." Neji never asked anyone to stay the night. This was different. He was different. And Neji couldn't bear to part with him, at least not tonight. "Yeah, Neji. I would like that very much."

Naruto stretched. The blankets felt so nice over his bare skin. 'That is right! I slept with a stranger last night!' Self-consciousness took over his feelings. He felt mortified to think he was still in a virtual stranger's bed. Slowly opening his eyes, he let them shift about the room. Enormous was the only word to describe it. Elegant furnishing echoed the posh sense of the place. He gaped for a bit. To his astonishment, there was even a fireplace on the far wall. "So, you are awake. How did you sleep?" Drawing the soft blanket up about him, Naruto sat back against the headboard. "Um, I- Well. I slept really well. In fact, the only time I slept better was back when I still lived with my folks." A smile creased Neji's face. "That is good to hear. Makes me feel special. Naruto? Are you hungry?" After a bit, Naruto merely nodded in response.

"Very well, I will have Cho Hee prepare something for us. If you don't mind, I took the liberty of having your clothes washed and pressed. They're in the bathroom, along with some fresh towels and a few toiletries." Neji kissed Naruto on the cheek.

"Just come downstairs when you are done. Oh, and Naruto?" The blond looked up with those water-colored eyes. "I am grateful that you decided to stay the night with me." Naruto just blushed. What could he say? He watched as the handsome brunet left the room. This behavior was so far from the norm. He knew better, was taught better. Picking people up from the street, then having sex with them was just not done. If they knew, his parents would undoubtedly kill him. But, he was getting himself all flustered for nothing. There was no way his parents would find out about his lapse in judgment. He threw his legs over the side of the bed. Standing up, however, took some time. Neji was a little rougher than what he was used to, but incredible none-the-less. Naruto hadn't felt like that since his first boyfriend. Fond memory of the raven-haired boy made him smile from nostalgia.

Moving across the room, he stepped into the en-suite bathroom. To his surprise, its size mirrored that of the adjacent room. Two sinks occupied the wall nearest the bathtub, across from a separate shower stall. He noted, with a touch of amusement, the toilet sitting behind yet another door. Indulging momentarily in the richness of his surrounding, he slipped into the enclosure of what could only be described as "hi-tech." Fumbling with the controls, he felt a sense of triumph when the spray soon washed over him. Blue eyes met themselves in the mirror as he exited the shower. A blush tinged his cheeks as he took note of the various love bites dotting his skin. Wincing, he brushed a hand over his hip, prodding a new bruise and frowning at what looked to be scars. They looked worse then they felt. Experience told him that they would look even worse before they got better. Naruto pulled on his freshly pressed clothes and headed down the steps. The place was really swanky! Naruto could only imagine what the rent must be like in a place like this. He made his way to the dining room. The table was large and rather impersonal. Neji lived a lot differently than he did.

"Umino-sama? If you follow me, I can take you to Hyuuga-sama." Naruto whirled around to find a petite Korean lady. She smiled as she motioned for him to follow her. 'Hyuuga? Why does that name sound so familiar?' Naruto shrugged it off as Neji came into view. He was beautiful in his expensive suit. His hair, no longer free to flow down his back, was pulled back into a braid. A marked difference stood between work-Neji and spare-time-Neji, Naruto noted. Nevertheless, he hoped that the kindness of this one was the same as last night. Neji looked up and whispered to him. "Please. Sit and eat." Pulling out a chair, Naruto sat on the cushion yet froze at the sudden change in the brunet's demeanor. "Lewis. I do not care what it takes! I want that company out of business. And I want it done by the time I finish my coffee! If you cannot do that one simple task, your ass will be standing in the unemployment line. By the time I finish my coffee, Lewis!" Neji motioned for the maid.

