I decided to post this early because I work tomorrow! I hope you all enjoy it!
Disclaimer: Nope I do not own it!
Will be Beta'd by Mad Mardigan the Grammar God
Chapter 4: A Mountain out of Molehill
Naruto sighed softly. Once more, he had woken up disappointed in himself. He had not yet worked up the courage to call that damn Uchiha back. Instead he resorted to popping a couple Valium and passing out. How could he just call so casually like that anyway. He had left Naruto completely broken and dejected. Naruto heaved a heavy sigh as he got to his feet, he had a basketball game today, which meant he would have to face Kiba. "That is just fan-fucking-tastic!" He went into the bathroom and did his morning routine. Coming out, he changed into some basketball shorts, some Nike cross-trainers, and a white tank. He pulled his orange hoodie on before stuffing some jeans and a tee in his gym bag. He really was not in the mood to face dog-boy, but what choice did he have? He pouted as he trudged down the stoop towards the gym a block over. Quickly, his thoughts wandered off on their own accord to the message the bastard had left.
"Very funny voice mail, 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 reason 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"
What was he supposed say to the Teme anyway! 'Hey! I have only had dysfunctional relationships since that day you left me in the middle of the road, forcing me to walk six miles home.' Or maybe, 'That day you walked away from me still feels like it happened just yesterday.' Naruto sighed. His problem was that he never let the first person go. Of course, everything after the stupid Uchiha was destined to go horribly wrong.
He knew he loved others after him, but was he really putting his all into it? Naruto stopped walking at the new realization. The more he thought about it, the answer was clear. A definite 'No'. "Well, fuck me sideways!" He heard a chuckle. "I would rather not. Temari would kill us both." The lazy drawl could only belong to Shika. He looked up at the lazy smile with a frown. "What is wrong Naru?" Shikamaru asked with caution. "Sasuke Uchiha called me last night." Shika's eyebrows shot up into his hairline. That was the worst time ever! It took forever to get Naruto out of bed, in the aftermath of that asshole and his vindictive brother. Naruto got caught in the crossfire of bitter sibling rivalry. It left him severely wounded. It was so painful to watch. Shika marked it as the one time he had felt truly helpless, having to watch his friend suffer. The whole fucking thing was troublesome if you asked him, but of course, he had to be rational. Naruto's last relationship failed so miserably because there was no real closure with the troublesome Uchiha. Shikamaru sighed. He was sure this was the same conclusion Naruto reached.
"Maybe we should forfeit and go see the girls at the bakery?" Naruto nodded his head. He couldn't pretend he was in the mood to deal with trying to be cordial and focus on a game. "Just wait here, I will let Choji, and Lithe know what is going on." Naruto sighed as he leaned against the large pillar at the entrance to the gym. "I wish I would have just stayed asleep." He slid down the pillar and let his head rest on his knees when he heard a furious Kiba. "He wants me off the team that bad, he can tell me himself. He should be man enough to not hide behind you!" Shika sighed inwardly. This was the epitome of 'troublesome'. "It is not like that. Naruto is in no shape to play today." Kiba narrowed his eyes, zeroing in on the orange sleeve of Naruto's hoodie.
"No, if he wants to be that fucking way, I want him to say it to my fucking face!" Kiba snatched the blond up by his arm, forcing him hard into the pillar. "Ouch! What the fuck Kiba!" Naruto pulled his hood back, revealing a red face and evidence of tears. "I thought we were going to be friends. Then you pull some bullshit about not wanting to play! I thought we were trying to be civil! I cannot believe I fucking believed you!" He wanted to comfort the blond but he was just too pissed at the moment. "Kiba baby, this really is not about you. I can be friends with you and I can even play in the same league, but today is really not the day." Naruto clenched his fist as Lithe came running out the gym.
He saw the tension and was the only one brave enough to step in the middle of it. Kiba's hard glare softened, because he believed the blond. "I don't understand you Uzumaki. Not at all." He gritted his teeth when a velvet smooth voice spoke. "Hey Oniisan, let's go get you settled." Naruto's eyes met gray ones. He could not help but smile, Lithe and Lilith had always been a source of calm in his life. With their gray eyes, cream colored skin, and sandy blond locks, everything about them embodied calm. His little brother took his hand. But before he left, he had to say something to Kiba. "I'm sorry that you and I never got it together. I promise I will not miss the next game." Kiba just nodded and walked away. He knew he still cared about the blond, but right now wasn't the time to discuss it.
An hour later, on the other side of town, grouped around a table in the Iron Fan Café, Naruto was greeted with several very shocked, surprised, and in one case outraged faces. The multitude of reactions came in the wake of his reciting the details of his soap operatic life of the past 48 hours. Starting from the amazingly, curious meeting with Neji, winding around the phone message Sasuke had left behind for him and the finale of his dreadful argument with Kiba. Another promising year turned into a shit-fest. "I cannot believe you had random sex with some guy, Oniisan!" Lithe stepped on Lilith's foot, causing her to scowl. "I know! It was a fluke! I have better judgment than that. But, God, he was nice! And warm." Lilith draped her arms around his neck and kissed him behind his ear. "Was he really hot, oniisan?" Naruto just blushed and Lilith got giddy.
