A/N: (sweatdrop) It's done! Finally... sorry for the wait, and thanks to everyone who reviewed! You guys rock!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Sheesh...
Walking through the school yard, Naruto's thoughts were solely on Sasuke. He had the Uchiha's bag swung over one shoulder, his own tossed carelessly in his locker.
The bell rang, and almost robotically, the students stood and made their way towards the door. Their sensei had already ended his lesson, and was busy reading an erotic novel at his desk. He waved lazily when a student called out a farewell.
"Naruto?" a cautious voice asked.
The blonde turned and fitted a smile on his face. "What's up, babe?"
Sai blushed furiously and looked at the ground, his hands knotting nervously on the hem of his jacket. Seeing this, Naruto couldn't help but be reminded of a girl he had once known. Her name was Hinata Hyuuga, and they had the same classes during his freshman year. She really had been a pretty thing, and Naruto wouldn't have minded her too much if it wasn't for her damned stuttering. He had even considered asking the girl on a date once, but he tired of her habit very quickly.
He wasn't exactly sure what had happened to Hinata. This was actually the first time he'd thought about her since the end of their first year.
"Uhm, Naruto… I was wondering… if you wanted to come over tonight? We could study some, and maybe watch a movie… or go out and eat?"
"Sai, we're already dating. You don't have to be so shy, it's not like I'll ever reject a proposal." Naruto then leaned over and kissed his boyfriend lightly on the cheek.
"I'll catch up with ya in a bit, m'kay? I've got to go meet Kiba."
Sai nodded and bid his farewell, turning on his heel and walking hurriedly to his next class.
Naruto turned and walked in the opposite direction, toward Kiba's locker.
When he reached it, the brunette was busy with his girlfriend. The girl's name was Rhea, and her hair was a deep purple. It was done up in a freakish style; the front was straight, but the back was up in all different directions. Naruto had a hunch it was mostly due to Kiba's antics, seeing as how his hand was knotted on the back of her head. The blonde cleared his throat, and the couple jumped apart.
"Naruto!" Kiba barked. "Erm, h-hey man. Look, I, um…"
Not in the mood for why they were sucking face, Naruto shook his head, "Dude, I don't care what you and her," he gestured with his hand, "do in your spare time. I'm just here because you said you needed to talk to me."
"Oh! Right, well, look. You see, I'm throwing this party down at the mansion…"
Kiba's father – may he rest in peace – had been very successful in his career. He'd left his family with loads of cash, and when Kiba went away to school, his mother had bought him a large estate down near the ocean.
"And was wondering if you wanted to show? Since we have all next week off and all."
A grin split across Naruto's face. Kiba always threw the best parties. "Hell yeah, man! I'm so there! Who else is going??"
A grin that rivaled the blonde moron's broke out on Kiba's face, and he bounced excitedly. "Yo, dude, wicked! And I invited almost everyone we know. Tenten, Neji, Shino, Sakura, Ino, Chouji, Shikamaru, you… and well, I was wondering – since I hardly see him – if you could ask Sasuke for me."
Naruto's good mood was quickly squashed. Whenever he was around the Uchiha, his emotion got mixed up, and he got confused. He stammered through his sentences, and felt extremely uncomfortable.
Seeing Naruto's distress, Kiba cleared his throat, "Neji's cousin, Hinata, is coming too. I think you know her." Naruto nodded, and Kiba continued, "Sai's invited too, but I figure since you're going, he'll be there anyways." at the mention of his boyfriend, Naruto smiled once again.
"Sounds cool."
"Yup. And of course Rhea, Ryoushi, and Shiro will be there."(1)
"Awesome. I can't wait. I'll leave you guys to it, then. See ya." Naruto turned and started walking back the way he came, but Kiba called after him.
A black shoulder bag was tossed at him, and he caught, stumbled slightly as the weight slammed into his chest. "Give that back to Uchiha when you go see him, will ya?"
Naruto growled. "Yeah whatever! And remember, kids: safe sex is no sex!"
The blonde bolted before Kiba could attack him.
Naruto adjusted the strap on his shoulder and sighed. He'd been walking around school asking where Sasuke was, but no one had a clue. He'd one place left to be; the once place Naruto knew he would have been in the first place. Always the last place you think to look, moron. You'd have thunk you woulda learned that by now…
Past experiences held true; everything is always in the last place you look. And there Sasuke was, sitting on the end of the pier, his feet skimming over the water's surface, and his shoes at his side.
His pale face was turned sky-ward, and his ebony bangs spilt over his shoulders. His eyes were closed.
Naruto swallowed and stepped onto the pier, making more noise than was necessary; to alert the raven that he had company. Sasuke didn't move.
Naruto was not standing slightly behind and to the right of the Uchiha. Better get this over with…
"Oi, Sasuke. Hi," Naruto began awkwardly. Coal black eyes remained shut. "Uhm, look… Kiba's having a party this weekend, and he wanted to know if you could make it?"
"Who's going?" a calm voice asked, but otherwise Sasuke remained motionless.
"A few people; Tenten, Neji, Shino, Hinata, Sakura, some others… and myself." he knew Sasuke only wanted to know about him, but he couldn't help but add the others as well.
"Well… please extend my sincerest apologizes to Inuzuka, I'm going to extremely busy this weekend. Maybe next time."
Naruto cringed. Damn troublesome Uchihas…
The blonde sat down next to Sasuke, and he noticed the other tense. "Sasuke… you know that Kiba won't take 'no' as an answer… and I'm sure you'd have a great time. Not to mention that a lot of people will want you there. I know I will."
Sasuke snorted and – finally – opened his eyes, turning his head to look at Naruto. "Is that right, dobe?"
Choosing to ignore the insult – he was secretly glad Sasuke had called him that – he nodded his head. "Yeah, man. Just because… well, I still care about you. You mean a lot to me, and I want you to be there," suddenly becoming extremely uncomfortable, Naruto ruined the moment by adding, "besides, someone has to keep you from becoming a stoic prick again!"
Black eyes turned back to look at the lake. The sun was getting lower and made the water give off an orange hue. "Alright, dobe. I'll be there."
Naruto grinned and stood, feeling very accomplished. Maybe things with Sasuke would mend in time. In his joy, he almost forgot about Sasuke's bag.
"Uh, Naruto, isn't that mine?"
"Oh! Right, sorry! Here!" he tossed the bad, and Sasuke caught it easily.
"Dobe…" he muttered under his breath, but he was grinning.
"What'd you call me, teme?!" Naruto hollered back, his own bright smile brightening up Sasuke's mood.
(1) Rhea, Ryoushi, and Shiro are my beloved OC's. I'll write a 'fic about them so ya'll can get a better understanding of 'em and their personalities...
A/N: Sorry if it's short. And hopefully the next chapter won't take so long to write and update... eheh.