AN: The title for this chapter, as many of you may know, is shamelessly borrowed from

Shakespeare's play King Henry the Fifth. I believe it to be apt considering the story line.

Once again, thank you for all the support and for your reviews. More reviews are always welcome. 

I chose Wing Tsun Kung Fu as the style for Sasuke, even though I've seen hints of Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian art form that is more dance than fighting style. It just seemed a bit much to be hopping around the house in exaggerated flips and dance-like kicks for Sasuke, especially at this point in time.

On a side note, Coolcloud333 since you failed to sign your review I'll answer it here.

You are, as always and along with everyone else here, entitled to your opinion. I,

personally, see either Sasuke or Naruto in this fic as being able to play the dominant role,

which is why I felt comfortable enough to display them that way. As for the rest of your

baseless and utterly crass critique, I used it to roast smores. If you have anything else

unmitigated and thoroughly un-researched to post, feel free. I still have marshmallows in my cupboards.

Un-betaed.

Chapter 21

Once More Unto the Breach

Naruto had been tearing about the house with ceaseless energy. He and Sasuke had about a week of waiting until the leaders and examiners called them in to hear their decision and it was becoming unbearable. He twitched and fidgeted constantly and Sasuke had refused to train with him in that state so he was left to overcome the barriers of time on his own. Sasuke, however, filled the days with training, reading or meditating. He didn't seem at all anxious, let alone excited, to hear what would befall his status in the village.

Having continued reminders from his friends that he was still only a lowly Genin merely increased Naruto's frustration, however. Naruto huffed loudly at Sasuke's back. Well used to his erratic behavior by now, Sasuke simply ignored him and continued to track through the beginning of a Wing Tsun forward stance, the Chum Kiu Mah or bridge seeking horse. Bringing his arms up, one set in a fist and closer to his sternum with knuckles facing downward, and the other bent at the elbow but set in a chop with his palm facing upward and further from his body, Sasuke twisted to face the back wall. His legs were slightly more than shoulder length apart, facing forward as well, and one in front of the other. Naruto watched it all distractedly as Sasuke shifted sideways while keeping his legs separated and blocked with his elbow bent upwards and to the left while punching the air in the space below it. He sighed then, loudly, and Sasuke stopped moving to turn to him with an intense stare.

Naruto kept himself from shivering because of it. Instead, he lifted himself from his place on the floor and under the east window of their living room. The light from the rising sun had made the glass, and the surrounding air, quite warm. He felt it could have relaxed him, calmed him down. But he was just too anxious. He had to know, and no amount of calm radiating from Sasuke would help either.

"If you want to go, then go. But they'll probably just tell you to come back tomorrow at noon since that's the day they set for us. Really, it's not that long a wait, so just calm down already," Sasuke said calmly.

Naruto glared at him petulantly.

"I don't see how you can be so calm. This is important, especially to me. It should be to you, too. We won't be able to join the higher rank ninja on the tougher missions without advancing to Chunin level at least."

"Is that all that matters now? Whether or not you can go on the tougher missions? As if we haven't been on a few already that even a Jounin would have trouble completing," Sasuke scoffed at him.

Naruto inhaled sharply, feeling the rise in tension and hearing the naked hostility in Sasuke's voice.

"What the hell, Sasuke. Why are you being such a dick about this? I thought that once you'd been home for enough time, you'd finally start to want something more than death to take home with you. Maybe I was wrong."

Sasuke reared back and almost snarled. His mouth twisted into a fine grimace, teeth clenched to the point Naruto could almost hear them grinding.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?! No, never mind, forget it and forget you and your incessant need for attention," he sniped back.

"What?! Attention?! What the hell is wrong with you?! How dare you . . . after all you've seen, all we've done, all that's happened . . . ," Naruto sputtered out and finally fell silent to mince Sasuke with another heated glare.

