Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Masashi Kishimoto. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Pairing: SasuNaru

Warnings: Slash: Male homosexual relationships, adult language, and sexual situations.

Beta: Kamerreon

The Cheshire Cat

Chapter Five

"Neji, Kankuro," Naruto nodded to his friends in turn, "Gaara… this is Sasuke."

Naruto's three friends looked Sasuke over as the cat moved in close, curling his arms around Naruto's waist. He leaned his head on Naruto's shoulder, purring loudly. Naruto turned scarlet, looking down at him. Neji smirked from his seat on the lounge chair, his feet propped up on the coffee table. Of course, if anyone else did it he'd beat the shit out of them; no one 'sullied' his table.

"Naruto loves me," Sasuke purred as he nuzzled his owner's neck. Naruto's mouth dropped open as his blush deepened.

"Ah!" Naruto let out a loud fake laugh as he patted Sasuke's hands around his waist. "Yeah, and I love my kitty! He's such a cute kitty!"

"Is he of the Uchiha breed?" Neji asked, coolly observing Sasuke, who eyed him suspiciously.

"Yeah…" Naruto mumbled. "How did you know?"

"I saw an advertisement for it online," Neji said, a smirk curving onto his face. "Isn't it basically a sex toy?"

Naruto's scarlet blush returned and his mouth opened and closed several times. "I didn't mean to buy him!" he shouted at last. "I thought he was a normal cat!"

"Right," Kankuro snorted, "and now you're oh-so-conveniently using it?"

Kankuro pointed at Naruto's neck, which was covered in hickeys. Naruto's hand shot straight to cover the most recent one, his blush so red he looked like he had no blood left in the rest of his body.

"I'm not using Sasuke!" he shouted as he squirmed. Sasuke tugged him closer with a smirk.

"If you must put it that way," Sasuke spoke for the first time, "then I'm the one using Naruto."

Silence reigned in Neji's apartment while Kankuro and Neji stared at Naruto in disbelief. They all continued to stare at each other until Gaara's deep chuckle broke the silence.

"Dude!" Kankuro shouted, pointing at Naruto. "Only you could get topped by a sex toy!"

"He's not a sex toy!" Naruto shouted. Sasuke's arms tightened around him.

"That's right," he agreed. "We're lovers."

Naruto threw Sasuke's arms off of him, spinning to face him. "We're not lovers!" he shouted. "We're not – we're just – ahh!"

Naruto stalked past the shocked Sasuke and straight out of the apartment. Sasuke hesitated a moment before he followed, ignoring the looks Kankuro and Neji exchanged.

What the hell was going on with his dobe?

--

Naruto shuffled around the kitchen, adding the final touches to the meals. He had gotten over the incident at Neji's and had calmed down. The radio was buzzing from the counter and Naruto wiggled his hips in time, head bobbing to the music.

Sasuke ignored the temptation of Naruto's wriggling ass. He was too pissed at his owner. He had been silent the whole way home, glaring at Naruto. His owner hadn't noticed of course, he had been too busy sulking in his own problems.

Naruto dropped a plate in front of Sasuke, sitting across from him and digging in. They ate in silence, Sasuke occasionally feeding Kyuubi from his plate. Naruto tried to catch Sasuke's eye but the dark orbs remained locked on the plate before him or the cat pushing at his leg and mewling. Naruto even found himself glaring down at Kyuubi occasionally, admittedly jealous of the cat holding Sasuke's attention.

Once they were done Sasuke rose, picking up Kyuubi and leaving immediately. Naruto scowled but cleaned the table anyway. Once he loaded the dishwasher he stalked into the living room, frowning when he saw Sasuke sitting on the couch watching TV with Kyuubi in his lap. Naruto sat next to him, grabbing his things and beginning to work. Usually five minutes into his work Sasuke would be latched onto his neck, making Naruto forget what he was doing in the most pleasant way possible. However, Sasuke remained firmly seated next to him, eyes locked on the television.

