Okay, so I lied... there's gonna be one more little chapter after this one!
Day of the big match! Any resolution?
The whistle went and the Leaf Valley High supporters in the bleachers let out groans of exasperation. Even the cheerleaders looked downhearted but were making a decent attempt at pretending otherwise.
"This is getting fucking ridiculous," Kiba swore aggressively, practically gripping his hair in frustration.
" –You're fucking telling me, right," someone drawled loudly from the row behind. Kiba turned around in surprise and recognised the infamous Hidan and Deidara duo from the year above. Hidan was currently sitting there with Deidara's feet slung up onto his lap as the blonde munched on a bag of chips.
" –You're friends with the Uchiha brat aren't you?" Hidan commented crossly, and Kiba made a 'kind of' gesture. "What the fuck's his problem today? They're fucking lucky that the ref called out the bowl-cut kid on some of Sasuke's fucking fouls…" He descended into mutinous mutters, followed by a, "Oi, Deidara, text Itachi will you? He's gonna be fucking embarrassed by how his baby brother's playing!"
"Itachi would never be embarrassed by Sasuke, yeah," Deidara rolled his eyes, licking his fingers clean and then stabbing his wet fingers into Hidan's cheeks tauntingly, " –You text him. I'm eating, yeah?"
"What the hell's going on down there?" Kiba snorted, turning to glare over at Shikamaru as if the genius could offer some explanation for what curse seemed to be suddenly inflicting fouls upon their entire team. Truth be told, the majority of them originated with Naruto and Sasuke, but somehow their team was figuring out a way to take 'credit' for the shoddy plays to prevent them from being sent off…
…But unfortunately, the yellow cards were stacking up.
And, with a minute or so left in the first half, down by four goals…they couldn't afford to have two of their starting players being sent off –despite the strength of the rest of the team.
All of a sudden, Sasuke managed to break away from the horde; rocketing down the field with the intent of scoring. Naruto was right up there with him in case he needed support –which he very obviously did, since the opposing team's defence was proving to be incredibly good.
"GO SASUKE!" the crowd was yelling; egging on their favourite. He was a dark blur sprinting for the goal –but the defence was right there to stop him. No matter how he tried to get past, he found his way barred; and the rest of the pack was beginning to gain on him.
Without any other option, he turned and glanced to his right, and saw that Naruto was jogging up expectedly to receive the pass. But then he saw a flicker of something…was it fear? Uncertainty? Disgust, even? It didn't matter what it was – it was in Naruto's eyes and he hated it. That look for some reason made anger boil up inside –anger at himself or Naruto, he didn't know –but it was that emotion rather than anything else that fuelled the kick that swiftly booted the ball in the direction of the ball.
Too much force meant that it sailed higher than it should've; and much faster…and wound up slamming Naruto right in the side of the face.
Reflexes jerked his face back away from the ball; toppling backwards and clutching at his smarting cheek and eye. His nose was bleeding but not broken, and he could already feel the booing and disappointed groans of the crowd. God, he'd been hearing a lot of those groans today…so he knew that the defence had rushed in while he was stunned, and had collected the ball.
The whistle blew to signal half-time, and he was a little relieved that it was just that and not another goal. Losing four to eight…it was a dismal championship game so far, and he just knew he wasn't playing at his best.
Actually…he and Sasuke's teamwork was probably at an all-time low.
Which was saying something, since when they'd both started, they used to slide-tackle each other when they were on the same team.
The crowd was getting disgruntled and it was getting him down further. He hated the prospect of letting down so many people that had come to cheer them all on. Sakura waved to him sympathetically, but he didn't have time to wave back. Almost as soon as the team collected around the bench, Neji gripped both Sasuke and Naruto by their shoulders and dug his fingers in like iron claws.
"Uchiha. Uzumaki…" Naruto knew he was completely fucked when Neji started using his last name. "Mind telling me what the fuck is going on out there?"
On top of the last names…Neji was swearing.
"Uhh…" Naruto stammered, avoiding looking Sasuke in the face. What excuse could he give their captain? That he and his friend-slash-rival had made out after a terrible misunderstanding on Valentine's Day and hadn't spoken since?
" –You two have been playing so much shitter than usual these last few days," Neji growled in his iciest tone that made Naruto want to cower slightly. "I thought that it was just nerves, and so said nothing. But that…" He dug his nails in deeper and glared sideways at them through his angry pale eyes. Neji didn't get angry. He thought anger was unbecoming of a star-captain-prodigy –but he also hated losing.
