Rule no 5: First things first... A first date is a must.

Author's note: I updated later that I wanted it to be. Too much work T_T but this is barely checked but I figured if I don't post it now I might end up putting it on hold then get lazy later...sorry for the crappy way of writing this...I shall sleep now (Passes out)

000 000 000

Naruto stretched his arms outward and rolled his shoulder once; hearing the kinks cricked and cracked from the movement. The temperature was a little warm for spring but then again it was mid afternoon; nevertheless the weather was perfect for strolling out in the town square.

"Rough day?" Naruto turned to his companion with brown hair and red upside down tattoos on both cheeks and shook his head.

"No, not really. By the way, thanks for letting me stay over the other day Kiba." The young man named Kiba, grinned and lightly jabbed the blond's side with his elbow.

"No trouble man."

Kiba had been Naruto's friend way before he had lost his parents. They had always stayed at each other's house during weekends. Naruto was not able to keep in touch with him when he was brought to foster care but through Iruka plus the fact that the Inuzuka's hadn't change their clinic/home's address made it possible for their much awaited reunion.

"Naruto" to some...no...more like the majority of the population, hearing that distinct, heavily accented middle-eastern voice would send their insides to a flee or flee option, but to Naruto and probably only Naruto this voice belonged to his dear tattooed forehead, sea-greened eyes, red-headed friend.

"Gaara! You done with class?" the people in the lobby parted and made a clear path for the read head who was already walking towards the blond.

It was an odd combination. A bright energetic happy-go-lucky blond and a stoic, introvert, looks could kill crimson haired man.

No one really wanted to neither talk nor stay within a two meter radius around Gaara unless it was absolutely necessary. He emitted an ominous aura that was downright ruthless but as he gradually approached the duo his demeanor softened by just a fraction.

Sabaku Gaara is an exchange student from the Wind country. Despite being the youngest of three siblings, he became the heir to the Sabaku Oil Company. The current sacho of the company, his father, had raised him to 'Trust no one but yourself. Rely on no one but yourself', a mantra matched with a self inflicted tattoo on his forehead, that lead Gaara to be distrustful of people. No one fully understood him and he didn't bother understanding others either. It was like he had an invisible barrier cocooned around himself, nothing goes in and nothing comes out either...well at least when Naruto was not around.

How the blue eyed man managed to force his way in; only Gaara would know. As far as everyone knew, Naruto and Gaara shared only one class and it was an elective too. The young heir was a year ahead of the blond and took a different major. Nonetheless, it was an unforgettable incident because the whole class swore half of their lifespan had been shortened by their introduction.

-(flashback)-

Naruto and Kiba were fifteen minutes late for class but the professor had yet to appear. It was not unusual for their sensei to be late or even absent on the first day but of the freshmen did not know that. Naruto busted through the door, muttered an apology before he even realized the absence of their professor. Embarrassed, Naruto quickly scouted the room for an empty seat. Most seats were already taken save for the ones that surrounded the boy with sea green eyes. Naruto, oblivious to the gasps and horrified looks of his classmates chose to take a seat beside the red head.

"Hi, Is it okay for me and my friend to sit here?" The exchange student slowly turned his piercing gaze at expectant blue eyes. There was nothing but silence and every one could literally feel the temperature drop a few degrees lower.

If Naruto took note of the dagger like look Gaara showed him, he sure had a unique way of acknowledging it. "Wow, I like your green eyes. They're even prettier than Sakura-chan's...umm...but if you meet her, don't tell her I said that okay."

That moment everyone in the room including the unstable person the blond offered his complement to felt their jaw unhinged. Kiba on the other hand didn't know whether to laugh at Sabaku's expression or drag Naruto out to the nearest exit and drop out of this class...better yet from the university.

"Do you know who I am?" the voice than came out from the silent student was cold as the Snow Country but blue eyes only blinked twice the laughed. The laughter was not a mocking kind but an amused one as if saying 'You're being silly' to a friend and Kiba could almost swear he was about to die from a heart attack.

