Bound by the Ring: Remake
Disclaimer: The series both manga and anime does not belong to me. All rights are reserved to Kishimoto-sensei. I am just a really, really big FAN!
Rule No 4: Things can go a lot smoother with patience and the right negotiations.
000 000 000
Fifteen minutes before midnight
Contrary to the typical college student, Naruto was an early sleeper. He lives forty five minutes away by metro from the heart of Konoha city so he needed to rise early for work and school. So despite his endless amount of stamina during the day–this was pushing it. He was tired and hungry. The food he prepared was now cold and forgotten; the last train had probably run its last course for the day and won't start again till five.
The young blond turned head to the side to take a glance at the two other men currently slumped on the sofa with him. From the looks of it, the two weren't faring any better. He wanted to glare daggers at them especially the bastard at the far end of the couch but unfortunately his sleepy eyes were not cooperating with him.
"Why don't we start over" as the oldest in the group, Kakashi tried to take this matter into his own hands. "Sasuke, this would have gone a lot smoother if you considered Naruto-kun's feelings first."
He sat between the blonde bombshell and his former charge for safety reasons. They have been arguing and hurling insults at one another for the pass four hours. Surely they must have run out by now. It can't get any worse from here can it?
"I'll pay you" ... Obviously it can. Kakashi resisted the urge to slam his palm on his face.
Great, just great
Sasuke Uchiha is a level zero in the personal relations department. He wondered how exactly did this so-called genius managed to interact with clients and made millions. Was there a business mode switch somewhere?–if so maybe he had a long forgotten casual socializing one.
"Why would I need your money?"
"I was already paying you."
That was a very valid point.
"I wife isn't hired you asshole"
"So you're willing to do this without extra pay?"
"My job description clearly states housekeeping! hawsaaaakeeeepiiing!" the blond emphasized in an attempt to shove the information inside the ebony-haired man's thick skull.
Sasuke shrugged. "Housekeeper–housewife, they are basically the same. They conduct the same duties at home do they not" apparently in Sasuke's overly twisted mind, the two were one and the same.
"I'm a man Teme"
"So? Same sex marriages were legalized five years ago."
"That's not the point!"
"Well you haven't exactly made your point across yet"
"That's because your logic's bent. A spouse is someone you marry out of love."
"Idiot! I'm looking for that lovey-dovey shit. Why do you think I offered to pay you in the first place?"
"Alright! That's enough!" Kakashi pushed the two combatants, who wanted nothing more that to knock out a couple of teeth from the other, further into their side of the sofa. He couldn't really blame Naruto but as for Sasuke...he wanted nothing more than to strangle the so called prodigy till oblivion come and it was usually the other way around too. Technically it wasn't too late to find another candidate however…the more he observed the freshman the more he wanted him to play the part. At some point, this young Uchiha must learn that not everyone will bend to his will.
"You see Naruto-kun, Sasuke is in a bit of a pinch right now and needs your help." Sasuke wanted to protest but was halted by his senior's carefully aimed jab to his side.
"You see, his boss invited him to dinner and sort of assumed that Sasuke's already married. He didn't want to embarrass the nice old man in front of so many people so he couldn't deny it." Okay so he sugar coated it a little complete with cream and a cherry on top but he needed to sweeten the story in order to lure then seal in the deal; from the silent demeanor the pale-skinned director behaved, he understood this strategy as well.
"Why me? His looks are attractive enough to get plenty of volunteers."
'Ho—so he finds Sasuke attractive eh?' A light pink tone covered Naruto's cheeks; apparently the blond had not meant to blurt the last part out. 'This is getting interesting' If only they could see the gears in his head turning.
"That is exactly what we are trying to avoid–attachment" Kakashi gave Sasuke a warning glare that made him shut up again.
"You look like someone that could be trusted right?" that was no bullshit. Kakashi had always had this natural ability to gauge the character of a person and Naruto is definitely a book wide open; he almost felt guilty for involving the blond...almost...and that was saying something. "This will be a fair deal. It doesn't need to be in the form of money. If there is something you want I'm sure Sasuke can help get it for you."
"Tsk. So long as it's not something stupid like a year supply of ramen", Sasuke could not help but cut off.
"You can do that?" Naruto looked at Sasuke liked he was transformed Santa Clause who had just dropped all his Christmas wishes in his stocking.
'Is he serious?' Kakashi and Sasuke stared at the blond in disbelief.
"I–I mean...I was just curious that's all." Naruto suddenly found his hands on his lap very interesting.
"So what is, Naruto?" Kakashi waited patiently for the young man's reply and warned Sasuke to do the same.
"Well–I work part time to help my guardian with house expenses but the real reason I wanted the work is because I want be able to send him on a vacation. He has been working nonstop ever since he adopted me. If anyone deserves a vacation it's him."
"That's very noble of you Naruto-kun. I'm sure Sasuke can afford to–"
"What! That's too much for–ugh!"
Kakashi discreetly heeled Sasuke's foot. It was his turn now–revenge executed and managed to do so without pausing his conversation with the blond too"–send him on a relaxing vacation to the south."
"...This is only a one time dinner thing right? And it won't happen again."
Both men nodded.