" –Uchiha, what the fuck was that kick?" he inquired coldly, "And quit avoiding Uzumaki; I know he's a fucking clown sometimes, but you should be passing to him more." He glanced over at Naruto and let out a low breath in an attempt to calm himself down, "Uzumaki –Naruto…go get yourself cleaned up. Ten minutes." He released their shoulders and they both resisted the urge to slump in relief.
" –I don't care what happened," he snorted flatly as he stalked over to the bench to get his water bottle, "It can't be worse –or messier –than the time you both laced each other's protein shakes with laxatives." The entire team sniggered and cringed at the memory of such a failed practical joke.
"…Punch each other. Kiss each other. Cry it out together like little girls –I honestly don't give a shit," Neji remarked in his most nonchalant voice –a dangerous voice indeed, "…But cut the crap and keep it off the fucking field!" And on that note he ran a hand back through his beautiful brown hair and stalked off to refill his water bottle, adding a, "Good work you guys on making up for our teammates' incompetence."
Shikamaru and Kiba were loitering around down near the bottom of the bleachers when Naruto made an appearance; heading towards the bathrooms.
"Dude, are you okay?" Kiba exclaimed immediately, "Shit, that was a brutal kick! Sasuke must've been fucking mental to think you would've gotten –" He saw the dejected look on the blonde's face and decided that shutting up was probably going to prove to be the best option. "Neji didn't look pleased…"
"…Last names," Naruto muttered and both his friends cringed sympathetically. It wasn't unusual for Neji to call Sasuke by his last name, but ever since Naruto had fought tooth and nail to get to the first string, the Hyuuga had apparently decided that he was worthy of being on first-name basis with. "It uhh…he…"
" –Naruto, could I maybe…have a word?" Shikamaru inquired with a small frown. Kiba got the hint immediately and stalked over to where the cheerleaders were trying to think of a way to rally the supporters. He greeted Sakura cheerfully, but she didn't buy it –staring over at Naruto in worry.
"…What's going on with you and Sasuke?" Shikamaru asked bluntly; not bothering to bandy words. He, and everyone else in the crowd had been able to spot the tension between the two of them. They could feel it from the bleachers. Sure, the pair of them were usually really competitive and fired up –but there was never this kind of…passive-aggressiveness between them. They weren't passing to each other –even when it was obvious that the other was open…and when they did pass, it was reluctantly, poorly, or just downright embarrassing.
At least once, Naruto had physically lost his footing whilst mid-pass to Sasuke; his foot had swung over the ball and he'd toppled forwards, kicking the ball back behind him. It would've been an impressive manoeuvre if it hadn't resulted in the other team stealing and breaking away to score.
"What uhh…makes you think…" Naruto tried to stammer, but from the look on his friend's face, there was no point in playing dumb. "Is it that obvious?"
"Uh…yeah," Shikamaru retorted flatly, "Naruto, I don't think I've seen you play this badly since middle school –and you had a broken leg then." Naruto turned pink, as the pair of them headed off to the bathroom so he could clean himself up. Thankfully, his nose had already stopped bleeding.
Once in front of the mirror, Naruto gripped the edge of the sink tightly and avoided looking up into the mirror, where he could see Shikamaru watching him curiously. He had to tell him. Shikamaru was clever. He always knew what to do. And frankly, Naruto didn't have a fucking clue what to do right now.
Ever since Sasuke had walked away from him after kiss, things had been…different. They stopped talking in classes. They stopped hanging out. Even their words turned colder towards each other. Sure, they'd actually been friends for literally less than two weeks…but he felt like he'd known Sasuke for lifetimes. He missed him.
But…that wasn't all. In the last few days, he'd found himself staring off into space, only for his daydreams to be filled with memories of Sasuke –not just from those last weeks, but from their whole school life. Sasuke had always been there as an obstacle to tackle –someone to beat –his goal as he had so termed it in his valentine. He was jealous of who Sasuke was and everything he had…so he tried desperately to be cool like him. And when that failed, he made him his rival.
That meant that, well, he was always thinking about him.
And he'd only just realised quite how much when he would jolt out of his daydreams to discover that he was staring at the Uchiha.
"…Me and Sasuke kissed."
Okay…it wasn't supposed to come out like that.
"Come again?" Shikamaru blinked, apparently a little startled by this. Naruto thought that maybe he should've been a lot startled by this.
