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Chapter Five: Couples, Couples Everywhere

Annie was Pissed. With a purposely capitalized "P" because that's how Pissed she was.

Not only had her 6-month boyfriend just thrown her to the curb and left her with a temporary cannon of emptiness that will be the end of her until she finally got some Rocky Road, but she was stuck working the night shift for some girl that went out with her girlfriend for the night! Life was not fair.

And to make it worse, she'd been watching these two guys kissing for almost an hour now! They barely came up for air. How inconsiderate. Could they not see her inner turmoil? Crimony.

That's her boss coming over now. What's that he's saying? He wants her to stop them or what? Oh, or she's fired. There's motivation for ya. What would she do without the minimum wage and filthy scowls she'd come to know and hate so much?

Get another job, she supposed. But that would involve the risk of actually doing work. She couldn't deal with that and her eventual emotional demise preparations all at once! The torture!

So, Annie dragged her ass all the way around the counter and .003 feet over to the guys playing tonsil hockey. At a very big risk to herself (her therapist was so hearing about this at their next session) she tapped the shorter one on the shoulder.

"You're scaring the customers, man." On the inside - though it was impossible to see because of that hard ass emo look - Annie was crying of the evils of her boss because he said she had to stop the yaoi goodness. The glare that the taller guy sent her also influenced her (totally hidden and not flowing down her face in any way) tears.

"Oh, sorry." Annie chose to focus on this man. He was only five inches taller than her and nowhere near as scary. "I've got to go anyway."

And he stalked past Annie, motioning the other man to follow. Which he did, but not before glaring so fierce fully at Annie she was almost vaporized.

Her life sucked.

Outside, Kakashi leaned in again, but Iruka stopped him.

"That was a fifty-freaking-minute kiss. No one is that horny."

He proceeded to pull out his keys that Naruto somehow snuck into his pocket and opened up the door to his car.

Kakashi crossed his arms and put them on the edge of the door, smirking at Iruka.

"You would think that." Iruka laughed at the other man.

"I know that." He grinned and put one foot in the car. "But if you want to prove me wrong, you can pick me up at nine on Saturday. Naruto and Sasuke could hang out for a while, right?"

"I'm sure they could," he smiled - half-heartedly, of course. He'd forgotten about the reason he'd first met Iruka for a moment or fifty - and gave Iruka a quick good-bye kiss. "And I'd love to take you out."

They smiled at one another and Naruto's guardian got into his car. Kakashi closed the door and headed to his own vehicle. Both still had million watt grins on as they pulled out their cell phones and called their sons. They also simultaneously decided that movie stores were their new favorite place to go.

Inside the store Annie was looking out the window with a quivering lip. Life really wasn't fair.

----

Thank God it's dark out. That was all that could be said for the two boys in the park. Sure it wouldn't stop them from being seen - they were under a lamp, after all - but it would stop them from seeing the looks on anyone's faces.

Spectators would have seen two boys looking into each other's eyes. Normal, right?

Mostly, except for the fact that one boy was still licking the other one's mouth! With their eyes wide open and staring at each other. And the only reason the shorter boy wasn't pummeling the taller one was because...

He liked it.

He shouldn't, he knows! He just had a little conversation with himself about not liking Sasuke like that and leaving him be so no one would diss him like they hurt Naruto. Well, so much for that idea! And they aren't even technically kissing yet!

Scratch that last.

Sasuke liked the way Naruto tasted. It was like sunshine and vanilla ice cream - all right, so you can't technically taste sunshine, but he imagined Naruto to be as close to it as possible. Really, maybe it was just because sunshine secretly made Sasuke feel a hundred times better than the night that everyone suspected to be his natural habitat. And Naruto made Sasuke feel fantastic, just like the sun.

That's why he kissed him. Just a chaste kiss at first. He wouldn't normally be this precautious but something about this guy made him feel he must. However, once he realized Naruto wouldn't push him away the kiss grew a whole lot more... intimate. Pretty soon they were out of the light and against the tree that was almost directly behind it.

Neither wanted to think or care how they got there, it would ruin the moment. Damn that human need for air.

