This chapter in dedicated toJessabellums for being the number one fan of Ughh. :D

(I really want to get you a button, but I can't figure out how to shove it through my computer!)

I want to thank everyone who has reviewed, followed, and favorited Ughh! It really means a lot that you have taken the time to support my story and really helps to motivate me. :D

Warnings: Language, Awkward!Naruto, unexplainable blushing,.: imaginary voices :., earth shattering revelations

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. :(

Chapter 4: Awkward

Awkward. That is the only word Naruto can use to describe himself. His voice feels awkward. His movements feel awkward. His face feels awkward. Everything is so awkward!

He can't seem to get Kiba's and Shikamaru's teasing words out of his head. Because, that's what their words have to be: Teasing. There is absolutely no fucking way his boss is secretly into him.

There is no way!

But somehow every time that smooth voice speaks or those piercing teal eyes turn his way, he feels himself freeze. He has no idea what to say, how to move, or what his face is supposed to look like. How does he normally talk? Normally move? Normally look? He can't remember! And the more he tries to remember the more stilted and forced his actions become.

He feels like his body has been taken over by some stupid, awkward alien adjusting to human life! Raaaah! It's so annoying!

And the worst part is all the blushing! Every time Naruto makes eye contact with the Psycho, he feels his face flush as paranoid thoughts fill his head. What the hell is that about? He had absolutely no reason to blush. Every time it happens, he's reminded of his behavior back in middle school, when he had that ridiculous crush for Haruno Sakura, and he found himself blushing and stuttering every time she-…

Wait… did I really just equate this situation to a crush I had in middle school?

Naruto feels a formidable blush cover his face and neck. Yet, again.

This. Is. Not. A. Crush. Not on either end! Neither of us is crushing on the other! We hate each other!

.: There's a fine line between lov- :.

Gah! Stop talking! Naruto mentally dropkicks that infuriating, grumbly voice in his brain before it can finish its statement. Crossing his arms across his chest, he closes his eyes and wills the blush away.

Unfortunately… it doesn't work.

This is all part of The Psycho's plan to destroy me! I know it! The blonde opens his blue eyes and turns to fire a soul-withering glare at his freak of a boss. He fucking broke me!

Unfortunately, the glare is wasted, as his crimson-haired boss is currently shooting question after question at a slightly petrified jury panel. Today is jury selection day. The trial is set to begin in a week, so the attorneys on both sides are currently weeding out jurors who could hold bias towards one side or other. Four jurors have already been excused, but at this point it seems like the selections are pretty much final.

Naruto, seated on the bench directly behind the prosecutor's table, had come to see which jurors will be selected for the case and to see Sabaku in action. Although his boss had been working the Konoha courts from seven weeks now, Naruto had yet to see him in a courtroom. But now that he has finally seen him, the blonde has to admit: the man was a force to be reckoned with.

Cunning, intelligent, and intimidating, Sabaku is already keeping the defense attorney on his toes. With a smirk and a certain amount of unexplainable pride, Naruto glances smugly over to the defense table. Naruto's smirk widens as he sees the defense attorney is currently wearing a very impatient expression, tapping his finger on the desk. The impatient man is waiting for Sabaku's quick-fire questioning to complete and for his turn with the jurors once again. Naruto studies the man for a moment and has to admit, the defense attorney could be Sabaku's twin.

Well, minus the teal eyes, tattoo, and eyeliner.

This man's eyes are an interesting shade of rust brown. His red hair is also slightly longer than Sabaku's. But, besides that those differences, looked very similar. Similar build, similar hair color, similar pale skin. It was surprising.

Although, Sabaku is way cut-… Never mind.

Ignoring his weird inner-thoughts, Naruto's eyes shift to the defendant: Deidara, The Artistic Terrorist. His catch phrase was "Bombing in the name of Art." Although, the type of art the criminal enjoyed creating included mangled bodies and shrapnel.

Not exactly family friendly.