Naruto pouted and set his work aside, settling back to watch TV. He couldn't concentrate with Sasuke mad at him. He couldn't help but miss the cat, even though they were sitting side by side.

--

As soon as Sasuke pulled the covers over them both Naruto wrapped his arms around him. He let out a soft sigh at the added warmth and closed his eyes, ready to sleep.

Until Sasuke shoved him off.

Blinking in surprise Naruto tried to wrap his arms around Sasuke again. Sasuke pushed him away again, adding a glare this time. Naruto growled slightly before sitting up, glaring at the cat.

"What?" he demanded. "What's wrong?"

"We shouldn't touch," Sasuke mumbled, rolling over to show Naruto his back. Naruto frowned, reaching for Sasuke's shoulder.

"But I want to," he protested. "What's wrong?"

"We're not lovers," Sasuke snarled, rolling over to glare at him. "So we shouldn't cuddle."

"Is that what's wrong?" Naruto asked, his voice incredulous. "Come on, Sasuke, I just said that because of the guys!"

Sasuke sat up, his glare intensifying. The blanket slid down his chest, which was bare, and Naruto couldn't help but let his eyes follow the path.

"So, you're ashamed of me?" Sasuke demanded. "Is that what it is?"

"What the–" Naruto blinked. "No! No I'm not! I just – I – Sasuke–"

"Either you're ashamed of me," Sasuke snarled, "or we're not lovers. Which is it?"

Naruto blinked up at Sasuke stupidly. Sasuke stared at him for a moment longer before growling. He slid out of the bed and grabbed his pillow before stalking out. In a flash of red Kyuubi followed from where he had been lying in the basket in the corner.

Naruto stared after him, biting his lower lip. Sasuke was upset with him. Really upset. Naruto had seen the cat in a number of moods, but Sasuke had never been upset enough with him to deny his touch, to not sleep in the same bed as him.

Naruto frowned. He didn't like Sasuke being upset. He wanted him to come back. He looked down at the blankets on the bed before tugging a couple loose.

He would get his cat back.

--

Sasuke's eyes flittered open and he let out a soft purr. He was surprisingly warm for having slept on a couch without a blanket all night. His eyes drifted down to the weight on his chest and he raised an eyebrow. Naruto was curled up on his chest, a blanket pulled over them both. Kyuubi was lying on Naruto's back, his eyes flickering open and his tail swishing.

Sasuke studied his love for a moment before sighing softly. He slid his hands under the blanket and under Naruto, onto his chest. Trying to ignore how nice the silky skin felt he quickly shoved Naruto to the ground, cat and all.

Naruto shrieked as he woke, claws digging into his back momentarily before vanishing. Naruto looked around, rubbing his head with a groan as he saw Kyuubi dash out of the room. He looked up at the couch in time to see Sasuke rise.

"Sasuke!" he shouted as the cat stalked from the room. "Sasuke come back!"

Sasuke ignored him, stalking straight out of the room, leaving an annoyed Naruto in a heap on the floor.

--

Naruto stirred the soup in the pot before him, one eye watching Sasuke warily. He had given up on pleading with Sasuke and was ready to try something else to get the cat to stop sulking. He dipped his spoon into the soup before bringing it up to his lips. He blew softly on the liquid to cool it before he pushed the spoon to his lips. He slid the spoon into his mouth, twisting it inside so that when he pulled it out it was upside down. He slid the spoon out slowly, dragging his lips over the long handle before lapping at his lips once it was clear. He let out a soft sigh of pleasure at the taste, closing his eyes.

There was no response from Sasuke.

Frowning, Naruto tried again, sighing louder and humming his appreciation. When Sasuke still didn't respond Naruto dipped his spoon in a third time.

"Dobe."

Naruto turned to see Sasuke watching him, his expression unreadable. Naruto raised an eyebrow at him, wondering if he'd really caved that easily.

"I'd like to eat sometime today."

Naruto whirled back to his soup, stirring it angrily.

Attempt one – fail.

--

Naruto peeked into the living room, confirming that Sasuke was there. He took a deep breath before entering, adjusting his shirt slightly. It was all he was wearing. It was deep blue, like his eyes, and had been a gift. However, it was much too big so he never wore it.

