Author's Note: Hello, people! Okay, I know that this chapter is a little short compared to my last one but believe me. This chapter would have been longer but I decided to cut it and where I cut it, I think is a good place. But the next chapter will have everything I had planned to shove into this one and once you read it, you will understand why I broke it up.
Now then, I don't own the Naruto characters or the story itself. That completely belongs to Kishimoto-sensei. I just like writing stories using the characters and writing about my favorite pairing. I also don't own the anime this story is inspired by. I would actually thank that person for creating that anime that I have enjoyed completely and fully. Now then, thank you all for taking the time to read this story and I hope you will continue to support and love it! Thank you, everyone! Now enjoy!
Ch. 2: Stranger Danger
"Hey, Sasuke. If I murder Kurama, could I live with you and Hinata?"
"Only if you can get away with it and they leave the case cold. That shouldn't be a problem at all."
After a long and stressful day, school is finally over and both Naruto and Sasuke feel completely and utterly stress-exhausted. Reason why? One word. Kurama. Long story short, Naruto came back to after his long journey to the office and on that journey, he didn't see any other students reporting attendance to Kurenai. She even said that the phone lines are working. So that just made Naruto's mood worst but took another bad turn when Kurama decides to have him stand outside with buckets of water in each hand for making everyone wait so long. So while he sulked and mumbled some colorful things about his guardian, he could hear Kurama acting like a charming prince but also giving Sasuke a hard time. First he said that Sasuke isn't talking enough and when he does answer something, Kurama calls him a Mr. Smarty-pants and should let other students have their chance in glory. With his good looks, Kurama dazzled the females and with his little rebellion against Sasuke, he gained the respect of the males. Sasuke would usually not care about losing popularity or gaining enemies. The only thing he does care about is Kurama is making fun of him and because he's a teacher, he's getting away with it. No one makes a fool out of him and lives to see the next day. So now both boys are plotting ways to kill the orange head as they stroll down the sidewalk together, alone.
The reason why Hinata is not with them, there is a simple explanation for that. After class while the students were leaving, Kurama asked to speak with Hinata for a moment. Though of course, Naruto and Sasuke couldn't wait in the classroom for her. They had to wait outside. Since today is Naruto's birthday and they are planning a birthday party after school, Sasuke and Hinata canceled all of their plans for it; such as club meetings or sport practices. But when Hinata came out, she told them to go on without her. Since Kurama is replacing Kakashi, her cousin on her mother's side, Neji, is coming to interrogate him. Kurama got a call wanting to have a meeting so she's very sorry. Both Sasuke and Naruto completely understood because they know exactly what her cousin is like. He's more of the line of overprotective bodyguard/personal-butler/secretary. It took Naruto months before the guy was finally done breathing down his neck about being friends with Hinata. He wouldn't even let Naruto be alone with her, even if Sasuke was present. But does everything Hinata asks him to do, like a personal butler, and when she has family affairs that she needs to attend, he reminds her just like a secretary. Kurama and Neji never met before so their little meeting is going to be interesting…
"Just promise us one thing, Hinata," Sasuke said after she told them what Kurama talked to her about. She was confused for a bit but he placed his hand on her shoulders and said one thing to her, "Make sure Neji goes easy on him because Kurama is my prey." He said that with a gloomy aura all around him and dead-like eyes as if the life had been drained from him all during school today. Hinata freaked out a bit while Naruto looked at Sasuke with annoyed eyes. He thinks he was the only one Kurama was giving grief too?
"Ugh! I still can't believe it!" Naruto exclaims, raising his arms up high to reach the sky with his fists. "When Kurama said he got a new job, I thought it would be in another law firm. Not my high school! When did he get a teacher's license anyway?"
"I'll give that guardian of yours some credit. His teachings are understandable and he's good at explaining the material for the other students. But his inability to set the line between what's appropriate and what's inappropriate behavior of a teacher and student."
Naruto would have questioned on what Sasuke meant on 'other students', but he knows it's because Sasuke's a genius and everyone else is beneath him. Good thing Naruto is only focused on how Kurama is now going to make his high school life a living hell.
"You're telling me! Not only did that guy embarrassed me in front of the class but he's letting my reputation go down the drain with all of the affection and attention he's giving me as if we were at home."
"At least you finally got one of your long-time wishes granted. Now that they know you two live in the same house, you're finally popular with the opposite sex."
Oh that was annoying….and torture! Naruto always imagined that being surrounded by females would be the total opposite experience for him compared to Sasuke. The Hyuuga always commented that females sound like screeching banshees. Now Naruto knows exactly what he means; only because when he imagined being surrounded by women, they would want to know everything about him. Not his guardian.
