Later that evening, as Sasuke was doing some chemistry homework at his desk, Itachi knocked on the door, which was already open anyway.

"After this morning, I thought I would make sure I knocked from now on," he told Sasuke and strolled in, looking around the room like he'd never seen it before.

"Why," he said, "What happened this morning that you're suddenly mindful of my privacy?"

"Do we really need to have this talk, Sasuke? Boys your age start to see changes in their body and - "

Sasuke spun around in his chair. "Why are you in my room?"

Itachi was investigating one of Sasuke's newest concert tickets he'd tacked to the board near his bed. He turned and looked at him. "How's Naruto?"

He gave his brother a flat look. "Get out."

"Things not going well?"

"If you're going to talk like that can you at least shut the door?"

"Mother's in the kitchen, and Father's in the garage working on the lawn mower. Don't you think you're being paranoid?"

Sasuke sighed and shut down his laptop. "I told him."

"Hm?" Itachi took a seat on the corner of the bed. "By him, you mean Naruto? What exactly did you tell him?"

"What do you think I told him?"

"That you were seriously considering applying to clown school? Honestly, there's no shame in following your passion, Sasuke. I think Naruto would support you in your dream. He seems the type."

Sasuke got stuck on the words 'dream' and 'Naruto'.

"I see," said Itachi. "We're being serious now."

Sasuke clasped his hands together, staring down at the floor. "I basically jumped him, and when he asked for an explanation I told him that I was a big, flaming homosexual."

"...Hm."

He raised his head. Itachi appeared contemplative, and there was a thoughtful, upward curve to his lips.

"That's all you have to say?" he asked his brother.

Itachi met his gaze. "What do you want me to say? I'm rather proud of you honestly. Because, for once, you acted on your feelings, and also because you were honest with him. How did he take it?"

"Surprisingly well."

"Really? He responded to your advances?"

Looking down again, he rubbed his palm across his thigh. "I kissed him, but he didn't kiss me back."

"Right."

"I don't know, I guess. We were fighting in the locker room, and we both said some things. I went after him, and he told me off. Then the next thing I knew, I was kissing him. He pushed me away after a while, but he didn't curse at me or run away... he was just really confused, I think."

"Understandable. What exactly did he say? Did he tell you that he needed time?"

"This feels ridiculous to talk to you about my gay romantic life."

"I don't see it as being particularly different than if you were straight and asking me about girls. In fact, it's easier since I know how boys your age think." Itachi played with the rubber band he used for his ponytail until he pulled it out and his hair fell across his shoulders. "I want to ask you something, Sasuke."

He nodded. "Go on."

"With Naruto, you just met him yesterday, am I correct in this?"

"Yeah. So?"

"I suppose it's important you figure out whether this is simply an infatuation, or something more. I say this for a couple of reasons. On the one hand, you're my very precious little brother." He smiled at Sasuke, who answered his affection with a very droll look. "And so, I don't want to see you get hurt. Relationships and love are already particularly difficult to navigate in high school, but adding in the fact that you're gay, I think we can both realistically acknowledge that you will encounter more setbacks than the average boy."

"You're not telling me anything I don't already know," he said, and feeling frustrated, picked up a random paperclip sitting on top of his desk. He started unbending it.

"If you're just attracted to Naruto, at least you were honest with him, and I'm very happy to hear that he didn't react... unfavorably."

"If you're asking will he take a bat to my kneecap in the parking lot tomorrow, or will I walk in and find 'faggot' spray painted across my locker then, no, I don't think he's that type."

"...I think you watch a little too many after-school specials. I had gay friends in high school, and there were no problems that I can recall. People, even kids, are much more accepting about that these days."

"No, they're not," argued Sasuke, throwing the paperclip away. "There's already an openly gay student, and he gets bullied."

"Does anyone bully you?" Itachi asked, using that very concerned voice he typically heard his parents use whenever he didn't feel like opening up to them about his day.

"Of course not," he said. "No one knows I'm gay. Except Naruto. If anyone else knows or has suspected, they haven't said anything."

"Maybe you sensed that you could open up to Naruto about it. You read people extremely well, Sasuke, and you always have. Just make sure you figure out what you want. If he's not interested, then, well, you showed him your cards. But, if you think you feel something more - "

"What more?" Sasuke asked, almost angrily. "Like you pointed out, I only met him yesterday. It couldn't have been anything more than physical attraction, what with him constantly undressing in front of me and flaunting that stupid grin of his, and those eyes. It's irritating, and he always says these things..." Heaving a frustrated sigh, he reached across the desk for the discarded and mutilated paperclip. "He pisses me off."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "What things does he say?"

"He... compliments me. Freely. Who does that? Who goes up to another guy and says 'you're smart', 'you're funny', 'you're so popular and good looking, Sasuke'? And then when I tell him how stupid and naive he's being, he gets in my face and talks about how I'm the one in the wrong for expecting him to have ulterior motives."

His brother simply stared at him.

"What?" he snapped.

Itachi shook his head. "Nothing. I'm surprised. I've never seen you react this way before, at least not toward... anyone besides me, I suppose."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Let's just say that as your brother," in a slightly anxious gesture that was unlike him, Itachi touched his fingers to his lips in thought, "I don't want you to get hurt because I think as you get to know Naruto more, you may realize it's more than physical. In fact, having met him, I can see you growing to like him very much."

Hearing this from his brother, knowing that Itachi had always been perceptive, was always correct in so many assumptions or analyses about human psychology and behavior - to put it frankly, Sasuke began to feel uneasy. He saw Naruto as a threat. What might happen if, for the first time in his life, he was able to fall for another man, but that man couldn't love him back? Understandable if Naruto would've punched him or called him names, but, instead, he told Sasuke he still wanted to see him and get to know him better.

