Let me start off by apologizing for the late update. I'm really trying to finish this story during the summer. Anyway, just to clarify some thing. Jaron is pronounced Jay-rin. Some readers weren't sure how to pronounce the name so yeah, there you go. Anyway, thank you as usual for taking the time out of your day to read my story.

Chapter 8

The car drove smoothly through the streets. Naruto was relaxed, casually leaned against the comfortable leather seat, the soft humming of the air-condition soothing to his ears. He's thankful of his outfit choice for the night. Snuggled and cozy in his sweatshirt hoodie, Naruto wondered how Sasuke could endure the cold air blasting through the vents. The man was practically bare with his chest exposed. The rich were immune to the cold now? He chuckled at the thought.

Some time during the ride, Naruto found himself eagerly disapproving the silence. Sasuke was exactly like his brother Itachi, not much of a conversation starter. Naruto took it upon himself to ask about his old friend's well-being and how he's been for the past five years. He's mildly interested. A part of him genuinely wanted to know, the other part, the part that felt abandoned and betrayed from Sasuke not finding him earlier had his heart not fully embracing Sasuke's sudden appearance. But he was here now right? He should be happy. He's been dreaming of this encounter for so long, so why does he feel so deeply conflicted?

Sasuke answered the questions that were asked of him. He spoke about his life. He moved to America at the age of fourteen, just a year after Kyuubi and Naruto had left, and has been living there ever since. Of course his mother was against the idea but like most rich kids, when it came to his parents input in his decisions, it did not do much. It also helped that he had resources easily accessible to him for the move. He graduated a year early from high school which wasn't shocking to Naruto. Sasuke was incredulously intelligent, all the Uchiha sons were. Naruto figured it was a genetic inheritance. Sasuke went on to explain that in a few months he would be attending a university in the states. He's not sure which one. He has been accepted to several top colleges across the country. Currently, he was contemplating between his top two, the deciding factor being based on which university had a more appealing campus for him to admire during his attendance. Naruto can't relate, he'd be lucky if he graduates.

Naruto found himself becoming increasingly uncomfortable as Sasuke carried on. Perhaps it's a stretch but the tone in which Sasuke spoke was apathetic. It's the same gentle, stoic, tone he used when generally speaking but when suddenly talking about his life, he spoke of it as if it was a chore. As if he's living a life that was forced onto him, and to a certain extent, he was.

Sasuke was courteous enough to ask Naruto the same question relating to his well-being over the years. Naruto's tone retained the same dullness he heard from Sasuke. His response is short and lacking in detail. He's fine, attending school, has a nephew and living with his brother. Straight to the point. The lack of enthusiasm or engagement didn't seem to faze the Uchiha who eagerly accepted the response without a single comment or reaction.

Yes indeed, Sasuke was just like his brother. Even when being polite or attempting to show the slightest interest in someone, it seemed more so of a forced polite gesture rather than a genuine act. Naruto wondered if Sasuke had always been this way and he was just now becoming aware it. For the sake of maintaining the positive atmosphere, he would swallow back the disheartened words threatening to escape.

Soon they neared the restaurant. Naruto was in the midst of talking about his nephew who was at the moment the subject of their conversation when Sasuke held up a hand to silence him. Naruto's words slowed to a stop, a bit confused and later on entertained by the arrogant act. The rich were a riot.

Sasuke pressed a button in the car to answer a call. A strong voice was immediately heard through the vehicle. "Sasuke, you can't go in there."

The addressed teenager is quiet as he gazed ahead, looking at the small old fashioned Japanese restaurant. "It's small."

"Nonetheless, it's public." The voice retaliated, not loosing its sternness even as the teen addressed him back in a more serene tone. "Is it absolutely necessary that you dine there?"

Sasuke gazed at Naruto. "Is it absolutely imperative for you to have dumplings tonight?" Sasuke asked, his words dissolving into laughter upon realization of how ridiculous that question sounded coming from his mouth.

