Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Author's Note: Updates are gonna be further apart because I just started my new job on Monday. I get up and 6 am and work 'til 6:30 pm. Bleh. But this update only took so damn long because I've been without internet for a week and couldn't upload anything.

Dear. My. Love

by Vanitywantsyou

Chapter Three: Asking You

Saying that the bar was crowded was an understatement.

There were two levels to the huge establishment, both probably a good six to seven thousand square feet together. There were neon-lit bars all along the rustic walls, filled with chattering men and women. Since all of the bar stools were obviously occupied, the rest of the concert guests were out on the floor, packed together like anchovies in a metal can. No one seemed bothered by it, though, smiles on their faces as they waited for the show to begin.

Sasuke took notice of the clothing a majority of the guests had on and he looked down at himself, feeling strangely over dressed. Kiba, who was beside him in the crowd, had on a simple pair of dark jeans and worn-out brown hoodie with a missing zipper, while he wore a pair of black dress slacks and a beige, long-sleeve turtle-neck with the name Armani stitched on near the collar.

"What's wrong? Didn't expect this?" Kiba teased, nudging his boss with his shoulder.

They were in the middle of the crowd, close enough to see the stage, but far enough away to feel disappointed. At least, Sasuke felt disappointed. He wanted to be right up front, so he could see the blond's face perfectly as he plucked the strings of his acoustic guitar. But he should've known better than to think he could get front row when he'd only just gotten in line a little under an hour ago.

"It's not that I didn't expect this, it's just that I feel out of place."

"Hah, are you talking about your outfit?" Kiba snickered. "Yeah, I'm sure a lot of people hate you right now. An Uzumaki concert isn't a place to flaunt your cash, man."

The Uchiha became curious at that statement.

"And why is that?" he pressed.

"Well, you see, the whole story is this," Kiba clapped his hands together, pressing the tips of his fingers against his forehead as he thought of what he was going to say. "About two years ago, some musician appeared out of nowhere on the streets of Harajuku and began playing music from morning 'til night, collecting all of the money he could. People thought he was homeless, so they pitied him and gave him all they could, but in reality, he was donating all of his cash to multiple childrens' hospitals and living on the streets willingly."

Sasuke couldn't believe what he was hearing. Who would willingly live that way?

"Why...?" he voiced his thoughts.

"I don't know," Kiba shrugged. "But his lifestyle and music has brought him a lot of fans, don't you think? See that jar up there?" he pointed to a large clear jar that was sitting up on the empty stage. It already had a bunch of money in it, almost filling it all of the way. "During the show, people can donate money toward what he calls the 'for my brother' foundation. Some made up thing of his," the male chuckled. "He takes all of the cash, then gives it to a childrens' hospital."

"There has to be a reason he only donates to childrens' hospitals," Sasuke stared up at the lonely stool on the stage, a bottle of water on the floor next to it.

"I'm sure there is a reason," Kiba moved out of the way so two girls could move into a spot beside them. "But no ones knows. I'm sure it can't be a bad one, though."

"Hn."

The lights on the stage suddenly shifted to the center of the stage, where the stool was. There was a silence that settled over the room, but then cheers broke out not even a second later as everyone realized the show was about to begin. Sasuke watched all of the blond's fans jump up and down in excitement, throwing their arms in the air and waving them around as if trying to gain someone's attention, but Naruto hadn't shown up; yet.

"We love you, Naruto-kun!" the two females beside Kiba screamed in unison, giggling.

Kiba cringed and glanced over at the bubble-gum-haired girl and her platinum blonde friend. They were squealing like hopeless fangirls, cheeks a vibrant pink and both in matching 'iLoveNaruto' shirts they'd obviously made themselves. Sasuke glanced over at them too, realizing that the crazy fans he'd heard about on television did exist afterall. His attention was drawn away, though, by a wave of frantic screams and whistles.

His dark eyes fell onto the man that walked out on stage, his orbs reflecting the bright lights ahead. He honestly couldn't help how his eyes opened wide in amazement, or how his lips parted so he could whisper a silent 'wow'. His stomach churned almost painfully and even though it was embarrassing for him to admit it, he was completely taken with the musician and they'd only talked with each other for a little over ten minutes.

Naruto settled himself on the wooden stool, pulling his feet up on the small bar between the front legs. His smile was undaunting and it outshined even the stage lights, his eyes twinkling as he waved to his fans and blew kisses to them, thanking them all for coming. He had on something different from the visual kei style Sasuke had first seen him in; a pair of rustic slim jeans and a bright orange t-shirt that read 'For My Brother Foundation' in black lettering.

"I didn't think so many people would show up tonight!" the sun-kissed man told all of his fans in English. His accent made Sasuke almost smile. "Thank you for coming and I promise this show will be worth it!" he adjusted his guitar on his lap and pulled the dark brown strap over his shoulder. "The song I'm about to play is brand new, something I wrote while visiting Okinawa," he grinned. 1.

