Hello everyone~! This is probably going to be the last chapter for a while, since I don't even have a rough draft of what comes next. I have a general idea but I haven't actually written anything yet ... but most of you probably don't read this anyway, though you should, so you won't care. Oh well. The moral is: the next update might not be for a while, but do not loose faith :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any affiliated characters, settings, etc. This story and all elements of the plot are property of EverPlotting

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Movies, Malls, and Madness

Sasuke wasn't annoyed per se, but, frankly, he was getting close. The fact was that as much as he didn't want to be at the mall, he loathed the fact that he was there with Sai. For a guy who was clearly smitten with Naruto, he sure found a lot of reasons to lean close to Sasuke as they sat on a bench. Sasuke had migrated from one side of the bench to the other in course of fifteen minutes in an attempt to inch away from Sai. Sasuke figured Sai was flirting with him simply because Naruto wasn't there, and Sai just liked to flirt. Joy. His best friend was being sought after by a total jerk, and Sasuke was just going to get caught up in the web of lies.

"Sai," Sasuke growled through gritted teeth.

"Mhm?" Sai responded casually.

"If you are still touching me in two seconds, I will castrate you."

Sai looked offended for a moment before the usual blank expression he held returned to his face. Sasuke noticed but didn't care; his personal bubble had been reinstated.

Sasuke glanced at his watch. Twenty minutes. Naruto was twenty minutes late. Where the hell could the blond idiot be?

"Aw! Come on Naruto," a voice whined.

Sasuke's head shot up to see the blond approaching – finally – only he was flanked by two girls who appeared to be as friendly with Naruto as Sasuke wanted to be. Sasuke had never seen the girls before, seeing as he attended a school with an entirely male student body, but he wondered how and why Naruto knew them.

"For the last time, Sakura, I have other plans," Naruto sighed.

"Plans, shamans," the blonde girl on Naruto's other side snorted. "When is the next time you'll have an opportunity like this?"

"Look Ino, Sakura," Naruto said shrugging them off. "When I want to see you two try on underwear I'll call you, and let you know."

"Right," the pink-haired girl said rolling her eyes.

The blonde girl put a finger to her chin, as if thinking. "I know!" she exclaimed. "Sakura and I will come over later with Hinata and we'll show you everything be buy."

"Everything, Ino? Really?" Naruto said. He seemed clearly interested, but Sasuke caught the humor in the blond boy's eyes. Sasuke smirked. Naruto just wanted them to go away, but was clearly mocking them at the same time. The two girls didn't seem to be catching on as they proceeded to giggle. Naruto shook his head and sighed.

"I'll see you girls later," Naruto said, nodding in Sasuke's direction.

"Bye Naruto," they called in unison. Naruto just rolled his eyes.

"Hey Sasuke, Sai," Naruto said, as he walked closer to the two boys. "I'm sorry I'm so late. I got a little...tied up."

Sasuke snorted. "Clearly."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head and smiled sheepishly.

"So are you ready to go?" Sai asked impatiently.

"Yeah. Sorry again you guys," Naruto said.

"Don't worry about it Naruto," Sasuke shrugged. "C'mon. We can still make the movie if we hurry. We've only missed ten minutes."

"Thank goodness for previews!" Naruto said as he slung his arm over Sasuke's shoulder. Suddenly Sasuke wasn't so ticked at Naruto anymore. Those girls were gone and Naruto was focused on him. Not to mention, the clearly jealous expression on Sai's face made Sasuke smirk in triumph. Sai was losing – not that Sasuke was keeping score.

In the theater however, Sai somehow managed to seat himself between Sasuke and Naruto. Naruto didn't really seem to mind, but Sasuke sure did. Not only was Sai back to flirting with Naruto, but he was effectively blocking any interaction between Sasuke and his blond best friend.

When the movie was finally over, Sasuke, Sai, and Naruto decided to hand back to wait for other people to leave. Plus Naruto liked to watch the credits – or something dumb like that.

"Why is the floor always sticky?" Naruto growled as they finally began walking out of their row. "It's like before they open the theater, they coat the floor with goo to ensure sticky-ness." Sasuke just nodded. He had other theories about what went on in dark theater, but he certainly wasn't going to share them with Sai around. That would constitute small talk, and Sasuke did not do small talk. Plus, he didn't want to give Sai any ideas – the boy was probably a pervert.