"…We…kissed," he mumbled –a lot less confidently this time and with a touch more embarrassment. "I uhh…I sent him a valentine…and he thought it was of a…romantic nature…and uhh…kissed me."
"Did you kiss him back?" Well, if Naruto was Shikamaru, that definitely would not have been his first question. He frowned down into the sink.
"…Um…Yes?" he replied in embarrassment, "I uhh..." He looked for an explanation. There wasn't one. "Yes. I kissed him back. A lot." God, his face was flaming, and it wasn't just from being hit in the face with a soccer ball.
"What's the problem?"
Naruto looked up, halfway through washing his face, and saw Shikamaru leaning against one of the bathroom stalls with his hands in the pocket. Apparently his face must've given away the 'how can you not see the problem?' that he was feeling, because Shikamaru sighed.
"…Sasuke kissed you…you kissed him back…what's the problem?" he inquired flatly. "Do you like each other?"
"I…uhh…He…likes me…" Naruto coughed awkwardly, "He…uhh…said so."
"And you…"
"…Pushed him away…" he winced and groaned heavily when Shikamaru let out a sympathetic sigh. "Okay…long story short…I heard you guys talking about how Sasuke um…was going to send me a valentine, so I decided to send him one back –just to be nice, you know? So I started hanging out with him. But apparently he got the wrong idea…and he misinterpreted my valentine as me liking him back and now…" He gestured vaguely in the direction of the field, "…Now we're like this…" He was about to launch into another speech, but Shikamaru silenced him with a wave of his hand –apparently surprised by none of this.
"He's mad coz you pulled away; you're mad because he made a move?" he guessed.
"I'm not mad," Naruto mumbled awkwardly as he dried his face with a paper towel, "…I just…didn't get a chance to explain and now we're not talking."
"Can you explain?"
"Huh?"
"How can you explain it to him, when you can't even explain it to yourself?"
That made Naruto stop and stare up into the mirror in surprise. Shikamaru rolled his eyes in exasperation.
" –Naruto, I've seen you staring at him in class," he drawled with a heavy sigh, "You can't keep your eyes off him. Sometimes you mutter to yourself too –when you think no one's listening."
"…I do that?" he breathed in embarrassment, hanging his head and forgetting to deny that he stared at Sasuke. "…Shikamaru, I don't know what's happening to me. I can't stop thinking about him…and I just keep replaying that…the kiss –" he said that in a very small voice, "…Over and over in my mind and I just…"
"Naruto." Shikamaru had the ability to stop a rambling rant dead in its tracks. "I'm going to tell you a couple of things, and I hope you'll take them on board." Naruto nodded wordlessly.
"Ever since I can remember," he sighed, "…You have been trying to get Sasuke's attention. You annoyed him, you chased him; you tried to be better than him. There was a year, back in middle school, where we couldn't breathe the word 'Sasuke' around you, or you'd get all flustered and fired up –" Naruto cringed at the memory. Not his proudest year of school.
" –You're jealous of all those girls chasing him," Shikamaru added with a small smirk, "But you're the one who yells the loudest, fighting tooth and nail for attention. You did anything to be close to him and catch up to him, you claimed that he was just like any other person, but he was always special to you…Am I right?"
Naruto found himself nodding slowly, the realisation of what Shikamaru was getting at beginning to dawn on him.
"You loved hanging out with him; god, we heard enough about it. Getting to be with him and laughing with him –that's the happiest I've ever seen you. And now, you say you can't stop thinking about him. You kissed him back when he kissed you. Hell, you're one step away from doodling 'Naruto Uchiha' on your notebooks," Shikamaru sighed, scratching the back of his head, "Sorry, Naruto; you're his biggest fan." He shoved his hands in his pockets and quirked and eyebrow –interested in seeing how Naruto would take this information. The blonde was simply staring at himself in the mirror; blue eyes wide.
"You're saying that…I did all that…because…I actually…maybe…" he whispered to himself, "No…I mean…what…I mean…that's so childish…"
"And because you're always the epitome of maturity," Shikamaru rolled his eyes, "Look, that's just my take. But…you really are a moron when it comes to knowing yourself, you know?" He could see the cogs whirring in Naruto's mind and just shrugged. "Figure it out. Go talk to Sasuke. It'd be real nice if we didn't lose like this."
And just like that, Shikamaru vanished from the bathroom, leaving Naruto standing there, his head cocked and staring at himself inquisitively.