Sasuke avoided his gaze carefully, hiding his eyes in the shadow of his bangs. His fists trembled slightly as he squeezed them even more tightly closed. Naruto felt tired all of a sudden and nowhere near as excited or nervously energized as before. He could feel that this wasn't all just some posturing or an attempt at a throw back to the Sasuke of three years ago. There was something else going on, but he had no idea if he wanted to know about it. Things had gotten so complicated, dealing with Sasuke's strange behavior, his cautious desires and what Naruto could only imagine as some kind of fear or insecurity over it all. And then there were his own desires and the old dream he was still trying to realize along with all the questions he himself had about, well, so many things lately. He figured starting with a simple, yet justifiable, possibility for Sasuke's temper was as good a place as any.

"Is it . . . ," Naruto started hesitantly, "that last fight? Is that why you're so mad? Because you could have tried harder, you know. I wasn't keeping anything back, maybe, but I wasn't trying to pummel you without any way for you to counter it either, so if you . . . ," Naruto kept pushing, seeing no real reaction. That is, until he was interrupted.

"It's not that," Sasuke affirmed sharply. And he meant it too, from the look on his face, all twisted with disgust as if Naruto had no idea that something so genuinely trifling really could drive his mood south so very quickly.

"Well, what is it then?" Naruto countered, irritated. He really didn't have the desire, or the energy, for more arguing. He sincerely wished that Sasuke could be more plain and willing to let up a little on his oh-so-coveted guard. It was incredibly trying for Naruto, having to peel it back every time he wanted, or needed, to know something.

"Nothing. Forget it. I didn't mean anything, all right?" Sasuke said simply, the angry edge only a tiny shade of its former glory.

Naruto shook his head, tenacious as ever.

"You know very well that isn't going to work on me, Sasuke. I'm not trying to bully you and I'm not asking out of some twisted, possessive obsession."

Sasuke simply blinked at him before hiding everything behind a blank expression. Then, very quietly, he began to snicker, just a little. But Naruto heard it. And, at first, it pissed him off royally. Sasuke's yawing mood swings were hard enough to contend with, but now he was being laughed at . . . again. It almost started to hurt, until he saw that Sasuke was swiping at his eyes and shaking his head, bringing an arm up in a placating gesture.

"Okay, okay but you're going to be even more pissed off, which is why I didn't say anything. I was actually trying to do something worthy for a change so don't come railing at me if you're still mad," he started to explain.

Naruto waited for him to continue, already not liking where it was going but ready to accept it for the sake of getting something from Sasuke without having to strip it away after hours of meandering wordplay.

"I don't really care about rising in rank, or too much about missions aside from being able to do them with you. And I figure the old bats that run this place still hope for a Sharingan revival, which is fine by me as it will probably guarantee me enough clout to stay near you. Otherwise, I couldn't care less what happens. So, yeah, I didn't go all out with our spar. Besides, it was more for you, to let them see how far you've come and not just with that crazy Nature chakra, but well . . . I don't know what I'm saying anymore, okay?" Sasuke stopped talking to rake a hand through his hair.

"It's just, as long as we can still be in the same place, as long as we're still able to do this job, though I'm still not entirely sure I trust that hag of yours, I'm fine with it. Of course, if that woman does anything to lose what small measure of respect she gained in helping you, I think I might want to go right back to my original plan."

Naruto listened, frowning, and then his face cleared before he threw a fist at Sasuke's shoulder playfully.

"You ass, you still suck at trying to make jokes. I see I'm going to have to teach you, huh? Anyway, that doesn't make any sense, and I don't get what you're doing if you don't really care about this place, or this job. It seems to me, you just need to take a few missions, maybe train in a different area like ANBU. I think you'd like that. Anyway, as long as you're not going to take any more misdirected pot-shots at me, I don't have to repeat the all-too-easy rout I hailed down on you with my all-too-awesome control of Nature chakra," Naruto babbled out, grinning.

His mood had lightened at how simple, and yet complex, Sasuke was trying to make his reasons out to be. It felt somehow right, and it definitely was a sight better than having to fight it out to get it.

"Whatever you say, Naruto," Sasuke answered nonchalantly.

He turned his back to Naruto, who was still fighting to keep the grin in check, and began stretching out his limbs. He hadn't trained for long that morning but the tension had added more strain, so they felt sore and ill-used.