They broke apart, panting and just stood there, staring again. Sasuke was wondering how he'd never had a kiss like that before and Naruto...

Well, he saw the sparks.

It was just like the books and stories he found as a kid. Fireworks were going off all around them, his head was buzzing, his fingers were tingling and he thought Wow. This must be that first true love thing Iruka's always on about.

Alas, all good - perfect, brilliant - things must come to an end. To some extent anyway.

Naruto jolted from the tree he was leaning on, accidentally pushing his hips into Sasuke's. His back pocket was vibrating, but he was to focused on that smirk. Damn it's sexy.

"Are you going to answer that?" Sasuke asked. How the hell was he so in control? Didn't he feel the same way Naruto did?

"Yeah." Just as his hand reached back for the phone, something beat him to it.

"You are to slow. I'll get it for you." And the Uchiha's hand slid down the pocket ever-so-slowly. He pulled out Naruto's cell and flipped it open, pushing it against the boy's ear when his own phone vibrated. Luckily for him (or unluckily, depending on how one looks at it) it was in his front pocket. This meant that he had an excuse to step back from Naruto and recompose himself.

Obviously he'd never show it, what with the whole "Uchiha" thing, but he was very close to squealing. If he was capable of squealing, that is. But he's not 'cause he's dignified and stuff.

They were speaking with their guardians... damn them! Naruto and Sasuke were all nice and let them have their moment, now what?! They call and ruin this moment. What jerks.

Nonetheless they did have valid reasons for calling. Something about responsibility for their children and such. But once everyone was informed of where to pick whom up, the two boys were left with yet another awkward silence. Now, what's the only way to effectively stop a silence like that and start up a conversation?

Jokes, of course.

"You aren't going to kick me are you?" Sasuke almost sighed with relief when Naruto laughed out loud.

"No, that's strictly an Iruka thing." He stopped laughing and almost stopped smiling with the next statement. "But I think I have reason to question you, don't I?"

I knew this was coming. Okay, what am I going to tell him? Well...that's what Sasuke normally would have thought in this situation. He'd think up some more lies to spin into his web and get the guy into bed within a week.

But he didn't want to do that with Naruto.

NO, I mean I don't need to do that with this dobe. He'll be-

"Why did you kiss me?" The question was delivered with such a timid voice that Sasuke was taken back. Wasn't Naruto supposed to be this crazy, hyperactive knucklehead? He was meant to be loud and strong not quiet and second-guessing himself! He had to reassure the boy.

But only so the bet wasn't screwed up. Don't ask him how Naruto's insecurities could screw up the bet, it just could. Besides, it isn't reassurance if it's lies. Ignore the guilt.

"Because I like you, Naruto."

"Oh..." This was news. Not that Naruto suspected Sasuke to be the kind of person to kiss randomly! But...well, they'd just met seven days ago! It was kind of fast.

Not that he was denying the fact that he really liked Sasuke too. He did like him, a lot! This conversation was getting redundant. Okay, so the facts Naruto already knew about this...relationship with Sasuke were that One, he sensed something between them. It was strong enough to have him constantly dreaming about the other. Two, assuming that Sasuke isn't a liar - he liked Naruto back. Three, they'd both love to take their relationship further...but...

"I know that we more or less just met, so I understand if you want me to "buy you a drink first" so to speak." Sasuke read his mind, causing Naruto to smile.

"Yeah, I'd like that." Black eyes caught blue and they reinstated the staring contest. It was more than magical. They felt as if they were melting into each other, molding into one being. One heart...one soul...one more kiss.

At least, they would have had another kiss if someone wasn't flashing their headlights at them. Damn those are bright. It was almost blinding. Who was that?

Oh, it was Iruka. He was smirking that death-for-all smirk again. This couldn't be good.

Over on the other side of the park, Kakashi was beeping his horn, trying to get Sasuke's attention. The boy chuckled and looked back at his soon-to-be much more than a friend.

"Until tomorrow, then." Carefully he picked up Naruto's hand and kissed it. The perfect ending to their night. It was the kind of ending that only a fairytale would have.

In most cases anyway.