Was it possible; what Shikamaru was implying? That he…liked…Sasuke –without even realising it? That just didn't happen!
…And he had no idea about conveying this 'maybe, I possibly like you' feeling to Sasuke. Hell, the other guy's way of doing it was to just grab him and kiss him! But Shikamaru was right. He needed to talk to Sasuke right now –even if for a moment.
Steeling himself, he touched his aching nose and stalked from the bathroom.
" –Uzumaki," Neji growled, indicating that there was only a minute or so left of half time –but the rage left his face as he saw the look the blonde was wearing.
"Sasuke, I need to talk to you," he informed him sharply, and yanked him away from the rest of their team.
"Moron, the game's about to restart –" Sasuke snapped, his voice full of hurt and anger.
"Just listen to me," Naruto snorted firmly, refusing to release him, "Just a minute?"
"You've only got a minute." Naruto knew, so he took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry about what happened the other day," he blurted out, "You just shocked me, and I didn't know what to think or how to feel. I wanted to say that I didn't mind you liking me, and wanted to be your friend, but you startled me before I got a chance. I'm just so sorry." He took a breath but saw that Sasuke was still angry at him.
" –Don't say things if you don't mean them," he snapped, "…I saw the way you looked at me at the end of the first half. I disgust you, don't I?" Naruto quickly wracked his brain for the look that Sasuke could be thinking of –and he knew immediately what it was.
"…You've got it wrong," he remarked sadly, and Sasuke felt a sudden surge of guilt, for some reason. "…I thought you were going to bypass me and take the shot yourself –and be everyone's favourite, like usual. It uhh…it sucks –" he kicked the grass dejectedly, "…Everyone always runs over to you and gets super excited when you score…and I just get forgotten. Every time." Sasuke frowned in confusion.
That look, that he'd mistaken for disgust, was actually sadness? In the back of his mind, maybe he'd known that. Naruto wore that look a lot during moments like that in games. And he knew that that rage that he'd felt was anger at himself for being responsible for putting that look on Naruto's face.
"And…Sasuke?" Naruto suddenly sounded nervous and shifted uncomfortably, "…I don't think you're disgusting…" He coughed self-consciously, "…I actually…kinda…really liked it…" His words and the flush on his tanned cheeks made Sasuke stare at him incredulously. Naruto averted his eyes in embarrassment. "Um…I…I have to think about something things, but can we talk properly…after the game?" He looked up, his glittering blue eyes full of hope –and Sasuke knew, as he'd always done, that he could deny him nothing.
"Fine," he replied flatly, and was about to stalk off, back to the pitch –but then, for the briefest of moments, Naruto's fingers brushed up against his. He looked back and saw that usual, big, idiotic grin.
" –Let's win."
"There you are," Kisame groaned in exasperation, finally spotting Itachi making an appearance at the big soccer match. "…Itachi, where have you been? You know this game was important to your little brother –"
"Work kept me," he replied in a distinctly dejected tone. Kisame's gaze softened. He knew how much Itachi hated disappointing his little brother.
"It doesn't matter," he shrugged, "Sasuke played awful the first half anyway. They're just starting the second half right now, so –"
"Oh my god; Itachi finally came!" crowed an excitable female voice, and Kisame groaned; face-palming dramatically as Itachi looked at him with a pained expression. Suddenly, girls were flocking towards them, Itachi just closing his eyes as though hoping that when he opened them, they would all be gone. Kisame just chuckled to himself and stepped protectively in front of the Uchiha.
"Ladies, really?" he sighed, folding his arms and tutting loudly, "Itachi's just here to support his brother –"
"He's so kind!"
" –Such a good brother!"
" –A family man? I love him!"
"…And you are all meant to be doing the same," Kisame reminded them playfully, glancing back at Itachi. Say it, he dared. Prove me right. "Back to your seats, girls, come on…" They were all letting out whines of protest, "Support the team –remember, if we win, the after party will be at the Uchiha mansion…" He quirked an eyebrow cheekily, "And you know who lives at the Uchiha mansion?"
For some reason, they all held their breaths; eyes wide.
"…Uchihas…"
The crowd burst into excited squeals of excitement and delight, so Kisame just ushered them away like he was shooing away chickens.
" –But no after party if we don't win," he reminded them with a wink, "So go cheer for the team, yeah?" He immediately received enthusiastic nods of delight, and the women all scampered off towards the bleachers again to spread the word and show a bit of school spirit. Itachi let out a long breath.