"So," Naruto said, shoving his hand in his pockets as they rode down the escalator to the main area of the mall, "what time are you morning glories going home?"

"About nine thirty," Sai said checking his watch. "My mom doesn't want me downtown too late."

Naruto nodded and looked at Sasuke who just shrugged. "Itachi can pick me up whenever."

"Sweet!" Naruto exclaimed, pumping a fist in the air as they got off the escalator. "Now we can do...stuff."

"Um, isn't hanging out at the mall kind of a girl thing?" Sai said.

"I guess," Naruto shrugged, "but I've got to pick up some stuff."

"Stuff?" Sai repeated.

"It's cool Sai. I won't make you come shopping with me," Naruto said as he rolled his eyes. "Let's go get some ice cream."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure that's a good idea Naruto. I don't think sugar will help your ADD."

Naruto stuck his tongue out. "Shut it bastard."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Your maturity never ceases to astound me." Naruto just glared, holding eye contact with the brunette boy.

"So," Sai interrupted, "where are we going to go for the next..." he glanced at his watch, "twenty-four minutes."

"Ice cream, then dance machine tournament at the arcade," Naruto provided confidently.

Sasuke sighed. "Well, if you must have sugar, might as well drain you with dancing, or losing at dancing rather."

Naruto smirked. "Just you wait, Sasuke. I have mad skills."

Sasuke snorted. "Yeah. Right. I believe we met when you knocked me over. Gravity is not your friend."

"Do I sense a challenge Uchiha?" Naruto's eyes glinted dangerously. Sasuke merely smirked, but faltered slightly when he notices Naruto's very feral grin.

"You ready Naruto?" Sasuke asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Oh, I was born ready," the blond said crossing his arms menacingly.

Sai rolled his eyes. "You two are ridiculous. You've been doing this for fifteen minutes already. I have to go home soon."

Naruto looked at Sai with an innocent expression. "You can go if you want Sai. We'll see you Monday." Sai paused and looked to meet Sasuke's gaze. Sasuke studied the other raven. His expression wasn't challenging, it was...searching for something. Waiting for Sasuke's reply perhaps? Sasuke just glared and then turned to face Naruto again, who was selecting the song for the dance machine. Sai must have left because when Sasuke turned again he was gone.

After another three rounds to dancing to obnoxious techno remixes, Naruto literally hopped off the dance platform.

"Well Sasuke, I think we should call it a night."

"Hn," Sasuke grunted as he stepped off his respective platform to stand beside Naruto. "Didn't you say you had to go shopping?"

Naruto shrugged. "I just need a tie. I can pick it up before I leave."

"I can come with you. I don't mind."

"Seriously?" Naruto asked raising an eyebrow. Sasuke nodded. "Alright then."

"I was thinking of something orange..."

"Orange, Naruto? Seriously?"

"Shut up," Naruto said, punching Sasuke lightly in the arm. "I like orange."

"Well that is obvious," Sasuke said gesturing to Naruto's shirt.

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Listen Mr. I'm-so-emo-bright-colors-burn-my-corneas, not all of us can stand dressing like vampires."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I do not dress like a vampire."

Naruto gave a quick snort of laughter. "Whatever you say. So," Naruto said holding up a tie, "what about this one."

Sasuke shook his head. "Definitely not." Naruto looked at the tie and then put it back. "I still don't see what the occasion is anyway."

"It's my brother's birthday, Sasuke. I have to look nice."

"Hn. If my brother told me I needed to dress up for his birthday, I'd just tell him that I'd dress up for his funeral."

Naruto looked up at Sasuke. "Why? I think you would look nice in a suit." Sasuke felt his cheeks burn slightly; he prayed Naruto hadn't seen. The blond didn't appear to notice as he was busy looking through more ties. Sasuke briefly wondered why this store even existed, but then Naruto was tapping him on the shoulder incessantly, interrupting his thought process.

"What?" Sasuke snapped.

Naruto held up a blue tie. "I think I'm going with this one," the blond said.

Sasuke looked at the tie, and then held part of it in his hand, running his fingertips over the silk. Small flecks of orange could be seen in the sea of blue – just a shade darker than Naruto's eyes. Sasuke nodded in approval.

Naruto paid and they exited the store. Just then, Naruto jumped slightly.

"Oh! Phone's on pleasure mode," the blond stated, smirking slightly.