Suddenly, he felt the pressure of a hand on his shoulder.

"Sasuke?" Itachi called him. "There's nothing to be scared of so long as you trust your intuition. You've put your trust in Naruto. Perhaps, it's even more than that, but let's keep it on a simpler level so that we aren't blowing it out of proportion. I can already tell you're worrying, but that's no reason to shut Naruto out. You don't know what he's thinking or feeling. You already know that he can listen to your true feelings, and he still wants to stay beside you. Am I correct?"

Dazed, Sasuke glanced up at his brother. "...I don't know."

"You do know." Itachi smiled gently at him. "Because you're my brother."

Sasuke nodded dumbly.

"The worst that can happen is that you get your heart broken. But, that's part of life. Whether you're gay or straight or anything in between."

"What's the best that can happen then?" Sasuke asked in a small voice.

"I suppose the very best that could happen is if Naruto reciprocates your feelings. Next to that, he may become your closest friend."

"Why do I feel wary about the idea of Naruto becoming my closest friend?"

Itachi placed a hand on top of his head and ruffled his hair. "Do your best. Whatever you decide, I'll always love you, and I have faith in you."

Sasuke bit his lip, his eyelashes fluttering as he lowered his gaze to his lap. "Thank you."

"However, if Naruto does fuck with you in any way, shape, or form, I guarantee you that I have no problem breaking his legs and throwing his body into the Pacific Ocean on your behalf."

Sasuke snickered, even while rubbing at his eyes. "So stupid."

"Hn, well." Itachi pet his head. "I'd do anything for my little brother. Also, stop telling Kakashi things that I tell you in confidence."

Sasuke snorted. "Why do you talk to him anyway? He's the most irresponsible teacher at the school."

"Maybe he has his reasons for always being truant."

"I don't care," said Sasuke. "It sets a poor example."

"Sasuke, I've always said to myself that I will tell you when you're being a brat, and right now, you are being a brat." Before he could argue, Itachi flicked him in the middle of his forehead, a habit of torture he'd inflicted on Sasuke from a very young age.


While at dinner, the Uchiha family sat around the table, quietly eating a meal of miso soup, rice, edamame, and a main dish of soba noodles mixed with kale, tofu, and furikake. His parents, Fugaku and Mikoto, having come from Japan at a young age, still ate with chopsticks. He and Itachi had been raised to use them, too. At least when they gathered at the dining room table. Talking while eating wasn't exactly frowned upon, but his father's very imposing demeanor tended to curb any desire for frivolity in his sons' manners. They were to be polite. They were to be grateful, thoughtful, and respectful in the way they spoke to their parents.

"This is very good, Mother," said Sasuke as he ate a piece of tofu and soba noodle.

"Do you think so?" She smiled at him. "I'm so glad. I tried something different with the dressing. I added a little more honey. I think it pairs well with the soy sauce."

"Sasuke," said his father, and Sasuke set his chopsticks on top of the bowl.

"Yes, Father?"

"How was school today? Did anything particularly exciting happen?"

Sasuke fought the urge to glance at his brother. "Nothing special," he answered. "We have a new student that arrived yesterday."

"Is that so?" Fugaku asked. "Who transfers their child so late into the school year?"

Sasuke took a sip of water before replying, "I believe his mother died recently, and his father was transferred from Chicago to here for a job."

"How terrible," said his mom. "I can't imagine how difficult that must be for that boy and his father. Is he adjusting okay? I hope you're helping him out as much as possible, Sasuke."

"Indeed," said Fugaku. "It speaks a lot of a man who can extend compassion to those who need it most."

"I had the pleasure of meeting this boy yesterday," Itachi said, entering into the conversation. "Naruto, I believe is his name. He's a very polite, very... amusing young man."

"How did you happen to meet him?" Asked their father.

"Sasuke saw that he had no ride, and he was waiting out in the rain. So, we offered to drop him off at his apartment."

"I see," said Mikoto. "They live in an apartment downtown?" She sighed. "I should prepare something for them. Who's doing the cleaning and the cooking? If I left that to your father, the house would go to pieces."

"I believe his father does all of that," said Sasuke.

"Perhaps Sasuke could invite his new friend over to the house this weekend," Itachi suggested, and Sasuke immediately shot him a look, which his brother promptly ignored.

"I don't see why not," said Fugaku.

"How hard that must be," Mikoto continued to worry. "I can't imagine if something were to happen to me or your father and either of you was left without a parent."

Sasuke stared at his mother, stricken by the mere suggestion. Compared to his father, whom he shared a tenuous relationship with even at the best of times, he was particularly close to - and very fond of - his mother. She was beautiful, kind, generous, and very sensitive to her sons' feelings, even when it came to how either of them may have felt about their conservative father. Itachi had always hid his emotions well. Before Itachi decided to go to college in California, he and their father had fought from time to time. It was Fugaku's will that Itachi go to Stanford, to study business, to always have the best grades and be exceptional at everything he attempted. Itachi, despite all this, was also very kind, open-minded, and giving. When Sasuke needed to get away, his brother often extended an invitation for him to visit. Even paying for his airline tickets (or train, that one time he'd taken it at the beginning of last June so that he could be there for Itachi's birthday). He let Sasuke hang out with his cool group of friends, many of whom welcomed Sasuke with open arms. Itachi had several gay, bisexual, and transgendered friends, so Sasuke hadn't always felt completely isolated because of his sexuality. He did, however, feel guilty for hooking up with one of his brother's close friends, but, as far as he knew, Itachi hadn't found out. He intended to keep it that way, too. Though, every now and again, that person and him exchanged texts or e-mails. More and more though, the texts were about some woman this man seemed to be falling for.