"For obviously the wrong reason! They're not interested in me, they're interested in Kurama and I would love to tell them false stories of what he's really like; if he wasn't breathing down my neck about it when they started questioning me."
To Sasuke, the dope still doesn't get it. Now he's done talking about this. "As annoying as it's going to be, we might as well just suck it up until after the term is over. Then we'll be able to have different classrooms and different teachers."
That's the second greatest thing Naruto has heard all day. But waiting for the term to be over, if every day is going to be today then Kurama would surely die before them.
The two teenagers were so focused on the source of their stress as they're walking down the sidewalk, with no destination in mind but they have time to kill till Hinata calls them to let them know when she's done, they didn't notice a black jaguar coming up. Not that it should be anything suspicious. It's a car driving by and they're walking on the sidewalk next to a street. Of course, they're going to have cars sneak up behind them before they pass by.
But this car did not simply drive by them. It starts slowing down.
With a thought in mind, Sasuke ponders about it for a little bit before silently exhaling. His sister asked him to entertain Naruto until she calls and by the time, they'll arrive to their home, Hinata would have everything ready because Neji would more than likely have everything ready and all they would have to do is set up the food when they arrive first. But how is Sasuke supposed to entertain this knuckle-head? Well he does have one idea and it's in his pocket.
"Excuse me, gentlemen."
But before he could reach for it, someone calls them behind. Both teenagers stop to look at the side and they see the black Jaguar parked beside the sidewalk and out of the way of other cars. In the back seat of the car, is a rolled down window and peeking out from it is a middle-age man who at first sight has the expression and eyes of a giddy child. His dark eyes are sparkling as he looks at the two teenagers, he has a big friendly smile on his face, his long black hair looks wild and some serious need of ironing, his skin is a nice creamy tone, and the only way to tell that he is older than he's acting right now is the wrinkles under his eyes. At first sight, your first impression would be 'oh what a benevolent looking man' or he would remind you a lot of what Naruto would act thirty years from now and in a good mood. Not a single suspicious thought would run through your mind when you see this man in his nice looking business suit. But for Sasuke, the second he saw him, he didn't trust him. His gut is just screaming, 'Don't fall for his smile, don't fall for it! Get out!'
"I'm sorry to bother you two but can you help me? You see, I'm lost. It's been years since the last time I was in the city and-"
But before he could finish, Sasuke interjects, "If you go back to the airport and find the closest gift shop store, there's probably a map you can have for free." Then he grabs Naruto's arm and pulls him away.
His interruption startles the middle-age man and he watches them walk for just a moment before Naruto pulls his arm away and whispers to his friend, "Oi, teme. What are you being so rude for? The guy's just lost." Apparently, Naruto fell for the man's charm.
"A middle age man approaching two teenage boys. Doesn't that already strike you as a very possible pedophile?" Putting it like that, he's got a point there. "Think, moron."
"Um, young man. I already picked up a map when I arrived here…" Looking at him again, the man looks like he's fiddling with something before showing his said-map as proof. "But a map doesn't tell me where restaurants are or what their ratings are. I'm trying to find someplace to eat but I don't want anything fancy. I know I look like I can afford the best but I prefer real food. Do you boys know where I can get real, filling food?"
With the same impetuous, straight-forward tone, Sasuke tells him, "Second left, first right, straight ahead. There's a McDonalds."
Now Naruto is just appalled by his friend's behavior. They just meet the guy for goodness's sake! "Teme, for once in your life, stop being an ass. And didn't you watch Super Size Me? You want this guy to have a heart attack?" Turning back to the Jaguar, Naruto puts on a more gregarious approach and tells the poor man, "Old man, I know just the place for you. The best food you can ever eat in your whole life. Ichiraku Ramen."
Of course. Sasuke nearly slapped his forehead, not because Naruto is clearly as gullible as a three-year old and doesn't know danger when it's right in front of him, but because he's saying the greatest food on earth is ramen; his number one obsession. How could he not see that one coming?
"Ramen, you say? Haven't had that in a long time," the mysterious man replies, sounding genially intrigued by the suggestion.
How could the Hyuuga be so inimical to such a nice guy?
"Trust me, old man. You've never had ramen like this before. It truly is the best thing next to slice bread and butter. The noodles are cooked perfectly. Not too stiff or soggy and there are never any clumps. But the broth is what really makes the meal. It's smooth and perfectly seasoned. Everything is made from scratch and I swear to you that every bowl would be like a masterpiece created by the gods! The cook would not have it served to you in any other way. Actually now that I think about it…" Turning to Sasuke, he pleads, "Let's go to Ichiraku! I want some ramen."
Sasuke cannot believe this. "Are you kidding me?"