Naruto shocked his head. "Well, no–this is the first time we met so..." Naruto stuck out his right hand in a gesture for a handshake. "...I'm Uzumaki Naruto, freshman and you?"

Gaara looked at the appendage as if it came from outer space. He then trailed up the tan arms all the way to the impossibly blue eyes; patiently waiting for his own hand. It was the first time Gaara had encountered such a person and was unsure of what to do. People who introduced themselves had the scent of lies and deceit smeared all over there worthless bodies...but this boy was obviously not like them...it was perplexing.

The heir to the Sabaku line extended his arm before he was even aware of doing it. Naruto gave a bright smile and met his hand half way in a firm handshake.

Gaara stared at their joint hands and felt something he thought he had forgotten.

Warmth

"Sabaku Gaara. Second year."
"Eh? Nice to meet you. Your name kinda sounds like the weird oil company in the east so can I call you Gaara-san instead?"

Then something happened that no one would have ever believed unless they had witnessed it for themselves.

Sabaku Gaara laughed.

-(end of flashback)-

"I'll be going back to my country for a couple of days." Gaara stood in front of Kiba and Naruto, the red head eventually warmed up to Naruto's friends as well. "Would you like to go out for a late lunch? My treat?"
"Eh? Why?"
"My older brother and sister are coming here for a business dinner or something this weekend to represent our father–you know how much I don't get along with them." Kiba and Naruto had never met Gaara's siblings but from the stories Naruto heard from Gaara, they are just your typical overly dotting siblings.

"It can't be that bad. They just have a funny way of showing how they care." Gaara scowled at the blond's statement.

"I moved to a different country to get away, how bad do you think I want them away from me?" Kiba and Naruto laughed, Gaara didn't often express himself much so they were more happy than annoyed to hear the second year rant.

"So are you guys in?"
"No can do man. I'm on forced duty at our clinic today. Naruto?" As Kiba said this, he gave two thumbs up behind Naruto that only Gaara could see.
Naruto offered Gaara an apologetic look. "Sorry Gaara, I'm meeting someone today maybe after you come back?"

"Woa! You're going on a date?"

It was one of those times where Kiba should have put his foot on his mouth because Gaara's pleasant attitude suddenly turned vile. Everyone could tell that the red head is crushing on Naruto save for the blond idiot himself. Luckily Naruto managed to casually push the idea aside before Gaara could even begin to think of hunting a poor unfortunate soul.

"Eh? No way? I'm just helping out a friend. I promised..." Naruto pouted at both Kiba and Gaara. They knew how Naruto was with promises...they have been on the receiving end of it couple of times...be it good or a little on the mischievous side to the point where both friends worry that others might take advantage of it yet heartwarming because it was one of the many wonderful traits that made the smaller male special.

"I understand." Gaara raised his hand on top of the soft blond locks and ruffled it a little. "I'm parked at the back–I'll hold you to our promise when I get back Uzumaki, you too Inuzuka and bring Sakura along." Gaara turned back towards the other exit but not before giving a wave goodbye to his friends and received theirs in return.

Kiba and Naruto walked to the University front entrance. As they reached the opening Naruto recalled the word date and the face of Sasuke buying a ring with him immediately set his face in flames which Kiba took immediate notice.

"So...who is this friend? Is it just a friend or...friend- friend~ if you know what I mean?" Kiba wiggled his eyebrows to emphasize his point.

Naruto blanched and punched his friend's arm. "Gah! That's disgusting! I can't even begin to think—I mean that bastards a freaking asshole..."

"His male?"
"Yeah, so you see it's impossi–"
"Does he happen to be over six feet tall, pale skin with black eyes and spiky hair?"
"What the? How did you know that?"
"Co'z there's this dude in a black suit who's glaring at you right now." Kiba pointed at the said man and Naruto's sight followed
"What the hell are you doing here teme?"
"You're late dobe."

Sasuke was leaning on a black vehicle that was temporarily parked across the entrance gate. Passersby slowed down and took a double looked at the director in all black...and why wouldn't they? Sasuke looked like freaking model that popped out from an Armani billboard.