The Uchihas fell quiet again as Sasuke contemplated all these things, and then his thoughts began to drift to the possibility of having Naruto stay the night or even the weekend. He tried to ignore the excitement that swirled in his stomach, not because he was terribly afraid his parents might find out that he lusted after another boy, but...it was odd, terrifying even, to have another human being affect him in this manner. It seemed easier to try and ignore his feelings. He didn't even know what feelings he might have for Naruto, and as far as he understood, any attraction that did exist was one-sided.

The fear of rejection was a very hard thing for him to willingly accept. He'd never been rejected. Maybe it was conceited to say, but it was usually him that did the rejecting.

"Something wrong, dear?" His mother asked. "Do the edamame not taste good?"

"No, Mother." Sasuke forced a smile. "They're delicious. Maybe when it gets warmer, you can plant your own in the garden."

"I know. I just can't wait for Spring! I miss my little garden. Growing herbs in the kitchen isn't nearly as fun! I like getting my hands dirty. Will you help me plant when it gets warmer?"

"Of course," he answered.

"Sasuke," Itachi said suddenly, causing him to look over at his brother. "Make sure you don't forget to ask Naruto about visiting us this weekend."

He narrowed his eyes. "I'm sure he has other plans already. Perhaps he and his dad want to do some sightseeing. Although, he was supposedly doing some sightseeing tonight."

"Oh, is that so?" Mikoto asked. "Did he already meet someone willing to show him around the city?"

"Please," said Fugaku, "I doubt a boy who's just lost his mother has dating on his mind."

"It didn't have to be a girlfriend," she replied. "Maybe just a friend. Sasuke, why didn't you volunteer? You know all those lovely little shops that we go to sometimes, and all the restaurants and bookstores. Or, you should take him to one of the concerts you go to! It would be a nice distraction for him, don't you think?"

"Boys don't want to do those types of things with other boys," said his father. "You make it sound like they're going on a date."

Sasuke, who had been about to pick up some rice with his chopsticks immediately stopped. Having lost his appetite, he set them down on top of the - half empty - bowl of noodles.

"Are you finished already?" asked his mother. "You didn't eat all of your rice."

"Sasuke mentioned he wasn't feeling well earlier," said Itachi. "Perhaps if I make him some tea after dinner. He's probably tired."

"You're not feeling well?" Fugaku gruffly asked. "Why don't you go lie down then. Don't worry about your dishes. We'll take care of it. Your brother will bring you some hot green tea once he's finished."

"Thank you, Father," he said, pushing his chair back from the table. As he stood, he bowed his head. "Thank you for the meal, Mother. Itachi." He excused himself and returned to his bedroom, where he closed the door until there was just the crack, with a tiny sliver of light coming in from the hallway. Like he always did when feeling upset, he grabbed for his MP3 player and lay down on the bed. Shutting his eyes, he wondered if Naruto was still wandering around with Sai at this hour. There were lots of things to do in Seattle. He almost wished he'd suggested taking Naruto around town. Maybe Sai would only show him the typical tourist spots. There was so much more to Seattle than that. Despite what his father had said, the idea of taking the other boy to some of his favorite haunts sounded incredibly appealing to him.

But, it was stupid to think Naruto would be interested in anything like that. He'd seen Sai make him laugh. Naruto probably had never called him a bastard or a jerk to his face. Even though he knew Sai was also gay, he couldn't see him ever forcing himself on Naruto. So, already, he had several strikes against him. Oh, also there was the fact that Naruto was straight.

He turned up the volume on his iPod.

Best not to think about it. Better to just listen to music as it was one of the few things in life that brought him genuine pleasure and allowed him to escape his thoughts, even if just for a little while.


Wednesday rolled past without much happening. Sasuke hadn't felt well most of the morning, so he'd been dragging. Not that he'd attempted a conversation in first period with him anyway, but Naruto spent the time before class speaking with a rather attractive red-headed girl who sat on the opposite side of the room. When he glanced over - only because the clock happened to be on that wall - Sasuke often caught Naruto smiling at her, even laughing. If he didn't know better, he'd say they were flirting. He couldn't complain about the girl either, as she was easily one of the nicest in their class.

That's right, Sasuke. That's how it works, he kept telling himself. It's normal for girls and boys to flirt. It's expected. He knew Naruto was off-limits, and still... he'd had hope. But, as Itachi pointed out, growing up was about getting your heart broken. He supposed an important lesson to learn was not to chase after straight boys.

Instead of going to P.E. fifth period, he decided to go to the nurse's office to lie down. As he wasn't prone to being sick, the ample-chested woman and her assistant doted on him by constantly checking his temperature and offering him juice. When they thought he was sleeping, they fell into the typical conversation that seemed to evolve between women. Apparently the younger woman - Shizune - had gone on a blind date last night that hadn't turned out very well.

"He was so rude," she explained to the older woman. "I ended up making an excuse so that I could leave right after dinner. I didn't even let him pay, I paid for half, and I just had a salad! He had the prime rib!"

"Eh?" The older woman grunted. "Why didn't you make him pay for all of it? You should've ordered the most expensive item on the menu, said you were going to the bathroom, and then left."

"I didn't want him to think I owed him," said Shizune. "Yuck. Aren't there any decent men in Seattle?"

The older woman chuckled. "Well, if I was a little younger, and," she lowered her voice further, "that boy over there was a little older."

