Hey there! Here's the next installment of FL. I'm hoping to have the next chapter up around mid July-ish. Also I've changed the summary slightly by adding in all pairings that'll will come up throughout, even the brief ones. I'm busy working on chapter 25 at the moment and I've even started writing bits for future chapters so that I can always upload a chapter even if I've not gotten round to writing in a while. Anywhoo's! On with the fic :p

Chapter 16. Sasu POV

"Oh, the poor thing!" I see Itachi come back down the stairs while listening to my parents talking. "How is she, son?"

"Still sleeping." Mother continues talking as her and father leave the room for the kitchen. Something about making a nice meal for when she wakes up. I watch silently as Itachi sits next to me, his head falling into his hand.

"'tachi..."

"She tried ringing me." He lifts his head back up, but refuses to look at me. "Even after what I said to her, she still tried to ring me..."

"Even if you're a dick to her, she still thinks of you as her best friend. And she's in love with you; she couldn't hate you even if she tried." I try to ignore the tightening in my chest as I say that.

"I'm such an idiot."

"Yeah... you are." Naruko didn't wake up as we moved her from the car and into the spare room upstairs a few hours ago. Itachi tried to ring Kiba when we got back but there was no answer so he called her Landlady instead. Apparently while Naruko and the two residents either side of her were out, their apartments were burgled. According to the police, they think they ransacked Naruko's place first then moved on to the two either side of her apartment before the Landlady heard the noise because nothing was taken from the other two. They were messed up a bit, but only Naruko had some of her possessions and money stolen.

Her Landlady told Itachi that Naruko had been to see her in the morning to pay her rent and mentioned something about paying money into the bank. And that not long after, she heard commotion along to doors. She rang the police while her son went to investigate and scared them off. Apparently her son didn't see their faces as they were wearing masks, but the police have taken the tapes from the security cameras to try and identify them.

"Who was she talking about when we got there?" We look towards the front door as it opens and closes. Probably father going back to work. Itachi made sure to call Naruko's boss and explain what's happened; so he's given her the week off to get herself sorted. He sighs before standing up and heading to the kitchen. Before he leaves he turns back to me.

"They're... just people from her past. Nothing for you to worry about. I'm going to help Mother. You should go do your homework." I just nod before he leaves. I don't see why he couldn't just tell me, I already know little bits and I'm sure if I asked Naruko she'd tell me anyway...

Standing up, I stretch my arms up before dragging my feet up the stairs. I smile as I hear mother playfully scold Itachi for something. I peek my head round the guest door to see her still asleep. When we went round earlier it seemed like she had bags under her eyes, or maybe her crying just made it seem worse. Heading to my room I think about my English essay about her. I suppose it will have to wait a few weeks before I get any more info on her. Sitting down at my desk, I pull my mathematics coursework out and get a start.

Luckily I have extended deadlines compared to the other students so that I've got enough time to complete both last years and this year's work. Say goodbye to social life. Not that I had much of one anyway, I guess the drinking doesn't exactly count. I wouldn't have even considered any of them friends. Leaning back in my chair, I try thinking of people I could call friends.

Lee I guess, we do hang out at dinner-time nearly every day, though we don't talk that much. Sai? I shiver slightly. Definitely not. Though I do spend break-times and dinner with him when he's not in the art class. He may be a pain in the ass, but even I'll admit he's a damn good artist. Though I'd never say that to his face. Who else...?

Okay, maybe I don't really have any friends. But I talk to a lot of people at school, while trying to avoid others, especially the girls. Like Ino and Sakura. I feel myself shiver again; they're two scary females. Though Sakura is kind of pretty I guess, she has nice eyes and quite an impressive rack. But she annoys the hell out of me. Being the head of my fanclub does that to you I suppose...

"You busy?" As I was leaning back in my chair, I'd been trying to balance my pencil on the bridge of my nose while in my own little world. So when Naruko appeared in my door way, let's say I got a bit of a fright. Scrap that, she scared the shit out of me; thus I fell backwards, landing on the floor. Great way to impress the girl you like...

I feel myself blush... Err I meant... ahh shit. I DO NOT like her... well maybe a little. Damn. I need to get out more. I stay lying on my back for a few minutes, legs still hanging over the chair slightly, hoping she won't say anything. Looking out of the corner of my eye, I see her hand go up to her mouth as if to stifle her laughter...

"Don't even think about it." She seems to laugh silently behind her hand for a few seconds, before letting it all out. I just lie there, trying to ignore her as she tries to laugh the house down. Yeah, she's that loud. Her laughter eventually dies down, and even though she was laughing at me I still like the sound of it... Oh not again. "Finished?" She makes a weird noise, so I take that as a 'yes'. Standing up I put my chair right before brushing myself down and putting my coursework back in my bag.