Naruto could not wait till they finished crossing the street and started arguing with the raven haired male before he even reached the other side of the street.

"Shut up! We're supposed to meet at the square at two-thirty."
"You're class ends at one does it not? I've been waiting for twenty minutes"
"The hell! You're not even supposed to pick me up."
"Well that's an awfully nice way to start your date." Kiba interrupted.

"We are not dating." One stated flatly while the other shouted for the whole street to hear.

"Yeah, whatever. You should be thankful he went ahead to pick you up. Commuting there at this time of day is a real hassle you know and is that a..." Kiba ran towards the vehicle and literally drooled on site.

"BMW X5?" Kiba pushed his friend away and moved ahead to lay his hands on the dark blue hood. "Forget dating! Marry this person already."

"Asshole!" Naruto held no reservations and smacked his hooded friend with his textbook. "What do I look like? A gold digger?" but 'Fuck if only you knew the shit I got myself into' was what his inner thought screamed inside.

The lights of the car blinked twice and the sound of doors unlocking diverted the attention of the two to the third party. "Dobe, we are wasting time let's go." Sasuke was already on the driver's side opening the car's door.

People started to crowd around the spectacle; it was not every day you get to see a good looking man in branded clothes with a high end car hanging around a government funded public university.

"Hold on, let me touch this baby a little longer."
"You are embarrassing yourself dog breath."
"A man can dream fox face! Why you have no interest in cars is beyond me! It's in every young man's bucket list! Even before getting a girl!"

"Dobe–" The passenger side window opened and Sasuke, who was already in leaned closer from the driver's seat. "If your friend likes a lift, we can drop him off before we go."

Kiba finally pulled his hand away from the car. "Thanks for the offer dude but I'm way off your way" He pointed his thumb to opposite side. Sasuke nodded and looked at Naruto with a 'Hurry it up look' in his eyes before he pulled the window back up.

"Catch you later Kiba." Naruto fist bumped his shaggy haired friend and opened the passenger door to hop in. "Yeah, yeah, have fun with your date."
"It's not a DATE." Kiba laughed as he saw Naruto's face flushed bright red before closing the door and gave a casual salute before walking to the other direction.

"Sorry about that. This apparently is his dream car." Naruto buckled his belt as he settled himself on the leather seat. "Even has a picture tucked in his wallet"

"Hn." Was the only replied he gave before he turned the ignition and sped off.

Naruto turned his head to the window and resign himself for a silent ride.

"You shouldn't apologize for that."
"Huh?"
"Your friend—no one should be sorry for having something to strive for." Sasuke kept his eyes on the road as he said this but his peripherals caught the small smile Naruto had despite the lack of response.

Naruto didn't answer because he somehow knew that Sasuke saw his expression anyway. No matter how deadpanned the words were delivered, Naruto could tell that there was story behind them. Sometimes Sasuke isn't so bad...

"Have you not heard a single word I said woman?"

But most of the time, the bastard was a total and complete asshole!

"Sir, as I have told you for the 5th time, the jewelries in this shop have no duplicates."
"That is why I am telling you to make one."
"Sir, what part of one of a kind do you not understand?"

Naruto rubbed his temple because he could feel an oncoming headache happening soon. The young director was persistent, he'll give him that. He couldn't really reprimand the older male; having his own fair share of bullheaded escapades. That would be calling himself a hypocrite.

Sasuke did not raise his voice nor done anything violent...yet. But he sure had a mean streak. His words were sharp, crisp and harsh and it definitely will not get him any closer to his desired outcome if he continues.

"Is something the matter?"

Rarely at loss for words Naruto found himself garble up sounds unknown to any language and backed away. He had seen some pretty weird shit in his life but this one takes the cake. The man had orange hair with a face full of body piercings; he was pushing the wheel chair of man with red hair and beady looking eyes, unnoticed by the two who was caught up in their argument by the counter.

"Umm..."

Suddenly the man in the wheel chair raised his thin hand and made a move up to grab Naruto' s face. "My, what pretty eyes you have there, they are like high quality sapphires"

"Ack." The blond stepped back to the most familiar person he knew. The man sounded like he wanted to poke his eyes out for his personal collection.

