A/N: Well, I wasn't really planning on posting this very late...so anyways...go on and read! Thanks for those who reviewed, alerted, and added this on favorites! Appreciated it a LOT people! I apologize if this seems long and all, yet most of it happens to be a filler only :)))
Suspicions
Naruto stood in front of his and Sasuke's apartment and gave an exasperated sigh.
"Maybe...maybe Sasuke and I...really aren't meant to be together...", the blonde murmured, deciding that once he enters their apartment, he was moving out. "It was obvious...it only took 4 days for Sasuke to be attracted to her...and I...(sigh) goodbye...Sasuke...".
Hours ago...
A blond blur.
That was the only thing students in the school halls were able to see, but it was enough to let them know that it was the most hyperactive blonde haired, blue-eyed student, Naruto Uzumaki. Students around muttered a fast "Hi!" when he would pass - he was too fast to say a slow one - while the blonde just gave a gleeful "See ya!" or a short "Hello!" as well. You see, it seems Naruto has befriended all the students of the campus. No joke.
The blond blur gave a stop halfway to the entrance of the cafeteria, for the purpose of stopping exactly at it's entrance itself with all the force he gave from running. With a wide, wide smile which ends reached ear to ear, he made his way inside. He went to take his usual set meal and shouted a "Nice knowing 'ya!" to the chef that gave him a small smile in return. Soon, he headed to his usual table with small pants.
"Aren't you TOO lively, Uzumaki?", a figure who seemed to have been the first one occupying the table muttered.
The blonde gave a smile to the certain red-head at the lunch table, as he slumped his way beside him. "C'mon Gaara, liven up a bit! School will be over in... 2 hours! 2 hours man!". Naruto placed a hand around the jade-eyed teen, even if he knew that the atmosphere suddenly lowered about 10 times the usual temperature. It was normal to be at a receiving glare from Gaara Sabaku, but it wasn't normal for anybody to feel fine with it. Who said Naruto Uzumaki was normal in the first place? He befriended the boy when nobody took the initiative to when he arrived, and soon, he was already a victim of Naruto Uzumaki.
Before Gaara could say a thing after he shoved the arm away while receiving a pout from the blonde that he fought the urge to let go of the hand but did otherwise (LOL, that was long!), another group of students made their way to the table.
"2 hours? That's awesome dude!".
Naruto turned his head to the voice after he was able to take a large serving out of his meal. "Ah! Kiba! Oh...and...Hinata-chan!", the blonde said when he was able to take in the figure behind the brunette.
"Ah! O - ohaio, Naruto-kun!".
The blonde gave her a sheepish smile. He was always amused at the girl's shyness...it looked cute on her.
"How troublesome! Naruto's leaking brightness again...", a ponytailed brunette mumbled.
"Shika, you could use it sometimes, you know", a blonde girl with four ponytails said annoyedly then smiled at the other blonde boy as she said cheerfully, "Hello, Naruto-kun, I see you're jumpy just like you always are?". It was Tenmari, Gaara's older sister. She was already used to the blonde, having a soft spot for him; it was like he was her own brother. She was like any other person before, a vein popping in her forehead every time Naruto emitted a loud chatter, but soon, she learned that the boy was much more than that after he seemed to have cleared the ice that surrounded his red-headed brother's heart.
"Hm? Ah! Shika! Tenmari-san!", the blonde gave a smile at the two, then pouted as his gaze returned to the table and the two made their way in. "What's wrong with getting all cheerful that we're leaving this hell of a place?".
"And we thought that Mr. Happy-Friendly Boy here would hate leaving most...", Ino said, making aware to everyone that she was there as she made her way to the table, a pinkette accompanying her.
"Yeah, Naruto...shouldn't you be sulking that you're losing that whole student body after making a hell lot of them swoon after you?".
"First of all, Sakura-chan, they do NOT swoon over me...and I so did NOT befriend everyone...", the blue-eyed teen said in a matter-of-fact tone as he only received eye rolls from his friends. "Oh come on, guys!".
"Naruto, my youthful friend, do not deny it! It is a great blessing to know the youths of this school!".