That was put to a halt as Sakura slammed her hand down. "Why would he just call like that! He had no right. Not with the way he left!" Sakura was shaking with anger. "He has no right to ask to see you! He was cruel and unreasonable! He is…he is…a complete bastard! I hate him for what he did to you!" She pouted as she sank into the chair across from Naruto. "He was supposed to love you forever." Sakura wiped some tears away as she looked up at Naruto. "That is what he said! I know he did because it is what I heard. He said he would love you forever and he promised me he would take care of you." Sakura squealed and was back to rage in no time! "That asshole! I cannot believe he was such a liar! I cannot believe I trusted him with you! Goddamn him!" Everyone was officially afraid to move. Sakura had gone through way too many emotions for just fifteen minutes. "Umm, Sakura if I may interject?" Sakura glared hard at Lee, who shrank behind Shikamaru. Shika sighed. "I cannot believe you cannot stand up to her."
Temari snorted. "Like you can talk." Shika just rolled his eyes. "As Lee was about to say, before you turned him into a complete coward, Naruto needs closure. There was never a real goodbye. Sasuke ran off to some boarding school and Naruto was left with just dealing." Shika grabbed the bridge of his nose. "Naruto? What do you think?" Naruto just slumped. He was a complete coward, just like Lee. "I want to see what is there. I just don't feel up to it. I mean, I just broke up with Kiba and I really like Neji." Lee stood from his hiding place behind Shika with a curious brow. "Neji Hyuuga?" Naruto looked up with a nod of his head. Lee perked up and then frowned.
"Neji is actually one of my dearest friends, but he also has a raging red-headed boyfriend! The man is not known for his patience or good nature, he is just all around angry." Temari giggled. "That sounds an awful lot like my otouto-chan Gaara." Lee's head whipped around. "You are Gaara Sabaku's eldest sister?" Naruto sunk further into his chair. Gaara was not a sweet natured person. He and Gaara were usually on good terms. But, this was bound to lose him an eye or a limb. "That is just fucking great! Like I need Gaara as an enemy!" Temari placed her arms around the blond. "You have known him a very long time. Besides, none of us will say a damn thing." She kissed his forehead. "But, about Sasuke. What are you going to do? Shika and Lee are right there was never really a 'good-bye' between the two of you." Naruto let his head rest on his hands, he did want to explain. All he ever wanted was to do was explain. He stood up, sliding out of Temari's hold. "I think I am going to go home and pack. I am on vacation starting Tuesday." Naruto grabbed his bag as he headed towards the door. No one stopped him. They knew he had a lot to think about.
He looked down to see his house phone in his hands, apparently, he was in some form of fugue, for he barely remembered the ride home on the subway. Or even changing into some lounge pants. He took note that his hair was a little damp. He was in a daze. But now the phone rested in his hand. The caller ID read Uchiha Sasuke and his hand tightened around the phone. "Just do it. It is just one call." He sighed and pressed the call button, he heard the numbers dial. He could feel his throat go dry and his lungs constrict when it started to ring. "Naruto Uzumaki." The voice purred and he could feel blood rush to his lower region. "Y-yeah, umm…H-hey Sasuke. B-but it is Umino-Hatake now. Ummm. It has been, since I was in c-college." He bit his lip, chastising himself for being a stammering fool.
"I see you still stutter when you are nervous. It is good to see that not everything I loved about you has changed." Naruto's heart ached at the admission from the others lips. "I am a little nervous. You know it's been a long time since the last time we spoke." The raven sighed. "I was thinking. Maybe we could talk. About that, you know." Naruto felt a heavy weight in his chest that he did not recognize. He wasn't sure, but he knew it had to do with guilt and lost love. He figured it had to be a mixture of both. He took a deep breath before speaking, trying to control the ridiculous stammering. "Yeah, y-you s-sort of just disappeared. I felt like I never got a chance to explain. Or say that I was really sorry, I just let myself believe…" The raven cut him off. "I am not sure if I can explain my actions fully, but I wouldn't mind getting the chance to at least attempt it. Are you busy right now?" Naruto shook his head as if the other could see him. "Umm, no. How about we meet downtown in the park? Meet me at the east entrance in about an hour?" The other chuckled softly. "Yes. That sounds like a good idea."
He went into his room and thought for a moment. Did he want to look nice, or did he want to look casual? He sighed, deciding on his favorite pair of ripped jeans, his Bob Marley tee with his orange hoodie, and his Pumas. There was no need to pretend to be someone other than the person the raven once adored. His heart started to ache again. He really was adored by Sasuke, and he was foolish enough to believe otherwise. He whined. "God, I wish I never slept with his brother." He grabbed his keys, cutting out the lights and headed towards the subway.
Inumoon, Dragon, and Incident I am afraid we are stuck with Sasuke! I love the pair and I really tried hard to break them up but they wouldn't hear of it! I am fan big fan of the pair and it is really starting to show, crap! I think I may need to try a little harder next next time. Thanks goes out to readers and a special thanks to my reviewers, thanks for the love!
Everyone is encouraged to review!