Then the mysterious guy happily offers to them, "If you wish, I can give you a ride and a free meal. It's the least I can do for your kindness to help an old man like myself."
'A creepy old man,' Sasuke corrects in his mind.
"Oh really?" Like a child being offered candy, nothing pleases Naruto more than a free meal. Opening the door, Naruto euphorically goes in as he says, "Mister, you just made my day!" Sasuke freaks a little seeing this.
"Hold it!" The Hyuuga stops by grabbing his body-length jacket and pulls him back. Naruto got out of the car and he looks over his shoulder to see Sasuke growl at him, "Didn't anyone tell you about stranger-danger? You don't just go into some strange guy's car because he's offering a free meal!"
Peeking out from the open door, since he moved to the side when Naruto started coming in, the messy-haired man tells them, "Oh believe me, boy. I mean you both no harm. I simply would like something to eat before I have to attend a meeting in two hours and it lasts for another four. I would be late by the time I'm done and I can't function on an empty stomach. Surely you two understand."
"I do." Naruto pulls his jacket out of Sasuke's hold and quickly moves into the car before the Hyuuga boy could grab him again.
"Naruto!"
"Why don't you come with us?" the middle-aged man suggests. "If you're so worried, I can prove to you that what I'm asking is only a simple meal."
"Yeah, Sasuke."
When that name is heard, a soft gasp escapes the mouth of the driver. He didn't say a word this entire time and just obediently looked forward and waited for any orders from the man behind him. But the second he heard that name, he turns to his side mirror and he sees the Hyuuga teenager in the reflection. Seeing him caused the driver to grip the steering wheel.
Trying to help convince his friend, Naruto exclaims, "It'll be fun!" Apparently all the stress he had to endure today has all dissolved away but it's just pilling up on Sasuke's end.
No way is he going to get into some stranger's car when his gut is completely against the idea. But he doesn't want to leave Naruto with this man either; no matter how pure and innocent his smile and good nature appears to be. However, he is fed up with this.
"If you want to die on the day you were born, go right ahead! But if I don't hear from you that you safely arrived at Ichiraku in ten minutes, I will send Kurama and Neji after you."
The second Naruto hears that, his entire body shook with fear and he starts freaking out internally about that idea. The last thing he ever wants on this earth is an extremely protective Kurama and an angry Neji coming after him. Even though that cousin of Hinata's didn't trust Naruto for the longest time at first, now that man watches over him, in his own unfriendly way, the same way he watches over Sasuke. A combination of Kurama and Neji's wrath would probably be worst than hell and torture combined.
Before the spiky blonde could say a word of promise that he will call or plea for Sasuke not to do that, the raven-head slams the door of the car and starts storming off. Naruto calls for him but he doesn't stop. He just stomps away without looking back and when he reaches cross-walk, he turns at the corner and disappears from sight. But as he was walking away, the driver still kept his eyes on him. When the Hyuuga boy passed the car, the driver watched him go and he stares at the spot where the boy disappeared. His mouth is slightly opened from when he let out that gasp and now he looks like he wants to say something but he can't.
Naruto stares that spot as well until the friendly man asks him, "So where is this Ichiraku?"
Turning his attention to him, Naruto still sees that indubitable smile on the guy's face, completely unaffected by Sasuke's rude behavior, and seeing that beaming smile helps the birthday boy return it. It's a twenty minute walk from here but that's usually because of all the street-lights. Just keep driving down this street for another two stops and then a left. When you see the Dango Shop sign, it's the restaurant right after that. Can't miss it!"
"Did you hear that, driver?"
Being called for directly snaps the guy out of his thoughts. His head slightly turns back and the man orders, "Forward! I need my food."
The driver nods and he responds, "Yes, Madara-sama."
Naruto blinks at that. Madara? Where has he heard that name before?
Putting the car into drive, the driver gets back onto the street once the road was clear and he goes without turning his head to the corner where Sasuke disappeared to. But at that corner, the said Hyuuga boy is leaning against the wall and he sees them driving off. He couldn't bring himself to fully leave until he was certain he saw that car going where it should be going. But even that does little to ease his nerves. No matter how anyone would look at it, he couldn't trust that guy for an instant. He knows he told Naruto to call him in ten minutes but this uneasiness would not go away. Going to his bag, he takes out his cell phone. Looking through his contacts, he presses 'send' and waits for an answer.
"Kurama, Naruto's in trouble."
Ooh! Naruto is in trouble. But Sasuke had a point. Even if he didn't have that strange feeling in his gut, don't go into a stranger's car; no matter how friendly they look! This a warning to you all!
But what do you guys think?
Do you think I need work?
Let me know! See ya!