Number the Stars

I'm sorry friends. Hope this compensates.

Naruto laughed as he ran down the long hallway, a ribbon being swayed gently by his soft young hands. It had been given after his 1st place win in the spelling contest. Never having a love for material things, the boy began running around with it, much to his teacher's' dismay.

If they wanted the genius, they'd have to catch him

"Naruto!" Someone called, turning into the hallway.

His feet continued to move in stride as he turned, finding his father behind him, a large ribbon in his hand as well. The teachers must have sent Kakashi to retrieve and discipline his son. The problem was, he had been Naruto's father for a reason.

"Hi, daddy!" The five year old yelled back. It made Kakashi laugh softly as he continued to run after the giggling child.

Kakashi knew his son. The best way to wear him down was to wear down with him. Asking Naruto to sit was like trying to tell a fire not to burn.

His eyes were always alight, his every muscle needed to move, to dance, to jump. He chattered and observed, giggled and joked. Everything tickled him as funny and if there was one idea coming from his mouth, there were seven more queuing up in his mind.

They had ran around the entirety of the school, appearing back in the main hallway as Kakashi scooped his son and placed him on his back like a cub lion.

Naruto laughed a loud laugh and hugged his father's back. "Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you." The out of breath boy mumbled drowsily as he began to fall asleep.

Kakashi laughed softly. "Love you too, kid." But he was already sleep.

"Hatake-san?" Someone called in disapproval.

"Yo." He turned, securing Naruto on him like he always did. He came face to face with a young teacher like himself, who seemed to also have white hair. Like himself. "Oh. Mizuki-san."

"Please refrain from encouraging such savage behavior within Naruto. A boy like him does not need to participate in such childish activities."

"Huh?"

"The ribbons. I want other parents to know that Naruto looks as smart as he is. You letting him run around with his first place prize is not helping. He looked highly ridiculous."

"You shut your mouth." The father hissed. "He's a child. He's my son and he'll act whatever way he wants until it's time to mature. Give the kid a break. He may be smart, but he loves having as much fun as he loves discovering things. You have no right."

Mizuki looked to the parents who began turning their heads his way. "You are right, Kakashi-san. You are indeed his father….but….in my school, he will not act like a child."

Mizuki sauntered off, Kakashi not sparing him a second glance or thought.

Parents were still staring and the man resisted the urge to use his favorite finger, opting instead to roll his eyes and walk from the hallway.

When such happened, Naruto hummed against his back. "Dad?"

"Yes, Musuko?"

"Is there….is there something wrong with me?"

Kakashi bit his lip. He wanted so badly to murder Mizuki, but the small cub on his back gained his attention.

"Of course not. Lots of people win spelling contests."

Naruto's loud laugh cut through the tension, so cleanly. How sweet and loose it was. How sweet and loose the laugh.

Sasuke awwed at the story, handing Obito the photo book as they stared at Naruto's first contest win page.

The two had nothing much to do since Kisame, Itachi, and Naruto were out fishing. When they asked more about Naruto's childhood, Kakashi was happy to oblige, choosing to sit around and talk all day.

Kakashi leaned back, his hot tea filling his gut. "Was a good kid." He mused. "Still is a good kid."

"I can tell you love him and he loves you." Obito commented, smiling big at a picture of Kakashi with soap bubbles all over his head and Naruto covered too.

"Oh yes." The Hatake smiled. "They say you can't bottle love, but I say they're wrong. Naruto, as a child, was the proof. They never saw him run with that bouncy stride of his. Never saw how wide his smile was or how wide he reached for every hug? That kid was love in a bottle; just seeing him made the rest of us glad to be alive."

"Us?"

Kakashi bit his lip. "Yeah. Just a few buddies back in Iwa that had been child soldiers too. Me, Gai, and Kurenai."

"How was it?" Obito questioned. "How was it being a child soldier of that war?"