"Pein-san. How many times must I tell you not to freak the customers out." the blue haired clerk reprimanded the man who was now known as Pein.

Sasuke looked from Naruto's uneasy expression to the abnormal look the two men were giving and wasted no time to grab the tanned hand, pulling the smaller male behind him which did not go unnoticed by the man with piercing skewered horizontally in the bridge of his nose.

"No need to be angry, we just wanted to see what the commotion is all about. I could hear you from the workshop."
The clerk sighed and gave a gesture of apology. "I'm sorry; it's just that Uchiha-san is insisting we produce a duplicate of the ring he purchased a while back."
"I see. She is right you know, our shops specialty are one of a kind designs we can't give duplicates."

"Why don't you sell them your duplicate Nagato, you always have one for every jewelry you design."
"Those are for my collection, Yahiko. They are not for sale." The red head glared the man behind him but the attention of the other man never left the two customers so naturally he followed...paused and smirked.

"I see…" he thought out loud. He signaled Yahiko to wheel him towards the pair and before they could react, grabbed the blond's free hand and pulled him closer; earning him a death glare from the raven head.

"Relax Uchiha-san. I'm just measuring his finger." Sasuke did not react any further but the jewelry designer could still see how tense the pale hand was while holding on to the tan one.

'How amusing' His soul was screaming to tease the ebony haired male who was trying hard to school his features into a blank mask.

He made sure to caress and linger his index finger and thumb around the blond's ring finger longer than necessary. As predicted the rigid male pulled the smaller male behind him, glaring daggers; forcing Pein to let go of the soft tan hand.

"The ring will be ready in two to three hours."

000 000 000

"Why do I get the feeling that they read the whole situation wrong?"

"Hn…Dobe, It got us the ring so…" Sasuke didn't continue what he wanted to say and instead walked ahead of the blond in long strides.

Hearing the glass double doors finally close, Naruto casually glanced at Sasuke's retreating figure. He could tell that the bastard was in an even fouler mood than usual.

'Odd'

He didn't want to cause a scene in the middle of the street so he smartly chose to remain silent as they walk towards the car however Naruto's stomach chose a very good time to grumble.

"Man I'm hungry. Do you want to stop somewhere to eat while we wait?"

Sasuke sensing his own empty stomach nodded.

"Ah, that's right. We haven't had our lunch yet."

"I know a good place to eat and it's not that far from here so you can leave your car." This time it was Naruto who made a grab for Sasuke's hand and pulled the taller male to a nearby café.

Sasuke stared at their still linked hands. It didn't feel awkward when he was the one who grabbed the blond's hand…maybe because he was trying to keep the idiot away from the two weird men who looked like they wanted do something illegal towards the young male. 'That damned jeweler. What can he expect…Kakashi recommended the shop, going as far as to say they were Jiraya-sacho's former charges.'

"Is there something wrong teme?" Naruto felt by feel slightly embarrassed when he realized that they were still held each others' hands. He wanted to let go but Sasuke's had tightened almost painfully.

"Welcome to—Oh! Naruto" A girl with strawberry hair dressed in the café's designated uniform greeted them as soon as they entered the restaurant.

"Hi Sakura-chan" he greeted. "Table for two please"

"Two?" It was then that Sakura noticed the stoic man behind her friend and saw imaginary petals swirl around him with a posture screaming 'I could be royalty'. "Oh wow, who's your friend Naruto?" She emphasized batting her eyelashes at the man.

"Eh? My employer I just accompanied him with some stuff"

"Really? I thought you were on a date."

"Kiba's a total tattletale!"

"Waitress, are you not going to show us to our seats." Sasuke cut the friends' conversation short.

"Oops sorry about that" Sakura pouted and stuck out her tongue out a little. She ushered both males to Naruto's usual spot by the window and gave each a menu.

"Psst-Naruto is he taken, he looks rich, and do you know his type?"

Sasuke ignored the two friends and browsed the menu; already used to people talking about him even when he was within hearing range. It was the same everywhere. Like a professional angler researching the right bait to catch the perfect fish.