He headed sedately toward the shower, Naruto ambling along behind him. The energy almost instantly seemed to change, charging with something very different from the heat of anger born from fear or anything else Sasuke could name. Except, he could name this; he knew what it was now, and wasn't afraid of that knowing, even if he still refused to voice it. Reaching back behind him he held out his hand and scraped along Naruto's hip gently. He felt a hand clutch at his warmly and smiled. After their shower, maybe they'd go bully the old bat into giving them their decision early. Naruto had earned that much, and she wouldn't refuse him, certainly not with what Sasuke could do to her.

Naruto's hand pressed itself, still encased in Sasuke's, to the middle of his back and Sasuke felt the rest of his body lean into him from behind. The pressure was slight, and warm, and maddeningly arousing. Sasuke suddenly pulled forward with more force and all but hauled Naruto up the stairs to their room with the attached bath, pulling him around so that they faced each other for a passionate press of the lips just before he slammed the door shut.

The next day dawned bright and loud as the buzzing of conversation and excited conjecture burned fast and hot throughout Konoha's business district. Tsunade studied the examiners and the visiting dignitaries that were assisting in the ninja promotions this term. They had finally come to a decision on, in her mind, the most important applicants that had participated. And although their decision went along with her requests, she still felt wary. Perhaps they were viewing this as most of the ninja villages had in the past, simply a purview to what could fall upon their countries should they not take the exam, and its judgments, seriously. Tsunade, personally, felt nothing but disgust for the way things had been done before her time. It only perpetuated war by creating the desire for it. And the degradation of the villages that inevitably followed only led to more war, this time out of vengeance, or an intense fear of their more powerful neighbor.

Tsunade sighed and grabbed the bridge of her nose with two fingers. She knew they were scheduled to be informed that day. Truthfully, she had expected them long before now. A surge of familiar chakra signatures, nearly blended together with how close they were in proximity to each other, and a knock heralded their coming. She sighed again, ticking her fingers against the dark wood of her desk in anticipation, feeling both frustration and pride trying to overwhelm her.

"Enter," she barked toward the door.

Both Naruto and Sasuke stood in the doorway, just as she had expected. While the last of his clan, Uchiha Sasuke still bore the regal bearing of one who lead it. Naruto looked as though he was fighting not to fidget. It was a good sign. Tsunade could see from his stature alone that he had indeed immersed himself in a great deal of power, but was lucky enough to remember, or perhaps finally understand, all the lessons his various teachers had tried to instill in him.

It was a fine, clear day that morning. The sun was high and the lack of any cloud cover drew the eye to the vast, soft blue of the sky above the treetops. All the foliage surrounding the Hokage Tower, planted when her grandfather had led this town to an era of relative dissolution of war and into a time of long-awaited prosperity although it had been far too short, seemed to flow with encouragement, drifting inward toward the building. For the first time that day, for the first time since taking on the position and responsibility of this job, Tsunade felt that Konohagakure no Sato would be able to ensure that prosperity and cement together the cracking relationships with its neighbors and allies, former enemy or not. A soft clearing of a throat brought her out of her musings and she looked to her left.

Genma, the examiner in charge of the paired fights towards the end of the exam, looked at her, a question highlighted in his dark brown eyes. She'd always found them to be so hard to read past the amusement and slight lazy tilt. He was, however, one of the most deadly when it came to thrown weaponry, whatever it might be, and his prowess as a Chunin team leader had left no room for doubt. Every one of the ninja that went out with him had complete faith that they would survive it, even if a spare few had not. Shaking her head and smiling slightly, she turned her attention back to the matter at hand. Beckoning Naruto forward first, she turned to cut her gaze around the room at all the judges.

"Uchiha Sasuke, please wait outside for your evaluation. You will be called in shortly," she told him, her tone brooking no argument.

Sasuke tilted his head slightly forward and turned to leave, canting his eyes to Naruto so quickly and with so many things flitting through them at such a rapid pace, Tsunade almost lost focus trying to read them all. When he had gone, closing the door with a soft click behind him, she turned her full attention to Naruto.

