A/N: I am soooooooooo sorry this has taken me so long! I had a few really intense months studying for exams (Which I passed! First year of nursing done!) and since then ive been struggling to sit down and write since ive been so coped up inside. But over the next few months im going to try my hardest to update this more regularly! I hope all my awesome readers had a fantastic Christmas!
…
Naruto looked at the computer screen on his desk, a crease forming on his brow as he read over the notes of his new case. The boy had come in extremely withdrawn and it had taken half the session just to get him to say more than a few yes or no answers. Naruto was always frustrated when cases like the boy's ended up on his desk. Not in a 'I don't want to help this person' way but a frustration that the person was so walled up that it caused them to reject his help. Naruto had learnt over time that these cases were the hardest, it was a constant struggle with the patients fluctuating between moments of openness and other times completely blocking Naruto out. A case like this was worth it because when the patient finally accepted Naruto's help he saw them fly. Teenagers that once saw the street as their only option now accepted into colleges and parents addicted to drugs turning clean and sober to provide a future for those who relied on them. It didn't happen overnight, sometimes it took years but Naruto would be there through it all.
Naruto's finger's tapped across the keyboard as he added in a few extra notes, ideas that Naruto could use to help the boy to open up to him more so he could judge what direction to take things in. As it was Naruto had no idea what was going on with him. The boy came from a stable home, but Naruto knew looks could be deceiving. His mother seemed quiet, his father a joker. What alarmed Naruto though was how the boy flinched with contact, a sign of abuse but from who? It was going to take a while to get to the bottom of what was happening to the boy if he refused to talk to him. Naruto leaned back in his chair. It would probably be a good idea to refer the boy to Ino but he would have to talk to him about it at their next appointment. Ino worked at the hospital with Sakura is the psychology department and also volunteered at the shelter. The boy had two options. If he went through the hospital then his parent's would have to pay but if he didn't want his parent's knowing he could go to the shelter and be seen by Ino for free.
"Naruto?" he lifted his head up and waved slightly to his friend Kiba. Kiba and Naruto went way back, they met in middle school and clicked immediately with their shared love of mischief. Kiba had to be the only person who had a level of excitement that exceed Naruto's. He had shaggy brown hair held back with a bandana that Naruto poked fun at him for on odd occasions and two triangle shaped tattoos on either side of his cheeks; A family tradition that Kiba had been proud to take on.
"What's up Kiba? Don't tell me you broke the printer again!" Kiba stuck his tongue out at Naruto in a childish manner. Naruto chuckled, Kiba always did remind him of a dog especially with the way he followed their friend Hinata around like a lost puppy.
"That wasn't my fault!" Kiba exclaimed, shutting the door behind him. Naruto's eyes flicked to the suit in his hand. "This was left a reception for you with a note"
"Whose it from?" Naruto knew there was no point in asking, he had worn the black suit many times before.
"No clue, some dude name Kabuto dropped it off with this" Kiba laid the suit on the back of the chair in front of the desk and handed Naruto an envelope. Naruto felt sick at the mention of Kabuto. He was Orochimaru's errand boy, amongst other things. If Orochimaru wanted it done Kabuto would do it.
"Oh joy" Naruto sighed sarcastically. Inside the envelope was an invitation to a charity auction and a note saying that he would be picked up at five thirty after work. Naruto always found these event's ironic. It was just another event for the upper class to mingle and pretend that they cared about those struggling. The causes were usually one's picked by advisors on what the public thought was important to gain popularity. Naruto was slightly happy, the money raised was a substantial amount most of the time but it irritated him that the reason for holding such an event was driven by selfish means. Kiba leant over the desk and let out an impressed whistle.
"Two thousand dollars a plate, you get all the luck" Naruto gave him a weak smile and Kiba raised his hands up "Sorry man, I forgot you two separated"
"You would think that would mean I got out of these things but no…Naruto the baka strikes again!" Kiba laughed at Naruto berating himself.
"Rough deal man, at least it's only for a little while" Naruto looked down at his watch, it was already ten past five. "You could always call Nagato and say you're sick?"
"No, I agreed to this and I don't go back on my word" Naruto had strong morals, when he committed himself to something he would see it through. He was slightly excited for the event as a part of him had butterflies at the possibility of seeing Sasuke again. Naruto blushed as he remembered the previous night. It had been nice, even if Sasuke had tricked him into a date.
"I know that look! Who is it!" Naruto stood up quickly and pointed to the door. "Oh, come on!"