Kakashi's laugh came out strangled and heavy. "Fucking crazy, I'd say. The Tsuchikage made you a soldier if your parents died. There was no lying. Couldn't say they were on a trip. Couldn't say they stayed home all day. If your parents were dead, you had one place to go. It was brutal. Killing at that young age was scary and we were flown back each time we shot a gun. But the worst thing was getting used to it.

You don't know. When I was there at night, I felt close to my own body, I could feel my blood moving, my skin and fingernails, everything, it was like being full of electricity and glowing in the dark- on fire almost - I was burning away into nothing - but it didn't matter because I knew exactly who I was."

Obito frowned in near pity. "Then I'm lucky…. As much as it hurts, I was lucky that my mother died when I was eighteen and not eight."

"Yeah." the silver haired veteran muttered. "The man in charge of the kids had to be the best general ever. He took Kurenai, me, and Gai in and a dozen other kids. But we didn't know anything about a war. When we stepped into the battlefield, we were ready. That's why they hated him."

"Him?" Sasuke muttered, closing the photo album.

"Naruto's father. My general." Kakashi laughed. "When I first met him, he looked at us and said 'if there's anything I need to work on, you let me know. But I know what you all need to work on. You don't smile enough.' Craziest thing ever, because what the hell was there to smile about? And he looks at each of us and says 'you'll find it. And let me know when you find it.'"

"You found a reason to smile with him?"

"Nope. While Minato-sensei had given us hope and happiness, it was something else. Many years later. After the war had ended and there was no place else to go but up. I was fourteen when I adopted Naruto."

"Really?" Sasuke asked incredulously.

"Really. Always the first to pick up a friend who had fallen; his heart bigger than the soccer ball he kicked around the backyard. He had these chubby cheeks, I'll never forget them, how they dimpled when he smiled. He wasn't a perfect child, but then who is? Is it ever fair to demand perfection? He prayed with love and hugged me like I was made of glass, always the gentle one. I want to go back, back to that time and hang onto my baby boy with fatherly hands. And then I realize I still do."

"My father was much like you, Kakashi." Sasuke smiled softly, closing his eyes.

"Look, tousan!" Itachi yelled in excitement, swaying the boat. "I caught another fish!"

Fugaku smiled brightly. "Good job, macho-man. Be careful though or I'll have to catch you." Itachi laughed and turned to his younger brother. "Sasuke, did you catch any?"

The three year old grumbled beneath his breath as he hoisted the fishing net into his small arms. "I twy."

Fugaku smiled at the child's language. "Do you need help, small duck?"

It was at the moment that the youngest boy turned to his father, his lip pouting and trembling, his eyes seeming bigger then they should have with the evident tears in his eyes.

Fugaku frowned himself, dropping his net and frantically moving toward his son. "Hey, Hey, Hey. Don't cry now. What's wrong?"

Sasuke, nearly as proud as his own father and brother at such a young age, shook his sorrow head.

Fugaku kissed his forehead. "You won't tell daddy what's wrong?"

Sasuke looked up then, his lips in a big pout. "I twy, daddy. Me no cash no fishey."

Fugaku smiled. "When I was younger, I couldn't either, small duck. Neither could your brother. Right, TachI?"

Itachi shrugged sheepishly, smiling at his younger brother. "Look at it this way. I was doing a town a favor with all the cans and trash I collected."

The joke made Sasuke smile softly at his older brother.

"That's why we learn, Sasuke." Fugaku told him, bouncing the boy upon his hip. "We learn and we get better. You don't have to be perfect because there is no such thing, but you can try. Believe me. You'll do wonderful because you try."

He tickled his son's tummy. "And because you're one of my sons."

Sasuke giggled as he was placed down. "Now. Your brother's going to help you while I skin this fish. You know how your mother is."

Itachi nodded and put down his fishing net, running over to his younger brother. "I'll show you how, Sasuke. It's easy once you get used to it."