"Tsunade," Shizune giggled. "You're bad."

Sasuke rolled his eyes and turned onto his other side. No wonder he didn't like women.

Not that he remembered falling asleep, but when he woke up and rolled over, he saw someone sitting on the cot next to his, and it didn't take long for him to realize it was Naruto.

"Hey," Naruto said, looking worried. "Someone said you weren't feelin' well and that you'd gone to the nurse's office."

"Clearly your source was accurate," he replied and, noticing that his mouth and throat felt dry, he went to reach for the glass of water that had been on a nearby table earlier only to find it empty.

"Here," said Naruto, picking up the glass. "I'll get it for you."

"I'm not an invalid, Naruto," he commented. "I can get my own water."

Ignoring him, Naruto went to the refrigerator, where he somehow knew there was a Britta water filter. He poured the water into the glass and brought it over to him.

Sasuke took it, their fingers overlapping briefly, but he gave no thanks. Naruto didn't seem to notice, and, instead, he returned the pitcher of water to the refrigerator.

"Where did the two nurses go?" Sasuke asked, wiping at the corner of his mouth.

"Oh. Tsunade and Shizune? You know, technically Shizune isn't a nurse. She's an assistant, I think."

"How do you know this?" he asked. "You've only been here two days."

"Well, I did visit the school before Dad and I decided to enroll me here. I met them then, and I've dropped in when I have free time to chat. Tsunade, though. Forget the fact that she's got the hugest rack I've ever seen, 'cause that woman swears like a sailor. She gives me a hard time, always nagging me about my hand." Naruto waved his bandaged hand around.

Sasuke eyed it curiously. "Yesterday you said you put it through a window. Is that true?"

"Why would I lie about that?" Naruto asked in all sincerity.

Sasuke honestly had no answer.

"Anyway, if you're like me, you probably don't like people fussin' over you. I just wanted to make sure you're okay. I was kinda worried." Naruto bit at his lip, a gesture Sasuke couldn't help but find endearing since the other boy did it solely when he was nervous or reluctant to say what's on his mind. How he knew that much in the short amount of time they'd known each other, he had no idea.

"I'm fine," he said automatically. "Just tired."

"Ah, I didn't mean I was worried about your health. I figured it was just a cold at most."

"Then what did you mean?"

Naruto sighed and folded his hands in his lap. He gave a look around the room before returning his gaze to Sasuke. "I thought, maybe because of yesterday, you were avoiding me."

Surprised, Sasuke's eyebrows drew up.

"Judging by the look you're givin' me now," Naruto said slowly. "Maybe I'm not wrong?"

"I wasn't intentionally avoiding you," Sasuke murmured. "I'm really not feeling well."

"Okay," the other boy said simply. "I feel relieved then."

"You find relief in me not feeling well?"

Naruto chuckled and glanced down at his hands. He started to crack his knuckles.

"You'll get arthritis if you keep doing that," Sasuke said absently.

"Is that really true?" Naruto asked. "I thought it was just an old wives' tale."

"I'd be the last person to ask about the tales wives tell."

"Ah. That makes me feel good, too. That you're jokin' about it."

"Better to make jokes than to curl up into a ball in a corner somewhere."

"I'd laugh," said Naruto. "But part of me thinks you're serious."

Sasuke's lips parted just a breath as he looked at Naruto, and he was hit with the most intense pang of longing. To move closer, to touch, to hold, to even kiss. To share all the thoughts he'd ever had in his life, including hopes and fears.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked.

"Nothing," he answered.

"Keep drinkin' your water. Maybe it'll make you feel better. Or should I find somethin' else? Sometimes when my stomach is upset I drink Coke. That usually helps."

"Coke won't help, idiot," muttered Sasuke. "And anyway, it's not my stomach that hurts."

"Oh." Naruto frowned. "Do you hurt somewhere else? Should I go get the nurse?"

Sasuke sighed. "You're really oblivious, aren't you?"

"I don't know what you mean." Naruto tilted his head to the side, reminding Sasuke of a cat reacting to a strange noise. "What? You're starin'."

"Sorry," Sasuke said, smiling despite the heavy feeling in his chest. "I was just thinking you reminded me of a cat. I don't know why I thought cat and not dog."

"Dog?" Naruto repeated. "I'm not sure that's a compliment. Do you have a cat at home, maybe?"

"I don't," he answered. "But my mother has been talking about getting one. My father doesn't want any pets, though. He thinks he'll be stuck taking care of it."

"I've always wanted to get a dog." Naruto dropped his hands to his sides and started playing with the bedsheet. "My mom was really allergic to them, unfortunately."

Sasuke thought in his head: Well, you could get one now. But, obviously, that was far from appropriate. And, at the moment, for whatever reason, he didn't want to ruin the mood between them by saying the wrong thing.

"I suppose I could get one now, eh?" Naruto grinned at him.

Sasuke couldn't help but smirk. "That's terrible."

"I know, but like you said. Better to joke about it than to curl up in a corner and cry."

"I didn't say anything about crying."

"Didn't you?" Naruto tilted his chin up, appearing thoughtful.

"Nope."

"Heh. Ah, well. I know it's awful, but I feel like I can joke about this stuff with you for some reason."

Crap. There was another pang. Sasuke glanced down, and like Naruto'd been doing earlier, folded his hands in his lap, clasping and unclasping his fingers.

"Sasuke?"

"Present," he said, without looking up from his lap.

"Did I say somethin' wrong?"

"Not at all." He raised his eyes. "In fact, you always seem to say the right thing."