"Out dog breath! I have to get ready!" Kiba sighed and stood up, giving Naruto a pouted look.
"You wound me Uzumaki" Naruto narrowed his eyes playfully and Kiba raised his hand's again. "Okay, okay, I'm going" Naruto watched his playful friend leave and then looked back down at the suit. He really hated it. Nagato had chosen it for him and spent an uncomfortable amount on it which always made Naruto feel guilty. On top of that he was nervous. It would be the first time seeing his husband since signing the agreement and he had no clue the direction the night would take.
…
Naruto sat next to Nagato in silence. The car had arrived on time and he was slightly taken aback to see his husband occupying one of the seats. Naruto had assumed they would just meet at the event. Now that he thought about it though it was a naïve assumption. Of course they had to arrive together it would be suspicious if they didn't. Naruto looked down at his hands and wrung them nervously. His mind raced as he questioned if he should say something. Nagato refused to look at him and he felt his gut tighten.
"How long am I required to stay?" Naruto forced out, his adams apple bobbing as he swallow dryly. Nagato tightened his lips and turned his gaze on him. He felt the purple eyes inspect him and Naruto shifted uncomfortably.
"For as long as I feel is appropriate" the reply was cold and clinical. Nagato was obviously still angry with him but Naruto refused to feel guilty. He did the right thing and if Nagato couldn't see that then that was his problem.
"I have work tomorrow" he replied just as coldly. Naruto looked over his husband. His red hair was slicked back, showing off his slim but angular face and his body was clad in a similar suit to the one Naruto was wearing except he had opted for a purple tie instead of Naruto's blue coloured one.
"Tough, you will leave when I say it is okay" Naruto sighed and blew a strand of hair out of his face. He wasn't in the mood to argue and it was obvious Nagato was being stubborn on purpose. "Sit up straight, your posture is terrible"
"You know I'm really sick of your shit Nagato. You don't control me so quit telling me what to do" Nagato went to grab him but Naruto moved out of his reach. "Don't you dare touch me"
"You are an ungrateful brat who needs to learn his place" Nagato spat out venomously. "I swear to god Naruto if you embarrass me tonight there will be hell to pay"
"Don't threaten me Nagato, I know damn well what your capable of" the two stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity to Naruto. He had his hand on the door handle behind him, ready to jump if he needed to. Naruto didn't care if he would be injured doing it, he would rather be hurt jumping out of a car then by Nagato's fist again.
"You better have this attitude of yours under wraps before you exit this car" Naruto scowled but his shoulders relaxed. Nagato seemed to have reigned in his temper.
Lights began to flash around the car, signalling that they were pulling up to the event. Naruto relaxed his face. He had done this plenty of times before. As long as he had a smile on his face the press wouldn't try pry for a story. The car came to a complete stop and Naruto closed his eyes, trying to focus himself. The door opened and he swung his legs out, a wide smile of his face. It was his fake smile, anyone that knew him would see that but the people here would have no idea. Bright light's flashed in his face and he held back a grimace and forced an awkward wave which only caused more camera's to flash.
Naruto should have been use to this by now but he wasn't. He was awkward when he had so much attention on him and for some reason the press feed on it. Magazine after magazine published numerous articles about the shy, street kid whose awkwardness made him 'adorable'. Naruto hated it. He hated the labels, he hated the unwanted attention and he hated how he tried to be in the background but his efforts were useless.
Naruto felt a familiar arm around his waist and his skin crawled in disgust. Nagato had a similar smile on his face but he waved strong and confidently. This is what the press saw. A strong and confident leader next to an adorable 'project'. The arm tightened and Naruto was pulled closer to his husband almost painfully. Fear bubbled up in him and Naruto pulled away in a knee jerk action. He looked around once he realised what he had done to see if anyone had noticed.
"Let's go inside" Nagato smiled, placing his hand on the small of Naruto's back. His tone was sweet and caring but Naruto knew it wasn't for him, it was for the press.
"Naruto! Is it true you have moved out of your home!" a reporter screamed out, shoving a recorder in his face. Naruto tilted his head to the side, debating on what to say. He could always tell the truth and just end everything right here.
"I've taken on a few project's lately so between them, my volunteer work and my job I've been finding it hard to spend time at home" he went to take a step forward but the reporter stopped him again.
"If you spend so much time on other projects how do you plan on supporting your husband on his mayoral campaign?" Naruto frowned. He wasn't prepared for a question such as that.