"Cho Hee, could you be a dear and take this phone away? Oh. I will not be accepting any more calls until I make it to the office." The woman nodded her head and left without a word. "Sorry about that. I did not expect you down so soon. Did you enjoy your shower?" Naruto nodded as he swallowed his sausage. "Yeah, it was really nice. Once I figured out how to use it." He muttered." Neji chuckled slightly. He definitely liked this blond. He seemed to be rough around the edges. But, he was a nice guy all around. "I am glad you are enjoying yourself and having a good experience. May I be so bold as to ask you a question, Naruto?" Naruto looked up as he finished his breakfast. "Umino. I have heard that name before, am I correct?" Naruto gave that same foxy grin from last night. It really did make him look gorgeous. "My family is behind 'Umino-Hatake Wines and Spirits'. We have been vintners and brewers for nearly a century now." Recognizing the look he was being given, he gave an almost-chuckle. Coming from a well-heeled background, but not acting like it. Naruto seemed to avoid the pitfalls of wealth, stoic, stuffy, or overly formal behavior.

"My family doesn't believe in private schools, or someone else raising their children. I went to a public school and had a summer job. Just like everybody else. My grandparents were quoted as saying, many times 'Just because you have a trust fund doesn't mean you should not go out there and earn your own money.' " Naruto smiled. He was proud to be an Umino-Hatake. They had taught him to value life and family over everything else. "That is a really good way to live. And, excellent words to live by. Too bad my own family never felt that way. I had nannies, private tutors, and I attended two of the most prestigious private schools. I think out of my entire youth, I saw my parents maybe a handful of times." Naruto started to frown. He should have just shut his big fat mouth! Neji could see his duress and decided to ease it.

"It is quite alright, Naruto. I accepted my fate a long time ago." Naruto smiled. "I was not always an Umino-Hatake; I was once an Uzu…Uzumaki. Naruto shuddered at those bad memories and even to this day he still had nightmares. Neji could see it was a bad subject, so he moved on. "Does your family still run the vineyard themselves?" Naruto smiled, again. "Yes, the one in California is run by Cho, Hiroshi, Kisho, and Akina. My aunts and uncles. Then, the one in Italy is still run by my grandparents, the Hatakes and the Uminos." Everyone knew that the Uminos and the Hatakes were two separate clans that started a business together. However, over the years tons of Hatakes had married Uminos. Now the two were now essential one. "It is really nice in Italy this time of year. The grapes always come in just after the last of winter goes out." Naruto smiled as he sipped his tea. This man was beautiful. "Naruto? I know last night was a little sudden. I am sorry I never asked, but, are you currently seeing anyone?" Naruto flushed with embarrassment. 'Does he think I am that type of person?'

"Umm…Well… N-Neji, I swear I never just go home with people I just meet. B-but, I thought you were really nice! So, I thought 'Why not'! I swear I am not that type of person. I am no whore, and I do have some pride. It is just that…" Neji chuckled at the sight of a nervous blond. He really didn't do this sort of thing often, either. "It is fine. To tell the truth, I never planned to be so smitten with you. I like you too. And I would certainly love the opportunity to know you better." Naruto could feel his skin blazing under the hand resting on his neck. Neji just asked him out and not to get out! This was bad! Naruto needed Mr. Right-now, not Mr. Right. And let's face facts. Neji would be the ideal Mr. Right! Neji was everything his dad Iruka would approve of because he was nothing like Kiba.

"Yes, Neji. I would like to get to know you better, too." Naruto looked at his watch. He had to get to work. Apparently, so did Neji. He was standing up before Naruto could say he had to go. The two took the elevator silently to the ground floor, where a large black car was waiting. Naruto started to pass the car when Neji grabbed his arm and turned him. "I will see you soon, right?" Naruto found himself hypnotized by those pale eyes. "Yeah Neji, I will see you soon. You have my number right?" The brunet just nodded his head. "Well, I will see you soon then. Perhaps we can have Thai next time? I hear it is really good!" Neji smiled as he captured the blonde's lips into a passionate kiss that made both of them shiver. "I am going to call you, Naruto-chan. Do you need a ride?" The driver had the door open, waiting for the reply as well. "No, but thanks for everything." The gorgeous brunet disappeared into the car. He watched as it pulled away from the curb and off into the distance. He looked at his watch again. He really did need to be on his way.