Sasuke nodded, staring as his younger brother fix his arms. "Can I twy, anini?"

The older boy nodded. "Or course. Now all you have to do is throw it in. and move it a bit so that the fish can bite it."

"Bwite it?"

"Bite it, yes."

Itachi watched carefully as Sasuke moved his tubby arms, almost laughing as the child's mouth formed a thin "o," signalling he felt something.

The eight year old smiled. "Nice, job. Now all you have to do is roll it in."

"Heavy." Sasuke murmured, his arms shaking in fright.

Itachi's own lips formed a thin line and he grabbed hold of Sasuke's arms to help. He felt restrained. "It is heavy." He whispered in awe. "Come on, Otouto. We can do this."

However, a large tug sent both boys flying forward.

It was so cold that Itachi screamed as he went in. It was the most efficient thief of heat he knew then. It took what it didn't need. His blood was almost frozen in his veins as he tried to grab hold of Sasuke's waist. His skin rough with goosebumps, the water surged around it, rising up his legs, neck, arms. The weight of the water was almost enough to topple Itachi, the current enough to take him far downstream. What worried him more was that at this low temperature, his muscles would simply give up. What worried him more than that was not grabbing Sasuke fast enough. His arms swayed in the water, his arms stung as he desperately tried to find his brother who knew nothing about swimming.

After a moment, his waist was grabbed and he was gently pulled upward by his father. Itachi coughed, the water in his lungs heavy from trying to yell for Sasuke.

Almost smiling as he laid on the boat, Sasuke was already sitting, shivering as Fugaku grabbed both of them.

Their father's breathing was heavier than their own although he knew how to swim. He must have been afraid. Afraid of losing them.

Itachi sighed in content, trying to calm himself as he laid his head upon his father's chest. "We could have drowned. I tried, tousan." He nearly sobbed. "I tried to grab Sasuke, but he was gone."

Fugaku rubbed their backs. "Shh. You're alright. Just no...no more big fish. Let me handle them."

Itachi nodded rapidly while Sasuke still sat frozen, his small head on Fugaku's chest too. "Sasuke? Are you alright?"

Sasuke nodded with a small smile on his face. Before they knew, the toddler was in a set of harsh giggles and coughs. "Daddy got all wet. The fishy too big."

Itachi looked at his father's own soaked hair and laughed too.

"Kids!" Fugaku stated, as if it were a bad thing, but always there was a twitch of a smile. It was as if their exuberance gave him new life also, as if it settled on his skin and reminded him of what it was like to be young.

"Now, I don't know what to say about Sasuke's first fishing experience. But I do know that you two need swimming lessons as well as ice cream and warm blankets."

The boys were all instant smiles. Their energy spilled out just as much as the water on their clothes and every other noise was their laughter. It was as if fun was printed in their DNA and all it took was a little sunshine and a dash of sugar to bring that out.

The three men laughed lightly amongst themselves. However, just after a few moments, Sasuke sniffed. "Do you both smell that?"

Obito shook his head, ruffling the teen's silky hair. "What is it now?"

"It smells like fish." He muttered in reply.

At that thought, the screen door of the kitchen slammed opened and Itachi yawned, his fishing helmet falling over his pretty eyes. "Home!" He yelled.

"I believe you said that I could yell it this time." Naruto spoke softly toward his friend, placing the bucket of fish upon the corner.

Itachi shrugged. "I forgot I known, Naruto."

The blond smirked, incredulous. "You little-"

Kisame rolled his eyes. "We talked about this coming home." But he was smiling. "You two argue too much."

At this, Itachi bit his finger, confused and unknowing. "Naruto? Do best friends argue?"

Naruto himself grew confused. Like Itachi, he had never had friends before the other. Like Itachi, he knew little to nothing about social relationships. "I have to do some research. My brain is telling me yes, if only temporary. But all in all, we argue playfully."

