"He's safe. I know it," Naruto nodded his head, turning to look at Kiba, who was sitting in the drivers seat looking annoyed at the whole situation. "You don't need to worry about me when I'm with him." He turned back to the window and studied the raven leaning outside the café door, smoking a cigarette. He wasn't even looking at the blonde, he kept his eyes trained on the sidewalk. Naruto again turned to Kiba.

Kiba eased his grip on the steering wheel. "I just don't know, Naruto. He's been treating you like crap since the day he found out about you, why does he suddenly wanna hang out?"

"Maybe he wants to make it up to me. I can't deny him at least one opportunity." Then the blonde rose an eyebrow. "I gave you another chance too." He watched Kiba tense at this comment.

The story behind Kiba returning was a strange one, one that Naruto wasn't completely keen on but found it truthful enough. One; the pet adoption company he worked for had transferred back to its native Konoha, as the founders' son had always wanted. Konoha had more strays than Suna and Kumo combined, so there was more work. Second; the classes he was taking at Suna Uni had been cancelled due to lack of interest, and having nowhere to go, Kiba had come home to try again next semester. Third; he hadn't seen his mother or sister in nearly three years. And forth and most questionable; he had really heard about Naruto and his pregnancy and wanted to rekindle with him. Now when Naruto asked what exactly Kiba had in mind to rekindle, the reply was the most unbelievable part of the whole story.

"When I first heard about you, I admit to being a bit disgusted—I thought about how we were, I could've done that to you. But after finding out where you worked, and how those guys were treating you... You wouldn't believe how angry I was." Then Kiba had grabbed Naruto by the face. "I wanted to kill them for touching you. It's irrational—and sudden, I know. You really don't realize how special you truly are. You have an ability to draw people in, you'll always have someone to help you, people automatically place their trust in you. Well, they say you never truly move on from your first love. Now, you can choose to accept me and we can work on it or I can leave." He had said.

And he was still in Konoha, which spoke for itself. "I didn't mean to make you mad." Naruto apologized. He nudged the brunettes arm. "He said he'll bring me home, so you don't have to wait up."

"Fine," Kiba relented and unlocked the doors. Naruto chuckled and opened the door, stepping out. He waved bye and waited until Kiba had swung around the corner and disappeared before turning to the café. He wobbled up to the door where the raven stood. That's right—he slightly wobbled with his four month old stomach now. Without a word, Sasuke opened the door and led Naruto inside, to the back and to a seclude table booth. It was farther away from any of the others, private. Instantly Naruto felt pain ring through his chest. This was already the kind of place no one they knew would ever show up. Why did they have to be isolated?

Sasuke sat and put out his cigarette, blowing the smoke away before motioning for Naruto to sit across from him. "Hello," He said evenly, dark eyes giving nothing away. "I see your doing well with that mutt-lover?" Right to the point, huh?

"Don't call Kiba names." Naruto rolled his eyes, resting his chin on his raised fist. "He's filling in for your position currently."

Sasuke scoffed and tapped on the table twice with an irritated beat. He looked away, then back. "So, he's your boyfriend now? You work fast, you know that?" He rose an eyebrow, no humor evident in his voice.

Now it was Naruto's turn to scoff. The Uchiha was such a bastard! "What if he is? He's a hell of a lot nicer and kinder than you. And then there's the fact that he's around." The blonde didn't bother to contain his rising irritation at the raven. He paused and waited for Sasuke to soak up his words. "But if you must know, no we're not dating. Like I said, he's filling your position." So far, he'd taken care of Naruto's rent and attended doctor visits with Tsunade. The discussion of labels rarely came up in conversation.

At this point an older waitress stopped by the table, hair a curly mess. She took out her little notepad and pen. "What'll you have?" She clicked the pen.

"Black coffee and toast with light jam." Sasuke answered. "He'll have a ham and cheese sandwich and water." He the gave her a pointed look, telling her to get lost.

"Alright—"

"No!" Naruto protested, he turned to the waitress to give her a sly look. He winked, "We'll both have pancakes with syrup and whip cream! And do not be afraid to load his up with butter too." The waitress grinned at the blondes positive demeanor and nodded. She then skipped away to put in the order. Naruto turned back to Sasuke with a grin, happy at his annoyed face.

"You should be watching your sugar."