"Oh, Lee! Damn, you're siding with them too! Chouji, come on! Tell them I don't know everybody!".
"I believe that even Chouji wouldn't get to agree with you", Shikamaru said boredly.
"Mmmm...yeah...sure...". With that, Chouji was left to drown with his food.
Naruto just crossed his arms like a child and said, "Last day of lunch and this is how you treat me...really!". He received yet another eye rolls and he just chuckled. "Fine...here! I have befriended all of the school campus students...happy?".
"That's about it, man!", Kiba shouted.
"You could lower down your voice, Inuzuka...", a pale eyed teen that resembled Hinata said coldly.
That shut the brunette up. His body then became tense but he tried to ignore it by noticing the incoming pair behind the long-haired brunette. "H - hey Shino, TenTen! How's it going?".
The teen with shades just gave a curt nod while the bunned girl just gave a smile that Kiba didn't appreciate at all. There goes his chance at ignoring Neji.
"Oh c'mon, Neji!", Naruto said, earning him a look of appreciation from Kiba, "Don't be such a downer...Hinata's happy...Kiba's happy...accept it already!". The blonde didn't receive a reply, but just received a glare as the Hyuuga took a seat beside Gaara. Neji and Kiba weren't what you would really call "Sympatico" due to the relationship the Inuzuka had with Neji's dear cousin; he believes that Kiba wasn't the right type for his Hinata-sama.
"I don't even know why I bothered with you, Uzumaki...", Neji said.
The blonde gave a cheeky grin. "It's love, Neji, love! Look around you - maybe just at this table, really - Shika's with Tenmari", he received blushes from the two mentioned as they both turned away from each other, "Sakura and Lee - ".
"I'm just giving him a chance, Naruto! I - ", Sakura tried to say.
"Don't deny our youthful love, Sakura-chan!", Lee said actively.
Naruto waved a hand like dusting off something in the air. "Yeah...still consider them...uhhh...Gaara even has - ".
The room's temperature suddenly dropped by a million times before Naruto was able to continue, as the red-head gave a heartless glare to the blonde. "Finish that and you won't see another daylight...Uzumaki...".
"S - sorry Gaara...I forgot...", the blonde smiled apologetically. When Gaara would start calling him by his last name, things have turned to "Watch Out" road.
"He does? Who? Who Gaara-kun!", Ino suddenly asked, her eyes madly glinting curiosity.
Who knew a room could suddenly replicate Antarctica in a matter of seconds? Sadly, all those were directed at a certain blonde boy.
"C - calm down, Gaara! I - I - Ah! Guys, I was trying to say that...uhhh...even Gaara has...even Gaara has times he would like somebody...ne, Gaara?". Sometimes not all glares could be deflected by the blonde, but thankfully, the rest of the group didn't want the same experience Naruto had, and shut up about the topic instead, as the blonde turned to the male Hyuuga. "So...ummm...back to what I was saying...uhhh...Neji...get it now? It's looooooove...", then suddenly, the Uzumaki gave a sly grin, "maybe you and TenTen are perfect for each other, ne?".
Two spit takes suddenly aroused the table, as the occupants' lips tugged on a smile.
"Where'd you pull that off, Uzumaki?", Neji asked angrily.
Unfortunately, the blonde was too busy laughing out his guts. "Ha! I - ha! I - S - Sakura, Ino, cover for me! Ha! Ah...ha...haha!".
"What do you mean?", Sakura asked, still amused at the blonde's choice of words to anger Neji, though.
"Don't - don't you think - ha - these two brunettes are made - ha - for each other! Dude, gotta hand it over to 'ya...awesome spit take!".
With that, the two began contemplating and soon they were fighting over which personality suited the two more...or something.
"Is it me or are these two ice princes glaring at you real hard, Naruto?", Shikamaru suddenly asked.
"Huh?". The blonde turned his head and the glares were already made visible to Naruto.
"That's what I wanna know...but why Gaara?".
"Hm... that's just his way of telling me that I should watch out for Neji...it's not a glare...I think?". (Or is it? Hehe...I'll leave that to your guys' imagination...)