"So there gonna be moments when we don't wanna play and fight?"

"Yes."

Itachi looked defeated, and Sasuke wanted, so badly to comfort his brother. Somehow, he felt that it wasn't a battle that he belonged in. Most days, he felt that saving Itachi was solely placed for Naruto in this world. And saving Tachi when Naruto had every power to o so seemed like a distirbance of the universe.

"So why we gotta be friends, Naruto? Why we gotta be friends if we gonna fight?"

"That's not the point, Ita. The point is our friendship is going to shadow our arguments. I know because you are indeed a friend of my mind, the most rational part of my body. You are a friend to my mind. You gather me, Ita. The pieces I am, you gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It's good, you know, when I have someone who's a friend to my mind."

Itachi took some time to process the information, and everyone waited patiently as his face scrunched, awwed, and then smiled with his mouth. "I got it, Naruto. I know why we're gonna be best friends."

It was at that moment that Sasuke stood. "Why'd you bring the fish in here, Naruto? And through the backyard of all places?"

The genius smiled as Sasuke grew closer to him. "Was I not supposed to?"

"No, Dobe. That-"

"That's new." The blond muttered in confusion.

In spite of himself, Sasuke put his head down with a small laugh, making the blond chuckle too. "I have to cook in here. And all the decorations set up back probably smell like fish."

Itachi began jumping up and down. "It's my birthday! It's my birthday!"

Naruto and Sasuke stared at the excited now 25-year-old with eyes of wonder. Finally, Naruto looked back toward Sasuke. "I am sorry, Sasuke."

Sasuke nearly backed away, knowing what was coming his way. It happened everytime he was angry, disappointed in, or bitter with Naruto. Naruto, with his awkward analogies, had a way with, dare Sasuke admitted, words.

And his face did nothing to stop it. The threads of malice creeping toward Naruto from the pale face was held harmless in the warmth of Naruto's smile.

"You're my friend, too, Sasuke." Naruto spoke. "But I have always been very infatuated with you. I've been travelling all around the world in my studies and research. To Iwa, Suna, Kiri, and Kumo. But never to Konoha.

So I have been heading in this direction for years. Walking all around this place. Upstate, downstate, east, west. I have seen territory that has no name. I never stayed anywhere too long. But when I got here, and stood out there unloading my belongings, I saw you come, your face grim and worried about Ita, I knew it wasn't the place I was heading toward, it was you."

Sasuke put his head down in defeat, his mouth twitching and his face rosy. "Just clean the fish."

He walked out hastily. "We should get ready. The party starts in three hours."

As he walked upstairs, Itachi's excitement grew faint.

Itachi's smile never died as he poured ice in the cooler. "It's gonna be such a big party, brother. Me and Naruto got it all planned out."

Sasuke himself remained quiet as he taped balloons along the tables, not wanting to tell Itachi that the only people who would dare show up were the people within the kitchen this morning. "Yeah."

"Me and Naruto are going to do magic tricks with science. That's why so many people are coming, brother. Even Naruto's teachers. Kisame invited some people too."

Before Sasuke could question the tricks and the invited people, Kisame's voice rang through the large backyard. "Not too much ice, Tachi."

Itachi turned, staring at the shark man as he stopped pouring.

"Who are you?" The blue thirteen year old questioned in the quiet hallway.

Itachi bit his lip, wondering if this boy would tell on him if he knew he was roaming the halls. "Who are you?"

The blue thing smirked and Itachi found himself looking away. "I'm Kisame. What are you, scared, kid?"

"I'm not a child." Itachi huffed, his arms crossed. "My name's Itachi Uchiha."

Kisame's pupiless eyes nearly widened. "Uchiha? Like Fugaku Uchiha, owner of every school in Konoha, including the police academy?"

"Yes. You're not going to tell on me are you?" Itachi wondered out loud. As the genius, he felt required to keep an outstanding image. Skipping class wasn't outstanding. And although his father would always be proud of him no matter what, Itachi felt that he needed to be the best student he could be.