"Are you okay?" Naruko must have walked further into my room during her laughing fit because Itachi is now standing in the doorway. She looks at him before turning back to me.

"Sasuke's just being funny, is all." She smiles at me and I'm sure I feel my heart skip a beat.

"Mother made us some food." She turns back to Itachi.

"Cool, I love Mikoto's cooking." She pushes him out the room, so I follow. She walks slower than Itachi so I end up beside her.

"What did you want to talk about?" She runs her fingers through her hair and sighs.

"Later, okay?" I nod as she looks at me. We enter the dining room and I see her eyes light up. "Wow, Mikoto this looks amazing!" She starts talking happily to my mother, as if nothing happened today. I sit down next to Itachi and opposite mother; Naruko choosing to sit next to our mother. Itachi and I eat in silence while we listen to the two females talk about random things. Mainly Naruko's course at Uni and her placement. Mother made burgers, pasta and salad for us. I pile my plate with pasta and salad, mainly tomatoes; I'm not a big fan of burgers.

Looking around I don't see any of the maids, so I figure they were sent home early. Listening to the conversation I wonder why mother isn't asking about what happened today... I guess it can wait until the morning.

I finish going over the outline of the fox and girl with my black marker. Setting the pen down I study the drawing for a bit before reaching for my box of coloured markers. Picking one of the reddy-orange one's up, I start the first layer of the fox's coat. Finishing it, I look at my watch: 12.30. Might as well go to bed.

Naruko offered to help mother with the dishes after our meal, so I finished off the last bit of my mathematics coursework and double checked the graphs. Itachi went out for the night, probably to Deidara's; though he did ask Naruko first if she minded him going. I don't know if she meant it, but she told him to go; that she didn't want to be a bother and get in the way of him being with his other friends. I manage to put the drawing and pens away, locking the drawer, just in time before there's a quiet knock at my door. It opens slowly and Naruko pops her head round.

"You awake?" I answer by giving a slight nod, even though it's obvious I'm not asleep. She sneaks in, closing the door behind her.

"What's up?" I thought she'd gone to bed hours ago when I heard her and mother come upstairs.

"Nothing." I try to ignore the fact that I'm only wearing my bed shorts with no t-shirt as she just looks at me.

"You okay?"

"Yeah..." I fidget as she continues looking at me. I consider putting a t-shirt on, but she breaks eye contact to sit on my bed.

"Are you su..."

"I don't want to be alone." I turn in my seat to look at her but she's staring at her feet as if they've become really interesting all of a sudden. "Itachi's not here, so I err... I was wondering if I could, you know..." I watch as a slight pink blush appears across her cheeks. "If you'd mind me staying in here tonight. I would have asked Itachi, but he's not here. So I figured you might not mind; but if it's a problem, that's fine. I'll go back to my room..." I don't think I've heard her ramble on like that before.

She stands up as if she's about to leave even though I haven't answered her. Getting up, I put my hands on her shoulders and gently push her back down. I can't help but notice her scar peeping out of her top, and I get the sudden urge to touch it. Before I can, I move towards the door to turn the light out. Light from moon comes through the window, so I can still see her. There's a slight smile on her face.

"Come on." I pull the covers back so she can climb in; and once she's settled I follow, making sure to leave a big enough gap between us. She lies on her side, while I'm on my back, but I can see her looking at me out of the corner of my eye. She looks so tired all of sudden and I watch as her eyes start to close.

"Thanks, 'suke..." Her breathing gets softer as she falls asleep with one hand resting under her head and the other curled up into her chest.

I just know I'm not going to get much sleep tonight...

I bring my pillow closer to me, wrapping my arms round it tightly and even wrapping a leg around it. I smile as I breathe in, the scent of oranges hitting me. Since when does my pillow smell like this? And when did it get so big... and grow arms and legs...

My eyes shoot open and I see a bundle of yellow in my bed. Looking down slightly, I see her peaceful face as she sleeps; she even has a slight smile on her face. I can't help but look at her for a while, but then she moves closer so that her face is in the crook of my neck and I feel her breath against my skin... I shiver slightly.

As she presses against me further, I have to stop myself jumping out of bed and risk waking her up as I realise she also has her arms wrapped around my back and our legs are even tangled. Oh shit... I feel the blood rush up to my face and, ahem, further south too...

"Oh God..." I try to wriggle away from her but she just follows, pressing herself closer. It takes me a few seconds to realise its skin pressing against my bare chest and wrapped around my legs... Where the hell are her clothes! I try scooting away again, but as before she follows whimpering slightly at the loss of body heat. I feel the sweat forming on my forehead. Fuck, I didn't want to hear that sound...

