A/N: Hehe… It's me, again. Here's the next chapter in DOTM—once I post the one directly after this one, I'll officially be up-to-date with what I've written for this story. Then.. I'll have to actually write MORE chapters, instead of being lazy and posting what I already had… like this ridiculously short chapter -_-'
… Eheheh… I'm babbling. Sorry. I drank a humongous cup of Ghirardelli's hot chocolate a few minutes ago, and the sugar's starting to kick in. Anyways, please leave a review!! It's all well and good to favorite this story, but I'd (almost) rather get reviews than favorites. Okay? Now, be a good reader and click that review button when you're done reading this chapter!!
Disclaimer: I do not, in any shape or form, own or associate with the author of, the publishers of, or anything else to do with the series Naruto. If I did.. well, I probably wouldn't be stuck writing fanfics now, would I?
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"Here we are!" Naruto said cheerfully, his voice just audible over the bike's motor. He drove up and parked in front of the garage door, turning the key to turn the motorcycle off.
Sasuke got off the bike quickly in favor of wobbly legs. Taking off the borrowed helmet, he swore to himself that he'd never let Naruto talk him into going anywhere near a motorcycle again. It wasn't worth losing several years off his life. Sasuke glared at the blonde. Carrying their helmets with them, they walked up to the front door.
".. Damn.. I think I forgot my keys.." Naruto muttered, checking his pockets fruitlessly as Sasuke huffed exasperatedly. Luckily, Naruto's brother chose that time to open the door.
The only thing keeping him from risking a charge of indecent exposure was a white towel wrapped around his hips. That, along with his dripping red-brown hair and a spicey scent, made it obvious he'd just gotten out of the shower. Sasuke's face turned bright red at the sight, quickly tearing his eyes away from that perfectly tanned, toned body.
"Kyuubi, you dumbass!!" Naruto said, trying not to laugh at Sasuke's reaction. "Go get some clothes on before you give poor Sasuke here a nosebleed." Sasuke glared at the grinning blonde, ordering his face to go back to its usual paleness.
"I would have worn something more... appropriate.. if I'd known we were going to have company." Kyuubi said, his voice a smooth, lazy baritone. He stepped aside so his little brother and the cute emo kid friend of his could walk in.
Sasuke looked around, faintly surprised at the tastefulness of the room. He caught Kyuubi staring at him and he felt his face heating up in embarrassment. "What, did you think I would've let my fashion-challenged brother paint all the walls bright orange?" The redhead asked, raising one eyebrow. Sasuke blushed. That was too close to what he'd been expecting.
"I am not fashion-challenged!!" Naruto practically yelled in Sasuke's ear, waving his arms in the air frantically. "Just because my favorite color's orange it doesn't mean I obsess over it!!"
Kyuubi snorted goodnaturedly. "True, but you obsess over it anyways." With a growl, Naruto launched himself at his brother, narrowly missing Sasuke. The two brothers went tumbling down, now engaged in a fierce wrestling match. Sasuke watched them wistfully, wondering what went wrong with his family that had caused Itachi to do the things he did. Why weren't they like these two, able to joke and fight with each other like real brothers? The brunette sunk down into a chair, imitating his mood.
As soon as the fight was over (with Kyuubi as the obvious victor), Naruto disappeared down a hallway and soon came back with a pile of blankets and sheets. He plopped them down on the couch in the front room, smiling apologetically at Sasuke. "We haven't gotten around to fixing up the guest room, so at least for tonight, you'll be out here on the couch." He scratched at his blonde hair, then grinned. "Don't worry, it's really comfy. I should know!! I used to sleep out here all the time.." Sasuke nodded awkwardly, not knowing what to say. Finally, he spoke up. ".. Thanks for doing this for me, Naruto.. I know we don't really get along, but it means a lot to me that you believed me and went so far to help me.."
The blonde grinned, his cheeks slightly pink. "Don't worry about it!! I mean, I'm a human being!! I couldn't've left you with that crazy bastard now, could I?" Sasuke smiled slightly, looking more reassured now. He glanced at the clock, his eyes widening slightly. They'd stopped for dinner on the way back from school, but he hadn't thought it'd taken that long!!
"Well, I'd best leave you to making your bed." Naruto said, stifling a yawn. He walked towards the staircase at the end of the halway, stopping to look back at Sasuke. ".. Goodnight." The blonde called out, receiving a muted answer from the front room. Naruto then walked upstairs to his own room and shut the door behind him.
Two doors down from Naruto, Kyuubi slowly closed his own door the rest of the way, a small smile on his lips.