Kisame, after getting over his initial shock, smirked lightly. A smirk that showed that he was amazed by this character. "I wouldn't expect you of all people to be skipping." He muttered. Itachi opened his mouth, but the other spoke again. "I like that. Come on."

"Where are we going?" Itachi asked, blushing as Kisame held his hand.

"No use of skipping class if you don't do anything fun. There's a restaurant two blocks away. Unless you're scared."

Itachi smirked then, his eyes alight. "Come on."

Itachi blushed at the memory and looked down. "Sorry. I just get so excited. It's my birthday." He stated as if to remind them.

"That's alright, Tachi." Sasuke murmured.

"Shark-man?"

"Yeah." Kisame spoke, busy with the snacks upon the table.

"We still go out, right?" A small gasp from Sasuke, and a tense from Kisame. Itachi did not notice and continued. "You're still my boyfriend, right? We didn't break up after my tousan went to heaven, right?"

Kisame bit his lip, unafraid of hurting himself, but knowing it was wrong to still claim Itachi. From his pregnant silence, Itachi turned to stared in wonder. "Tachi, I…"

"Of course." Sasuke muttered, looking at the two cautiously. "You two are always going to be inseparable."

Itachi waited for Kisame. "Yeah. We still go out, Tachi. Never even broke up. Which means we've been dating for 12 years."

Itachi blushed with a big smile and Sasuke sighed in relief. "Well, it's about time you marry me. There's gonna be a lot of people coming for this cake and fun. And Naruto says even if I act silly, a lot of people think I'm pretty. He says it's gonna make you jealous."

Kisame grit his teeth as Sasuke snorted in laughter. "He said that?"

"Yup. He said it. I known 'cause he told me." Itachi muttered, now trying to find his best friend.

"Well. He's wrong." Kisame joked lightly. "And I'll marry you, Tachi. I'm going to marry you soon."

Itachi blushed. "I do want to marry you, but I don't think Naruto is ever wrong."

With this, Sasuke burst into a fit of giggles. Kisame stared astonished that Itachi had gained so much knowledge in just months.

It reminded him of the witty teen he had fell in love with.

"Well." Sasuke began. "While you two get your vows ready, I'm going to help Obito and Kakashi with the music before Naruto gets back."

Kisame blushed and Sasuke laughed, walking off.

When he found the two older men by the stereo system, he nearly laughed.

"I'm telling you, these kids listen to too much junk music. What they need are classics." Kakashi muttered.

Obito laughed. "We're supposed to be getting music Tachi will like."

"Tachi likes all music." Kakashi replied.

"No arguing, guys. Party's starting." Sasuke sing-songed. "Where's Naruto?"

"He should be here soon." Kakashi muttered. "You know he and Tachi are doing some sort of magic trick with science."

Sasuke nodded. "What's all this about people coming? You two do know that most of Itachi's former friends avoid him, right? And I only like Gaara."

Obito shrugged, smiling as he saved the playlist. "You have to ask Itachi or Naruto. They went out yesterday, handing people flyers. They were calling people last month too."

"People took flyers from Tachi?"

"Yeah. Crazy isn't it? His new charm is killer."

Before Sasuke could question more, the doorbell rang. Ready to fill Naruto's ever active mind with thousands of questions, he raced toward it, opening it.

However, he came face to face with three men around Naruto's age. A man with red triangles upon his face, a large buff man, and a man with a spiked ponytail.

The triangled man smiled, but it had no competition on Naruto's bright 'Sasuke-you're-my-thing' smile. "Hi. I'm Kiba, this is Shikamaru. And this big guy is Chouji. We're here for Itachi's party."

"Itachi's party?" Sasuke repeated, too surprised to comprehend.

"That's what Naruto said."

"You three know Naruto?"