She sighs slightly as her hands moves down to my lower back, pressing herself further into my chest... pressing her, ahem, err bosom further into my chest... "Holy crap," escapes my mouth as I feel myself getting err, harder for want of a better word. "Crap, crap, crap!" Breathing slowly, I try to calm myself down as I remove her arms from my back, proudly resisting the urge to look at her chest, and untangle our legs.

I manage to get out of the bed and hear her whimper again which makes me freeze. I turn to look back at her, but she just rolls over, thankfully still asleep. Luckily the covers are high enough to cover... well cover her. Quickly, and quietly, I leave my room; closing the door behind me and run to the bathroom. I try not to think about the female bed clothes and underwear lying on my floor.

"Sasuke, are you alright?" I freeze for the second time that morning, almost in the bathroom. I avoid looking at my brother, but nod in answer.

"Of course I am. I just, urmm, really need to pee." I try to walk calmly into the room and lock the door behind me. I listen to his footsteps as he leaves, hopefully going downstairs. Turning the shower on, I quickly remove my shorts and step in wincing at how cold is. Placing my palms against the wall, I close my eyes, letting my head hang.

I seriously need to get myself a girlfriend.

Naru POV

"Ahh... stop it!" I kick my legs out trying to get away, but the assault continues. I reach out, trying to retaliate, but he grabs my hands in one of his own. I can't stop the giggle that escapes my mouth as he continues tickling me, using his legs to stop me kicking.

"Say it." I keep struggling, the occasional giggle coming out.

"Never!" I continue laughing as his fingers go further round my sides to my weak spot. "N... no, not there! Uchiha!" I frown at the evil smirk on his face, but it doesn't last for long as I burst out laughing again.

"Say it." I take a deep breath...

"Itachi Uchiha is irresistible and is the sexiest man on the planet! Happy?"

"It'll do." He finally lets go of me and I collapse on top of him. He huffs slightly but doesn't move. It's his own fault for trying to kill me.

I was having a lovely dream until I felt myself being manhandled. Sure he was only dressing me, but when he accidently tickled me and I giggled I saw the evil look in his eyes. Apparently I'd stripped completely naked during the night and he was saving his mom or dad from walking in on me. Seeing as I wasn't actually in my bed.

"I think you frightened my little brother." I straighten my t-shirt, he hadn't bothered putting my underwear on, thank God; I would have died if I woke up with his hands near either area.

"How come?"

"I caught him practically running into the bathroom."

"It's nothing he hasn't seen before." I wiggle on him slightly, trying to get comfy.

"That's completely different. You at least had underwear on last time. I know what you're like when you sleep." I stick my tongue out at him. "You've probably scarred him for life, having a naked woman wrapped around him." I start playing with his hair, which isn't tied back for once. "It's not nice to climb into someone's bed during the night you know." Oh... he thinks I just came in without Sasuke knowing...

"Err, yeah. I'll apologise later."

"You could always do it now." I look up and see the little Uchiha standing in the doorway, towel around his waist and water dripping off his hair to his chest... Since when did he have such a nice chest...

I mentally slap myself, bad thoughts, Naru; and elbow Itachi in the side before pulling on his hair slightly. I stand up and go towards Sasuke, noticing the pink laced across his cheeks.

"I'm, err, sorry about earlier, Sasuke. I didn't mean to invade your bed during the night while you were sleeping." He gives me and odd look but doesn't say anything. "I shouldn't have sneaked in and scared you in the morning when you found there was someone in your bed; who wasn't there when you went to sleep." He's supposed to be smart, he better understand what I'm getting at...

"It's okay." I think he gets it. We stand there not saying anything for a while, and I feel a bit awkward. "I need to get changed." He seems to fidget slightly, so I just nod.

"Sure! Come 'tachi, make me breakfast." He comes up behind me mumbling about making it myself. Itachi leaves before me, and just before I'm about to walk out Sasuke's hand on my arm stops me. He doesn't look at me, but just points to wear my underwear lies on the floor. Oops. "Heh, sorry about that." I quickly pick them up and close his door behind me.

"Why don't you get changed? I'll meet you downstairs." I nod and head to my current bedroom. Closing the door behind me, I sigh before sliding to the floor. I smile at how nice it is to pretend nothing's happened, but then that makes me think of yesterday, and how many times I've fallen out with Itachi lately. I bring my knees up to my chest and bury my face in my arms.

All my savings for Sasuke's re-sits; gone. The first payment is due next week. I feel the tears escape as I just don't know what to do..

Poor Naru. Anyways, let me know what you's think!