Naruto, with those blue eyes so clear and expressive, rubbed his lips together, drawing Sasuke's gaze.

"Did you have fun with Sai last night?" He asked quietly.

"Yeah, I did," Naruto answered. "Sai took me to a lotta places. I really wanted to see the wharf, and where they throw the fish? He said it was lame and touristy, but I really liked it. One of the guys let me try to catch a fish. I thought I was gonna get a black eye. The thing was so huge, its tail slapped me in the side of the face."

"Imagine that." Sasuke couldn't stop himself from smirking. "Lucky fish."

"Why you," Naruto said playfully. "Have you ever been in a fight before, Sasuke?"

"Not out of a dojo, but I wouldn't call that 'fighting.' I've... prevented my fair share of fights, but I've never had to hit anyone. Why, have you been in very many fights, Naruto?"

"A few."

"Really."

"Mm. When Mom was sick, I fell in with a different crowd. I had a good friend, and he moved shortly after Mom died, like mid-January, which really sucked. But anyway." He looked off as if trying to regain his train of thought. "We'd sneak into college parties, drink, smoke, whatever. So yeah, we got into fights on occasion. My friend always had my back, though."

"So is that what happened to your hand? Did you get in a fight?"

"I told you," Naruto said with a smirk. "I put it through a window."

"Hm."

"Don't tell me you're worried about me. Eh, Sasuke?"

Sasuke gave him an assessing look. Naruto's tone was playful, his body language relaxed, his eyes bright with humor. Part of him wanted to believe that he was flirting, but, with Naruto, it was hard to tell.

"Naruto," he said.

"Yes," said Naruto, drawing out the 's' at the end like a snake hissing.

Okay. Even if Sasuke had virtually no experience at this, he wasn't so stupid not to have reasons to think, yes, Naruto is flirting with me.

"What are you doing this weekend?" He asked as casually as he could manage.

"Dunno." Naruto frowned. "I had a coupla offers."

"Oh, with that girl from first period? She's cute."

Naruto looked surprised. "How did you know?"

"I see. So she did ask you out. She's very nice. I don't say that about many girls here, but it's true."

"Really?" Naruto asked. "I trust your opinion, so it must be true."

"Obviously. Why would I lie?"

"Dunno." Naruto shrugged. "Anyway, I told her I was busy."

"Why." Sasuke frowned. "Are you going out with Sai again?"

Naruto actually laughed at him. "You're hilarious."

Sasuke's scowl deepened. "I'm so pleased I have the power to make you laugh."

"To be fair, it's a very awesome power to have over me, y'know."

"Stop flirting with me," he finally said. "It's irritating."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Sorry."

Of all the things for Naruto to say, Sasuke hadn't expected that. He'd anticipated a denial or rejection.

"So you were flirting with me?" He asked boldly.

Naruto sucked on his bottom lip before answering, "I don't know."

"Uh huh. That's only... mildly confusing."

"Sorry, but... I want to be honest with you."

"Okay, so be honest with me."

"Oh, no. That was the end of my statement. Just. I want to be honest. With you."

"Right. I'm even more confused now."

"Yeah, well. So am I. You pulled that stuff yesterday and said all those things, and I'd never considered having gay feelings for a boy when I'd always thought about girls, y'know, in those moments. But, I like talkin' to you. We haven't known each other, what, more than two days? But when we hang out, I like it. Even when we're fighting, it's... what's the word? I suck at this. Oh." He pointed at Sasuke. "Exhilarating?"

"I make you feel... exhilarated?" Sasuke asked.

"Is that the wrong word?"

"I have no idea what the right one is. Have you... ever been with a girl before?"

"Hm. You mean have I had sex before?"

"With a woman," he clarified. "Girl, rather. Not to assume anything, but, you know."

"Hey," said Naruto. "I might be into older women."

"You could be for all I know, but I find it hard to believe they'd be into you."

"Not that it's any of your business, but yes I've had sex. Shortly before my birthday, thank you, and she was two years older than me."

"Okay." Sasuke was surprised to feel a twinge of jealousy at this admission.

"Like I said. I went through some rough stuff, used to go to a lot of parties. Things happened. I hardly knew her. I do feel bad, though. That I never called her after that. Guess I kinda wasn't really in a place to handle it all as well as I would've liked to do."

"I think that's understandable," said Sasuke.

"I don't." Naruto turned his head to the side, frowning. "There's no excuse to treat someone like that, especially a girl. Especially one I had sex with. Maybe she liked me. I dunno. But, stuff happened, and, I think if we hadn't moved here, maybe things would've gotten worse. Although, I was startin' to hang out with this other kid named Kiba. He seemed a pretty good guy. Anyway."

Sasuke felt the topic of conversation was getting particularly heavy, and though he was happy to have Naruto sort of admit that he enjoyed his company, it was enough. For now.

"I'm thinking about something," Sasuke confessed, "But I don't know if I want to say it." He looked at Naruto, almost expectantly - as if waiting for his blessing even though he would've had no idea what the hell Sasuke was talking about.

"Yeah. Let's hear it. Since we're sharing and all."

Sasuke smirked. "That's such a you thing to say."

"Have we known each other long enough for you to know what a 'me' thing would be to say?"

He stared. Honestly. If Naruto said one more thing that made Sasuke want to jump out of this bed and kiss him, he was going to strangle the other teenager.

Naruto offered him an amused look. "Spit it out, Uchiha. Don't get shy on me now."

"You had me at 'on me now'," he mumbled and let out a deep breath.

"What was that? You're mumblin', which probably means you said something perverted, I'm sure." He was clearly joking, which Sasuke was slightly grateful for as he wasn't sure he was ready to jump into all kinds of sexual innuendo with Naruto. It could be...dangerous.