Naruto realized he had been in a daze most of the day when he looked up and saw people leaving the office. "Did I get anything done?" He heard a laugh. "Of course you did Naruto. What is wrong with you?" Naruto just blushed as he ran his hand through his hair. "You did that! With who? Don't tell me that you let Kiba come back?" Naruto just shook his head at Haku's accusation. "A new lover? Really? Wait a minute! That means you just met! You did that? With someone you just met?!" Naruto felt a little dirty, but Neji was worth it! "I never thought you had it in you! So, this means he's not your usual 'Mr. Right Now'. Where is Sai, anyway?" Naruto shrugged. "Fuck if I know. The last time we talked, he was in New Zealand for a photo shoot. He always causes me so much trouble, bringing more problems than I had initially. I am glad it is not him. But then that is the problem." Haku looked at his dear friend curiously. "Okay, ummm… What?" Naruto sat back in his chair.

"This guy is amazing! He has 'Mr. Right' written all over him and he is here at the wrong time!" Haku laughed at his blond friend. "You cannot just return to sender, Naru. Look, you are conscious of the fact that you just got out a two-year debacle, right?" Naruto gave a slow nod. "Well, I think it will be fine. You understand the circumstances perfectly. You are coming in to this with eyes wide open." Haku was right! Haku was always right! "Thank you, Haku. I love how you put things in perspective for me." Haku hugged his friend before he left. He was sure the blond would be fine. As usual, Naruto was the last to leave. Before exiting, he stopped to converse briefly with Konohamaru. "Well, how did it go?" The young guard just grinned feverishly. "I passed! I have maintained my 3.2, and I get to keep my scholarship!" Naruto patted the boy's head. "That is really good 'Maru! How is that pretty little girlfriend of yours?"

"Moegi is great. She is studying hard too! Thanks for the help, boss." Naruto just nodded. "I am going to take you two out to celebrate tomorrow. It is your day off, right?" The guard nodded.

"Good, I will see you two at seven. We can go wherever you want." Naruto left the building. Konohamaru was a really good kid. He managed to make it onto the train before his phone began to vibrate. "Where have you been? We came by your place this morning! Then, we called the office and they said you weren't there!" Naruto's little brother Lithe always worried. "Lithe! Calm your nerves. I am fine! I just went to go see a friend this morning, and I was a little late to work." He could hear his little brother shift. "I hope to God it wasn't that waste of skin and space Sai." Sai only stayed around for a little while and he had been Naruto's rebound boy toy for years. But, Lithe still hated Sai. Naruto could never figure out why, because Lithe liked everyone else.

"No Light. It was not Sai! For the record, Sai is currently out of town…I think?" Lithe heaved a sigh. "Thank God! I do not understand his appeal. He is completely devoid of personality. I think he is a loser! Stay away from that asshole, big brother." Naruto got off at his stop and hurried up the stairs. "You worry too much! But, I can promise you that Sai will not be coming around. How is Mai? Are you over her already?" Lithe chuckled. "Actually, yes. I am currently dating a girl named Keiko. The parents like her." Naruto rolled his eyes as he headed for New Han's. "Daddy Kakashi likes everyone! Did Daddy Iruka really like her or was he just saying that because you are his little Light? You know he hates to discourage you." Naruto laughed internally. "Aw fuck! I forgot he does that! Man! Hold on!" Naruto sighed as he entered the restaurant.

"Naruto!" Akihiko yelled as he came to kiss, him on the cheek. "How is my favorite blond?" Naruto smiled. "I am just starting a little trouble for Lithe." Akihiko had known the Umino-Hatake clan since Naruto was a kid. "Naru-chan! Be nice. You know Light has always been a sensitive boy! You want the usual?" Naruto nodded as Lithe clicked back over and a phone was ringing. "You still there, Naru?" Naruto chuckled. "Of course. Why do I have to be on the phone though?" Before he could get an answer, the ringing ceased and Iruka answered. "Hello, my little Light. Daddy misses you, very much." Iruka still treated his children the same as when they were younger. "Dad! Do you really like Keiko? Or, were you doing that fake shit?" Iruka sighed. "I really wish your older brother wouldn't say such things!" Naruto laughed. "Why? Because it is true!" Lithe was incensed now! "Daddy! Why do you do that!? Do you like her or not?" Iruka sighed.

"The girl just wasn't very pleasant! And, she seemed uncomfortable with the fact that you have two dads instead of one. I don't think she would be very conducive to our environment." Naruto laughed even harder. "I told you! Dad, a lot of people don't have two parents of the same sex. It takes some people a little time to get used to it. Besides, your standards for your children are just too high!" He could hear his dad about to disagree. "Dad, Naru is so right! You do this to every girl I bring over or every guy Lilith and Naruto bring home! That is not fair!" Naruto didn't want any more to do with this. "I have to run. I love you, Daddy! And, you too, Light! I'll talk to you later." He hung up as Akihiko came out of the back with his order.