"…Thank you, Kisame," he commented gratefully, brushing his bangs out of his face.
There it was.
"Itachi," Kisame frowned, turning to face his friend, "…Did you send me a valentine?" Surprise was evident upon Itachi's face –but it was the kind of surprise of one who has been caught out; not one who had no knowledge of what was being accused. "…Itachi, I asked you a question." For once, he saw the Uchiha lost for words –and that alone was enough to tell him he was correct.
"Oi! Kisame! Where the fuck did you go?" Hidan could be heard hollering obnoxiously from somewhere nearby. Before Itachi could protest, Kisame quickly yanked him under the bleachers and out of sight.
" –Kisame, what –" Itachi suddenly seemed to find his voice.
"…What was with the valentine?" he demanded flatly, "Explanation, now. If this was your idea of playing the same game as Hidan and Deidara, then I don't –" And then suddenly, his words were cut off as Itachi gracefully looped an arm around his neck and dragged him down to mould their lips together.
Kisame kind of just blinked for a moment; hands pressed to the wall behind Itachi to keep himself balanced. What was happening?
Stunned, he pulled back, only to find Itachi looking a little hurt at the apparent display of rejection. He dropped his arms and looked away, which Kisame immediately felt guilty for.
"Just…just wait," he apologised, catching the Uchiha by his arms to make sure he didn't run without giving him time to explain, "Um…What was that?"
"I was serious," Itachi deadpanned, glaring up at him. Still, Kisame didn't know what to think. He licked his lips; warm from Itachi's touch.
"But...aren't you straight?"
"…Does it seem like I'm straight?" he snorted flatly, tugging his arms free and folding him. Somehow, despite the situation, Kisame found himself feeling…scolded.
"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked with a frown.
"Because until a few weeks ago, I thought you were straight," he huffed, "Now, if you would kindly let me go throw myself to those rabid fangirls…" He made an attempt to walk away, but Kisame tugged him back again.
"No, it's not that I don't like you, Itachi…" Kisame assured him quickly, "It's just…uhh…I haven't had time to adjust to thinking of you as a…option. I mean, even if I'd known you were gay, I would never have thought I'd stand a chance with you!"
"Why ever not?" Itachi sniffed coolly.
"Uhh, because you look like that, and I look like this," Kisame replied, as though it was completely obvious, "I'm…weird-looking. And you're…cute."
"Cute?" Itachi deadpanned. Apparently that wasn't a compliment.
"What's wrong with cute?" he frowned.
"Cute implies no sexual attraction."
"Sex –" Kisame spluttered. Hell, if this wasn't the weirdest conversation he'd had in a while. And…suddenly, there was a strangely wicked look in his friend's eyes. Itachi moved a little closer, so that their bodies were almost pressed together.
"…Does it surprise you that I want to have sex with you, Kisame?" he inquired in a low, alluring tone that made Kisame swallow uncomfortably.
"Uhh, yeah," he replied honestly, not sure if it was weird that he was a little turned on by the tone Itachi was suddenly using.
"Kisame, you are my best friend," Itachi murmured quietly, apparently this embarrassing him enough to make him look away, "I've…I've liked you for a very long time –you were the only person who just treated me normally, that wasn't already in a no-homo-but-kind-of-homo relationship with someone else." Kisame had the distinct feeling he was referring to Hidan and Deidara. "I don't know when I stopped wanting to be just your friend…but that's just how it is. And if you think that there's maybe the possibility that you could eventually feel the same, then kiss me." Kisame found himself staring down at his friend for a moment.
Somehow, he'd never imagined himself ever leaving Itachi. In his mind, he'd always kind of just assumed that the pair of them would be together –in a sense –forever. Itachi was definitely more than a friend to him. Whether or not he felt exactly the same –that remained to be seen…but it was possible.
And he kind of really wanted to kiss him again.
He leaned forwards and pressed his lips up against Itachi's; wrapping his arms firmly around the smaller body. Itachi immediately moved closer; their chests pressed together. One of Itachi's hands raked down Kisame's toned chest as he let out a satisfied moan deep in his throat. Kisame's tongue slid out to test the raven's lips; only to find them parting willingly for him to delve into his mouth.
His body was growing warm. So much for cute. As far as he knew, he was the only person Itachi had ever kissed…but apparently Uchihas were geniuses in everything…
Kisame had pressed Itachi back against the wall again, a hand snaking down to grip his ass and test the Uchiha's reaction to it. If the way he rolled his hips up against his was any indication, he was perfectly okay with it.