"Now, I know why you are here. These," she gestured to all the people present, "are all the judges of the Chunin Exams this term."

"And, of course, you are familiar with the Kazekage and his entourage," Gaara and his brother, sister and a small contingent of Suna ninja, some that Naruto did indeed know, all bowed their heads to him. Naruto grinned a bit, unable to keep from becoming embarrassed. He resisted swiping the back of neck with his hand. Tsunade nodded to him as well, as though she approved.

Tsunade introduced the other leaders in turn. And then she turned grave eyes back to face Naruto and he knew it wasn't anything like he had been hoping.

"We have come to a decision. Or rather, I have made a recommendation and the others present, including the Elder Council, have approved of it. You will not be advancing to Chunin level."

Naruto frowned and fisted his hands but Tsunade held up a hand to keep him silent.

"However," and, here she could not resist letting out some of the joy and pride that filled her, her mouth quirking upwards, "there is something I do have for you."

She gestured toward the mountain of tombs resting precariously on the edge of her desk. Honestly, they probably would have been piled on the floor had Shizune not insisted on trying to straighten her office that morning, and every morning since the Exams had begun. As if the other village leaders didn't have piles of paperwork, forms and books, all demanding their immediate attention, of their own to hide away whenever someone important visited. Her sharp eyes watched Naruto try not to squirm and saw his mouth begin to twist with the need to start shouting.

"You will take them home and begin to study. I and the Elder Council will hold a private exam for you at the end of the month, so you'd best work hard. Try using a study partner, if you like. It seems you haven't been having any trouble with your . . . roommate."

It might have sounded childish to some, but Tsunade could not resist the urge to rib him a bit. The fights and teamwork during the Forest of Death and the single exams weren't the only things reported to her. Naruto frowned harder and she decided to let up a little.

"This is a good thing, Naruto," she chided quietly. "You're getting what you have wanted for more than three years, ever since becoming a ninja. But, like every other thing you've experienced since first putting on that headband, it may not come easy and it may not be exactly as you imagined. Though, I think . . . no, I am sure, you will be glorious." She unconsciously echoed Gaara's words to him from the exams. Naruto, finally beginning to understand that this was not a punishment or a veiled insult, began to breathe a little harder.

"Are you saying . . .," he started but caught the titles on the bindings, all lettered in gold leaf. He could not help but gasp as the import of Tsunade's words, what she wanted of him and what she was giving him, sank in.

Tsunade, not having reached the rank and level of Hokage out of some nepotistic gratefulness to her grandfather, smiled wider.

"Once you've completed the coming test, I shall be able to sign my last bit of paperwork, Naruto. So, you'd better really study, work hard, and as Kakashi always railed into you, look underneath the underneath," she stated evenly.

Naruto had begun to smile, mostly in disbelief, and his head wagged from side to side as if he were trying to clear it. He swallowed and then looked up at all the others in the room. His eyes were wide and the smile looked as though it was lost on his face, not knowing how it had gotten there. Quietly he began to laugh and, still snickering, picked up the volumes before him.

"I'll just take these, then, and, uh, go. I guess I'll, uh," and still unable to form a decent thought, he drifted back out of the office, the books in his hands shaking slightly with everything he had been holding back.

Tsunade continued to smile even through Sasuke's entrance into the office. He looked wary, and not the least bit pleased. Of course Naruto had still been incoherent enough not to explain, so Tsunade was left to calm the embers before that sensitive pride of his made him do, or say, something stupid.

"Relax, Sasuke. He'll be fine, once it all sinks in a bit. You should be happy to know that it was relatively good news, as any can be for a ninja. And I have good news for you as well. You are hereby graduated to the rank of Chunin and I will take into consideration what we spoke of last evening and give you my answer in two days. That is all."

