A/N: This chapter took me a while to write (mostly because I'm working ten hours a day - blech-) but I'm very pleased with it. With the content, the wrapping could use a little more polishing. But it just made me go 'aww' and 'moe' and 'giggle' y'know? Enjoy!

Work Hazard: Chapter 3

As Sasuke sits in class later that day, he has to try hard not to smirk. Neji is sitting by him and the Uchiha is certain that the black-haired boy can feel the smugness coming off him in waves. Surprisingly though, Neji isn't the one to address the issue. Rather, a blond boy leans by Sasuke's side and whispers, "Oy Sasuke-teme! Why're you looking so full of yourself?"

Naruto watches the smug black-haired boy worriedly, wondering whether or not he has to fear for his life. Uchiha revenge is indeed something to be feared. But the boy in front of him just smirks wider and ignores him. "Hey come on, it was only a little syrup... So it was a little hot... I didn't mean for you to get burned or anything."

Still that same dreaded silence.

"Sasuke?"

The stoic boy doesn't even bother looking at him. Naruto feels himself growing angry and he speaks much louder, "Oy Teme! Listen when people are talking to you!"

Sasuke's eyes shift to him then and Naruto feels a ridiculously satisfying sense of accomplishment at having gotten his attention. The happiness is short-lived though, because the teacher stands right behind Naruto and it's silent all around and oh, everyone's looking at him, aren't they?

"Naruto-kun. I was under the impression that during a class, with an ongoing lesson, it is customary to listen to the teacher and not the students. Unless you think you'd do a better job, I'll have you stay silent until the end of class, is that clear?" It's all spoken in that kind voice, but Naruto's no fool. You'd have to be deaf not to pick up the threat behind the words.

Naruto promptly shuts up and glares at Sasuke. Because who else's fault is it that Naruto had to shout to get his attention. The bastard's gaze has returned to a small point on the black board and Naruto can imagine himself drowning in the seas of smugness pouring off him.

Since he's been forbidden talking, Naruto tears a piece of paper from his notebook and writes 'I hate you' then crumbles it and throws it at Sasuke's hair. The black-haired boy catches the projectile quick as lightening and unfolds the paper. His eyes are distracted from the board for a mere half second and the smirk widens. In his fine, sophisticated writing, Sasuke puts down two words on that same sheet. He folds it and returns it to Naruto with deadly accuracy.

'I know'.

Naruto glares more. He sends another piece of paper at Sasuke's hair, 'What's with you?'

Amazingly enough, it's returned to him once again. The Uchiha would usually just ignore Naruto's child play at this point and wait until he tired himself. Naruto looks at the answer to his question and it brings a thoughtful frown to his forehead:

'Secret.'

'What secret?' Naruto crumbles the sheet that Sasuke keeps folding and throws it back to him. Unfortunately, on the way there, it's intercepted by a quick hand. Hyuuga Neji raises an eyebrow at the both of them and unfolds the paper to read their little conversation. He turns an inquiring gaze toward Sasuke and mouths, 'After class.'

So evidently, when there's minutes left to the class, Sasuke starts packing his things to be able to make a quick escape. Unfortunately enough for him, the two other boys mimic him. It's almost like a race has been announced, and all the boys are watching the clock, although in Naruto's case, it's far too obvious.

When the shrill sound of the bell echoes across the halls, Naruto springs from his seat and immediately gets to the door. He's caught in the small fight for who manages to exit the room first and then the students start pouring out. He looks around for Sasuke, because no way is he letting that bastard escape. He finds the boy still inside the room, one of his wrists caught in the firm hold of the Hyuuga.

The teacher looks at them oddly, but doesn't otherwise comment, his raised eyebrow questioning their presence enough. Sasuke tugs his wrist free of Neji's hold and he looks from the Hyuuga to Naruto. "Fine. Outside."

The journey to the lockers is silent enough. The rest of the kids are still leaving and packing, but as always, they make space enough for Sasuke to go through.

Once outside, Sasuke ignores the inquiring looks coming from both Neji and Naruto and fishes out a cigarette and lighter. He leans against the brick wall of the school comfortably and lights up. Before he can bring the stick to his mouth, the cigarette is snatched from his hand and thrown away.

"You're not polluting my lungs too, Uchiha."

Settling for a silent glare, Sasuke's hands return to his pockets. He's in too much of a good mood to let Neji's goody-goody ways spoil it for him.

"So what's up, teme? You're oozing that annoying smugness of yours." Naruto is honestly curious about his friend's mindset and his blue eyes might even reflect a bit of concern.

The Uchiha simply smirks though, "I met our new school nurse."

Neji, as always, reads Sasuke's words with frightening accuracy, "Define 'met'."

Once Neji words it that way, Naruto's eyes widen and he finally catches on, "Whoa, you mean met as in sex? Ew! What is she eighty?"

Rolling his eyes, Sasuke responds, "Usuratonkachi. She is a man."

"How is that any better?" Naruto's face scrunches up in disgust while Neji's remains impassive. The Hyuuga does look a little more concerned at the announcement that the nurse is male.

"Is he any threat?"

"I don't know, really. He felt like someone who knows how to fight, but he didn't seem threatening. Not shocked out of his skin as he was."

"That's really going to get you into trouble some day, Uchiha."