Naruto was also greatly entertained. He's giggling like a school girl standing near her crush. The question was amusing enough, then Sasuke just not taking himself seriously had a blush forming on Naruto's cheeks and his heart fluttering. The way Sasuke would laugh so softly while he hid his face in his hands was perhaps the purest thing in the world.

"I wouldn't say it's imperative." Naruto replied after gathering himself. He imagined the man on the other side of the call was probably growing annoyed with their antics. "Get out of the car." Naruto's hands moved to remove the seat belt from his body.

"Wait, hold on." Sasuke's out of the car and walking around to the passenger side. He opened the door, like the gentleman he is, and Naruto exited.

"It's not very traditional for a guy to open the car door for another guy." Naruto said with a grin.

Sasuke molded his lips, averting his gaze to the restaurant ahead. There's a harsh reality beneath Naruto's teasing words that only he acknowledged. His mind is suddenly filled with thoughts of his beautiful girlfriend back in America. She's a goddess, the love of his life. The words repeat in his head over and over as if convincing himself.

"Tradition is boring." Sasuke said, his deep brown eyes invading the blue ones that gazed at him.

Naruto smirked. "Oh, is it now. That's an interesting thing to say in a country that thrives on tradition." There's a bitterness trailing in his tone.

Sasuke's brows are furrowed. There's a change in Naruto that he can't explain. He certainly wasn't the bright, cheerful, chubby boy he grew up with that's for sure.

"Stay here, I'll be right back." Naruto turned and began heading for the restaurant. He ignored the call of his name. His name is called again with a sterner tone he knew it would be wise not to ignore. He turned and looked at Sasuke who stared back at him. "Just give me a minute."

Sasuke sighed deeply. He leaned back casually against his car, his arms folded comfortably over his chest. Three tall muscular men came and stood beside him. They all looked to be about in their middle to late twenties, dressed in casual attires. Two of them were foreign while the other was a Japanese native.

They were hired by Sasuke to watch over him, protect him and be with him wherever he went. Tsukasa was the oldest and has been with Sasuke for the longest, since before his departure to the states. The twins Charlie and Jackson were hired in America for extra security. Sasuke had refused at first when the idea was first proposed to him by his mother due to the fact that it negated the whole purpose of his move to America in the first place. To live a semi normal life. Even so, he understood his choice to live alone in a foreign country he was a stranger to worried his mother greatly. She requested her son have more security, so he did just as that.

First time meeting with the twins, Sasuke was not only impressed by their large physique, but furthermore their playfulness towards him. They treated him as if he were their younger brother rather than a rich kid seeking their protective services. From then they were practically a family. The perfect distraction from the life he left behind in Japan.

"Suigetsu, have you ever heard of the phrase three is a crowd?" Sasuke questioned.

The man that approached him must be in his late forties, his early graying hair made him look older. He's dressed in a more formal attire than the rest. He has been assigned by Fugaku Uchiha to be Sasuke's caretaker and to guide his son from when Sasuke was a mere child crawling around and crying to be picked up.

"There's five of us actually if you include yourself and I." Suigetsu replied with a yawn. His hands are tucked warmly in the pockets of his trousers.

"Right, because five beautiful men standing around wouldn't draw attention at all." Sasuke has a gentle smile on his face. Suigetsu is the closest thing to a father Sasuke has in his life, his biological father only serving the financial aspect of the fatherly role.

"You heard that Jackson, Sasuke thinks we're beautiful." Charlie is tall and has the biggest body. His muscles were bulging in his tight shirt.

"And here I thought he liked us for our personalities." Jackson joined in. Like his brother, his build was also imposing.

"Geez, I feel so used." Tsukasa's Japanese accent was strongly heard in his English. Unlike his fellow peers, he's average in height. Sasuke has grown to now even surpass him.