"What!?" Sasuke said, practically choking on his saliva.

Naruto rolled his eyes as he pulled out the orange device. "It's on vibrate. Sheesh Sasuke." Naruto glanced at the screen before pressing a button and holding the phone to his ear.

"What up Enzera?" Naruto said. "Mhm. Yeah, I'm with Sasuke...I just did...What!? That jerk!...No, it's fine...I don't mind. Seriously...Okay. I'll be done in a bit...I will. Bye." Naruto pulled the phone away from his ear, pushed a button, and then slid it easily back into his pocket.

"That was Enzera," Naruto said. "Apparently my brother is a jerk, and wants me to wear a tux."

"And?" Sasuke said, missing the point of Naruto's anger.

"And now I don't need the tie," Naruto sighed as he gestured to the plastic bad in his hand.

Sasuke laughed. He couldn't help it. Funny things happen. Naruto rolled his eyes in apparent distaste, but even he couldn't completely hide a smile.

"Glad to see you know how to laugh bastard. For a second there, I just thought you had gone insane."

"It's not like I fell on the floor gasping for air, Naruto. It was just a chuckle."

"Yeah? Well, first it's a chuckle, then its an all-out cackle, and the next thing we know you're trying to take over the world."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I think you may be overreacting."

"Maybe just a little bit."

Sasuke gave a small smile to match Naruto's huge grin. Suddenly Sasuke's phone rang. Naruto chuckled.

"Your phone's sound is a ringing noise bastard? Geez, try acting more like a middle-aged man, why don't you?" Sasuke just flipped the slim phone open.

"Hello?"

Itachi's voice washed through the speaker: "Sasuke, where are you?"

"Mall," Sasuke stated simply.

"Mom said you were going to call for a ride. Did you fall asleep on a bench or something?"

"No."

"Helpful Sasuke." Sasuke could practically feel Itachi's eyes rolling.

"Hn. If you want to come pick me up now that'd be great."

Itachi growled. "I'm not your chauffeur, Sasuke."

"Well I don't have a car, Itachi. Unless you want to buy me one, I probably won't for a while."

Sasuke heard the jingle of keys in the background. "I'll be there in ten minutes. Probably less. Meanwhile, see if you can find a job...or a boyfriend with a car. I'm tired of trucking you home."

"Hn," Sasuke said as he snapped his phone shut. He looked up at Naruto who was smirking suspiciously. "Itachi'll be here in ten minutes or so."

"He can only drive so fast."

"What?" Sasuke said, confused.

Naruto laughed. "I just wanted to add to the conversation," the blond replied. "So," Naruto continued, "you don't have your own car."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sasuke said, narrowing his eyes.

"It means I'm bad at making small talk!" Naruto said, flopping down on a bench.

Sasuke shook his head and let out an exasperated sigh. "Naruto..."

Naruto chuckled as he put his hands behind his head. "Don't worry Sasuke. I won't fall asleep."

Sasuke blinked for a moment, confused. Then, he made the connection. "That's what my brother said on the phone..."

"Um, yeah," Naruto said. He paused for a moment. "Your phone's kind of loud."

"Really? I thought I had the volume on low. I usually don't like people hearing more of my conversations than necessary."

"Hm," Naruto said, seemingly unphazed. "I guess I just have super-awesome hearing."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Sometimes I think you're a complete narcissist, Naruto."

"What? I am not a – oh look! My reflection!" Naruto exclaimed, jumping up from the bench to examine his self in a store window.

"Naruto?"

"I'm kidding Sasuke."

"I know," Sasuke said, blood rushing slightly to his face. Naruto chuckled. "I know enough about you that I can tell when you're being an idiot," Sasuke defended.

Naruto's face fell a little bit. "You don't know as much about me as you think, Sasuke."

Sasuke was about to retort, when his cell phone rang again. Naruto smirked.

"You really should change that ring Sasuke."

"Shut up," Sasuke replied eloquently as he opened his phone. "What's up Itachi?"

"I'm out front," Itachi's voice sounded. "Be here in thirty seconds or I'm leaving."

"Fine," Sasuke said before he snapped the phone shut.

"Well," Naruto said, still smiling, "don't keep your brother waiting. I'll see you Monday." Naruto waved as he walked away, leaving Sasuke no other choice but to go in the other direction, out the doors.

-EverPlotting-