"Naruto has promised to cut back his hours and put aside time to join me at important event's such as this charity dinner for the children's ward at Konoha Hospital" Nagato replied quickly, his eyes shifting to look at Naruto as if he expected him to object.
"Will he be joining you on your trip to Kumogakure next week?" Naruto quickly place his hand in Nagato's in an intimate gesture. It stopped Nagato from speaking as he was thrown by the sudden affection.
"Sadly I will not. I have just taken on a few new cases that require me to stay in Konoha, any event's held in the city though I will be attending. I'm sorry but we have to enter the event now, don't we Nagato?" He smiled sweetly up at Nagato which caused the reported to make an aw sound. Nagato nodded, his eyes wavering in disappointment.
"Thank you for your time, enjoy your evening!" The reported said cheerily, allowing them to enter the building with ease.
Inside the event was a completely different atmosphere to outside. Press were banned from entering the event as those invited wanted to enjoy their privacy. A few hired photographers wandered around but they were under strict instructions to only take posed photos and no freelancing. The room was filled with chatter, groups of people scattered around as they waited for the event to start. Table's filled the majority of the floor space, each table fitting eight people comfortably. Naruto noted it was a very clean setting. White and silver was obviously the theme the organisers had chosen. The centre pieces fish bowls with a set of silver lights in them, simple but effective.
"Nagato!" a loud voice boomed out over the crowd and Naruto wanted to inch away.
"Kisame, it's been awhile" Nagato greeted pleasantly, holding out his hand which Kisame took strongly.
"To long, I've been meaning to get a hold of you to discuss some…business" Kisame flicked his eyes towards Naruto and it was clear that he didn't feel comfortable discussing it in front of the blonde. Naruto spotted a head of black hair and he nodded his leave.
"Don't go too far Naruto" Nagato smiled out. Naruto nodded, understanding the meaning behind it. His husband basically wanted him in eyesight so he could watch his every move. Naruto knew it was a risk going to talk to Sasuke but he needed a friendly face.
"Naruto" a hand was placed on his shoulder before he could reach his new boyfriend. It wasn't unwelcomed though as Naruto recognised the voice and spun round. Itachi was standing there, looking as crisp and pristine as he remember from last time. "I'm surprised to see you here"
"I didn't exactly have a choice" Naruto replied, a frown on his face as he felt himself being watched.
"Ah, yes. Sasuke told me about your…predicament" Itachi smiled at him pleasantly but Naruto watched as his eyes flashed in disgust. It wasn't aimed at Naruto as Itachi was looking behind him. "Sasuke has quite a skill for being inconspicuous but you…I feel you wear your heart on your sleeve so maybe it's for the best if you focus on your husband this evening"
"I wasn't…" Naruto went to protest but Itachi winked at him. The man was obviously trying to get Naruto to see something he couldn't.
"Opportunities arise, I suggest you take advantage of them when they occur" Naruto's mouth formed an 'o' motion as he realised what Itachi meant. If he immediately made his way to Sasuke Nagato would put two and two together quickly. Naruto wanted to hit himself for being so stupid and letting his impulses to be close to Sasuke take over him. Yes they had a cover but if Naruto didn't choose the right moment's to approach Sasuke it would be waving a red flag in front of his husband's face. "Has Tsunade talked to you about our contract yet?"
"No, we keep missing each other at the shelter lately" Naruto felt a presence next to him and he immediately tensed up. "Nagato, are you done talking with Kisame?"
"I can talk with him later on" Nagato sized Itachi up, trying to work out what business he had with his now uncomfortable plus one. "Speaking of business, we didn't get to finish our budgeting meeting"
"I really do wish we could discuss this at another point in time, we are at an event after all it would be a shame to waste such an evening discussing work" It amazed Naruto how smooth Itachi could be. He transitioned so well from one conversation to the next it would be hard to tell if it was intentional or not.
"Ah yes, you are right I apologise. I heard that you and Sasuke have invested in the shelter Naruto works at, if you don't mind me asking how did that come about?" Naruto bit his lip and held his tongue; of course Nagato would know, he had Orochimaru digging around for him. It irritated Naruto beyond belief, knowing that his husband was prying into the shelters finances; it was like Nagato was trying to prove how serious he was about selling the shelter if things fell through.
"We were intrigued with Naruto's brash comments when we first met him that I did some digging myself. The shelter has brilliant framework so I sent Sasuke to investigate further. Naruto here apparently was so passionate about it that Sasuke decided on the spot it was a programme worth our time" Itachi was being careful with his words, placing the idea on himself and keeping Naruto's part as played down as possible.
