Sorry guys, for the wait. *sniffs* i know it mustve been tough. I've been there. But hey, hope you like this. There's a little bit of everything. Oh, and a friend said something that made me think I should clarify one thing.
Ahem. NO INO AND SAKURA LOVE~ WILL BE HAPPENING AT ALL IN MY FANFICS! EVER! Urgh, that is so...*shudders and gags* wrong!
Also, sorry that It's so short. And for the sudden time skip. But I really kinda need to push myself to get the confession out. I've already worked out how it's gonna happen...for Sasuke, that is. Naru~chan's is gonna be awkward tho. Hope you find it endearing and not annoying in the end.
Love you guys! Jana~
Either 'Never Alone' by Barlow Girl or 'Don't Forget' by Devi Lovato.
One Week Later...
As the two teens walked down the stairs, and pushed past a group of guys smoking, Naruto coughed and stumbled, bumping into the raven in front of him. Sasuke just put out an arm and grabbed him, carrying him to the next floor before giving into his complaints and letting him stand up.
"Idiot. One day you're gonna-" he stopped, glaring overhead, past the smaller teen. Slowly, Naruto stopped pouting and turned, eyes widening as he stepped slightly behind his friend. His face was paler than normal, and his legs were suddenly quaking in unease.
It wasn't that he was scared of the person, since Sasuke was there with him.
More like...he was scared of finally finding out what had happened that day.
"You bastard!" Mizuki growled, his bandaged arms and face wrinkling in anger.
He snapped forward, and grabbed the blonde's arm, pulling him away from the raven. Sasuke growled, snatching a grip on Mizuki's wrist, and tightening his hold, making the other hesitate, if only for a moment.
"Stay outta the way, Uchiha. This little bastard gave me these injuries. He's a demon. Always has been, always will be." Sasuke's eyes widened, but he only paused for a second, quickly, tugging Naruto away from the teen and into his arms, murmuring if he was alright. The frightened blonde just nodded slightly, gripping the raven's shirt arm tighter.
"Personally, Mizuki, other than to thank whoever did it, I couldn't care less how exactly you got your ass handed to you! So back the hell off of Naruto!" He snarled.
"Come on, Sasuke," the silver purred, his voice roughly low, "We both know Tsunade ordered you to do this. We all know that you would much rather kill the stupid fox!" Naruto winced, feeling for a truth, but relaxed when Sasuke shook his head at the other.
"You moron. All I can see is a bitch who's gonna get his ass carved up and served on a platter back to you if you ever come near my-" he stuttered for a split second but covered it, "friend again!" Naruto snapped his eyes sharply up to the mass of charcoal hair in front of his face, though slightly over his eyes. He raised a brow on the inside.
What was he about to say?
Mizuki started forward, disbelieving.
"Aw, Sasuke. Nobody here will day if you just let us have our way with it," the dirty silver muttered, and reached for the little blonde beside the raven opposite him, only to hesitate when said raven dug his hand into one of his loose pants and grasped something on his leg. Mizuki retracted his hand and smiled uneasily.
"You wouldn't dare. Not on school grounds. Mr. Uchiha 'Avenger'." A sudden flash went through the raven's eyes, and he growled. He hadn't heard that name in what seemed like forever.
A steely glint came into Sasuke's eyes, and he was silent. Mizuki laughed, reassuredly, and smiled, latching his hand once more onto a now shaking Naruto.
Before he could bat an eye. however, a seven-inch-long, unsheathed blade was pointed directly at his left eye, the tip gleaming.
The sheath was trembling in Sasuke's clenched hand, the knuckles around it white with stress and the horrible certainty that he could kill the silver right now if he wanted to.
He'd sworn to never enjoy that sensation again. Oh, it was there, alright...but he didn't enjoy it.
Not one bit. Mizuki gulped audibly, and you could now make out the beads of sweat dripping down the other's unnaturally bleached skin. He was clearly trying not to panic, but it's relatively hard to think of something to say that isn't gibberish when a sharp oject, about the size of the length of your hand is where you could make out any nicks, if there were any, that is.
Of course Sasuke would keep his partner in top condition, however sworn-off the idea he might have been. Naruto shuddered, but only held his fistful of jacket tighter, burying his face in the raven's broad back and inhaling his scent as much a possible.
Finally the silver seemed to regain control of his tongue and swallowed again, still holding onto Naruto with a strong hand, finger's almost bruising the smaller teen's forearm.
"B-But if they find out-" Sasuke stepped closer, putting his face in Mizuki's and lowering his lids to where all that showed was that dangerous gleam and the truth in his words. The seriousness.
With his voice dangerously low and deep, the raven said softly, "Let me make one thing perfectly clear, you asshole. I could honestly care less what happens to me, as long as Naruto is fine in the end. Go ahead, tell Tsunade. Tell anyone you please. I'll gladly be expelled for him. But let me make this certain. Right here. Right now." He glanced around, to make sure the now medium size crowd of spectators was listening, "If you try anything with this idiot here," he jerked his head back to the cringing blonde, "You see just how long it takes me to hunt you down."
