CH 3

As a way of 'punishment,' Itachi pulled Sasuke out of school until after the weekend. Not that Sasuke was complaining, he'd only been at the school for a couple of weeks and he hated it. Normally school was his way of getting away from life, but since he'd met Naruto his life began to suck. That blond moron seemed to get under his skin somehow and he didn't understand how he did it. Normally he was the embodiment of cool and collect… how could one person destroy that so easily?

"Sasuke!" looking up from his computer he noticed Sai standing in the doorway, watching him. "I've been calling you for like ten minutes. Are you thinking about Naruto again?" a small smirk crossed his twins lips.

Scoffing he looked back to his computer, "What do you want Sai? I'm busy."

"Doing what? Blogging about how horrible your life is?" Sai mocked, walking in and sitting on the bed, receiving a full on glare from the other boy. "Wow, seriously? You are such an emo…"

Rubbing his temples, Sasuke did his best to control his temper, "Sai, what is it? Or get out.

A slow smile crossed the pale boys lips, "We've been invited to a party."

Rolling his eyes, Sasuke stared at him with a blank face, "I'm grounded remember?"

"That's the best part!" Sai exclaimed, "I've convinced our brother to let you go. The only rule is that you can't fight with Uzumaki again."

"I'm not going." As if that were the final word, Sasuke turned back to his computer.

Patiently Sai stood his ground, "You can't avoid him forever. You two are in the same class after all."

Eye twitching, Sasuke turned back to his brother, "I can avoid going to a party he's at, though." He deadpanned.

Sighing, his brother fell backward on the bed, "You are such a stickler." He whined, resting his arms under his head. "Can't you come be social for like an hour?"

"Why are you pushing for me to go?" he asked, glancing at his twin.

Glancing away, Sai shifted uncomfortably, "Itachi won't let me go unless you go…" he pouted, sitting up. "He thinks I'll cause trouble if I don't have you there…"

Groaning, Sasuke closed his computer, "Fine… let me change…" he sighed, walking to his closet.

"You look fine," Sai stated, grabbing at his hand. "The party's already started!" Grudgingly following, Sasuke wondered how well this was really going to go…

Naruto was doing his best to be a social butterfly; that should have been easy since he was always the social butterfly. However, since his sister suggested this party so that his classmates could get to know each other outside of class, he's felt less than psyched about people. As far as was concerned, everyone knew each other well enough. Why force people to socialize with everyone when there were a lot of people who actually did not get along.

In the middle of conversing with Kiba, he watched as Sai walked in, dragging along Sasuke. His smile quickly faded into a full out frown. Raising a brow, Kiba turned around then laughed. "What did you expect?" he asked, wrapping an arm around his friends' shoulders. "They are twins after all."

Huffing, Naruto crossed his arms over his chest, "He's been hanging out without his emo brother just fine."

Kiba shrugged, "Well that's school." He stated, patting his friend's shoulder. "Maybe his brother is different outside of school." Naruto rolled his eyes at his friends' logic and huffed. "Ugh, you both are way too stubborn. No wonder you don't get along." Shaking his head, Kiba made his way over to a group of girls, leaving the blond to steam by himself.

Sasuke was less than impressed by the party. He had noticed Naruto's sister making rounds of saying hi to everyone. When Sai tried to force Sasuke further into the party, the raven haired boy stood his ground. There were way too many people in there, he was good staying by the door. Interacting with people was one of his least favorite things to do. As he leaned against the wall, he watched all of the interactions going on; noticing how even out of school the clicks stuck together. Naruto, though, he stood out; he always did. He went to everyone, talking to groups and singles. He wondered how he could be so social and outgoing.

"You're staring awfully hard." A girl whispered into his ear, causing Sasuke to jump. Glancing over he saw Naruto's sister standing rather close.

Scoffing, Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest, "I'm not staring, I'm observing." He corrected her.

The girl chuckled at this, leaning against the wall beside him. "You're the one that got into a fight with my little brother." She noted, receiving a small glancing from the pale boy. She smiled and pushed her long hair behind her shoulder, "You certainly made an impression on him you know."

"From the looks of it, that doesn't take much," Sasuke stated, motioning the laughing blond.

Shaking her head, the girl corrected him, "Actually, he just enjoys being around people." She stated, her smile softening. "He hasn't always been so lucky. He was quite the outcast when he was little. Shunned by everyone…" she sighed and shook her head. "I'm Naruko by the way." She laughed, trying to change the subject as she stood in front of Sasuke, holding out her hand.

Staring at the hand for a moment he finally took it, "Sasuke."

Naruko chuckled a little, "It's nice to officially meet you, Sasuke." She smiled.

Sasuke looked long and hard at the girl and frowned slightly, "You have the same marks on your cheeks." He noted curiously.