"…Itachi…" he moaned softly as his hips ground back against the Uchiha's. "…If you keep doing that…" He saw the flicker of triumph in Itachi's eyes as he reached up again and reattached their lips; tongue pressing up into Kisame's mouth hungrily.
Okay, if Kisame was being honest, he'd had thoughts about Itachi before. Thoughts of having sex with him, that was. Not that he ever would've acted on them ever –because he'd thought that Itachi was completely out of his league.
And, well, (and Hidan and a few of the teachers had joked about this), they'd practically been in a relationship for the majority of high school. They were best friends. They did everything together, Kisame served as his bodyguard and protector from women, Itachi was the –ever-so-slightly demanding one of the pair (in Kisame's imagination, and now, apparently in reality, this had extended to bedroom activities) and (Itachi didn't know about this) Deidara actually had mock wedding plans for the pair of them.
And now there they were, making out underneath the bleachers. How teen-high-school-flick.
Kisame kissed the edge of Itachi's lips, descending further to kiss down his neck; one huge hand clutching at long, raven locks and the other encouraging Itachi's hips to grind up against him as he pressed his thigh between his slightly parted legs.
"Mmm…Kisame…more…" Itachi whispered huskily, in a voice that sent a shiver of arousal straight through his friend's body. God, Itachi knew how to move, and wasn't shy about it in the slightest. Fuck, if that wasn't arousing enough, Itachi kept breathing his name in wonderful, breathy little whispers. Oh, he could just imagine dirty little words spoken in such a tone.
"Yes…just like that," Itachi murmured as Kisame sucked harshly at his pulse and gripped his ass tightly; running his middle finger down the seam of his ass and pressing up into him. He could feel his own cock growing hard with the knowledge Itachi wanted him. God, he'd never felt like this before.
"Well, well, well, what've we got here, yeah?" a cheeky voice remarked suddenly, and Kisame raised his head from the crook of Itachi's neck, licking his lips sheepishly. Itachi looked over in annoyance to find that Deidara's head was dangling upside-down as he peered under the bleachers. "Hidan! Found them! They're dry humping!"
"Ooh, can we join?" Hidan remarked mockingly as his head too appeared looking underneath the bleachers. Kisame glared at the pair of them.
"Go fuck each other again," he snorted crossly; rather annoyed that he and Itachi had been interrupted.
"Again?" Itachi queried in confusion, and Kisame actually laughed as he pulled back a little, hunching so that his shirt covered the bulge growing in his jeans.
"Nothing fucking happened!" Hidan snapped hotly, "Okay, there may have been a bit of contact…"
"Stop telling them things, Hidan!" Deidara yelped dramatically, swatting him in the face.
"…It's only gay if our balls touched –"
"No, it's pretty gay if you wanted to put your dick in his ass…" Itachi remarked with a raised eyebrow.
"An ass is a fucking ass," Hidan snorted defensively.
"I can assure you that you're wrong," Kisame coughed with a smug smile. His three friends peered at him incredulously.
"Kisame, what the fuck? You've have sex with women too?" Hidan exploded, his mind unable to comprehend the fact that the weird-looking quarterback had managed to bed members of both sexes.
"…Yes."
"How many people have you fucked?" he demanded to know.
"Yes, Kisame. How many?" Itachi inquired coolly, folding his arms with a dangerous expression. Hidan and Deidara oohed at Kisame being trouble but he just cracked his neck and looked away awkwardly.
"…So…are you guys gonna come watch or get back to what you're doing, yeah?" Deidara sniggered, " –We're doing heaps better this half already." Kisame looked over at Itachi, who just coughed a little sheepishly.
"I can't speak for some people," he remarked in a low tone, "But I would rather my first time wasn't under the bleachers." Kisame raised an eyebrow, but then saw that Itachi was looking pointedly at his crotch, and mouthed an apology.
"…That was a dig wasn't it, yeah?" Deidara growled, flushing crossly at the memory.
"You guys go ahead," Kisame muttered, "I just…need a minute…" Hidan and Deidara exchanged looks, smirking and giggling to each other.
"…Or…" Itachi remarked lightly, turning to look at his friend slyly, and his eyes dropping down to Kisame's crotch again for a moment. The quarterback's mouth fell open.
"…Hidan?" Deidara whispered, "…Did Itachi just subtly offer to blow Kisame, yeah?"