With his last shrug, Shikamaru left the blonde to watch the conversations that occurred at the table. It really was true. Ever since everyone got close to each other, love started to walk in on them. Who knew how long it would take before one by one invitations for a marriage would be sent? They are free already... Speaking of love...his own was...
"Helloooooooo! Naruto? You still there, man?".
"Huh? Ah! Yeah...what's wrong?", the blonde stammered.
"You were spacing out dude...", Kiba said worriedly as he placed a hand on his friend's forehead, "...and you sorta had a pale and glum face all of a sudden...you okay?".
"Uhhh...sure...thanks Kiba...".
"Speaking of love...", Sakura suddenly said.
"Inuzuka. Hands. Off.".
The brunette quickly released his hand, joined by his other hand now, both raised in the air as if he was a wanted criminal with the cold voice that startled him. He really seems unwanted by Ice Princes...
Naruto, although unnoticed by the others, flinched at the voice, even if he knew he was used to it since... He mentally sighed and placed back a smile as he turned, only to have his lips busied...except it wasn't because of talking. He was suddenly connected to another set of pink lips, allowing his eyes to widen. After parting, the blonde was now dusted with pink in his cheeks.
"S - Sasuke-teme! Wh - what was that for? Ah great...now they're all quiet!".
Sasuke gave in to the smirk that reached his lips as he sat beside the blonde, and said in a calm voice, "What's the matter? It's not like they don't know do they?".
Naruto rolled his eyes. "And what makes you think that that's a good enough excuse to suddenly kiss me in front of them?".
"Did you not do something similar before, usuratonkachi?", the raven said with a victory smirk, causing him to be inwardly delighted at his lover's reddened face. It was actually how the cat got out of the bag for them. When they once had a party at Sakura's house, Naruto, due to alcoholic reasons that came from a certain competition they had, Sasuke had to bring him home. Just when the Uchiha was going to scoop the blonde, Naruto murmured something like, "Sasuke...is that you? We probably left Sakura's place now right?", next thing they knew, everyone was gasping at the sight of Naruto kissing the Uchiha for a long minute. Naruto, after that, let go and laid unconscious in Sasuke's arms as the raven fought the urge to blush as he said that he was going to explain everything to them the next day. And so they did.
The blonde was beet red the next day as he went through the explanation and all. Shikamaru, to others' surprise seemed to have known the whole truth, murmuring something about their fake arguments or something; Kiba was suppose to be an overprotective friend, wanting to warn the Uchiha that he shouldn't dare hurt the blonde, only to be beaten by the Uchiha at saying that the brunette should be the one to stop staying close to the blonde; Sakura and Ino were the most surprised of all - they didn't want to believe that their prince charming or something was gay, but managed to recover in the end.
"It was alcohol, teme!".
"And is alcohol causing you to start this loud ruckus?".
"Jerk".
"Idiot".
"Asswipe".
"Dobe".
"Teme!".
"You two are seriously like an old married couple sometimes, you know?", Ino cut in.
To Naruto's surprise, he noticed Sasuke tense up even if, of course, nobody did. He watched the Uchiha turn his gaze to Sakura for an instant, until he looked as if he never left his gaze. His hand immediately clenched into a fist. Great...this again... He mentally shook his head and stood up, catching the attention of the rest in the table. "Ah...I forgot...I have some business to take care of...I'll see you guys later for our last dismissal...see ya!". With that Naruto left. He had no right to be suspicious...right? Great...this made him remember the time Sasuke was the one suspicious about him before. He wondered if this was what his teme felt like then.
"Yo Naruto, get out of there, man!".
"This is so troublesome...".
"N - Naruto-kun, c - could you hear us?".
"Uzumaki, hurry up...".
"Hopefully he's still alive...".
"Naruto's youthfulness will never give up, my friends!".
"GAAAAAAAH! I (pant) I made it! They're a bunch of crazies I tell you! Is it that important to have someone sign your yearbook? I mean COME ON!", Naruto continued to regain his breathing, then he narrowed his eyes and pointed at Gaara and at Neji, "Why aren't YOU guys being asked, huh?".
"We can't say we weren't swarmed, but we managed to escape properly...", the pale-eyed male said.
"Sheesh! I wonder why teme didn't have the guts to do that!", Naruto murmured.