----

The ride back to Iruka and Naruto's house was oddly quiet. Then again, both were completely occupied in their own thoughts of their prince charmings.

When Iruka pulled up into their driveway and stopped the car, neither made a move to get out. Instead they turned to look at each other and cracked up laughing. Not that they really knew why, but did they need too? If you just pretty much got swept off your feet, wouldn't you be just a little giddy?

Yeah, I thought so.

--------

However, on the other side of town, all those streets away, the car ride was less than peaceful.

"I'm out." Sasuke looked startled over at his dad.

"What do you mean?" Kakashi didn't take his eyes off of the road and he was gripping the steering wheel so hard it's a wonder it didn't shatter.

"I mean that I don't want any part in your bet." He sighed and loosened his hold on the wheel. "And you should really rethink this. I saw you in the park, you're going to fall this time."

Sasuke clenched his jaw, trying not to lash out. This was his dad after all he could very well make him stop the bet. Although Sasuke knew Kakashi would never do that, it didn't stop the fact that he didn't want to yell at the man. He'd never admit it though, that would mean he was getting soft.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Don't even try it. You know damn well what I'm talking about." But I don't want to know what you're saying.

The Uchiha was attempting to keep his breathing in check. He didn't think Kakashi would allow him to blow up and then go anywhere with Naruto. This was the first time the older man had ever refused to help with the bet though...It was so frustrating! Why wouldn't he-

Iruka. That's why. He must like him, which is why he would rather his own son go bankrupt than ruin his chances? Some dad.

"You selfish bastard." That took Kakashi by surprise. His eyes widened slightly and he looked over at his son.

"What?"

"You just want to get into Iruka's pants and you don't want to blow it so you'd rather me loose a thousand dollars. If you want some action, you could just go to that whore house down the street."

"That's not it at all." Kakashi's voice was alarmingly calm and he sounded as if he were laying down a law. "I actually like this guy, which isn't exactly common for me."

"Yeah, you like his ass." This was probably the closest to striking Sasuke (with the intentions of hurting him, that is) Kakashi has ever come. Why couldn't the boy see what was so clearly in front of him? It was going to kill both him and Naruto.

"Actually, I was thinking more personality wise. The ass is just a bonus." They pulled into the driveway and didn't loose a minute jumping out of the car and up to the door. Before Sasuke could open it Kakashi grabbed his arm and spun him around.

"You and Naruto are going to be hanging out on Saturday while Iruka and I go on a date. If you find that you like him more than just for the bet, stop it. We can deal with the thousand dollars." He skillfully ignored the glare being sent his way. It wasn't like it was the first time Sasuke ever hated his guts.

"I don't like him. He's just easy cash." Kakashi let go of his son's arm and they entered the house. Immediately, Sasuke was upstairs and as far away from the world as possible.

"Don't say I didn't warn you."

But in his room, with the lights off and curtains drawn, Sasuke was lying with his head buried in his pillows trying to forget everything a certain blonde made him feel that night. It would be dangerous to get attached, anyway. Even if he did throw the bet it would still get back to Naruto somehow that the only reason he started going out with him was for money so he might as well get the thousand dollars.

He wasn't going to worry about what Kakashi said. It's just a phase; it's not like his guardian really feels anything for Iruka. Just like he was sure this thing with Naruto would pass.

It just had to.

-----

Have you ever tried to get someone to stop drowning you before? It's really hard, isn't it? Especially when the person is-

"Drowning me in your drool! That's gross. Why don't you just go ask him out already?"

Kiba bonked Lee on the head as he shouted at him some more. Naruto was leaning on Shikamaru and laughing his ass off while Shikamaru was looking towards the sky wondering what he ever did to get these friends.

"I can not just ask him out like that. It would be rude."

"Oh, and checking him out is proper manners?"

"Shut up!" Lee went to choke Kiba and they ended up having a fight in the middle of the schoolyard. It was officially Friday after school and those two had been fighting about this all week.

"Kiba is right Lee. It's been forever since you squashed Neji in the woods. Why don't you just ask him to go to a movie or something?" Naruto suggested. In all honesty this fight was getting old. They had it everyday, every time they saw each other.

"I don't want to go too fast."