She waited for it to sink, for any questions or reactions like that of some ninja in the past. But Sasuke simply blinked at her, then nodded and turned to leave. The tiny smile she was sure that even he did not know was there as his face disappeared behind his overly long bangs was all that she needed. Tsunade clapped her hands for the attention of everyone present and began the final post-Chunin Exam meeting of that season. She resisted the urge to look through her window and down at the grass below. She was sure that two of her most vested ninja would have no trouble finding a way to celebrate. But God, did she wish the end of the month was here so she could do some of her own without Shizune screaming her ear off. But sake, however tempting it was at the moment, would have to wait.

The droning of the Elders voices, minus Danzou as he was not technically a part of them and would never be as long as she could do something about it, both caught and lost her attention. He's not the only obstacle left that could prove damaging, she thought. They would need to move fast for a better transition for Naruto. And, right now, that was a more important part of her duties, the only one she would focus the largest amount of her energy on that she could muster. Trying to focus on the words, Tsunade bore down in her chair and settled in for the all-too-long discussion.

Naruto deposited the books on the dining room table at home and stared at them. He felt they would disappear if he did it long enough. His mind still had trouble wrapping around the concept of why they were there. He shook his head again and turned to Sasuke who leaned against the door jam of the entrance.

"They won't bite," he quipped, a smirk playing at his mouth irresistibly.

"Come on, I'm sure you'll want to celebrate." He missed the grin pushing at Naruto's mouth as he caught up to him and pulled at his arm to turn him around.

"Ramen?" Naruto queried hopefully.

Sasuke frowned and then quirked an eyebrow, "And if I said no? That crap is far too unhealthy. I'm surprised your organs haven't exploded."

Naruto stuck his lip out and then made face.

"But it's what I want. Come on," he cajoled. He hadn't been to Icharaku's since they'd gotten back from Gure-pu Sawa and he missed it terribly.

Sasuke reached into his pocket for his wallet. They had been pooling their money together and had set aside a fair amount for rent and household necessities. Naruto would have bled the rest dry if he hadn't had the forethought to allot him an allowance. The row that had followed had been won by Sasuke only after he'd promised a weekly dinner at Ichiraku's and explained, repeatedly, what it took to keep a house. Naruto, as per usual, had only half listened though he had become a bit more frugal in his spending lately. He had yet to visit his favorite shop, though. So it seemed that Sasuke wasn't going to get out of allowing the treat.

"Go on, then," he said, handing over a few bills. "I'll meet up with you in two hours."

Naruto lowered and titled his head in question.

"You're not coming?"

They had reached the main thoroughfare for the business district and they both slowed to a sedate walk.

"I have something to do. It's all part of the celebration," Sasuke answered, pulling Naruto in for a quick, warm kiss.

Naruto took the opportunity to use a little tongue, swiping it inside Sasuke's mouth to roll around his a few times. Sasuke supposed it was because they were outdoors and he had become a bit of an exhibitionist after the Exams. Sasuke had worried over it, too. But he wasn't going to complain. It felt good . . . and tasted even better. They broke free from each other after a spare few moments. Sasuke turned to head south while Naruto continued east, humming under his breath, excited that he would be able to celebrate the way he wanted to despite not having Sasuke there. It would be a good chance to catch up with the old man and Ayame-neechan anyway. Naruto disappeared under the curtain and Sasuke waited until he was seated before changing direction to head for The Academy buildings to the west. If he was going to do what he planned, he would need a bit of help.

"Yo, old man!" Naruto barked out as he sat down.

Teuchi glanced up from the special he was sliding into the delivery container and then brightened up. It had been a busy morning, but the sight of not only his best customer but a boy he had grown so fond of over the years was enough to make his worst day much better.

"Naruto! I haven't seen you in a while! How is everything?" he called good-naturedly. Then he took a closer look and wondered when the hell the boy had grown a bit taller, why on earth he had shortened his hair and harrumphed loudly before turning to call over his shoulder.

"Ayame! Get out here! I want you to make this delivery for me! Naruto's back!"

Naruto smiled brighter, feeling warmer from the stove behind the counter and better for getting to see some old friends while enjoying God's greatest gift to food. Ayame peeked around the door frame to the storage area and broke into the friendliest smile he'd seen yet.