"If you aren't busy," he started to say, regaining his composure and trying to make his expression and voice as neutral as possible. "I mentioned to my parents that there was a new kid, and they practically insisted that you, if you're available, should spend the weekend...with us. At my house."

The instant he looked at Naruto's face and saw that big, stupid, goofy grin start to appear, he immediately regretted saying all that.

"Go on," Naruto said, kicking his feet against the bed.

"What? Do you want me to beg?" Sasuke practically growled.

Something mischievous flashed in Naruto's eyes. "Would that involve you getting down on your knees?"

Sasuke sucked in a breath before replying in a low voice, "If you think that would convince you."

Naruto definitely understood the meaning of this exchange. "Why me?" he asked Sasuke.

"I don't know," he answered, searching Naruto's face and feeling his heart drop at seeing a frown replace the boy's smile. "Does it... bother you so much? You can just say no about this weekend. I'll understand."

"Don't do that," Naruto said. "Don't put words in my mouth. I'm just tryin' to figure things out. Get my thoughts together." He flashed Sasuke an encouraging smile, but he thought it seemed forced, which was unfortunate. "Ask me properly first."

"Ask you...?"

"About this weekend."

"Do you... want to stay at my house this weekend?"

"Yes." Naruto nodded. "I do."

"Okay then."

"Hey boys, if you're done with your heart-warming conversation, we have other sick students who would like to use these beds."

Both of them nearly jumped about 10 feet in the air as the older nurse, seemingly arriving out of nowhere, stood at the foot of Sasuke's bed.

"Sasuke, I see that you're feeling much better," she said, touching the back of her hand to his forehead. "Naruto, don't you have class?"

"Uh, oh. Yeah." Naruto scratched the back of his head. "I heard Sasuke was sick, so... I just wanted to check in on him."

"That's a very touching story, now please get out of my office because I have work to do, and before you both realize you've pissed your pants over this, I am a medical professional, so I understand the meaning of patient confidentiality."

Sasuke still couldn't speak, but he got to his feet. Naruto looked a lot calmer than he felt. Surprising the crap out of him, the other boy actually laughed.

"Fine, we're outta here. I didn't wanna stare at your ugly old mug anyway."

Tsunade cuffed him on the back of the head. "Brat," she said. "Get the hell outta here, will ya? Take your boyfriend with you."

"Tch." Naruto grabbed for Sasuke's wrist. "C'mon. She'll keep her big trap shut, don't worry. Not that anything happened," he shouted at the woman over his shoulder.

Sasuke, not knowing what else to do, simply let himself be dragged because, after all, there were two amazing things that had just occurred. One was the fact Naruto agreed to stay at his house, with him, and probably (hopefully) share his bed, and the other was... Naruto wasn't grabbing his wrist anymore. In fact, he had a hold of Sasuke by the hand, and it was honestly one of the most incredible things he'd ever experienced in his life - and they were just fucking holding hands!

God help him, he had it bad, and he knew it, and he didn't give a rat's ass about all the things that could go wrong. For now, he was truly, madly, deeply...

Fuck.


On Thursday, things felt strange. He knew some people might label him cynical - although he preferred realistic - but, he did have a habit of becoming paranoid when things felt is if they were going a little too well. Last night passed by in a blur, even if he tried to brush it off as having been tired and absolutely nothing to do with anticipation about certain events happening on the weekend. He might've casually mentioned to his parents that Naruto accepted their offer to stay at the house, and as of yesterday afternoon, Naruto said he would ask his dad if it would be okay.

However, getting back to his feelings of paranoia, it was just that... the weather was extremely nice for March? The sun was out, and the temperature had to be in the lower 60s. Miraculously, their homeroom teacher arrived on time, and they'd been asked to work in pairs. Normally Sasuke would've hated that, but he'd been paired with Naruto. Possibly because Kakashi mistakenly thought it would bug him to have to work with someone who was already quickly building a reputation as a class clown. But, when they'd put their desks together, he found Naruto to be a very willing pupil. Yes, he didn't always get the basics, but when Sasuke took the time to carefully explain, he found the other boy was able to pick up the information fairly fast. Naruto was thoughtful and asked questions when he didn't understand and because Sasuke was patient with him, it worked out quite well between them. Even when they had to present their findings to the class at the end of the period, he laughed along with the rest of the students when Naruto made the occasional stupid ad-lib joke.

The only thing off-putting was when he later asked Naruto about whether he'd spoken to his dad about staying with him this weekend. Looking embarrassed, Naruto mumbled something about not having asked since he hadn't spoken with him last night. But he assured Sasuke that it would be fine, and then they both went their separate ways until fifth period.

Perhaps it was that one awkward moment that threw him off for the rest of the day. He didn't want to be dramatic, but it did occur to him maybe Naruto had changed his mind. Because, well, he was uncomfortable about spending the night with him.

After fourth period, he was on his way to the locker room following a brief conversation with one of the girls he'd "dated" last year when almost the instant he stepped inside the locker room, he could hear loud noises and shouting. Walking quickly toward the lockers, he noticed a large group of boys spilling out of one of the aisles, but couldn't exactly see what was happening - until he heard Naruto shouting a string of profanities.

"Shit," he said under his breath, knowing instinctively that if there was a fight, Naruto was at the center of it.

He pushed his way through the boys who were blocking the scene and discovered just who all the instigators were: Naruto, Sai, Dosu, and Zaku. The latter two were juniors and known for being allowed into their school because of family connections. They'd consistently caused trouble as long as Sasuke had been at this school, but, right now, Naruto had a hold of Dosu's gym shirt. Sai stood behind Naruto, and Zaku behind the other junior.