However, it was perfect now. It brushed his thighs suggestively, and rode up when he stretched.

Naruto strode past Sasuke, headed straight to the bookshelf. He could feel eyes on him, but he ignored them. He had to ignore Sasuke for this to work. Reaching up on the bookshelf Naruto tried to grab a book that he knew was out of reach. Hopefully Sasuke would push up behind him, getting the book for him while rubbing against his body.

"Dobe, you're flashing your neighbours."

Naruto whirled, his eyes wide as he looked over at his living room window. It allowed him to see into his neighbour's living room. And they were indeed staring at him.

It also didn't help that they were having a children's birthday party.

Attempt two – fail.

--

Naruto shuffled slightly on the couch next to Kiba, who was telling him about the girl from his work he was interested in. Naruto nodded when necessary, but he was only half listening. He regretted that Kiba had to be a part of this, but Sasuke got insanely jealous. It was ridiculous – last week he had hissed at the doorman simply because he'd told Naruto to have a nice day.

Footsteps sounded behind him and Naruto jumped slightly. Sasuke was coming down the hall. Naruto turned to his friend, looking him straight in the eye. "Kiba," he began, gaining his friend's attention, "what I'm about to do may scar you for life, but I hope you can forgive me and just go with it."

As Sasuke entered the room Naruto leaned heavily on Kiba's shoulder. The dog-lover blinked in surprise before shuffling slightly, obviously uneasy.

"For the love of God," Naruto whispered in Kiba's ear, "go with it!"

Naruto leaned back, a small smile on his face as he caught sight of Sasuke out of the corner of his eye. The cat was standing with his fists clenched and his eyes flashing as he glared down Kiba. He stalked over to sit on the opposite lounge, on the edge of his seat and glared at Kiba.

"Hey, little dude," Kiba greeted him awkwardly well aware of the glare Sasuke was sending him. "How's your arm?"

"Fine," Sasuke snarled, his glare intensifying. Naruto smirked before placing a hand on Kiba's leg.

"How's Akamaru?" he asked, tilting his head to the side in a way he knew Sasuke loved.

"He's good," Kiba replied, eyeing Sasuke warily. The cat was still glaring black hate at him.

"It's such a shame," Naruto sighed as he turned to glance at Sasuke from under his lashes, "that our pets have to fight."

And then Sasuke snapped.

In an instant he was in front of Kiba, grabbed him by the jacket he always wore, and dragged him to the door. Kiba was yelling, trying to get free while Naruto watched with wide eyes from the couch. Sasuke threw Kiba out into the hall, locking the door after him. That done, he turned to his next target with striking eyes.

And Naruto gulped.

Sasuke moved as fast as always and in moments he had Naruto pinned to the couch, eyes angrier than Naruto had ever seen them. They were not their usual black – they were almost red. It had to be a trick of the light.

"I'm not a pet," he hissed as he pushed himself down on Naruto more. "I'm not a pet!"

Naruto had never seen Sasuke so angry. But there was also hurt in his eyes, and that made Naruto's heart ache with guilt. He had put that there. He didn't want to, but he did.

"Kyuubi is a pet," Sasuke snarled, his eyes filling Naruto's vision. "Not me!"

"I know."

Naruto pulled his arms free, wrapping them around Sasuke's neck. He buried his fingers in the cat's soft hair, a smile curving onto his face.

"You're my lover."

Sasuke froze, staring down at Naruto. Naruto let out a light chuckle before tugging Sasuke's lips down to his. After a moment of no response Sasuke began to respond very vigorously. Naruto let out a delighted moan, grinding up against Sasuke to show him how much he'd missed him. Sasuke answered by pushing down as he devoured his owner.

Naruto mentally grinned.

Attempt three – success.

Is we liking the story? I hope so ^^

Anyway, if you read this AN I want you to prove it by adding praise to my beta, Kay, on your review. Yes, just like 'Banana Hammock' with Tanzaku City.