Naruto snorts at his own joke, but quickly freezes when Sabaku sends him a warning look. Naruto's face blushes as he shows Sabaku a sheepish smile, and it seems to work because Sabaku turns away from Naruto and resumes his questioning. Relieved, Naruto glances back to the Deidara and takes in his appearance. The man's blonde hair is combed into a half-pony tail, with the majority of the shoulder-length hair falling along his back. He blue eyes, somewhat hidden by long bangs framing one side of his face, slightly slant down and holds a calculating expression, as he studies Sabaku's back. A slight smile graces his lips. He looks a little gaunter and less well-feed than in the News reports, but Naruto would recognize that face anywhere. The man was infamous.

And the man was an enigma.

His cheerily bright attitude and his ever-present smile seem to contrast with the deep-seeded rage hidden within. About two years ago, Deidara began doing the unthinkable; he began setting off bombs in heavy-populated area around the Wind Country, which is to the east of the Fire Country and Konoha, and is where Sunagakure resides. After each well-executed bombing, the man would send a disturbing video to a local news channel, analyzing the "artwork" he had created. He would note the trajectory of the people flying, the vibrant colors, and the overall composition of the 'piece.'

It was sickening.

After managing to evade capture for an entire year by staying on the run, he was finally taken down by a team of highly-trained operatives in Sunagakure. Before his capture, he had managed to bomb the capital building of the city. Thirty-four people were killed. Luckily, his escape plan back-fired, and he was captured instead. During questioning with the police, he explained his actions by stating passionately, "I wanted to share my art with the world, hm!" After a quick trial in Suna, he was sentenced to ninety-seven consecutive life sentences.

In other words, the fucker was destinted to rot in prison.

Naruto shoots a feral grin towards Deidara at the thought.

So, now it was Konoha's turn for justice. During the criminal's year-long killing spree, there was a similar bombing in Konohagakure, where seventeen people were killed when a mall was bombed. The bombings fit every part of the man's Modus operandi, shortened to 'MO', from the type explosives to the detonation equipment to the setting of the so-called 'artwork.' The only problem with Konoha's case against the man was the lack of confession. Every bombing in Suna had the video confessional to accompany it. For some reason, Deidara refused to acknowledge that he was the one behind the bombing, although all of the evidence pointed right to him.

The prosecution had a pretty solid theory as to why the man failed to confess: the death penalty. Konoha has it, while Suna does not. If Deidara is trying to avoid the death penalty in Konoha, it would make perfect sense that he refused to confess to the massacre. So, now it was up to Sabaku and his assisting prosecutors to prove the man's guilt to a jury.

The court battle will be grueling, but Naruto is sure The Psycho is up to the task.

The Psycho: Naruto's gotten somewhat attached to that pet-name. It seems fitting for the man that gives him crazy death glares and tortures him for no apparent reason.

.: Except for the most important reason: The Psycho is totally in denial-love with you. :.

GAH!

Naruto wills the voice in his head to go die somewhere. Preferably in a corner, so Naruto doesn't have to clean it up later.

Wait… did I say 'pet-name?'... Isn't that what couples-…

…!

Nickname! I meant nickname! I am definitely not giving him pet-names!

.: Naruto… maybe you're the one in denial. I mean, you're giving him pet-names and referring to the two of you as a couple. :.

Shut up, stupid voice! I am not in denial because there's nothing to deny! And I already said I didn't mean 'pet-name.' I meant 'nickname.' It was just a mistake with words.

.: Maybe it wasn't a mistake. :.

It was a mistake! I didn't mean it like that!

.: Sure, you didn't :.

I didn't! It's not like that!

.: For not being in denial, you sure are denying a lot. :.

Rrrrrrrrrrrr…. Just shut up, voice! I don't like the guy! I'm totally not into him! Well, I mean, his teal eyes are sort of captivating and the eye-liner actually works on him. He's also pretty fit. He looks like he could have nice abs under that suit and his butt looks nicely toned. And I can't help but dig the hair. Red's pretty hot. And the tattoo… Mmmm… I like it. Not a bad looking dude, really.