"Naruto?! When did you get back in town? How are you? Are you hungry? Listen to me! Of course you are! What would you like?"

Naruto laughed and ordered miso ramen, four bowls. His stomach rumbled in protest at having to wait so long for the delicious broth and noodles, the egg halved on top and the vegetables that they both resolutely ignored, once more.

"I'm fine. I got back a while ago but had some things to deal with. And then exams . . ." he trailed off, thinking about darker things than he wanted to while enjoying their company. The crease to his brow evened out as Teuchi watched and another bright smile replaced it.

"But Sasuke's back! And we're shacking up at a little cottage just outside of the resident area to the north. It's really pretty! And I'm sorry I haven't been by too much. I'll try harder next time, if Sasuke lets me sneak back. He's trying to get me to eat better." Naruto made a noise that plainly said what he thought of eating less ramen. Teuchi laughed delightedly.

"Well, any time you do, he won't hear it from me!"

He set the steaming bowls on the counter as Ayame reluctantly hefted the full delivery container to her shoulder.

"Promise you won't leave until I get back?" she asked, worried she would miss all the fun.

"Of course not, Ayame-neechan! I haven't seen you guys in far too long. I've got two hours before Sasuke comes by with my surprise. So I'm all yours until then!"

Ayame blushed even though Naruto had obviously meant what he'd said as nothing more than friendly banter. Teuchi grumbled under his breath and told him to eat. Naruto obliged with gusto and tore into the ramen as if he'd starved the whole time he and Sasuke had been in Gure-pu Sawa. Two hours later and many, many stories of their time in that place and Ayame and Teuchi saw Sasuke appear under the curtain.

"Yo!" he called straight-faced. But the relaxed atmosphere only continued as Teuchi and Ayame caught their first look at the erstwhile defector. He might have grown, more muscle standing out in his chest and shoulders, but the quiet manner of the past was still there. And Naruto's swift, endearing smile and the swipe he took up Sasuke's back said more than Teuchi needed to hear.

"Welcome back, Sasuke!" he called. "You have time for a bowl? We were just chatting with Naruto about that village you two visited."

Sasuke glanced at Naruto, but smiled a bit upon seeing nothing taught or uncomfortable about the way he was sitting.

"Sorry, no. Naruto and I have to be going. Unless he doesn't want his gift?" Sasuke turned to give Naruto an amused narrowing of his eyes and Naruto leapt off the counter, almost forgetting to pay.

"Sorry old man, Ayame-neechan. Gotta go!"

Teuchi watched them go, Naruto taking off at a dead run with Sasuke shouting at him to slow up before he hit something, with a critical eye. But Ayame sighing in delight and clasping her hands in front of her relaxed him. They deserved to be happy, and if they found it in each other he would not complain, despite what he though of that kind of thing. He liked Naruto and found Sasuke to have become quite a distinguished and regal young man, much like his father. Finding love wherever it lay was precious anyway, so it wouldn't do to try and ruin it. Especially not for those two.

Naruto slowed upon coming near to the end of the business district and Sasuke caught his hand and whirled him around. He kissed him with his eyes open and Naruto leaned into it. They both were somewhat out of breath, the run and their kissing having taken all the air. Just as Naruto began to close his eyes, Sasuke pulled back to breath again.

"Do you trust me?" Sasuke suddenly said a few moments after they broke apart.

"What?" Naruto asked, startled at the strange question. "Yeah, I trust you. What's this about?"

Sasuke brought his hands up to Naruto's face, and in them there lay a strip of cloth. He tried to cover Naruto's eyes, but he pulled his head out of reach.

"Sasuke?" he asked.

"You trust me," Sasuke said simply, though his stomach warred with his head, trying to tell him this was a horrible idea and Naruto had already said it, so why keep going? But Naruto let him pull it over his eyes, the muddy-red color and soft material making it impossible to see.

Sasuke's voice came through next to his ear in soft, mellow tones and Naruto inhaled sharply.

"Just walk forward, Naruto," he said, taking his hand and guiding him in the direction he wanted.