"I fucking think so," Hidan muttered incredulously as Itachi gave them both a withering glare. He turned and glared crossly at Deidara. "Why don't you ever offer to blow me?"
" –Because we're friends and that's fucking gay, yeah," Deidara snapped flatly.
" –Kisame and Itachi are friends," Hidan pointed out.
"Like hell," he sniffed, "They've practically been dating for years!" Hidan stared at him for a moment and then nodded in agreement. Suddenly, a cheer went up from the spectators, shaking the bleachers violently. This resulted in Hidan and Deidara both falling from the edge that they were looking under, and clattering to the ground dramatically.
"Ow," Hidan grumbled, from where he had toppled on top of Deidara; face practically planted in his crotch.
" –Hidan, get your fucking crotch out of my face!" Deidara snapped, swatting at his hip. Itachi and Kisame deadpanned; the mood completely killed but now ridiculous. "Oi! What the fuck are you doing, yeah?"
Hidan looked up from where he had experimentally nipped at the zipper of Deidara's jeans, resulting in the blonde smacking him on the ass.
"…You two are way too comfortable with each other," Itachi deadpanned. Hidan just nestled his face against Deidara's crotch and rested on his elbows –looking up at them innocently.
"You guys are the ones fucking tonguing each other," he pointed out as Deidara aggressively hooked a leg over his neck and forced it to the ground between his legs, "No-homo, right Deidara?"
"…There's something a little bit homo about sixty-nining your friend," Kisame remarked dryly. "Seriously, why don't you two just fuck already?"
" –Like I would ever with this guy, yeah," Deidara snapped, hitting Hidan again.
" –Deidara, stop spanking Hidan; he likes it," Itachi warned in an amused tone. Hidan just cackled wickedly and looked up at Kisame and Itachi curiously.
"So…you guys are like, together now, or something?" he inquired innocently as he and Deidara struggled to disentangle themselves in the dirt.
"Yes," Itachi answered quickly, and then glared over at Kisame, "Right, Kisame?"
"…Yes, Itachi," Kisame replied as Hidan made a dramatic whipped noise. "Do that again, Hidan, and you'll be in the dumpster again…" Apparently this didn't prove daunting for their friend.
"Hey, do your worst," he invited with a smirk, "I got to see Itachi with a boner; nothing can ruin my day." Itachi glowered at him in embarrassment, but Kisame just took his hand and chuckled lowly.
"Come on…" he muttered.
"Aw! I wanted to see Itachi give head," Hidan complained, apparently unaware of how violently he and Deidara had managed to kill a mood. Deidara glared at him in mock disgust, "Oi, Deidara, don't look at me like that –you know you wanted to see it too!"
"Naruto! Over here!" Neji called out, and Naruto immediately passed over to their captain and then dropped back to catch his breath. God, this half had been hell so far. He and Sasuke were determined to make up for their foolish plays in the first half, and so were putting everything they had into winning.
As he slowed, punching the air as Lee scored, he felt a clap on his back. He looked up in surprise to see that Sasuke was running past with a small smile that made his heart skip. Actually…Sasuke had been smiling this whole half, and it just made him so happy.
There were only a few minutes left of the championship game, and they had managed to pull ahead to nine-eight; a fantastic comeback. Naruto was trying to keep his head in the game, but he was also trying to figure out what he was going to say to Sasuke.
A groan went up from the bleachers –the spectators annoyed that they'd just been starting to think that their team might actually win.
Tied.
They were tied.
"Come on guys! We can do it!" Lee hollered enthusiastically. The guy looked like he'd just been subbed on for crying out loud. How was it possible to look so energetic?
And then, in those last minutes, it happened.
Sasuke broke away from the scuffle, and the crowd roared in delight. Naruto was hot on his tail, seeing the defence from the opposition rising up to meet the challenge. Sasuke's gaze was focused past them though, and they knew it. He was going to pass them.
Naruto felt his heart plummeting. Here they were again; the same as they always were. And he could see the determination in the Uchiha's face as the defenders closed in.
And then, he saw black eyes dart across to him, and his eyes widened, as suddenly, with lightning speed, Sasuke passed –a perfect, fast pass that Naruto had received dozens of times. His eyes lit up in excitement as he eyed up the startled defenders, and with all his might, booted it towards the goal.
He didn't know what was sweeter; the sound of the ball hitting the net behind the keeper, the sound of the whistle blowing and the Leaf Valley High supporters leaping to their feet and practically breaking the bleachers…
…Or the look of pride and uttermost respect on Sasuke Uchiha's face.