.: … :.

What?

.: For not being into the guy, you sure seem to have really put some thought into it. :.

…

I told you to shut up! The only reason I thought about it at all was because of what Shika and Kiba said about him liking me. If a guy likes you, you have to wonder what it would be like. And it was only a few dreams.

.: …? :.

Crap! I-I mean… Arrh! Whatever! It wasn't like it was a big deal! It wasn't explicit dreams or anything! We just cuddled and made-out a little.

.: …?! :.

J-just go back to your corner! And keep your mouth shut!

.: Naruto, sometimes it's easier to- :.

I said, "Shut up!" Naruto shouts. Suddenly, a cold, sinking feeling runs down his spine.

The courtroom is quiet.

Every pair of eyes are upon him. Including, a very angry, very teal pair currently sending him ocular death threats. Naruto sheepishly rubs the back of his neck and lets out some nervous laughter, as he sinks back into the wooden bench beneath him. "Heh heh heh…" He shoots what he hopes is a charming smile to the judge. Unfortunately, it doesn't work.

She doesn't seem remotely amused.

"Did you just tell me to 'shut up'?"

"N-No, Sir- Ma'am! Your honorableness, Ma'am! I was talking to mysel-… uhh… to umm… I was talking to…" Naruto bites his bottom lip and frantically searches around the room. Unable to locate a good enough subject, he pleadingly looks to Sabaku for guidance. All he receives is a rather scary glower. Cringing, he mumbles, "I'll just be quiet now."

"Sabaku, I would appreciated if you taught your subordinate proper courtroom etiquette. As for you," She sends a chilling look towards Naruto. "If you make so much as another peep during the course of this trial, I will have you held in contempt." Her brown eyes drill into his soul, and he can't help feeling the need to relieve himself in his pants. She's that scary.

The judge gives Naruto one last venomous glare, before leaning into her high-backed, wooden chair. Her blonde bangs swish around her face as she orders Sabaku to proceed. Another twenty minutes pass, while Naruto attempts to be on his best behavior. It sort of works, since he refrains from making any more loud declarations and manages to stay relatively silent. Even the voice in his head is quiet. After the jury has been selected, the judge releases everyone and Deidara is carried back into custody by three armed guards.

Naruto stands up and stretches his arms into the air, yawning boisterously with his eyes shut. His joints pop and his muscles tense. It feels amazing. Satisfied, he lowers his arms and sleepily opens his eyes.

Teal.

… wait, teal?!

Naruto is suddenly staring into a pair of teal eyes. He gulps. They don't look happy.

"Come with me."

Naruto suddenly feels a hand clamp around his upper arm, and his body is being dragged along out of the court room. His feet stumble, as he attempts to stay upright, losing his balance several times. The man pulling him doesn't seem to care or notice.

Naruto is suddenly shoved through a doorway, and he hears the door slam shut behind him. A faint click of a deadbolt being thrown bounces off the tiled walls, and Naruto realizes he has been locked inside a bathroom. He turns around and freezes.

With The Psycho.

Sabaku stands before the door wearing a dangerous glare. He fist balled at his sides. Strained breaths leaving his mouth.

That's the exact moment Naruto realizes he's in trouble. Big Trouble.

Sabaku starts walking towards him, and Naruto feels himself instinctually take a step backwards. Sabaku keeps coming and Naruto keeps stepping back. Suddenly, Naruto feels a wall press against his back, but Sabaku keeps coming. An arm shoots out from Sabaku, and Naruto feels himself pressed further into the wall.

Only centimeters separate their bodies.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Are you trying to be cute?"

Naruto feels his face flush, as his thoughts run wild due to the question and the proximity of his boss. Unfortunately, his mind once again races in a direction it really shouldn't and lands on a particular question it really shouldn't. However, this being Naruto… "You think I'm cute?" he asks, somewhat hopefully.