"What exactly?"

"That tendency you have to provoke just for the hell of it. It makes my job very difficult." Neji raises an eyebrow at Sasuke, his expression admonishing.

"So what? You're already paid to be around me anyway. I might as well make you earn your keep." Sasuke's voice has grown colder as he speaks those words. He knows that Neji is just a bodyguard and that if there was a better-paid job out there, he'd probably go for it. It doesn't make the boy stop wanting to believe otherwise. He honestly wishes that Neji would be a true friend, not just someone who asks because they need to. At least Naruto's not paid to annoy him.

The blond haired boy has for once decided on a wise course of action, remaining silent as the voices of both the Uchiha and the Hyuuga grow colder with their mounting frustration with one another.

"I am paid to keep you safe, Uchiha."

"And that's all you fucking care about, isn't it? The money you get?" The bitterness is just an edge of cold more to the icy tone.

"I will do what I must, for my own reasons. I need not justify myself. My employer isn't you."

Sasuke snorts derisively, "Right. Of course." He sighs and reigns himself in, coolly dismissing the entire issue, "Kakashi won't be a problem, Neji. You don't need to be concerned."

The Hyuuga's posture freezes almost comically and he turns to Sasuke, demanding, "What did you just say?"

"I said that the nurse won't be a problem. Are you deaf?"

"What was his name, Sasuke?" Neji's tone is urgent and even if Sasuke is angry with him, he finds it easy to give up the information.

"Kakashi. Why?"

"Why? Sasuke, Kakashi is the most renowned hired-gun there is. He's a free agent, a wild card. No one can predict him and the death count is unimaginably high. Fuck... if he's after you, we need to move and now. I'll warn Kisame." Neji whips out his cell phone, already pressing down on the speed dial button to join Kisame.

Sasuke grabs the cell from him and turns it off, objecting firmly, "We don't know that he's after me, okay? Besides I don't want to..." His eyes turn to the bewildered Naruto hesitantly before settling again on Neji, "I'm sick and tired of running."

This time, Naruto interjects, "But this guy... he might really hurt you. He might kill you. You're a bastard and all, but how can I ever win over you if you die on me?"

"Maybe he's not that Kakashi, maybe he's here on some other business, maybe he won't come after me. You can't force me to move and therefore I am not moving." Sasuke turns stern eyes to Neji, "Since you're paid to protect me, you can see this as a challenge." And with that, Sasuke turns on his heel and walks to his car.

Neji stays behind with Naruto and the blond boy witnesses for the first time the pained look on the Hyuuga's face. He almost grabs Neji's shoulder to comfort him, but the other boy interrupts him, "It's not just a job, Naruto. He's not just something I'm paid to protect."

Naruto smiles a bit, eyes suddenly growing wise and kind, "I know. He's a stubborn bastard. You'd probably do it even if you weren't paid for it, wouldn't you? Just like me."

The Hyuuga shakes his head and recovers his impeccable composure, "Yeah. But he won't believe that."

"Of course he won't. He's Sasuke."

tbc...

Some replies:

SmellzSick: Oh this story might slow down once in a while, but it'll keep going. -wink- I'm enjoying this a little too much... next chapter is me messing with Kakashi a little -evil giggle- Hope you'll like that bit, heh!

Lapse - Raevn: Faster usually, but blech for two ongoing stories of promising proportions. I'm still setting up the elements I intend to play with in the later chapters, but am very glad you're enjoying yourself, heh! More KakaSasu to come and in much... er... larger portions. -whispers- I think Gai knows Kakashi.

Luna-Lunak: I loved that naughty kiss! Go Sasuke! -snort- I, for one, cannot imagine Sasuke blushing, or stuttering. He has a very strong presence and a strong character, even as a child. More often than not, they'll say that a strong ego hides weak self-confidence, and though I do believe it's the case for Sasuke, it only is to a certain extend. It's a very effective defence mechanism, that. Oh! and about Itachi... I always liked him as the obsessed villain with one weakness: his little brother. I think it's suiting to the anime character as well. -interrupts rant- Thank you, and I hope you liked this one!

Nyeh: Ha! As always very perceptive. That chapter was a little rushed. Didn't have much time to polish and rethink or even just write it down. It came out and was published almost straight as it came out (which is generally a bad idea). And Sasuke might not be completely and hopelessly Uke. We'll see. -smirk-

Kakarots-Frying-Pan: Oh! I'm glad you liked that bit! I intend to give Kakashi an actual conscience in this fic... well... something like it anyway. So you can expect much more conflicted reactions from him. -bounce-

Sleepless: Well there you go! Hope it was worth it at least a little bit!

Odyssion: -snickers- I've been resisting it in The Sound of Pain. Gave in in my own way. At least it doesn't influence the other story so much now that it has its own. Go Kakasasu! And as I mentioned up there, I'm still setting up plot elements before I have much of anything happen... but next chapter should change that. Thankee!

Jaden Isabella: Well, darling lurker, enjoy, and delurk more often. -g- Lurkers are always great to hear from. (All that listening and none of that talking makes for purer opinions)

sAyUrI-aNbU: hehehe, I wouldn't say Itachi's a good guy quite yet... He might turn out quite vicious. Lol! Thanks, and enjoy yourself!