The man standing in the back, nearly smirked, but seemed too lazy to do so. "Know him. We grew up with the guy. He and I had this rivalry going on. It ended with him being valedictorian and me salutatorian."

Chouji's stomach growled and Kiba grimaced."Are you serious? We just stopped at a diner."

"I'm hungry." The large man grumbled, justified.

Sasuke kept staring as they argued back and forth. "Don't worry. We have plenty of food."

Chouji grinned. "Where's the birthday man?"

"He's my brother."

Kiba laughed. "I got to say. The guy's funny. When Naruto called a month ago about some party, we got to talk to him. I have to say, I'm still surprised Naruto actually made a friend."

Getting over his shock, Sasuke moved aside. "Come on in." He'd kick Naruto's ass when he saw him.

Itachi ran in. "Hello!"

Kiba smiled. "You're Itachi? Hey! Happy birthday, man. You and Naruto hung up on me before I could ask what you liked, so I just bought some random presents."

"You're fine. It's my birthday." Itachi smiled. "Come on. I'm gonna show you all the party. Me and my boyfriend Kisame."

With that, they followed the man. Sasuke nearly followed, but the doorbell rang.

Sighing, he walked back toward it. A young woman stood at the door, four children by her legs, presents in their hands. Sasuke had seen this woman around before. She lived down the street, and she never spoke to anyone.

One of the kids smiled. "We're here for Itachi's birthday party." With that, he held up a flyer. Sasuke gently grabbed it and read.

"Come one, come all. To the celebration of Itachi Uchiha's 25 year upon earth. Hosted by Itachi Uchiha, his brother Sasuke Uchiha, and his best friend Naruto Uzumaki. Don't miss the cake, ice cream, dances, and games on this wonderful day. And especially, don't miss the science magic-trick show hosted by Itachi and Naruto."

Sasuke bit his lip and looked back to the woman, who stood smiling shyly, evidently showing that this may have been the first Konoha human contact she encountered.

"Did you find this hanging outside somewhere?"

The woman shook her head. "No. We were at the playground when Itachi-san gave it to us."

"You do know who my brother is, right?" He asked softly, wondering if they knew that Itachi had been disabled for three years.

"Of course." The woman stated, slightly offended that Sasuke would deem her as just anyone from Konoha. "My children will not grow up in a world of hate, Uchiha-san. Now, I know your father. He let my babies get free education when my husband died. I also know that he wouldn't want four children standing out in the heat."

Despite himself, Sasuke smiled and moved aside, watching as the children ran out back, followed by Itachi's excited scream as he'd been tackled with screams of congratulations.

"This is very odd. And I want to beat up Naruto when I see him."

"What a nice young man. Smart too." The woman admitted. "But he didn't give us the flyer. Your brother did."

Minutes passed, and so many people showed up, excited to see the science magic tricks. Excited to see the genus Naruto up close. Excited to see Itachi, who's they had met on the street.

By the time the party officially started, there were more than fifty people in the large backyard, talking, meeting, laughing, and dancing with Itachi.

Kakashi, with his fun personality, had decided to DJ, finding all the right songs, and reading people like the back of his hand. "This one's for the birthday man."

At the sound of the doorbell, Obito and Sasuke stood at once. "I'll get it." Sasuke smiled. "Enjoy the party."

Sasuke was elated. It had been so long since people enjoyed his company. Itachi's company. Opening the door, with a large smile, it faltered slightly. Naruto stood at the door, a white lab jumpsuit on and another in his arms.

He grabbed the man's collar and slammed their foreheads together. "What the hell were you thinking, bringing those people here like that?"

Naruto breathed deeply from the shock, his breath ghosting over Sasuke's. "This does not frighten me, Sasuke. It actually sexually arouses me. It is normal to correlate the erection of the penis with male sexual arousal. Physical or psychological stimulation, or both, leads to vasodilation and the increased blood flow engorges the three spongy areas that run along the length of the penis."