"Naruto," said Sai. "Don't worry about it. You're only going to get in trouble."

"Yeah," said Zaku, "Listen to your boyfriend, new kid. We're gonna stomp your pansy ass into the ground."

Looking pissed off, Naruto turned his attention to the other boy. "That so? You wanna see how well this is gonna work out for the both of you?"

"Tch," said Dosu. "He doesn't even know who we are."

"Like I give a shit who you are!" Naruto spat, pulling at the boy's shirt again. "Apologize to him."

"I'm not apologizing to that faggot," replied Dosu. "Most of the boys don't even want him in here."

"Oh, so you speak for everyone now?" Naruto asked, gesturing to the group. "I want him here. What, do you think he wants to look at your tiny, pea-sized dick? Don't flatter yourself, douchebag."

"I bet the only reason you're defending him," said Zaku, "Is because you're just like him."

"Are you listenin' to how stupid you sound? Even if I was, who the hell cares?"

"Did you hear that?" Dosu asked in his deep, scratchy voice. "The faggots at this school are multiplying. Looks like they'll let anyone - "

That's as far as he got before Naruto punched him in the face. Instantaneously, another fight broke out, and then others were joining in, mostly trying to pull Naruto back because, unlike Dosu and Zaku, a lot of people liked him. In the chaos, Sasuke got pushed to the side. Realizing he couldn't get to Naruto and Sai by going through the crowd, he went around via another aisle. Sai, though tall and skinny, was pretty well built. He was attempting to fend off Zaku from hitting Naruto, who was busy trying to rearrange the other junior's face.

Finally, Sasuke was able to get a grip on one of Zaku's arms and pull him off of Sai while one of the other boy's yanked Sai away from the fighting altogether.

Because someone grabbed hold of Naruto's shoulder, Dosu was able to land one last sucker punch.

"You motherfucker!" Naruto shouted, spitting blood onto the floor and lunging forward again. He broke free and went after Dosu until he'd shoved him up against the lockers clear on the other side of the room.

Sasuke ran after them and managed to get behind Naruto so that he could grab him around the waist. He was able to lock Naruto's arms at his sides using one of his martial arts techniques. Right as Dosu was about to punch Naruto again, Sasuke knocked the other boy out of the way and had just enough time to catch the junior's fist before it hit him.

He narrowed his eyes. "Enough."

"Fuck you, Uchiha," growled Dosu. "You saw it, didn't you? That crazy asshole attacked me."

"The hell I did," Naruto yelled from behind. "You started it by fuckin' with Sai."

"Yeah, maybe in that pussy's fantasy."

"Nice choice of words," retorted Naruto, "Considerin' you've never seen a pussy in your life!"

"Shut up, Naruto," said Sasuke.

"See, listen to Class President here. He's actually got some sense. I bet he doesn't want this dirty cocksucker up here watching us all get naked and - "

Sasuke shoved him backward into the locker. "Say one more thing, and I'll make it so that you'll never be able to use those arms of yours again."

Dosu's eyes widened in surprise. "Your father's going to hear about this."

He leaned in and spoke in a low, threatening voice. "He's not going to hear about it if I break your jaw. Now, are you going to keep your mouth shut, or would you like me to do that for you?"

"Whatever. We'll hear what the principal has to say about this."

"I'm sure the principal will be interested in both sides of the story," he replied, letting go of Dosu.

"Zaku, come on," he waved the junior over and, with only a flew glares and a flip of the middle finger, exited the locker room.

Sasuke waited until they were gone before turning around. Sai and Naruto were standing there as were about 10 other boys. They were all quiet, eyeing him with interest. He noticed that Naruto's nose was bleeding, but he wasn't sure if the blond was even aware considering it was already dripping down his chin.

Sasuke walked over to him. "Was that really necessary?"

"You heard the kinda shit he was sayin'," Naruto replied evenly. "It was worse before you even got here. Like I was gonna stand there and let him talk that way."

"This is your first week here, and you're already getting into a fight."

"So," Naruto said, crossing his arms.

"So," Sasuke replied angrily, and grabbing a nearby towel off of one of the benches, wiped it across Naruto's face and showed him the blood. "You could get expelled. You could've gotten hurt much worse, or you could've gotten someone else hurt."

"Uh, that was kinda the point," Naruto argued. "Why are you on their side?"

"Just let it go, Naruto," said Sai.

"Why do you two keep tellin' me to let it go?" Naruto asked, glaring at Sai first and then Sasuke.

Sasuke shared a look with Sai. He knew Naruto meant well, but what would be the point in beating up every single person who called them names for being gay? That wastheir problem, not his, not Sai's.

"Get him cleaned up," Sasuke told Sai. "I'll head to the principal's office and explain the situation. Did one of them physically attack you first?"

"Zaku pushed me," said Sai. "Not hard, but Naruto's right. They started it." Some of the other boys corroborated this with nods and a "Yeah, that's what I saw."

"The rest of you, go down to the gym," he said. "It should be Kakashi teaching today, so tell him that we'll be at the principal's office."

"Sure, Sasuke," said one of them, and the group filed out of the locker room toward the stairwell.

"Wow, does everyone always listen to you and do what you say?" Naruto asked, wiping off his face.

Sasuke wasn't amused. "This was very stupid."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

He glanced at Naruto's hand and then up again. "Are you purposely trying to get yourself into trouble?"

Naruto's eyes narrowed to slits. "If you've got somethin' to say, then say it."