The scents of the trees dotting the road and the sounds of a few birds happily twittering away, oblivious to it all, reached him. It was all sharper than just moments ago but he doubted it had anything to do with the enhanced abilities the blind had. It was all Sasuke, having him so close, so arousing.

"Stop," Sasuke murmured in his ear and Naruto stopped moving. He felt Sasuke bring his hand up to touch something rough. It was pitted and felt like wood that had been shaved and painted over. Long and wide, it must have been a door from the uniform, rectangular shape. A cold, rounded knob brushed against his knuckles and he voiced his opinion aloud.

"A door."

Naruto tried to breathe normally; it sounded too loud, even to himself. Sasuke's voice came again, from behind him. He could feel the heat off of his body, right at his back.

"And what's this?" The feel of something soft touched his cheek. It smelled sweet as it traveled over his lips and had a small, almost square shape ending in a point as Sasuke pressed it flush into his skin. The velvety feel, the sweet scent . . . Naruto knew what it was suddenly and smiled as he told him.

"A petal, a flower petal."

"Right, but not just any flower," Sasuke murmured again, right into Naruto's ear. His lips brushed against the shell and Naruto felt it all the way down his body, stopping on the way back up to collect in his groin.

"Rose petals, Naruto."

And Naruto felt that same velvety softness against his face and shoulders, all over, as rose petals fell all around him. Well, he had to assume so; the blindfold was still tied securely around his head. It made his hair itch, or maybe that was just the sweat on his brow from their run. The air itself was cool and smelled of all those roses . . . and Sasuke. The air smelled of the tangy sweat of Sasuke and Naruto wanted to rip the cloth away and taste it. The next thing Naruto knew there was a click and Sasuke pushed his hand against Naruto's own that had been pressed against the wood to open the door. He was led inside and instantly knew from the smell that they were in their own house. The soft carpeting of the living room met his sandaled feet, though they didn't stay that way.

"Sit," Sasuke ordered softly. Naruto sat down and Sasuke helped free his feet, as he had on the stairs the other day, very slowly. Then there was another scent under his nose, very sweet and velvety, like the flowers but darker, if that was even possible. Could a scent really be dark? Naruto had lost it completely and he blamed Sasuke.

"Do you know what this is?" Sasuke asked from in front of Naruto. Naruto shook his head and then wondered again what he was up to as Sasuke brushed his face against him, leaving a sweet, tiny kiss on his cheek.

"Open your mouth," he whispered and Naruto did it without thinking. That warm, sweet, dark scent had the same taste as it filled him. He chewed a bit but it melted against his tongue and he knew what it was.

Swallowing and running his tongue over his teeth and around the inside of his mouth, he said, "Chocolate."

"Good," Sasuke confirmed and got off the leather couch. It rustled and groaned as he moved and Naruto leaned back into it only to feel Sasuke's hands on his. Fingers intertwining of their own accord, Naruto allowed Sasuke to guide him to his feet and toward the windows. There was a large empty space there and Naruto remembered their dance. Only, his legs hit something hard and he grunted.

"Sorry," Sasuke murmured abashedly and a hand dragged down Naruto's back to rub at the hollow above his hips.

"It's fine. What is this? Last time we were here, which was this morning, our living room was only equipped with a couch, chairs, a coffee table and an entertainment center."

Again, Naruto thought of their dance and wondered what Sasuke had been up to all afternoon. Instead of answering, Sasuke brought one of Naruto's hands up and pulled it forward. Sasuke's hand shifted to clasp Naruto's wrist and his fingers brushed against something solid and yet riddled with even cracks. Then, Sasuke pushed down and Naruto heard the most beautiful sound, made sharper by the blindfold. The tones continued as Sasuke brought his fingers sideways and Naruto knew what he had done. Tearing at the blindfold accompanied to Sasuke's low, delighted laughter, Naruto freed himself of the cloth to gaze down at a Baby Grande Piano. It was just sitting there, placidly, in the corner of their living room complete with a bench that had been pushed in below it. Naruto felt his mouth fall open as he stared at it and then shifting up at Sasuke and back slowly.