The trio are having a grand time. It's their fourth or fifth teasing session of the day. They're cackling and snickering among themselves shamelessly. A single stern glance from Suigetsu had their laughter ceasing immediately. They cleared their throat in a chorus, gazing down at their feet like children reprimanded by an adult.

"What's going on Sasuke? What are we doing here?" Suigetsu asked with his usual stern voice. His eyes scanned the area. He's thankful the parking lot was concealed from other public establishments.

Sasuke had his eyes closed, his body relaxed as he patiently waited. He has already gone through several theories in his head as to what Naruto was up to. It seemed like back in the day. Naruto being mischievous as always, leaving him to be the mature one and figure out what was going on before they both got into trouble. He smiled in his moment of reminiscing. After a few minutes had gone by and Sasuke's eyes fluttered open at the call of his name. Naruto was heading towards him with a person that was unfamiliar to him.

"This is Hinata." Naruto introduced, the girl he had met at school just prior hours beside him.

She was in awe as she stared at the infamous Sasuke Uchiha. He's absolute gorgeous and her wide opened mouth was evident that she was starstruck. She's dressed in her work uniform.

Sasuke pulled himself off his car. He stood perfectly straight as he introduced himself respectfully, his hand outstretched to take the young woman's own.

Hinata wiped her hand against her apron. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Hinata." She said in her timid voice. She bowed her head before shaking the hand offered to her. "What can I help you with?" She's uncomfortable, she hoped it didn't show.

Naruto smiled as Sasuke's eyes met his own. "Hinata is a really close friend of mine and she is just obsessed, I mean obsessed, with you and your family and the many charity programs your family do for Japan. She's actually volunteered at one or two of your organizations."

Sasuke nodded his head, impressed by the what he is told. "That is very kind of you. Which institution did you volunteer at?"

Hinata is speechless. "Well, actually I…"

"That doesn't really matter." Naruto interrupted quickly. "Anyway Sasuke, she would really love it if she could get a picture with you to document it in her impressive portfolio of community service. I tell you this girl, she is a hard worker."

Sasuke nodded. "No problem. Where would like us to stand?"

Naruto grinned. It's hysterical how the intellectual ones are always the most gullible. "Just in front of the restaurant if you don't mind."

"Should we stand just below the name of the restaurant?"

The question, unusual, automatically has Naruto speechless. How did he? "Wow, look at that. I just so happen to have a camera in my pocket."

"Very ironic." Sasuke agreed, which had Naruto grinning from ear to ear, doing so very well to conceal the nervousness he felt in the pit of his stomach.

In the midst of this playful banter, which went back to a life she knew nothing off, Hinata remained confused and starstruck. The one and only Sasuke Uchiha was so close to her, she could actually feel his body pressed to her side. His arm is laid gently at her waist and her lungs are practically begging for air. She didn't even noticed she was holding her breath.

"Give me a smile you two." It's obvious Naruto's enjoying this way too much. He might as well, he knew he was going to get a earful from Sasuke later on.

Sasuke's eyes peered down at Hinata. His fingers curled against her slim waist, bringing her closer into his body. It would seem they were a couple to anyone who bore witness to them in that very moment. The way Sasuke's eyes seemed ever so mesmerized by the beautiful girl just below his shoulder and Hinata, whose innocent eyes were soft and charming as they gazed ahead at the camera. Her smile was gentle and sweet, her body effortlessly leaned into the body that embraced her. The picture was the perfect adaptation of a couple in love.

Naruto pulled back from the camera and looked down at the displayed image on the small digital screen. His heart instantly skipped a beat from the look yearning in Sasuke's eyes. It's the same look Sasuke gave him yesterday. And to think, for a second he thought that look meant something more. He's actually amazed, shocked even, that Sasuke could will himself to showcase such sincerity and passion in his eyes at any time and to anyone, even a stranger, without much meaning behind it.

"Naruto?"