A growl rumbles deep in Sabaku's chest, as he presses impossibly close to the blonde. Naruto can feel the heat rolling off the svelte body aligned with his own. A clean and slightly-musky scent fills his nose. Warm puffs of air are ghosting over his lips. Oh God… Naruto licks his now trembling lips, as he stares into the smoldering, teal eyes that seem to consume him. Their noses lightly touch and Naruto feels his body stiffen in anticipation.

"This is exactly what I was talking about." Sabaku's low grumble fills the tiled room. Warm breath puffs against Naruto's lips with every word.

Naruto stifles the urge to moan.

Instantly, the words uttered in their last conversation fills Naruto's head. 'You're a distraction.' Now, Naruto could clearly see what the red-head had meant. It seems Sabaku has become a distraction for Naruto, as much as Naruto seems to be a distraction for Sabaku. The blonde was constantly getting distracted in meetings by thoughts of his boss. His sleep was constantly distracted by thoughts of his boss. And, to top it all off, he had just gotten so distracted by thoughts of his boss, Naruto had accidentally shouted in front of a crowded courtroom because he was having an argument about whether or not he had feeling for said boss with an imaginary voice in his head. If that wasn't distraction than Naruto didn't know what was!

"-not even listening now, are you?"

"Huh?" Naruto's eyes once again focus on the smoldering, teal eyes before him.

Another rumble fills the room. "As I've told you before, I hate repeating myself."

The hand on Naruto's shoulder digs in a bit painfully. For some reason, the blonde doesn't seem to mind. Distracting.

"-zumaki!"

"Huh?" Naruto eyes flick down to the plump lips that just shouted his name, mere millimeters from his own. Distracting.

Naruto's head bangs harshly against the wall, as his body is shaken.

"-till not listening!"

"Oww! What? What are you trying to say?" Naruto reaches up to rub the back of his head, but stills when he feels his check rub against Sabaku's. Distracting.

"-f the case."

"Wait, what?" Naruto wills himself to pay attention and focuses on the teal eyes of his irate boss.

A long pause. "I really wish I could kill you right now."

Naruto's mouth speaks before he brain can stop it. "Kill me? I thought you wanted to kiss me?"

"Why… why would I want to kiss you?" Sabaku's normally emotionless voice sounds incredulous. Almost appalled. The red-head pulls his face back to get a better look of the blonde's face, searching his feature in a way that suggests he believes Naruto must be joking. When it's clear that Naruto is, in fact, not joking, Sabaku's face settles for a faintly perplexed look. As if, he can't figure out why Naruto would come to this conclusion.

It really sucks.

Naruto fills his face flush, as the bottom of his stomach drops out. I guess Shikamaru was wrong. He doesn't like me. Naruto bites his bottom lip.

The blonde suddenly feels the pressing need to defend himself. "Well… Y-you pushed me up against the wall of a bathroom, after locking the door, and then you told me I was cute! What was I supposed to think?"

"You thought…" Sabaku pauses, "that I was going to kiss you?" he finishes, sounding exasperated.

"You're really close! And you're all breathing on me!" Naruto cries back, his face glowing with embarrassment. "I-I'm just as confused as you are!" Naruto pointedly nods, as if it helps to make his point.

.: No, you aren't. You know exactly what you want. :.

Gah! I thought I told you to die! Haven't you caused me enough trouble today?!

.: Well, if you would just accep- :.

Shut up! I'm not listening to you. There is nothing to accept!

Naruto suddenly feels much colder as Sabaku releases him and walks across the tiny space to the opposite wall next to the sinks. Before the man can fully turn his back to the blonde, Naruto almost swears he sees the hint of a blush staining Sabaku's normally pale cheeks.

"I didn't mean it like that." The red-head grits out. He head tilted down.