"Since when do you smoke?" Naruto asked instead. He occupied itself by playing with his fork and looking around the café. It was cute—a bit small, it cute nonetheless. Not the type of place Sasuke would be found at. Before hearing the ravens response, Naruto spoke, "Why are you hiding me?"

Sasuke furrowed his lips, as if expecting this question. He rose an eyebrow pointedly. "I thought it would be safer if we met somewhere nonchalant, where no one would see us. Not because I'm ashamed of you Naruto," He shook his head as if speaking to a child. "It's so that no one interrupts us or is violent toward you. I'm trying to protect you—so, yes, I'm hiding you."

Naruto tsked at this answer, Sasuke wasn't lying but he wasn't telling the complete truth. The blonde leaned forward and studied the raven. Just what was so great about him anyway? He had that whole, mysterious and handsome thing going on—but purple bags lined his eyes, his lips seemed to be raw from cigarettes, and booze perhaps. He was pale, muscles played under his skin. But now he was unhealthy, not taking care of that God-given body now that his image was crumbling. Naruto thought suddenly—he was part of that destruction once again. They'd been each others kyptonite for years now. If one succeeded, the other failed, whether it be grades or class. It was shocking to be on the winning side for once, even though Naruto didn't feel very victorious. Back when they were younger, Naruto was usually the one to falter and fade, but now Sasuke was losing his grip.

The pregnant male jumped when a plate was sat infront of him and a sweet smell hit his nose. He stared down at his plate and mumbled a 'thank you' the waitress nodded and moved away. Naruto looked at the plate infront if Sasuke now, it was comically covered with syrup and whip cream, like a child's dish. The blonde let out a chuckle then turned away from the heated gaze from Sasuke. "If you really don't wanna eat it—" But Naruto stopped short when the raven lifted his knife and fork, beginning to cut into his pancakes. He moved with jerky and annoyed movements but Sasuke lifted a forkful to his mouth.

Swallowing, he finally spoke, "That's a truce." Then he sat down his utensils. He crossed his fingers and stared into blue eyes, "We need to compromise with this. Despite what you may think, I do want something to do with the kids life."

"Then why haven't you returned my calls? Or maybe you could've dropped by like you like to do so much." Mentioning it, Naruto's lips started to tingle with remembrance. The last time he'd really kissed Sasuke—he'd hadn't seen Sasuke so unrefined since the night... Since the night they had done the deed. "I've been worried sick!" Oops, that wasn't what he'd wanted to say.

"There's no reason for you to worry about me." If there was one thing Sasuke Uchiha could do, it was look out for himself. He was aware that he'd been indulging in cigarettes and alcohol a little more than he should, and he had no other excuse than his rep flushing down the toilet. He had been building himself up as a perfect man, and it drove him to to his edge with the fact that all it took was a blonde male to crush it all. Karin's judgment had only made him that much more mad. "How do you know what I'm up to anyway?" It wasn't like Naruto to snoop, and no one would possibly give him information. Except for one man. Sasuke slammed his fist against the table in sudden anger.

"Itachi only wanted to check up on me!" Naruto claimed. He twirled his fork in his hand nervously, feeling weird that he had spoken with the older Uchiha brother. Not that he had anything to be sorry about. He knew that but he still avoided shadowed eyes. "He was being considerate."

"You don't need his consideration, you have mine." Sasuke sat back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. Naruto rose an eyebrow, taken aback. The raven was pouting. Even with the given situation, the brotherly rivalry was alive. A smile returned to Naruto's whiskered face, he took a bite of his almost forgotten pancakes. "Should you be eating that?" Sasuke asked, rolling his eyes.

Naruto shrugged. Was this okay to eat? They fell into an uncomfortable silence. Neither of them could think of what to say about that. They weren't educated enough on the pregnancy, but neither wanted to be the one to seek the information, at least not infront of the other. Honestly, Sasuke was beside himself with curiosity. He wanted to know what was going on inside Naruto's stomach but didn't know how to ask, not that his pride would allow him to. Did the kid kick yet? Was it going to be a boy or girl? How was it going to be delivered? All these questions jumped around in his mind but Sasuke kept his face indifferent.

"Ya know," Naruto started after several moments had passed. "I don't think I can completely hate you anymore, bastard." He placed both his palms over his own stomach, making small, slow circles. "'Cuz I already love this little guy."