Naruto gazed up at the mention of his name and he smiled seeing Hinata. "I'll see you at school. Thank you for your time."

Hinata blinked. "Yeah, but I'm not sure..."

"How to thank me for being an amazing friend, it's okay." Naruto gazed at Sasuke who was now by the car, a close proximity where he could easily hear their exchange of words. He bid Hinata farewell and let her know he'll explain everything to her Monday and for the meantime, to keep this little encounter between the two of them.

Sasuke welcomed Naruto who now stood in front of him. "Impressive portfolio of community service?"

"Yeah, that was a bit much." He grinned sheepishly.

A moment of silence lingered between them.

"What was this about?" Sasuke's tone was just as serene as ever. His furrowed eyebrows was clear of his passive frustration.

Naruto's grin faltered from his face. He was tempted to explain but his stubborn nature kept his words at bay. "Nothing serious." He said dismissively.

Sasuke doesn't respond as he pulled his body from the car. He opened the passenger door before walking around to the driver side. "Get in."

Naruto was caught off guard by the blatant choice of words that makes the request more of a command. "Are you ordering me?"

Sasuke faced him. "No, I'm not."

"Good."

Naruto sat in the car. He had expected Sasuke to have grown out of his arrogance behavior by now. It was extremely off putting. He always hated it, Sasuke feeling like he could speak to him whichever way he liked and he would just accept it. The seat belt was strapped over his body once again. He looked over to Sasuke who had began to pull the car out of park. He's shamefully yet again admiring Sasuke's beauty. His mind quickly pulled him back to reality when he once again recalled Sasuke finding out what his plan. He waited until the car approached a red light before he asked.

"How did you know what I was up to?"

Sasuke's eyes remained on the road. "Don't think so low of me. A child could easily see what you were doing the moment you walked out of that place with that girl."

There's a sense of accusation in Sasuke's tone that has Naruto suddenly feeling cornered. "What does that even mean?"

"Is she your girlfriend?"

"Why? You jealous?"

Sasuke instantly faced him. His expression dark as he simply stared at the greatly amused person beside him.

"Wait, are you serious?" Naruto's amusement immediately vanished and he's suddenly sitting up in his seat, strangely uncomfortable.

Sasuke was now aware of his flourishing temper from just seeing Naruto with someone else. He's ashamed, disgusted even. Why was he suddenly like this? "I was joking." .He hoped by saying this Naruto would disregard his inexplicable behavior

Naruto's at a lost for words. A joke? The silence had returned and air grew dense. It was all of a sudden hot and he's now regretting wearing a sweater. The warmth of the attire is doing nothing but raising his body temperature higher. Sasuke's driving as if oblivious to the fleeting awkwardness between them. If that was the case, he would pretend it didn't happen either.

The car sped through the somewhat empty streets. Naruto's not even sure where they were they were going. The sun had already set. The numerous street lights passed by the car window quickly, performing a mesmerizing light show for the blonde who gazed at it.

"What happened to your lip?"

Naruto's jaw tensed from the sudden question. Sasuke really wasn't letting this go. Naruto supposed he should be flattered that he actually cared. "Got in a fight with my brother."

"Kyuubi hit you?" Sasuke questioned shockingly, his eyes maintained strictly on the road.

"Does that really surprise you?"

"I wouldn't be asking if it didn't."

And just like that, the awkwardness returned. The silence is uncomfortable for both people.

Naruto's cerulean eyes are on Sasuke. He shook his head and averted his eyes back to the mesmerizing light show. Except this time his jaw is clenched, and his balled up fists can't seem to lay flat over his lap.

"Why did he hit you?" Sasuke's tight hold on the steering wheel is unwavering and there's an intensity in his eyes that he can't seem to dismiss.

"He's a fucking lunatic, that's why." Naruto answered the question just as quickly as it rolled off Sasuke's tongue. As if if he has to prove his innocence. "All the people in the world and I get stuck with him as a brother."