"Why don't you go ask him yourself? His right in front of you—Ite—hey!" That earned him a smack from the girl. "Fool! I can't just do that. Introduce me first."

Naruto rubbed the sore spot Sakura smacked. "It's better than going behind his back for info." Sakura was three years his senior; despite her brute strength she was really sweet and caring, honestly speaking but every once in a while when a guy grabs her attention she turns a bit obsessive bordering on stalking…which usually led to trouble that involuntarily involves him, Kiba and recently poor Gaara. Rather than suffer another smack on the head, Naruto gave a surrendered sigh and started, "Sakura-chan this is Sasuke-teme, Sasuke-teme-"

"Are you going to take our orders now?" Sakura who was about to extend her arm in a handshake, halted at the icy tone the raven haired man let out. "You are here to take them right?"

The green-eyed girl could do nothing but take out her pen and paper and give the man a nod. After receiving the table's order with strict instructions to hurry up, Sakura went back to the kitchen; confidence deflated.

"You really are a bastard, do you know that." Naruto received a perfectly shaped eye-brow strategically placed in response. "She was just trying to be friendly, teme"

"She is at work. She may do her personal business during her break or after her shift." Sasuke completely ignored him by pulling out his smart phone and checked for any mails that he could have missed.

Naruto leaned back on his seat and pouted. Technically there was nothing really wrong in Sasuke's statement but he could have laid it out gentler especially when the girl was clearly developing a crush on him. But then again, considering all the woman that had flocked him for a piece of his attention—

Engross his thoughts, Naruto failed to notice dark ebony eyes focused on him and the many expressions his face showed while he was lost in his inner musings.

"She likes you."

Solid black pupils never left the blue ones; very slowly, pale thin lips that was set in a straight line curved into a smirk. Somehow, Naruto triggered his need to taunt, especially when it was directed towards the younger man.

"Why are you pushing husband to other women?" On cue caramel skin turned beetling from the neck to the tips of the ears.

"Tha—I'm not even your real spouse!"

"Real or not, I won't look at anyone as long as you are standing as my wife." Whether it was said as a joke or not, Naruto could not find a reason why his heart was beating rapidly at that moment. "Do-don't call me your wife…" was the comeback he could think of; which didn't hold much threat considering the almost inaudible way he said it.

"Here are your orders." Sakura came back and all too cheerfully placed their food drinks in front of them. She lingered a little while longer to look at Sasuke then placed a piece of paper beside Naruto's spoon and fork.

He's so cool! Make sure you invite him out again with us okay? (Heart)

Naruto stared at the note written in Sakura's handwriting. It was pretty neat for a doctor in training. He shook his head and stared at his friend who was now waiting on another table. He can never understand women and their affection for brooding men.

"Do you have something to wear at the party dobe" Naruto was in mid bite when Sasuke decided to start a conversation. "Yeah I do. Smart Casual right?"

Sasuke stared at the blond's current choice of clothing that consists of an orange and blue hoodie; ripped jeans and sneakers and cringed. "We should go shop for your clothes as well. I don't want you to look stupid."

"I know how to dress Sasuke!"

"After we finish eating I'll buy you something to wear for the—"

"NO" The response was so strong and final that their table made enough noise to gain attention from nearby customers.

"What the hell is wrong with you? It's not like I'm charging you for them. You can even keep them…a souvenir for your gracious voluntary act."

"I won't have you buy me unnecessary things…Please." The last word sounded almost beseeching and made Sasuke's eyed wide and curiosity overcame him. More often than not, people he dated jumped at the chance for free stuff but he was again reminded how different an unpredictable the blond male was.

Sasuke nodded and secretly felt satisfied when he was rewarded by a warm and sincere smile.

'Even if his taste in clothes are bad, his smile would more than compensate for it.' Sasuke tried to reason with himself. It was a good thing to have this date after all, it gave them a change to get familiar with each other instead of diving feet first…No wait…This definitely does not count as a date.

TBC

Rule No. 6: Make sure your spouse is not acquainted with your boss…much worse related.