"You've been gawking at his ass for six days now. Just go!"

"I'll ask him out when you ask Hinata out, dog boy!"

Thump.

"That's different and you know it!"

Tumble.

"How is it different?"

"Uh, guys?"

Boom.

"Because Hinata doesn't know I like her!"

"Guys?"

More tumbling.

"Then tell her, stupid!!"

"You're about to fall down the hill, morons!"

"Wh-AAAAAAAAA!!!!!"

Kiba and Lee had rolled all the way to the hill that leads to the school gates. And instead of stopping and heading their friend's warnings, what did they do? They crashed.

And landed right in front of the Hyuuga car.

"Look, Hinata. A lover's quarrel. Isn't that cute?" The friends looked up to see none other than the objects of their tiff.

"K-Kiba? What are y-you doing?"

"Oh! Hey Hinata. Erm...We're not doing anything. Just-"

"Neji would you like to go to the movies with me tonight?"

"Now?!!? You choose to ask him now?!" Hinata was giggling at the dog boy's antics. It was very amusing. Though she couldn't help but feel slightly jealous. Her cousin just got here and already the boy he liked asked him out, but does Kiba ever ask her out? No. Of course not. Stupid boys.

Neji, instead of answering right away like Lee wanted him too, put out a hand and helped bushy brows up. He dusted him off and then looked at his eyes.

"Would you like to properly ask me out now?" Without moving a muscle in his face Lee blushed like a mad man.

"N-Neji. Will you go to the movies with me tonight?" He all but shouted at the boy. They could vaguely hear a stampede in the background, though that was of no importance to them.

"I would love to Lee. And I'll be sure to wear my tight pants so you have a better picture, okay?" Kiba started laughing so hard he needed to lean on Hinata. The stampede was coming closer; they all realized to late that it was Naruto.

Amazingly he stopped right before he barreled into Kiba. And Shikamaru appeared behind him seconds later. Though he didn't run and scare all the other students.

"Are you guys okay?" How was this guy not out of breath? He just ran close to a mile in seven seconds! He was acting as if he'd been there the whole time!

"We're fine. Aren't we Lee?" He asked in a very suggestive tone.

"Shut up!" They started to fight again. Shikamaru rolled his eyes and walked away, muttering something about finding normal people. Whatever those are.

"Mind telling me what happened?" Naruto looked to Hinata since Neji decided to stand mere centimeters away from Kiba and Lee's faces to see what their reactions would be.

"W-well, Kiba and Lee c-crashed and Lee asked Neji out."

"No way! He did, congratulations, bushy brow!" When Lee turned to say thank you for whatever he was being congratulated about his lips met Neji's. Neji didn't let him go either. Lee tried to back away and apologize, but Neji grabbed the back of his head and held him close. So of course, the only logical thing would be for Lee to give in right? That's what he'd blame it on when Kiba asked later anyway. Logic.

Dog boy backed away slowly. This was getting really personal. And since he was backing away he didn't see poor Hinata and walked right into her.

"Oh, sorry Hinata!" He jumped around and started apologizing to her face to face.

"I-it's okay." They made eye contact, but blushed and both looked away. It was totally cute.

And all this pushed Naruto to his decision. If Lee was going to get his man, then Kiba could get his. Er. No, Hinata could get her m- you know what? Whatever.

"Aw, Hinata is cute Kiba. I can see why you like her." Game.

Kiba turned to the blonde with a look of unbelievable anger. If Naruto didn't know that he was helping his friend he would be quivering.

"Y-you like me?" Set.

Instead of glaring at Naruto, Kiba's look changed to one of fear/embarrassment and he shifted his body so he was fully facing Hinata. He took a big gulp and nodded, still blushing.

"I l-like you too." Match.

Damn Naruto was good.

They smiled at each other and Kiba asked her out to dinner for later that night. Hinata nodded shyly and they blushed but hugged each other. Naruto grinned and started to trek up the hill to the building. He had to find Iruka and tell him the good news!

At least, he was going to try.

"I just saw your friend Shikamaru making out with some blonde chick. Mind explaining?" Naruto laughed at the voice behind him. He hadn't heard it all day, which was a first. He had been starting to worry.