"Naruto," he said, trying to read him. The other boy looked a bit like a cornered animal waiting to strike. Sai must've noticed, too, because he put a hand on Naruto's shoulder.

Naruto shrugged it off, though. "I don't understand either of you. How can you let those two assholes get away with talkin' like that?" He shook his head and threw the bloody towel on the floor. "I don't care. Just let me go down there and say they ran their mouths so I punched that one guy in the face. It's better I take the blame than you two gettin' in trouble for bein' involved. It's not like I've been here all that long, so what's the big deal if I get suspended or kicked out? I'll find somewhere else to go." He turned around and began to walk away, but Sasuke reached for his wrist and stopped him.

Naruto tried to pull away, but Sasuke kept a firm grip.

"Sai," he said. "Will you give me a minute to talk to Naruto. Just wait for us outside of the locker room, and we'll be right there."

Sai glanced from him to Naruto and then nodded. "Okay."

Naruto was glaring at him. When Sai left, Sasuke let go of his wrist, confident that Naruto would stay.

"Explain," said Sasuke.

"You're really bossy, y'know that? I don't like people tellin' me what to do."

"Oh." Sasuke's eyebrows drew up at Naruto's tone. "Is that what happened to your hand? Did someone back home talk trash and you, losing your temper, cut your hand up while beating them to a pulp?"

"Shut up."

"Naruto," he said, taking on a gentler tone. "I won't let you get kicked out."

"It doesn't matter."

"It does matter."

"Why? You hardly know me. You didn't even like me when we first met, and so what if I disappear, that's one less person who knows your secret. Who knows what kind of crap I'm gonna cause you from now on?"

To be honest, he wasn't quite sure where Naruto was coming from with all of this. He was used to Naruto being upbeat and willing to make a joke out of everything. He wasn't sure if he wanted to try to shake some sense into him, or... there was another odd urge he was having at present that was confusing in itself. He wanted to comfort him, maybe to even pull him in, but he didn't know how. Rather, he didn't even think he was capable of it, so he just stood there, thinking Naruto looked rather pathetic, like a dog that had been kicked one too many times.

"People like Zaku and Dosu," he told Naruto, "They will always exist for people like me, and for," he stopped himself, because he wasn't sure whether Naruto knew about Sai, but if he had to guess, he would say that Naruto did know.

"Yeah," Naruto answered for him, "I know about Sai. How could I not know? It was hard to act surprised when he told me about it the night we went around the city together."

Sasuke nodded. "Would you want someone else fighting your battles for you?"

"That's not what I was tryin' to do. I just think it's bullshit to gang up on someone for crap like that. What, because he's gay? Big fuckin' deal. I don't get it!"

"I'm glad you don't get it," he said. "But sometimes you have to ignore it. It just draws attention to them, and that's all they really want."

"What was I supposed to do, sit there and let my friend be attacked?"

"We're not on the streets, Naruto. This is a prestigious private school. You go to an authority figure. You turn the other cheek and be the bigger man."

Naruto lowered his head, looking to the side, and Sasuke could hear him sucking on his teeth.

"Sorry," he ended up saying. "I didn't mean to cause you any trouble. You've been nothin' but good to me, Sasuke."

"Why do you think that is?"

Naruto raised his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Did it ever occur to you that no one else was on their side? All of the other boys were behind you, trying to keep you from getting hurt. Doesn't that say anything to you?"

Stubbornly, Naruto shrugged. "Dunno."

"I'm about to hit you."

"I thought you said violence doesn't solve everything," Naruto replied sarcastically.

"Fine," Sasuke said, stepping forward until the tips of their shoes nearly touched. "Then I'll kiss you."

As that had apparently been enough to stun Naruto into an uncharacteristic state of speechlessness, Sasuke gave him a nudge and a push toward the exit.

"Come on, let's go." While walking out, very briefly, Sasuke placed his hand at Naruto's lower back to keep him moving forward. "But before we go to the principal's office, why don't you stop at the nurse's office."

"Why?" asked Naruto. "I'm fine. It's not even bleedin' anymore."

"Well. Considering you're the only one bleeding, that might be something we can use to say that you were simply defending yourself."

"Are you some kind of lawyer or what?" Naruto eyed him curiously.

"No, moron. I just don't want to see you get kicked out."

"I still don't get why, though."

"That's because you're easily the most oblivious person I've ever met. Now shut up and let's go see Tsunade so that she can verify your injuries and can make a formal report to the principal. In the meantime, I'll go in and speak to him and lay out what I know of the events."

Naruto suddenly stopped, and Sasuke paused beside him.

"What did he mean when he said he was gonna tell your father?" he asked.

"My father and Dosu's father work at the same company."

"What is this, grade school?"

"It's a bluff, I'm sure. Let's worry about clearing your name first. Nothing happened, so it's fine, and even if you got kicked out because of this, I would make sure it somehow appeared in the paper that the son of a well-to-do brokerage CEO was involved with a student's suspension after issuing bigoted slurs."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Wow, you are one scary bastard."

Sasuke smirked. "Now you know why everyone always does as I say."

Naruto smirked back. "I guess so."

Once they were out in the hallway, they found Sai waiting there.

"Go with Sai to the nurse's office and then meet me at the principal's office. I'll tell him where you are and that you'll join us when Tsunade's done treating your injuries."

Sai nodded, but Naruto still stood there, looking at him.

"What?" asked Sasuke.

"Nothing," Naruto answered quickly. "Thanks for this. I'll... see you later then."

He didn't give him a reply, and while Sasuke went one way, Naruto and Sai went the other.