Sasuke blushed deeply and pushed the genius back. "Naruto. Don't say things like that. There are children here." He whispered.

"I'm sorry. I just really find you attractive. Where's Ita?"

Sasuke smiled softly. "Outback. Everyone loves him and he loves the attention. And still, he's been looking for you all day."

"Did he think I wasn't coming? Is he sad? I was trying to find another lab suit."

"He's not disappointed. He's just curious. It's like it's your birthday for him." Sasuke led Naruto outback, where kids were running around and people were laughing and dancing.

Itachi stood in the middle of a crowd, being swung around by Kisame to some retro American pop song. The whole crowd was singing along with the man.

"Tell it to my heart! Tell me I'm the only one! Tell it to my heart! I can feel my body rock!"

When the song died down, everyone began clapping and cheering. "Guess who's here?" Sasuke asked.

Itachi looked toward them, his eyes lighting with surprise and excitement. Naruto let out an oof as he was tackled. Itachi was laughing. "Naruto! You came for the show!"

"Of course I came. It is, indeed, my best friend's birthday. According to my calendar and this morning."

Itachi laughed. "Hey….come see my best friend, everyone! Naruto Uzumaki! We're going to do a magic show."

Naruto smiled as everyone began cheering. "That's why I was late. I didn't have another lab suit."

Itachi stood, a large grin on his face. "Come on then, Naru. Come on then."

Two hours after the party started, Gaara had finished setting up the experiment table for Naruto and Itachi.

Naruto grabbed hold of his friend's arm and dragged him to the table. Everyone else crowded around, Sasuke in the front.

Naruto smiled at him. "Are you all ready to see something amazing?"

Agreements and murmurs could be heard and Sasuke shook his head when Naruto winked.

"Which will we do first, Ita?"

Itachi smiled. "Money."

"The yen please, tousan."

Kakashi nodded and handed Itachi the bill. Itachi grabbed a lighter, carefully igniting the yen bill. The flame travelled around it sparingly. And when it died down, the yen remained unharmed.

Everyone gasped, awwed at the power. "Would you like to know the science behind the magic trick?" Naruto asked.

Everyone nodded and Naruto looked to his friend. "Ita?"

Itachi blushed. "Well. The yen in this trick is not an ordinary note. Prior to the trick, it was already doused in an alcohol-water mixture. When the bill was lit, the alcohol was what actually burned, while the note remained unharmed. This is because the temperature the alcohol burns is not high enough to cause the water to evaporate. The bill remains wet and isn't able to catch fire on its own."

The children awwed, while a few adults smile and murmured with themselves. "He's so smart." They murmured.

The two continued on with five magic tricks that even awwed Sasuke. And much to his dismay, each time Itachi completed, Naruto looked at him with a big smirk.

When the show was over, everyone else began partying again.

Sasuke watched as Naruto made a plate of food. "Where you going?"

"I'm going to take this plate of food to Deidara." Naruto answered casually.

And Sasuke ignored the pang in his heart. "Why?" It came out betrayed and broken. Deidara was so….uh.

"Why not?" Naruto asked confused. "He holds a lot pain within his heart."

Sasuk felt indifferent. Deidara had stopped speaking with Itachi way before the accident. In fact, he'd stopped speaking to everyone of their group of friends. He'd stayed in his home after his father disappeared.

So why did Sasuke feel indifferent toward the man?

"Fine." He muttered, crossing his arms and storming away from Naruto.

Naruto stood confused for a moment, before walking out.

He returned not even five minutes later and Sasuke was still brooding by the stairs, while everyone remained having fun in the back.

"Sasuke-san. Why are you angry?"

"I'm not." the 19 year old snapped.

"Are you jealous?" Naruto muttered quietly.

"No." Sasuke stated sharply. But it did hurt that Naruto had time to think about Deidara's loneliness.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Why don't you go talk to Deida-"

Sasuke was cut off as Naruto kissed him, nearly toppling over him as he hoisted Sasuke upon his hips and walked upstairs with him.