He started out with a slow thrum, then picked up speed and started into a song that Sasuke was already falling in love with. It reminded him of the many visits he and his family took to the beach when he was younger; back when everything had seemingly been okay. He couldn't help but smile.

Beside him, Kiba watched his reactions and his eyes widened before a knowing smirk slipped onto his face. He couldn't believe he'd been so dense as to believe his boss didn't have some strange reason to come to a concert of someone out of his "social loop". He was sure to never let his boss live this down.

Sasuke stared, mesmorized by the way Naruto's fingers moved over the strings. It seemed like it was all too easy to him, a pluck here, a pluck there, and viola! Music! But the raven knew how hard it was to play any type of instrument and his admiration for the man went up even more. Why couldn't he be the heir to Haruno Technologies, instead of Sakura?

"He's so gorgeous..." a younger male swooned in front of Sasuke, his hands on his cheeks.

"I hear he's single," his friend whispered to him.

"No way," the boy whispered back. "He's so beautiful. How is he single?"

The Uchiha's interest was definitely piqued. Naruto? Single? He was suddenly reminded of his bubbly fiancee and he wanted to kick something. Never had he been so drawn to someone- drawn to a man like he was drawn to the blond-haired musician on stage, and he couldn't even let his feelings be known.

But he truly would give anything to be able to at least tell the man.

Naruto finished up one song and smiled to the crowd when cheering rolled through like thunder. He reached down and lifted up his water bottle, twisting the cap off and taking a swig, sweat dripping along his adam's apple. Girls squealed, men whistled, but Sasuke remained silent, watching on.

"You liked that song, huh?" the blond laughed, grinning again. "This one is one you're all familiar with, an acoustic cover of Diana Vicker's 'Once'. I played it at almost every venue I've been at," he plucked at a single string and began to hum, a lot of the people in the bar humming along. Even some of the bartenders along the bars tapped their knuckles against the marble counters to the beat they obviously knew too well. 2.

There were steady strums, then his lips parted and he spoke loud enough for every silenced audience member to hear.

"I'm only... going to let you kill me once," his voice broke as his eyes slipped shut.

Sasuke's heart skipped a beat.

Naruto sang the song with pain staining his raw voice. It was the first time the raven had heard him actually sing and before the chorus could even begin, he realized he wanted Naruto more than he wanted his father's position as company chairhead; more than he wanted to be the most successful CEO in Japan; more than anything. He could hear a pain in every word the man sang and he'd do anything to make that go away.

"You're so in love with him."

Sasuke's head snaped to the side and he couldn't held the surprised look on his face.

Kiba snorted and crossed his arms.

"I should've known what your silly reason for coming here was," he began, teasing. "I'm going to give you some advice, though, Uchiha. Don't fall too hard. You barely know him and he's nowhere even close to Miss Haruno Sakura."

The raven stared at the male on stage, frowning. He really wished he was.

xxxxxxxxxx

The concert had lasted a little over two hours and most of the audience was leaving through the main doors, happily talking about the evening's show. They filled the streets with hollers and whistles, a lot of people a little more than just tipsy. Sasuke and Kiba took a seat at two vacant bar stools, deciding to stay for a drink instead of going directly home. It was Saturday night and Kiba had work the next day, so he wanted to make the most of his night off.

"Did you cum in your pants?" Kiba smirked, cackling as Sasuke glared at him. He caught a bartender's attention and ordered himself a bottle of light Asahi. Sasuke ordered the same. "I just thought you did, you know, what with all of those expressions you made."

Sasuke scowled and narrowed his eyes even further, folding his arms over the counter.

"If you speak of tonight to anyone, I swear I'll have your father claiming bankruptcy within the week," he hissed. "Do you understand?"

The cinnamon-haired supervisor held up his hands in surrender.

"Yessir," he snickered. "I didn't plan on saying anything, anyway. As much of a dick as you are at work, you're not that bad of a guy. Your secret crush is safe with me."

Sasuke snorted, eyes falling on the bartender making their drinks. He felt like sighing.

Kiba noticed his suddenly sullen expression and punched him in the shoulder lightly.

"Oi, don't get depressed on me. I didn't come here to play therapist for you," he laughed. "Come on, Sakura's not that bad of a catch. She's pretty, has nice tits, has money, and is sweet! Why wouldn't you want to marry her-oh," he stopped himself. "You're gay."

The Uchiha wanted to punch him in the face.

"As out of character as this is for me, no shit sherlock."

Kiba grinned and took his drink as the bartender brought it to him. Sasuke did the same.

"Well... you can always pretend she's someone else...? Like, during sex, when she's going down on you, you can-"

"I suggest you stop right there," Sasuke threatened.

"I didn't peg you as the type to openly talk about sex," a light voice came from behind them and they both jumped, swiveling around on their stools and coming face-to-face with cerulean eyes, sun-kissed hair, and golden skin.

Sasuke couldn't speak.

"Oh, he talks about it all the time," Kiba started. "Dick this, pussy that, you know. He's a real potty-mouth."