"Have you gotten any idea how to get Sasuke out of there already? They might cancel our reservation soon...", Shikamaru said.
Naruto scratched his head. "It isn't that easy...I'd be dragged in there as well...they'd realize they want my signing too!", an imaginary light bulb seemed to have lit in the blonde's head when his eyes narrowed slyly and said, "Unless I could give them the shock of a lifetime and they'd have to freeze...".
"Dude...woah! There's a bad side to that too...", Kiba warned.
"Oh c'mon...our days are over and I won't come back for my beating...".
"Don't say I didn't warn you...".
"Sure...here goes nothing...EHEM!".
Not all of the students seem to have paid attention while others did; those who stopped were enough for Naruto to pass through and grab the raven-hair. Just like predicted, yearbooks slowly made their way to him, but before it reached:
"Dobe, back again? I wonder how you'll - ", obsidian eyes grew wide as he felt his collar suddenly being grabbed and he was cut off by a familiar taste in his lips. When his lips parted with the other, everything went eerily silent, and that was when Naruto chose the time to dash off, leaving the words, "See ya! Gotta go! Bye! Nice knowing y'all!" before shrieks and hustle of feet erupted.
"Guys hurry!", Naruto screamed as soon as they got in his silver van. Thankfully, when the shrieking student body arrived, they already left. "Whew! That was so NOT the best memory of leaving college!".
"To Konoha College graduates! Hip hip...".
"HOORAY!", everyone said, both lively and boredly, to Naruto's shout.
"I can't believe that I'm never submitting yet another piece of crappy piece of paper and projects or shit! Right, Na-ru...", Kiba mumbled, earning him 2 blows to his shoulder from Naruto and Hinata, 1 on his head from Sasuke, and a quick grab of his probably 8th alcoholic beverage since they came 15 minutes ago. "Ow! Waz that for, Hina-chan?".
"Kiba, you can never really control your alcohol, could you?", Hinata said. Since they started dating, Hinata knew all too well of his boyfriend's drunk act; she was fortunately the only wall that stood between Kiba and his continuous drunkard state.
"Oh give him a break, Hinata...", Naruto mumbled, taking a sip from his own beer.
"Uhhh...Naruto-kun, how much have you drunk?", Hinata said worriedly.
"I'm fine...it'll take me...what? 20 bottles to get drunk?".
"Oh...okay...", she secretly eyed the blonde's lover, and he got the message soon.
"Dobe, maybe you should put down that bottle - ", he soon grabbed the blonde's arm tightly, trying to take hold of the bottle that it held, only for it to be taken back roughly.
"Leave me alone, teme!". The shout immediately silenced the group as Sasuke suddenly sent a chill in the air with his shocked state. Naruto groaned. "I'm sorry...you're right...I'll leave the beer alone...I think I have to go home...'ll just go rinse my face before I go...". Naruto then stood up and started to leave until he stopped and cupped his lover's face first, giving him a light kiss on his lips that thankfully shook the tension out of the way. "Sorry 'bout a while ago, teme...".
The blonde then proceeded to the bathroom and locked the door, groaning as he stared at the mirror and applied a cold splash of water to his face. "Dammit!". The moment all of them got into their drink, all the blonde could think of was to drown out what he thought about Sasuke since the whole time they entered, it seemed Sakura and Sasuke were eyeing each other, trying to get an understanding about something. Naruto groaned loudly again as his thoughts from last night entered his mind.
-Flashback-
Naruto gazed at the ceiling, eyes dull and emotionless, only seen by the illuminating moonlight...but other than that, the whole room was nothing but dark. He held tight to him the cold sheets that lay beside him where Sasuke was suppose to be.
"Sasuke...".
For the whole week long, Sasuke had surely been different. He never got to come home with him from school anymore, and more than that, it was Sakura he was hanging out with. It was okay for him that it was Sakura since he already knows Sasuke was already his, anyways. He believed that. Sakura wouldn't try taking Sasuke away, he knew her all too well and she wouldn't go and do that kind of thing. It was Sakura-chan we were talking about here. Also...
A creak of the door was all it took to snap Naruto out of his thoughts.