Naruto stares for a moment, feeling off-kilter. He licks his dry lips, as he pushes himself away from the wall and readjusts the jacket of his navy-blue suit. He combs shaky fingers through his unkempt blonde hair. His eyes zero in on the lithe back of the figure in front of him. A crisp black suit hangs off the man's strong shoulders. His fiery, red hair catching the light thrown from the fluorescent bulbs glowing brightly in the ceiling. Naruto really wants to grab that hair.

Suddenly, an indignant and irrational fury courses through him. "Then, how did you mean it, Sabaku? Pinning a subordinate against the wall of a locked bathroom? Not exactly professional, is it?"

Sabaku's back straightens, and he whips around; his hands balled at his sides. "Do you really want to talk about professionalism?" he snaps, as his face forms an alarming snarl. "How about standing up and shouting like a psychotic person during jury selection?"

"Psychotic?! You, of all people, are calling me psychotic? You're the most psychotic person I know!" Naruto points a hand accusingly.

"What exactly makes me psychotic?" Even while asking the question, Sabaku's eyes seem to take on a slightly insane hue, widening enough to show his blood-shot sclera.

Something about that look scares the bejesus out of the blonde.

Unnerved, and yet strangely egged-on, by the image of the frightening man in front of him, Naruto shouts, "What doesn't make you psychotic? You're like a fucking monster!" Naruto is vaguely aware that his feet have left the ground. It is a bewildering feeling. Everything becomes a little clearer once his head slams with a resounding crack against the bathroom tiles behind him.

He is being attacked by a person he just accused of being psychotic and called a monster. Probably not good.

His vision blurs for a moment, before he focuses on the teal eyes once again dominating his view. He panics when he suddenly realizes a hand is wrapped loosely around his throat. Dread floods through his body and chills his bones. This is definitely not good.

"You don't know what you're fucking talking about." The low and eerily-calm words pervade the blonde's ear; lips brush against his rim of his ear. The hand on his throat tightens slightly.

At this moment, one thing is certain in Naruto's mind: he is not ready to die. He thinks of all the things he has yet to accomplish, like becoming the Prosecuting Attorney of Konohagakure or, more importantly, eating ramen from every restaurant in a 50 kilometer radius, before he can allow himself to die. And he certainly doesn't want to die in a grungy, courthouse bathroom. That's just downright depressing.

Naruto snaps his eyes shut and prays to any deity who might hear him. Even to the God of Grungy, Courthouse Bathrooms! Or maybe Goddess! He isn't one to discriminate!

As if his panicked prayers are answered, the hand around his neck quickly slides away, and Naruto feels something grip the lapel of his jacket. Heavy breathing reaches the blonde's ears, and he feels a weight settle on his shoulder. He opens his eyes to find Sabaku resting his crimson-haired head on the blonde's shoulder.

And Naruto suddenly feels the strange need to wrap his arms around the vulnerable-looking man and nuzzle his face into the man's neck.

It was weird.

He bites his bottom lip and tears his gaze away from his boss, in an attempt to quickly smother the needy feeling…

Before I decide to act on it.

Naruto's eyes wander and land on a mirror hanging on the wall adjacent to them. He can't help but be struck by the picture they make. Naruto: looking confused, hands raised, almost touching the man before him. Sabaku: breathing heavy, clutching Naruto's jacket, and eyes screwed shut.

That needy feeling to comfort Sabaku returns to full force.

"Sorry," Naruto mumbles, reluctantly, forcing his hands back to his sides. "I shouldn't have called you… a monster." He cringes internally, embarrassed by his own behavior. Now that he really think about it, 'monster' is a pretty cruel name to call a person. He sighs. "It was wrong and… I didn't actually mean it. I was just angry and… em-." He pauses and wills himself to finish that statement. "I was embarrassed."

Because I may have… at the time… wanted you to kis-… Eh heh… let's not go there.