"What about the party?" Sasuke murmured, kissing Naruto as they laid upon his bed.

"This will merely take an hour."

"What about platonic activities?"

"They can wait." Naruto smiled against, the man.

But it took more than an hour. Sasuke was a virgin and nervous and Naruto was awkward. But it felt so great. And Sasuke understand momentarily why Sakura used Naruto. But he loved him. He loved him so much that it hurt. It hurt to be loved.

Their lips fit perfectly- as if they were meant for each other. Moving against each other, feeling each other. Naruto grabbed the back of Sasuke's neck, growling in the kiss as Sasuke whimpered in pleasure.

There were moments when Itachi would come out of his room, small smiles playing on his lips, after spending the night with Kisame. And now, as Naruto hovered over him, kissing his lips and smiling at him, Sasuke understood.

Naruto's finger tips were electric, they must have been, for wherever they touch pale skin tingles in a frenzy of static. As his hands move over Sasuke's skin, Sasuke's body, they had a transitory paralysis.

His mind was unable to process the pleasure. Naruto's head moved around to Sasuke's left ear and he whispered what was coming next.

Naruto's skin was amber in the streetlight. The orange glow flooded in the unguarded window, yet without a light on in there, they were quite safe from prying eyes.

His hands were so soft over his pale skin, mahogany hair tumbling to the small of his back.

His hands alight on Naruto's own face, moving down past his tan collar bone. Already their brains are on fire and their fingertips have flame.

In this moments, Sasuke loved Naruto with his eyes as much as his body, their souls mingling in the quiet moments between action and stillness. The cool room already felt warm. It was hard to hold back, to make the moment last. So caught between the intoxication of the climax and extending a moment they never wanted to end.

Sasuke felt stiff as he lit the candles on Itachi's cake. "Itachi. Time to eat your cake." He mumbled tiredly.

After he and Naruto….he blushed, finding the blond man sitting on a lawn chair, staring directly at him. Itachi still had cake to eat and the party was almost over. He was so tired.

Itachi skipped over to the table as everyone gathered around. "Time to eat cake, brother."

"Of course. You want to blow out your candles."

"Yes."

Itachi blew out his candles, smiling as everyone cheered.

By the end of the night, Sasuke had more than a dozen events for people who really wanted to see Itachi again.

The last person to leave was of course, Naruto. Obito was leading him out as Sasuke sat upon the porch.

"Sasuke?"

The raven turned to Naruto, who stood with a small smile.

"Yes?"

"After having sexual intercourse with you, I believe you and I should skip these platonic activities and go out."

Obito coughed in surprise. "What? When?"

Sasuke blushed and stood sharply, wincing at his back pain. "Naruto! You can't say things like that." But he was blushing and it wasn't harmful.

"I acknowledge my offense, Sasuke. I just really like you. Seeing you makes me horny and daze-"

"Okay! Okay, Naruto!"

Naruto smirked as Obito still stood there, dazed and confused. "Goodnight, love."

When Naruto went into his home, Sasuke and Obito still stood there, tense. It was broken by Obito's sharp laugh. "Oh Kami. You and Tachi are some damned pervs."

"Shut it." Sasuke hissed, storming into the house. But he felt elated. He felt so good. If love was laughing at the dumbest things. If love was seeing his brother happy. If love was a damn genius. If it was awkward and silly. If love was smiling brightly and saying inappropriate things. If it was back pain for a first time. If love was the way Naruto leaned out of his window just to tell Sasuke good night, the Uchiha wanted it. I wanted it forever and ever and ever.

Oh...he loved him. Sweet, crazy conversations full of half sentences, daydreams and misunderstandings more thrilling than understanding could ever be.

Did you all expect that? Hm Hm. I love you all. Questions? Come and see me.