"S - Sasuke, you're home!", Naruto said brightly.
Sasuke gave him a smirk that seemed to have brighten the blonde's view of the room as he slowly came closer in the bed, taking a kiss from the blonde while making his way in. Naruto delightedly accepted the kiss as his own tongue begged entrance to the raven's mouth, only to have it suddenly vacant the next second.
"Sorry, dobe, not tonight...some other time, 'kay?...".
The blonde wanted nothing but to scream at him "WHEN THEN? WHEN?", but he didn't want to come to an argument. It all had to wait in due time, won't it? After Sasuke seemed to have gone into slumber, Naruto's thoughts resurfaced. Yeah, this was another part of his problem. Nights then would always end up with clothes lying, sprawled against the floor...so...what's the matter now? Sasuke was even the one who'd force the blonde with it...was there really something going on with him and Sakura? Or was he tired...of him? The blonde's stomach churned and his heart twisted at the thought.
The only doubt he had on Sakura was the time when Naruto decided to call Sasuke 2 days ago. He just wanted to see how the raven was doing when he heard Sakura's voice over the phone and Sasuke immediately put down the phone without even any explanation. After getting home that day the blonde chose not to bring it up, wanting Sasuke to be the one to do it. But nothing. It was as if nothing happened in the first place.
Nothing...
-End Flashback-
"Naruto! Hey man! You didn't take a nap there, did you?".
"Ah! I - ", Shit! My voice's hoarse! The blonde cleared his throat, "I was just...uhhh...thinking...I'll be there, alright?".
"Oh...okay...".
Naruto returned his gaze at the mirror, surprised to see a trail of tears falling from his eyes. How long have I been here? He brought up his arm and checked the time. 5 minutes? I have to get going! He began to wipe the tracks of tears, making sure his previous sobbing wasn't evident on his face. The blonde checked the mirror one last time and made his way out and to the table to say his last goodbyes.
"Hey...ummm...guys?".
"What took you so long, Naruto?", Gaara asked.
"Uhhh...thinking...stuff...".
The red head raised an invisible eyebrow.
"That doesn't matter anymore, alright? So...I guess I'll see you guys around, okay? Call me if we're having a reunion or something!", the blonde said with a wide smile, "I'll miss you guys...".
After some more exchanges of goodbye - containing an unexpected bear hug to Neji and from Gaara that was courtesy of Tenmari, and a surprise information from Kiba about his soon marriage proposal to Hinata - the blonde began to take his leave, only to notice something wrong.
"Guys...where's Sasuke?".
"He left already...", Ino replied.
"Oh...really? And what about - ah...never mind! Have a great life!". With that, the blonde started his van and left, his face suddenly turning pale. Sasuke...left? Without telling me? And...Sakura wasn't there too, was she? Dammit! Why didn't I notice the signs! Urrrggghhh! Is Sasuke really...tired of me? With that, the hands that clenched the driver's wheel suddenly contained a droplet of tears. Was I not enough for him? Was it all an act? Like that time in the caf...was he even surprised when I kissed him in front of everybody? Could he possibly be thinking that...my being angry at him...would have...would've sealed the deal? That...he found it to be a reason to have a right to leave me? Dammit...dammit...DAMMIT! Naruto slammed his fist at the wheel, until for the whole ride, the sound of sniffles was the only thing that could be heard in the vehicle. After a few minutes, the blonde already gave a stop to the contraption, wiped his tears and got out.
Naruto stood in front of his and Sasuke's apartment and gave an exasperated sigh.
"Maybe...maybe Sasuke and I...really aren't meant to be together...", the blonde murmured, deciding that once he enters their apartment, he was moving out. "It was obvious...it only took 4 days for Sasuke to be attracted to her...and I...(sigh) goodbye...Sasuke...".
The blonde slowly opened the door, ready to have it be the last time he stepped into the place.
A/N: It's mean of me to end it there, ne? Yup...I'm mean! No...actually I'm not...just review, alert or favorite so that the next chapter where the whole truth is revealed will come out! Come on! It doesn't hurt to type, click, or tap! Just do it for next chapter's sake! Please visit my other works as well!
Ja ne!