His voice was so gentle, everyone involuntarily shuddered.
"And every single one of you. If you hurt him...I will kill you. Got it? Good." He kept the blade level, unclenched Mizuki's trembling hand from the teen behind him, and crumbled it in his own fist, throwing the silver backwards,and into the stairs. He then carefully put the knife back into it's sheath and tucked it back to it's belt on his leg. He'd worn it on a whim that day, and now he was damn glad he had.
If I hadn't randomly thought of something so covered in my past...Naruto could be dead right now. Or worse. He finally let out his own, body-jerking shudder and stumbled, very uneasy but still relieved.
Next to him though, Naruto looked up, biting his lip, and walked beside the raven, a steady train of questions going through his mind. Not the least of these thoughts was, Just what had Sasuke been about to say? And why didn't he say it?
What is he keeping from me?
As Neji woke up, he could feel someone's eyes on him, and since he could tell he hadn't transcended into heaven, given his massive heartache, he knew who it was. It was the source.
-Of the massive heartache, that is.
He could feel the heat trying to crawl up his spine and flood his ears and neck, but he forced it down again and sighed, feinting a groan and shift.
"...Neji?" Gaara's deep, silky voice was closer than he would've thought. In fact, the teen could've been next to him and the sound wouldn't have been clearer. He didn't move, and barely dared to breathe.
"..You awake yet?" He had somehow gotten closer. Suddenly, a brush of softness was on his cheek, and Neji fought desperately the urge to stiffen. He instead enjoyed the redhead's fingers as they rubbed against his skin. He sighed and leaned into the touch, apparently startling Gaara, who let out a gentle gasp and pulled back a little.
Then it was quiet, and a last brush was against his lips, before the hand went away entirely, leaving an odd sense of loss in the Hyuuga's stomach.
Bad Neji! Bad Neji! Shut up! No, you! Shut the hell up! No, you bastard, you shut up! Shut the fuck up!
He has very elaborate conversations...with himself...
As the chocolate haired teen grew reaccustomed to the dark pit in his abdomen, he could feel someone stand up from the bed and he finally peeked. Gaara was faintly blushing, and his fiery red hair was fallen around his pale, moonlight colored face, highlighting the deep, insomniac black under his eyes, as well as his gorgeous sea foam eyes.
He fought the redness down once more and shut his eyes tightly, ever the one for denial.
I don't feel this way. I don't. I shouldn't. I can't..
Gaara stood over the sleeping teen and sighed deeply. He'd been awake for almost three hours, and wanted Neji to wake up already. Finally deciding something, he sat down beside the long haired teen and leaned over him more, watching his face as he slept.
I love you. I love you...He thought sadly, trying not to sigh again. He had battled with himself for almost a month now, and was finally able to say it, if only to himself.
He reached over and almost touched the Hyuuga's cheek, pulling back at the last moment to clench his fist frustratedly.
Why can't I tell him?
Confusion was not something the Subaku child was accustomed to, and he decided he did not like it one bit. He much preferred to have all the pieces in his mind and quickly stick them together flawlessly.
But apparently, that was not the case here. Neji Hyuuga was the one and only enigma that currently presented itself to the redhead.
Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha were already well figured out.
All that was left was to admit their love. But for him and Neji…
I can't ever tell what he's thinking…
Not that the other teen ever knew his thoughts either…
As the teen below shifted, Gaara sensed he was awake, and murmured gently, if loudly, "…Neji?"
A slight tension quickly ran through Neji's body and evaporated just as swiftly, a red tinge fought down, unnoticed by the Subaku boy. The shift let the strands of chocolate hair fall out of the rest of the teen's face.
"….Are you awake yet?"
Regardless of any reaction, Gaara summoned the strength and reached out, cupping his friend's cheek with his soft hand, loving the feel of the Hyuuga's warm skin. The boy froze for a moment so brief, Gaara thought maybe it was his imagination, and then he was rubbing the other's cheek with his thumb.
Neji…
He had found out slowly, like a like flutter in the bottom of his stomach. Soon he'd begun to fall asleep watching the stoic teen read or listening to him breathe as he slumbered. It never got old or tiring, listening to him like that.
Suddenly, surprising the redhead, Neji leaned into his touch, making him pull back the slightest bit.
Maybe he really is still asleep.
He retracted his hand, and realized something. The chocolate haired boy's breathing had sped up. So he was awake.
Gaara stood, biting his lip in thought, blushing from his imagination and fervent hope of what it might mean.
Leaning over him further, the younger teen whispered, so silent that he himself wasn't sure he even spoke at all, "Love you."
Neji's eyes opened.
"Hey Shika?" Kiba was sitting on the window sill.
"Hn?" the spiky haired brunette was lying lazily on the roof directly above. Well, it wasn't the actual roof. It was more like a big, tiled ledge. There was a short wall that his feet were propped up on and he had a lollipop stick, candy eaten, waving in between his teeth.
The clouds overhead were swirling around, wispy and insubstantial.
Not very good cloud watching today. But still, he yawned and stretched, sun feels nice.
"Well," the teen below mumbled, embarrassed, "can I join you?"