Sasuke made a sharp turn at an intercepting street. "You two were never really close. I had to deal with an annoying chubby boy following behind me everywhere I went as a result. Even so, he's your brother and I'm sure he cares about you. Even when it seems he's against you."

Naruto scoffed as he pulled his sweatshirt hoodie over his head. "Don't talk to me like I'm incompetent."

The car is pulled to a sudden stop to the side of the street. The van following behind them did the same. Sasuke's eyes gaze intently at Naruto. "What's going on with you? Huh? Why are you so irritable?"

Naruto rolled his eyes. Slipping out of his seat belt, he proceeded to open the car door. He frowned when the door didn't budge. "Let me out." His voice was gentle, and his eyes still refuse to meet Sasuke's urgent own.

"Talk to me."

Naruto leaned back in the seat. It's evident Sasuke's not going to let him out any time soon. He's annoyed. His fingers comb through his disheveled hair. "What is this: Sasuke?"

"You tell me."

Naruto chuckled lightly. "Don't pretend to care."

"I do care."

Naruto sat up abruptly, finally bringing himself to face Sasuke. "No you don't. You don't care. You're forcing yourself to care because that's what you feel like you have to do." His icy blue eyes are practically boring right through Sasuke. "When we were just kids I couldn't see it. I'm not that naive child anymore."

Sasuke's not emotional. He rarely ever loses his composure if ever. In this moment, he allowed Naruto to speak, his calm expression unbroken. Inside, he's shaken.

Naruto once again went to open the door and just like before, it did not budge. "Let me out Sasuke!"

"A year after you left, I moved to America. I promised myself I would never step a foot in this country ever again, not for any reason. Then I got a call from my brother and he told me he had found you. I was on the next flight here the next day." Sasuke's tone was calm, unwavering as he spoke. "If you truly believe in your heart that I do not care for you and you want m to leave, tell me right here and now. I'll leave and I'll never set a foot in this country ever again." He hesitated for a moment before he asked. "Do you want me to leave?"

There's something frightening in the question that has Naruto unable to lift his eyes from his hands. He's cornered yet again. There's a battle going on inside his head between his pride and his heart. Just when he thought his pride had won the fight and he was ready to tell Sasuke off, a sudden realization struck him that had his eyes meeting Sasuke's instantly.

"How did you know Jaron was Itachi's son?"

Sasuke sighed deeply as he leaned back. His hand ran over his face tiredly.

"Your father and mother were close friends of our family. When they died, my mother decided she'll legally adopt the both of you as a favor to your mother. Kyuubi told Itachi and I he was pregnant at the time with Itachi's child. This would undoubtedly cause a controversy for our family. My brother was willing to accept the consequences. I wasn't. It was easy for me to convince him and my mother against the adoption."

Naruto's silent. He received Sasuke's words deep to his bones. His body grew rigid as he listened to Sasuke.

"I'm guessing Kyuubi told you otherwise for the sake of you not resenting me." Sasuke finished the explanation without a stutter.

"Open the door please?" Naruto's voice was soft, barely above a whisper. He's thankful when Sasuke finally abided to his wish and the door was unlocked. Naruto eagerly opened the door and stepped out. His hands wiped away the tears that fell down his cheeks. Before closing the door, he said lastly. "Don't ever come near me again." Without a final glance, he shut the door.

Outside, the calmness of the night surrounded him. Naruto began to walk. He's unsure where he was and frankly he doesn't care. He just walked, and soon more tears escaped. The moon silently watched him above the sky, the array of street lights and the convenient stores around him, his only company. Sasuke's words replayed over and over again in his head and it seemed the only thing he could do was cry harder and harder upon the unexpected revelation. His feet wondered aimlessly and soon his mind would hopefully give them a destination. He imagined he looked pathetic in his current state, but then again, when did he ever not.

Thank you for reading. Make sure to leave reviews and let me know how you're liking it so far.