Releasing his hand, Naruko took a step back, looking slightly nervous. "I hope you enjoy the party." She stated before turning away and making her way into the crowd.

Furrowing his brows, Sasuke watched the retreating girl in confusion. Though, now that he thought about it, he never heard Naruto speak about the marks on his cheeks. However strange that was, the fact that the siblings had the same marks… was rather bazar.

"Sasuke!" cringing the boy turned to find Sakura standing behind him. "I can't believe you actually came to this!"

"My brother forced me to." He grumbled, leaning against the wall again.

Sakura chuckled at this, leaning next to him, "Really? Cause I didn't think anyone could force you to do anything,"

Smirking at this, Sasuke scoffed slightly, "Yeah, well my family is different." He stated, looking back into the crowd. He spotted Sai talking with the same group as Kiba, Naruto making his rounds. The closer he looked at the blond the more he swore that smile was fake. Shaking his head he turned for the door, "I don't know why he even brought me here. I'm outta here."

"You're not going to say hi to anyone?" Sakura asked, slightly shocked at the boys words.

Walking past her, he gave her a glance before shrugging, "I don't really have anyone to say 'hi' to." He stated, opening the door and walking out slowly before a hand closed on his arm.

"Hey!" blinking in surprise, Sasuke looked over to find Naruto holding tight to him. "I um…" blinking he released the other boy and took a step back. "I… wanted to apologize." He stated, looking Sasuke in the eye. Staring at him with a blank face he waited for him to go on. "I lost my cool and shouldn't have started that fight."

Glancing over to Naruko who seemed to be watching them rather closely, Sasuke grabbed for Naruto's arm and pulled him outside; closing the door behind them. "Why are you apologizing?" he asked while holding the door shut behind them.

"Huh?" Naruto blinked, staring at the other by in confusion.

"Why are you apologizing?" he asked again. "You really weren't the one to instigate the fight or anything. We both know it was me not you."

"Yeah… but…" Naruto stuttered staring at Sasuke like he'd grown two heads.

"Then you have nothing to apologize for," Sasuke stated with a shrug of his shoulder. Releasing the door a bunch of people fell backward as the door opened with their weight. Walking past the speechless blond he began to walk home.

Not far down the sidewalk, he heard running footsteps and his name being called. "Slow down!" they called, running even faster to catch up. Sasuke wasn't walking fast as it was, he found no reason to slow down; the moron running after him was merely slow. "Can't you stop for like five seconds! Don't be an ass!"

Heaving a heavy sigh, Sasuke stopped and turning towards the blond moron who stopped in front of him panting for breath. "What?" he asked irritably.

Blinking a few times, Naruto stood up straight putting hands on his hips, "Well that's a nice way to greet someone!" he exclaimed, huffing when Sasuke smirked at him. "You're a real bastard…"

Sasuke's smirk grew slightly at this, "So you've said."

Naruto pouted at this crossing his arms over his chest. "Why did you take the fall for the fight?"

The question caught the teen off guard, "Does it really matter?" he asked in turn.

Naruto gaped at him, "Of course it matters!" he exclaimed throwing his arms in the air to emphasize the importance.

Heaving a sigh, Sasuke ran a hand through his hair, "I baited you, okay." He growled, crossing his own arms over his chest. "I've been pissed about my own situation, so I picked a fight with you."

Naruto scoffed at this, "Your situation?" he asked, mockingly. "Are you really that petty? Mad because your parents marriage isn't working and you're living with your big brother?"

"Sai's talked…" Sasuke muttered in annoyance.

"Oh my..! You're a selfish asshole!" Naruto yelled, pointing a finger at the pale teen across from him before turning away. "Just go home. You're not welcome here." He growled, stomping back towards the party.

Sasuke stared at him before scoffing and walking home. As he walked he thought about his explanation to the blond teen. True, he was irritated with his situation, but why had he really fought with Naruto? He really had no idea, "Maybe it's because he's easily riled up…" he muttered to himself as he opened the door to the apartment, his big brother sitting and waiting for him.

"Sai called and said you walked out," Itachi stated, motioning Sasuke to sit across from him, in the living room. "That the Uzumaki kid ran after you. You didn't fight again did you?"

Sitting, Sasuke scoffed slightly, "Not physically." He answered, keeping his eyes averted. "He called me a selfish bastard, though." This brought a slight smile to his lips.

Itachi burst out laughing, catching the teens attention. "Wow, someone is willing to call you out?" Sasuke frowned at this, leaning back in his seat. "Maybe you two are more alike then you're willing to admit."

Sasuke sneered at that, "I'm nothing like that irritating blond moron." He growled, receiving a wide smile from his older brother. "I'm not!"

Standing Itachi walked past him, patting his head, "If that's what you have to tell yourself, little brother." He stated, grinning at him. "Go wash up and head to bed. Sai should be home soon, too."