Surprised, the lazy teen sat up, spitting out the stick, and smirked, looking at the sky.
"Sure, why not?" he laid back and put his hands behind his head, watching Kiba grunt and heave himself easily over the edge from the corner of his eye, slipping for a moment that set the Nara's heart into his mouth, before settling right beside him.
"Shikamaru…" the mumble was so soft, Shika thought maybe it was the wind, until Kiba coughed and resaid, "Shika?"
"Yeah?" The brunette glanced at him, noticing how beautiful the younger Inuzuka looked right then.
The wind was blowing his hair and the vibrant red fang tattoos on his cheeks were highlighted by the sun. His tanned skin looked so soft and touchable. Even his elongated canines were poking his bottom lip in an adorable way. A bubble of happiness grew in Shikamaru's stomach, and he sighed deeply.
"Do you care if someone loves you?"
Choking on his spit, the Nara teen forced down the vibrant flush, looking over at Kiba. The dog lover wasn't looking at him, instead a bright red, watching the clouds intently, as if determined not to look at him.
Well screw that.
Shika got up and put one hand on either side of Kiba, leaning his boy almost exactly over him, but keeping his legs both on one side, leaving the other's lower body alone (poor fans. I know you were desperately hoping there!)
"S-Shika?" Kiba tried to get up, but the brunette didn't move, and cocked his head, a little smirk playing with his lips.
"Why would I care?" Kiba looked away and sighed.
I didn't think he would, but I just- "But hey, I'm not saying I wouldn't listen to why they 'loved me'. Hypothetically, of course. Who do you have in mind?"
Blushing radiantly, Kiba just listened to his heart beat, glancing at Shikamaru from the corner of his eyes.
What is he saying here?
"Shika, I-"
"Shikamaru! You here?"
DAMN YOU, ASUMA! Shika cursed to himself angrily, giving Kiba one last horribly sad look, before sighing and standing up. He swung back inside.
Kiba nearly broke down and sobbed right there, but he swallowed the gluey lump in his throat and put a forearm over his blushing face. Frustrated tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, and he blinked hard, closing his eyes tightly and biting his lips.
The wind blew his hair over his arm and he turned on his side.
I am such a coward.
Naruto POV
I leaned against the lockers, and sighed, running a hand through my hair again. For the millionth time, I was depressed. Sasuke had stayed to talk to Kakashi about something, and I wasn't sure about what to do with myself. I usually didn't care what we did as long as I was with Sasuke, but now I was beginning to realize just how much I'd changed since that night.
I wasn't always loud and obnoxious anymore, and everyone was bound to notice sooner or later if it kept up like this.
Maybe I should just let them notice. Not like it really makes a difference one way or the other. Like people who hate me will care whether or not I'm quieter these days.
-I don't think it matters, kit. Your mate loves you, so why do you care?-
Mate? I blinked, and waited for the fox to say more. We'd been 'communicating' on and off for a few days now, and the old demon seemed less violent than he used to be. More…relaxed.
-The dark haired one you call Sasuke. Him-
"Sasuke? My m-m-m-mate?" I articulately stuttered, head stumbling into the hard locker door, and fists getting sweaty. Mates? As in...
I then turned calmly, and slammed my head, forehead first, into the wall, gripping the lockers like a lifeline.
When the world was spinning and everything was right in the universe once more, I slid down heavily and groaned, my head now pounding, and Kyuubi had efficiently gone back to sleep, cutting off anymore talking we might have done on the matter.
As I heard a door shut, I glanced up through my mass of blonde hair up to see Sasuke and Kakashi walking towards me, apparently still enthralled in discussion. The silver gave one last comment, glanced at me, and shut up, with a meaningful look at the raven beside him.
There it is again.
Sasuke just scowled and shook his head slightly, motioning faintly to me again.
And again.
Finally Kakashi just crossed his arms and nodded to the side. Sasuke rolled his eyes, glanced to my direction, before following him a little ways off, muttering something I couldn't hear.
Again.
They spoke for a moment, and then came back, Sasuke waving to the silver before sliding down beside me.
"Hey, what was that about," I asked, a little somber.
He just shook his head, "Nothing. Just wanted to ask him something about homework."
And again.
"Like what?"
"Just which chapter we read to."
Liar.
"Oh. Alright."
He nodded and we sat there for a moment before standing and walking out, to our dorm once again. I couldn't stand it.
"Sasuke, is something going on?" I could visibly see the tension flow into him, but he didn't stop, and just masked his emotions, shaking his head.
"No. Why do you ask?"
So he really won't tell me...
"No. Nevermind." I looked away, blinking hard against the surprising force of thhe tears stinging the corners of my eyes. My heart felt oddly cold, and I followed him in silence.
I know it's sad, I'm sorry. Please, nobody hurt Asuma-senpai! He is already hurt by Shika-san! Just don't huot hium! LOVE YOU ALL! XOXOXO
Will try hard to get oyu that SasuNaru! I will go on self discovery journey and discover..something great. Maybe have an apifany...or something like dat. Wait for my safe return. good ppl of the fair world of Fanfiction!