"That's Ino. He's been after her for a while, it's about time they got together." Sasuke smiled a little bit and slung an arm over Naruto's shoulders.

"They were very into it. I'm regretting forgetting my backpack in favor of finding you."

"What?"

"Well, it was either get all of my books and stuff them into my bag then run like a maniac to try and catch you or leave my bag and go back to get it after I saw you."

"But we didn't talk all day."

"I said saw. Meaning I was stalking you."

"That makes me feel safe." Sasuke shrugged and leaned more on Naruto, forcing the boy to stop with the added weight.

"As well, it should. That means that all the other possible stalkers are too scared to come near you."

"Good point. If I'm going to have anyone after my used tissues, I'd want it to be you."

"Exactly." He smiled just a little bit more and put his forehead on Naruto's. "Sorry I haven't been talking much today. A lot on my mind, you know?"

Naruto smiled and shrugged, but leaned in to kiss the other boy. When they pulled back and looked at each other, it was as if the whole world melted away. Just the two of them were left and that was perfectly fine with them!

"What do we have here? Public Displays of Affection? You two are in trouble." At least they would have been, if it was really a threat that found them.

"Iruka! I was just coming to see you." Naruto started flailing about and trying to look innocent. Sasuke just gave up trying because he's too sexy to look innocent.

"Sure you were." But the English teacher just ignored him and turned around to run away. "Hurry up if you want a ride!" He shouted behind him.

Naruto grinned and grabbed Sasuke's hand before chasing after his dad, who was surprisingly fast actually. They only barely got into the car before he started pulling out. Sasuke literally shut the door while he was backing up.

"Looks like you're getting slow, old man!" Iruka laughed.

"Yeah? Tell that to Sasuke." He said this because Sasuke was trying really hard to catch his breath and not look like he was winded at the same time. It wasn't working out very well at all. So Naruto started to cough in an attempt to hide his laughter.

This got him a shove from the Uchiha and a glare to boot! That could not go unpunished.

Here is some dirt that no one but Naruto knows about Sasuke...

He's very ticklish.

Don't tell anyone, okay? Because he doesn't like to show emotions at all but if you tickle him in just the right spot you can get him to smile really big. There was a spot right above his left hip, which was in perfect range for Naruto to poke...right...now!

"Ha!" Sasuke quickly covered his mouth and tried to act as if he wasn't grinning like a madman.

This didn't fool Naruto though! He saw right through the guise and started to full out tickle his boyfriend.

Oh, didn't I mention? I thought it was obvious. Sasuke asked Naruto to be his boyfriend on Tuesday. He passed Naruto a note during Homeroom and got him to meet up at the chapel during lunch where he popped the question! Sure he felt totally guilty afterwards (though he didn't know why) but it was definitely going to be worth it. He told himself that every time Naruto smiled at him. Which was very often, come to think of it.

"Okay! Naruto, let him breathe." Iruka had pulled to a stop in front of Sasuke's house and turned around to smile at the boy. "We'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

Naruto climbed up to the front seat, "accidentally" putting his butt in Sasuke's face, which earned him a good push. Everyone said their goodbyes and once Naruto was sitting upright, Sasuke kissed the top of his head. He ran all the way to his door because of some random burst of energy he always got after spending time with Naruto.

Kakashi was not home yet, meaning Sasuke had the house to himself. It was pretty nice. Especially because they just got a new DVD package with the bloodiest, goriest, scariest scenes available to man at the moment. He could plan out tomorrow night.

Once again, he forced that feeling of guilt away from him. He didn't need to be feeling sorry for anyone. He was doing fine on his own. This kind of bet thrilled him.

...The other times he did it. Now he was just trying to keep his thousand dollars.

Its just money. Sasuke shook his head and picked out the first movie to watch. Stupid inner voices, what do they know?

Stupid Sasuke! He can't admit it, can he? Oh! I'd like to apologize now for anything that looks like I tried to fix it but it didn't work and is now even more messed up than it was before because my computer is on the fritz and this is the last I may be able to get out of it for today. Oh! What shall I do? Please Review!! Thank you!