Sasuke stared at the bump for a moment then stood. In one confident stride he had taken a seat next to Naruto, eyes still locked on the blonde tummy. Slowly but surely, he reached out a pale hand and placed it over Naruto's letting it rest there. "I just hope he doesn't get your bastardly ways, it'll make him ugly."

Sasuke let his head droop, his mind suddenly re-aware that he was dealing with a complete and utter fool. He grinned, "So, I'm ugly?" Still, his hand stayed planted.

The blonde made a face as he thought about this. "Yes, you're very ugly Sasuke. Usually, your face is always so pretty." Naruto reached a hand up to pinch one the the ravens cheeks. "But you've been getting very ugly lately." Sasuke laughed despite himself.

And just like that, that warm little feel crept up on them. It moved, slow and always started in the pit of their stomachs. That warm little feeling made its way to Naruto's cheeks and made him blush. He turned away trying to ignore the warmth snaking though his body, making him want to do things he knew he couldn't. While Naruto ignored this feeling when it happened, Sasuke seemed to embrace it and act upon it, raising his hand to the blondes face and meeting eyes. Their roles had reversed. Here Sasuke was, finally showing Naruto something real and he couldn't face it. "Naruto..." He sounded just like he had on that stupid night. The warmth reached their eyes.

But it was no longer warm. It was hot. Red hot, burning, scorching. The raven leaned down almost touching their lips together, but not hesitating. No, more like basking in the fact he was this close to the blonde, their breath mixing easily. Sasuke wanted to kiss him, he wanted to kiss Naruto for the rest of his life. Abruptly, the heat was gone and Naruto pulled away, eyes wide. The Uchiha took a moment to realize what had ruin his mood—his phone rang in his pocket. With a swift movement, the phone was out in the open for them to see. Sakura flashed on the caller I.D. Cold washed over them, shocking and violent.

/O\/O\/O\/O\/O\/O\

Karin peeked her head through the door of the room, frowning at the blonde boy who sat infront of several toys but didn't touch them. "You're so weird! Why don't you do something?" She yelled at him, not daring to enter the room. He jumped and turned to look at her, but she was the one to retreat. Empty—his eyes were too empty for her to look at. Instead she ran down the hall, "Naruto, you are so weird!"

But the boy hadn't heard her. He was still trying to get his eyes to focus, he wiped them again. He looked around the room clearly now. The walls were painted blue, he wished they were orange. Why was he in there anyway? Oh yeah. His aunt was mad at him.

He refused to take a bath.

Naruto pulled his knees up to his chest, looking down at the toys. One of them was a boat. He wished his fathers car had been a boat, that way it would have sunk. It stung—it stung his eyes, his chest, his finger tips just think about it. His forehead fell against his knees. But most of all, it sunk. It sunk down somewhere deep inside his very core, it sank so deep he knew there wasn't a way to fish it out.

The blonde boy wasn't sure if he was glad he couldn't remember the whole accident, or if he was sad about it. He remembered his dad yelling as the tires slid across the ice and hitting his head on the window as they fell. It was a bridge, wasn't it? For a moment, Naruto had thought he was floating, his stomach stay up on the road though. The crashing sound had dazed him and he fumbled around in the backseat. Then the car had bounced momentarily and there was no noise anywhere. And then, suddenly there was noise everywhere. His mothers red hair flew all around, but only her arms reached him. She couldn't move. He didn't hear a word from his father. His mother had been yelling, screaming and trying to break a window with her limited movements. When it broken open, only one thing rose above the rest. "Kick!"

The water was icy cold. But when Naruto broke the surface, he fell back in, he panicked. He was only 5. His mother and father were down below, he should be there too. And his brother! He wanted to be a role model first. He wanted to be someone to make him proud. He wanted—

Wanting would get him nowhere. Somehow, by some force, Naruto's feet had found purchase and he found land. He laid on his side and chocked, struggling to breath in and out. He was still kicking his legs through. For a long time, he didn't stop kicking his legs. And when his finally did, he had passed out. By the time he'd awoken, his aunt was standing over him in the hospital, looking impatient. Both his parents and little brother had been buried the previous day, no funeral had been held.

And that was when the water had washed up on Naruto, and he didn't think he would resurface.

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