Sabaku continues to take strained breaths, not acknowledging the he has heard the blonde's apology. Confused, Naruto lifts his hand and touches the man's shoulder. "Hey, Sabaku-"

Sabaku suddenly snap out of whatever trance he was in and pulls away, as if shocked by an electric current. He pins Naruto with an angry and confused glare, his lips pressed tightly together. His eyes search Naruto's face and he seems to come to a sort of decision. After a moment of apparently calming breaths, he flattens his hair, and readjusts his suit. Then, he grits out, "You're off the case."

"Huh?" His eyes widen, as his head tilts to the side, trying to understand what he has just heard. This isn't what the blonde was expecting to hear. Maybe an apology or an explanation…

"Today, you potentially ruined our relationship with the judge by telling her to 'Shut up.' Your behavior may jeopardize the case, if the defense finds a way to use this against us. This is exactly what I predicted would happen."

"Now, wai-"

"Besides this," Sabaku interrupts, "it has become increasingly clear that we are unable to work together, since you seem to think that I'm a…" He pauses and sends another glare at Naruto. "That I'm a psychotic monster." His voice is filled with distain and loathing.

Naruto blushes. "I already apologize for that!" Naruto yells, trying to get a word in. "I didn't mean it. I'm sorry!"

Sabaku glares for a moment, hesitating his next words. "You also thought I was trying to.." Sabaku looks to the side.

Naruto doesn't miss the blush this time.

"You thought I was trying to kiss you."

Naruto isn't sure if should smile at the picture Sabaku makes. Naruto again experiences that same needy feeling from before.

Sabaku clears his throat and meets Naruto's blue eyes once again. "I want to you report to Hiruzen tomorrow morning and ask to be excused from the case. If you ask, I'm sure he will listen."

"Sabaku, I don't think that's the only option here. Just… give me another chance. I promise not to embarrass you in court or suggest that you're trying to kiss me or call anyone names. I promise! You can count on me!"

Sabaku's teal eyes turn hesitant, as his lips press tightly together. "Naruto…" The man pauses and swallows. He looks down a take a deep breath. When his eyes lift again, they've turned hard. "Just do it." Without another word, Sabaku walks over to the bathroom door, unlocks it, and hastily disappears as the door swings shut.

Naruto stares a bit dazed at the closed wooden door. The quiet sound of his shallow breathing fills the room. He rests his head against the wall behind him and grimaces as a sharp pain flares up. He sighs, as he turns his head to the side and looks back into that same mirror. Suit rumpled. Face flushed. Eyes jumbled.

After all that, even after him almost choking me and kicking me off the case, why it that the one thing stuck in my head is that… he called me 'Naruto' for the first time?

.: It's coming. :.

What? What's coming?

.: The revelation. :.

The revelation? What are you talking about?

Suddenly, a strange feeling washes over Naruto as he stares at his rumpled reflection in the mirror.

Oh God…

His blue eyes widen as the pieces fall together. One. By. One.

The nonstop staring, the inexplicable blushing, the heated yelling, the supposed kissing, the relentless thoughts, the comforting dreams… Oh god, the dreams.

They all pointed to only one conclusion.

And he can't ignore it any longer.

I think…

I might actually…

Naruto bites his bottom lip, unable to stop his next thought. His shoulders slump, resigned to the truth.

I like Sabaku.

.: And there it is. :.

Naruto's bewildered expression suddenly twists into pouty glare.

But I still really hate you.

His inner voice smirks, rather smugly.

.: Understandable… :.

YAY! The story is moving along. And Naruto has finally realized his attraction.

I had a crush like this in high school. We would fight all the time, and sometimes I was really mean. It took me a while to realize I actually like the guy. Silly me. But by then, I was too embarrassed to say anything.

Hmm… so let's see how Naruto deals with it. I guess we'll find out in the next chapter.

In the last few chapters, I've added in descriptions of characters from the canon, without telling you who they are…. I wonder if you can guess all of them correctly. *evil grin*

Thanks for Reading! Please leave your thoughts and suggestions!