"Well–I guess its okay." The blond was not completely convinced but he could not find any harm in accepting either, plus he can give Iruka his much needed vacation!
"Wonderful!" Kakashi got up from the sofa and stood directly in front of the college student. "Tell me, do you have a free day before Friday?"
Both males who were still sitting looked at the man, one mildly curious the other...due to experience...on edge.
Regardless, Naruto replied, "I have classes tomorrow but on Thursday I'm only until one."
"Perfect. Sasuke can file for a half day then."
"What for?" Sasuke just had to ask. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand as mismatched eyes sparkled at him that showed nothing but pure deviousness.
"To buy a ring of course! What would Kaicho and Jiraya-sacho say if they see a ring-finger without an expensive wedding ring?"
Sasuke calculated the time and distance from the table where the knives laid so he can throw them at the sadistic tormentor but realized too late, that the white haired ninja had managed to teleport his way to the front of his door.
"Ta-ta Sasuke-kun, don't forget to take your little wife home~"
"Wait! You can't just leave me here with him." Naruto pointed at the fuming Uchiha, radiating the words 'I'll kill him. I'll fucking kill him' in the air.
"I only live 2 blocks away from here. It's faster if walk. Take care." with that parting word, Kakashi left the apartment.
"Um..." Naruto could almost hear the crackle that surrounded the Uchiha, like the singing of a thousand birds. The old man had just unpinned a grenade and threw it at him to explode. "Yeah, I should put away the dishes and go home."
Naruto made a quick beeline to the dining area and did what he told. He was so adamant on staying out of Sasuke's way that he did not hear him approach.
"…after you're done with that tell me the directions to your house so I can take you there."
"Eh?" It took a few seconds to his racing heart. "Ah, no need. I live pretty far from here, around the outskirts from Konoha"
"You live that far?"
Naruto nodded. "I take the train everyday but since it's already pass midnight, I'll stay over at a friend's house tonight."
"Then I'll take you there."
"You really don't have too." Sasuke stared at the smaller male and wondered why he was being so stubborn. The blond was on edge and would really like to get away from here as soon as he can. That was unacceptable. If they were going to pull this off they needed to at least act that they could stand each other. He took a deep breath to calm himself down.
"It's okay. I'm not upset at you. I'm not one to pin the tail on the wrong donkey." Sasuke took his keys from the island table and twirled it around his index finger. "The sooner we can bring you home the sooner we can call it a night…day—whatever."
000 000 000
"Inuzuka Veterinary Clinic… Is this where you are staying?" Sasuke stopped the car on the other side of the three story building and pushed the hazard button down.
"Yeah, they use the first two floors as a clinic while the floor above is their house"
Sasuke leaned forward and squinted. The Clinic's sign and lights were already off save for the emergency one.
"Ah, don't worry I already texted my friend. The back door is open."
Seemingly satisfied with the blond's answer, Sasuke unlocked the doors and waited for his passenger to step out; when the other did not make a move, he raised a questioning eyebrow at him.
"Um…listen." Sasuke watched the blond fidget in his seat. "About the punch…I…um…"
Sasuke could not stop his eye from twitching. That statement reminded him that his jaw still stung ergo his big fat ego squashed. He could almost hear his brother say 'Foolish little brother. Getting caught off guard'
It was a moment of weakness; he was tired from lack of sleep. It will not happen again was what he was preparing to say but it all dissolved from the blond's next action.
"I'm sorry." It was said so hurriedly that if not for Sasuke's innate ability to pay attention to every detail then he would have missed it. But if had by chance missed it, a soft warm tan hand on his bruised jaw had made it quite obvious.
Ebony eyes stilled at Ocean blues. Lost for words, he involuntarily placed his hand on top of the other that was still resting on his jaw.
Sasuke's hand was paler than him, larger and quite cool in contrast to his warm face and jolted Naruto to his senses and quickly gathered his belongings from the back seat. It took him a while to find the door handle interior but stepped out as soon as he managed to open the door
"Um…Thanks Sasuke-teme. Goodnight"
"Hn, Goodnight dobe" It took a while for the Raven Head to find his voice but he managed. Naruto nodded his final goodbye and closed the passenger door.
Sasuke silently watched Naruto disappear to the side of the clinic and waited a few more seconds before starting the engine and went on.
Naruto on the other hand leaned on the beside the back door staring at his hand as if it had a mind of his own.
"What was that?" Was the question left hanging in the air; completely unaware that they had both said it out loud with only the silence as their witness.
TBC
Author's note: O.M.G. Woah! I updated faster than expected. That's scary…That means I'm not doing any work at all T_T. This is where the real remake starts, because from here on the pacing of the story will be quite different.—I'm really happy that people noticed that I am exploring their backgrounds a little earlier than the previous one, that's because when I wrote the first version I noticed that I hurriedly connected all the loose ends towards the last three chapters and it did not bode well with me. (-_-)
I had a hard time thinking who gets to realize their feelings first but after much debate with my friends we finally arrived to a decision (evil grins) …but that will remain a secret for now. Anyhoo- Thank you for the reviews, Imma not the best writer and the English grammar is still determined to stab me with its English rules T_T but yeah, I greatly appreciate your comments!
Thanks again!
Rule No. 5: First things first... A first date is a must.