Sasuke was smiling, full of pride and soft laughter. Naruto gaped at him, tried to close his mouth, and gaped again. Booming laughter from behind them and a dry chuckle startled them both. Turning together, they saw Iruka and Kakashi standing at the entrance.

"So?" Kakashi asked, leaning back against the wall next to the door and crossing his arms. "He did good, right? Tell him he did good. Better yet, kiss him and tell him he did good."

Iruka elbowed him in the ribs and smiled fondly at Naruto, then turned to grin at Sasuke. Naruto had never seen him smile so wide before.

"This really was a beautiful thing, Sasuke. I'm glad you included us."

Naruto tilted his head cutely and stared at them, all his earlier arousal having made his mind slow and brackish. "Huh?"

Kakashi shook his head and moved forward to tousle his hair.

"Even with how well you've been with your money lately, kid, Sasuke couldn't afford something like this. Though, the blindfold was such a nice touch," he answered, chuckling as Sasuke threw him a dark, hard frown and Naruto poked him roughly with all the fingers on one hand. Even though he could never have eavesdropped and neither could Iruka, and they had managed to get back from paying the bill at the bar only just as Sasuke had taken Naruto to the piano, they didn't have to know that. He saw the bowl of chocolate and the rose petals all over the front porch and could have made the proper assumption had he been drunk and slow-witted.

"Yeah, thanks for the help but it's not like you were integral Kakashi. I could easily have waited a few more months, as planned. But it's a special occasion," Sasuke said dryly.

Naruto turned to him and smiled softly before going to give Iruka a hug.

"This isn't just for the piano, and certainly not for eavesdropping. But, thanks."

Iruka tightened the hold, drawing him in more and then he let go. He looked down at Naruto a moment and over to the piano, seeming as though he wanted to say something. But he looked back at Naruto and tapped a hand against his cheek.

"I know you'll enjoy it, so it was worth more than enough. Come by the school again, when you have time." He turned to leave, but looked back at the two younger ninja.

"This is a really beautiful home. I'd take you up on the offer for dinner, but some other time. Kakashi and I have reports to do."

"What?" Kakashi asked then straightened to crack his back and give them a lazy, bored look. "Sure, fine, I've been meaning to get more of them done anyway."

But he headed in Naruto and Sasuke's direction instead of the door. "Don't I get a hug?"

"NO," Naruto said sharply. "I know you probably just came for the chance to snoop, or else helped lift a bit and not much else. You can have an invite to come again, if you behave." Naruto pointed at Kakashi's chest accusingly. "NO porn."

Sasuke smiled smugly from behind Naruto's back and waved him off. Kakashi left, trying to look hurt, but smiling under his mask as he quickened his steps to catch Iruka before he managed to hit the school ahead of him.

Naruto sighed once he was sure that both his teachers had gone a safe distance. Sasuke came up to wrap his arms around him from behind and folded his fingers together in front of Naruto's waist. A nip at his ear and all the arousal from before came shooting back and just as intensely. Naruto found his hands wandering back to clasp at Sasuke's hips and pull them forward. His growing erection hit Naruto first, and Sasuke groaned light and high. Naruto grunted and did it again.

"It really is . . . ," he panted as they ground against each other, "beautiful . . . Sasuke."

"So beautiful," he said again as Sasuke turned him around to face each other. His breathing came in harsh gasps and Sasuke leaned in to kiss him passionately, smearing their lips together and apart to push a tongue between them.

"You're welcome," he murmured into Naruto's mouth. He smiled and moaned a little when Naruto clenched his ass with his fingers spread wide. Naruto licked his lips, glanced at the piano hesitantly and leaned his forehead against Sasuke's. Sasuke thought it was a beautiful, new idea, too.

"You want to? Huh?" He whispered as he grabbed for Naruto's hand and pulled him forward only to be pushed down atop it once they got close.

Naruto grinned and said, "Come one, Sasuke. Let's break in my brand new, Baby Grande Piano."

Sasuke should have wanted to laugh. But the way Naruto had said it, all sultry and dark and deep, only aroused him further. And, it really was a wonderful idea.