"You're making him mad," Naruto laughed his heart-breaking laugh. "Maybe you should stop," he took a seat next to Sasuke, his arm brushing against the raven's and making him shiver.

"I was just teasing. You're a stuck up prude, really," Kiba joked, smiling at his boss.

"I'm glad you came, Sasuke," Naruto said genuinely, leaning forward and grinning at the dark-haired CEO. "I thought maybe you wouldn't show."

Wouldn't show? There was no way in Hell Sasuke would miss that show. Before he could think over his words, he spoke:

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Kiba's mouth fell open at the blatant attempt at flirting.

Sasuke realized his slip-up and he snapped his mouth shut. Oh shit.

"He means, uh..." Kiba began.

An expression fell over Naruto's face and to both males' suprise, it wasn't an unpleasant one. His lips were pulled into a half-smile and oddly enough, he looked a bit embarrassed at the business man's words. Not disgusted, but truly frazzled.

Sasuke's breathing hitched and he watched ocean blue eyes fall onto his in question.

"Uzu-I mean, Naruto," he stumbled over his words, his mind not working. "My parents are hosting a party tomorrow evening and-"

"Woah, hell no!" Kiba interrupted, shoving his hand in between the two. "Think before you talk, idiot. I never would've thought I'd have to play babysitter for you! You slip up once, so you just decide to go ahead and take the plunge?.!"

Sasuke didn't know what he was saying, but he couldn't stop himself. He could mull over his feelings all evening at home and come to the conclusion that he could never be with Naruto. But when he was face-to-face with the man that was constantly on his mind, he couldn't come to that same conclusion. His heart kept telling him that he could do anything for the man, would do anything to make him his; but his mind screamed for him to think rationally and shove him away before they both got hurt.

"Kiba, shut up," he snapped, still staring into brilliant blue eyes. "Naruto, my parents are hosting a party tomorrow evening and I would appreciate it... no, I would be very honored if you would come with me."

Kiba stared at his boss with wide, chocolate eyes. He couldn't believe what he was hearing!

Naruto looked just as stunned as Kiba, his mouth opening as if about to say something, but no words came. He was used to people asking him out, but he'd never been asked out by someone like Uchiha Sasuke; and to what he assumed was a high-class event, too. He and Sasuke hadn't even spoken to each other much, either.

"Before you reply, I don't want you to think that I'm only attracted to your looks. I would love to get to know you," Sasuke declared honestly. He couldn't pull back now. "Your music speaks volumes to me and I can tell you're a beautiful person."

Kiba watched some pink rise to the blond's cheeks.

"Wow, you know... I've had a lot of girls and guys ask me out, but... they usually want to go get ice cream, or see a movie or... something," Naruto chuckled nervously, scratching at the back of neck as he thought of what to say. "Isn't that a little much for a first date?"

"Anything for you," Sasuke almost whispered, letting only Naruto hear.

"Huh?" Kiba asked. "What did you say?"

But those words had Naruto smiling in an instant and he laughed.

"I don't have a tuxedo or anything... but I think I can dig something up."

Sasuke's heart hammered a million beats per second.

Kiba could've died.

xxxxxxxxxx

"You're bringing a friend from work?" Sakura asked over the phone, the sound of a faucet running in the background. "What's his name? Do I know him?"

Sasuke didn't want to tell his fiancee about his 'date' for Sunday, but he knew that if he didn't, everything would backfire. Talk of the party would spread to Sakura as soon as it was over, and if he introduced Naruto to his parents and their guests without letting her know, he was sure bad things would happen. She would never suspect him of dating the man, but she would get upset over him lying and that was something he didn't need.

He couldn't help feeling guilty for cheating on the poor girl, though. He surely didn't love her, but that didn't mean she deserved to be two-timed. But all of Sasuke's life, he'd focused his life around his family's happiness and never his own. Here he was, expected to make everyone else happy and pretend to love someone he didn't, while his heart wanted to break out of his chest because he couldn't get close to a man he'd fallen in love with the moment he'd met him.

He wanted Naruto more than anything and he couldn't dare call himself selfish for indulging himself in his own desires for once.

"His name's Naruto. Kumoneko Naruto..." he wanted to smack himself.

"Kumo... neko?" Sakura giggled. "Bear cat! You have to tell him I think his surname's adorable, alright? And I must meet him someday."

Sasuke's stomach plummeted and he swallowed, running a hand through his hair.

"We'll see. He's always so busy and I'm surprised he even had the time to accompany me to the party. But I should go, I have a lot of paperwork to finish before eleven. I'll call you when I'm free."

Sakura sighed on the other line.

"We never get to talk on the phone anymore. But alright. I love you, Sasuke-kun."

The raven's lips twitched.

"I love you too."

Please leave your feedback! It's much appreciated! Even the smallest of comments means the world to me!

1- The song played here is Ocean by John Butler Trio

2- The song played here is 'Once' by Diana Vicker; of course his is an acoustic version.