And maybe it was that look…but it was at that moment that Naruto knew, though he didn't have the words.
The rest of the team started pouring towards him, but their cheers were drowned out by the fact that he had eyes only for Sasuke. The raven was jogging over too; an actual grin plastered across his face. Naruto could see him mouthing the word idiot, but that didn't matter. Instead of letting himself be wrapped up in the arms of his teammates as he'd always wanted, he sprinted off towards Sasuke.
The team followed him –Sasuke looking stunned to see the blonde running over, but holding out an arm to accept a victory hug from the guy.
But Naruto was going for gold.
As soon as he reached Sasuke, he leapt up, heart pounding, and wrapped his arms and legs around the other boy; mashing their lips together.
A shocked cry went up from the bleachers, but he didn't hear them. Nor did he hear the 'You go, Naruto!' that started the clapping and cat-calling. All he was focused on was the way that Sasuke's arms enclosed him; supporting him as he kissed back hungrily.
Naruto gripped Sasuke's hair tightly and let out a mewl as a tongue pushed past his lips and onwards to ravage his mouth. He locked his legs tighter around the Uchiha's hips and took a soft intake of breath as he felt a sneaky hand cup his ass under the pretence of taking his weight.
He deepened the kiss, rising a little higher to press down against Sasuke's lips, thoughts and breath quickly escaping him like the last time they had kissed. Sasuke's mouth on his was demanding and hot, and as he held the Uchiha's face with one hand and viciously gripped him with the other, it seemed like they were the only two people in the world.
…Which, unfortunately, they were not.
An accidental shove from their celebrating teammates sent them toppling to the ground; foreheads smacking together and Naruto landing unceremoniously in Sasuke's lap.
"…Oh, were we interrupting something?" Neji remarked lightly, looking down at them.
"Yes," Sasuke growled malevolently, tugging Naruto closer to him in his lap.
"No," Naruto assured him with a low yelp as he felt their lower halves connecting a little too suggestively. Neji broke out into a smile and helped him up (though this proved to be a little difficult with Sasuke reluctant to give him up).
Now that he'd returned to reality, the roars were deafening. He broke out into a grin –blushing both from the fact that he had just made out with Sasuke Uchiha in front of the majority of his school, and from the praise he was getting from his teammates all around.
"Party at Uchiha's!" Neji shouted out –an announcement that was greeted with a great deal of enthusiasm –except by the two Uchihas present, that was.
"What…what was that?" Sasuke inquired as the team traipsed over to the bleachers to join in the celebrations. Naruto turned red and scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I um…I just…think I like you," he replied in a small voice as he saw Sasuke's fangirls approaching –some looking horrified, and some with the question 'how was it?' written all over their faces. "I was really confused…but…I think I get it now." He chuckled to himself slightly, "…I'm sorry."
"It's…it's my fault for…coming on too strong…" Sasuke muttered, averting his eyes.
"Damn straight it was!" he exclaimed hotly, "Do you know how terrifying that is to be suddenly kissed by another dude like that and enjoy it and not be able to stop thinking about someone because of it?" He clamped both hands over his mouth at the admission and hated the way Sasuke smirked at him.
"…You couldn't stop thinking about me?" he remarked smugly, taking a step closer. Naruto gulped, and just muttered, "Bastard…" as Sasuke swooped in, and in plain view of all his fans, kissed him.
Sakura was still with the cheerleaders, but she saw what was going on between Naruto and Sasuke, and couldn't believe it. Well, actually, she could…because this kind of made sense. It…well, it did hurt…quite a lot really…and she felt tears springing to her eyes unbidden –both of sadness at seeing Sasuke with someone else, but also from joy at seeing how genuinely happy (pleased with himself) he looked.
She turned when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, it's not so bad," Kiba chuckled with a shrug, dragging her over towards the pair of them, "There's still the party tonight –you can find yourself a nice guy there. And you gotta come see this, it'll be hilarious…" he suddenly smirked wickedly as he pushed through the crowd to Sasuke and Naruto –where Naruto was elbowing the raven and calling him names for doing things that would pretty much make him public enemy number one.
"Hey Sasuke! You'll never guess what I saw happening under the bleachers!"
So there we are, with one more chapter to go! Just a little something at the Uchiha after party!
Sorry it's taken a while to get this chapter up! Hope you enjoyed it.
Much love,
xx K