"You come back and say hi later, okay?" Naruto just smiled, nodding. "I will stop by just to say hello to ojiichan and obaachan." Akihiko just waved as he left. Naruto opened the door to his apartment and groaned as he realized he forgot to check the mail. Setting his stuff down, he trotted back down the stairs and to the box with his apartment number on it. A husky voice broke his reverie. "Hey Naruto. How's it going?" He whipped around, frowning. 'Speak of the Sai and the Sai shall appear!' Naruto turned back around to retrieve his mail. "What do you want Sai?" The man came up behind him, pressing his erection into Naruto's backside. "Sorry. I am all filled up here. You have to go further down the line to find someone much more desperate than I." Naruto turned around to see Sai staring at him dumbfounded. "But, Ino said you and the dog-boy just broke up." Naruto nodded his head as he walked back up the stairs.

"That is true. But I shudder to think of what drama being with you is going to bring to my table. Speaking of which. How are Nana and your little one, Hitomi?" Sai winced at the reminder of his girlfriend and daughter. "Typical Sai. If she found out you were messing with me again, she would kill us both. Personally, I really don't want to die from something I could avoid." Naruto was at the top of the stairs when Sai spoke again. "We are getting married, you know." He looked down at those beautiful eyes and smiled. "All the more reason for you to not be here at this very moment. Good night Sai. I loved you." Naruto went into his apartment and sank to the floor. 'Well that was intense!' He took a couple of deep breaths before getting back to his feet. He decided to take a shower before he ate.

As he stepped out of the shower, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He had a large hickey just below his collarbone. He blushed as his mind wander back to the night before. He went to his bedroom and pulled on a pair of pajama pants and a tee. 'That guy is amazing. Why does it feel so much like him?' Naruto started to pout. That boy with the midnight hair and eyes to match. He was certain that boy was made of starlight. He certainly tasted sweet enough. Naruto sighed as he walked back into the living room. "I really need to stop trying to live in the past." He shook his head to remove the memory of his first real love. Loving him was mystical. Because with that raven…it was…it was effortless. It was an idyllic dream, cruelly crushed by his nightmarish brother.

Naruto frowned. He was foolish and easy to manipulate then. "I was so stupid and immature back then." Regretfully, he shook his head. He pulled his Hui Guo Rou out as he turned on the television. He was hoping to catch the midnight run of the news. Instead he was watching the 1975 make of 'The Count of Monte-Cristo'. Never his favorite book, he grudgingly admitted the movie was not too bad. He grabbed his house phone, noticing the voice-mail light blinking. He figured it had to be Light and Lily ranting into his phone. He chuckled as he slid onto the couch. Snapping his chopsticks, he set them down before dialing the code for his voicemail box.

He watched as Edmund Dantès learned sword fighting, when the first voicemail started. As predicted, it was from the hysteric twins. Sadly, so were the following four. His breath caught on the sixth and final recorded message.

********************************Voicemail Number Six*********************************

Very funny voicemail, Dobe. I could have sworn you were twenty-six, not sixteen. I am in town and I wanted to see you. Or choke you. I thought that when I saw you, I could make my decision. Since it is the twenty-first century I see no need to leave a number. You can call me if you like. Don't procrastinate like usual. I will be leaving in a few days. Talk to you soon, Dobe. *Click *

*******************************End Of Message****************************************

Naruto was not so hungry anymore. In fact, his stomach was in knots. He rushed to the toilet to empty the contents of his stomach. His head was spinning with questions! The last time he saw that guy was when he walked away! He wouldn't hear an explanation or anything! The last words that raven spoke echoed in his head. 'You are a fucking whore! I hope you enjoyed that. Itachi just fucked you because he knew you were pathetic.' Naruto winced at the mental replay. In a way, he was right. Naruto pulled his legs to his chest. Was he really going to call him back?

Thank you so much Dragon and Inumoon, you two are really sweet to put up with my insanity!

Everyone is encouraged to review of course!