"I see, well it can only be a good thing, with more funding means more staff which in turn frees Naruto up for more engagements, I am grateful" Nagato grabbed him around the waist again and Naruto clenched his fist but kept his smile on. "It's been awfully hard on our marriage, I'd like to use that time to fix things"
"Fix things? I was under the assumption it was heading in another direction" Naruto wanted to shrink to an impossible size and hide under a cup. This was not what he wanted to talk about and he knew he had to keep his mouth shut.
"That was just a misunderstanding, wasn't it Naruto?" the two men turned their attention to him and his smile wavered. Itachi knew the truth and he could see a slight glimmer of anger behind his cool demeanour. He wasn't sure if it was directed at him or for Nagato trying to manipulate him into a corner.
"Ah…who would like a drink?" his cheeks twitched under the strain of his forced and uncomfortable smile. "Whiskey Nagato?"
"No, I'm not drinking tonight, water would be nice though" Naruto nodded and quickly stridden away from them, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his jacket.
…..
Naruto slid into the bathroom unseen and locked himself in one of the stalls. He was exhausted and ready to go home but Nagato had not once let him out of his sight that the bathroom had been his only opportunity to gain some space. Naruto placed the porcelain cover down and sat on it, he put his head between his knees and grasped his hair. He was beyond frustrated as he was being thrust into the limelight without his consent. Dragged from person to person as if he was some prized pig to be shown off. Naruto had begun to miss how thing's use to be at event's like this. Nagato would only introduce him to those he deemed important but Naruto would have been able to wander off and do his own things but tonight was different. It was if Nagato was using the event to try show everyone their relationship was all well and good by overcompensating his affection for him.
Naruto held back a scream. He hated it. Hated how they all stared and whispered and he was just supposed to pretend that everything was okay. Pretend that when Nagato touched him that he was comfortable when in reality it made his skin crawl and his body jerk slightly. For just one moment Naruto wanted to not pretend and be allowed to be himself but he knew he was asking too much. What infuriated Naruto even further though was the promises.
Nagato had been making all sorts of promises to people. That they would attend one event and then the next he would be accepting dinner invitations which Naruto would rather jump of a bridge then attend. Nagato had made an entire schedule for him in just a few hours regardless of how he felt or concern for Naruto's other commitments. He felt used and abused, pulled from one direction to the other and he was finding it hard to cope.
"Naruto?" the door creaked open and Naruto lifted his head when feet stopped outside of the stall he was in. "Naruto…it's me, open the door" slowly Naruto unlocked the latch and opened the door enough to see Sasuke's concerned face. "Rough night?"
"That's an understatement Teme" he sighed, moving backwards so Sasuke could enter the stall with him. Naruto return to his makeshift seat and pulled his legs up so he was sitting cross legged on it. "I'm just over this, I want to go home"
"I'm finding it hard myself not to punch that prick for you" Sasuke replied, giving Naruto a weak smile. "He's just trying to wear you down Dobe, don't let him get to you"
"That's easy for you to say, you're not the one being dragged around the room like some prized rag doll" Sasuke sighed and crouched down so he was eye level with the irritated blonde.
"Maybe not, but the fan girls are being overly insufferable tonight" Naruto narrowed his eyes at the idea of them. He had noticed throughout the night how woman ungraciously threw themselves at his boyfriend. It wasn't the way the acted that annoyed Naruto, it was how they completely ignored how uncomfortable the made the raven haired man. "How about after this I come over and we watch that lame ninja movie your always raving about"
"Hey! The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi is an amazing movie thank you very much! Far better than anything in your vast collection!" Naruto puffed out his cheeks and folded his arms across his chest in a childish manor which caused Sasuke to chuckle.
"You're cute when you pout Dobe" Naruto turned his head to object but froze when he found his mouth being covered by Sasuke's lips. The surprise slowly began to wear off and Naruto leant into the kiss, wrapping his hand around the back of Sasuke's head and moving his lips softly against the others. Sasuke smiled into it before giving Naruto's bottom lip and quick nip causing Naruto to gasp just enough for him to slip his tongue into the other man's mouth. Naruto groaned and flicked his tongue out to meet Sasuke's but both of them content with them entangling in a soft a slow manor. Sasuke was the first to pull away much to Naruto's dismay who panted softly with a blush on his whiskered cheeks. "Now you look even cuter"
"Shut up Teme" Naruto replied. The two men froze when the heard the door creak open to the bathroom and Naruto was thankful only one pair of feet could be seen.
"Mr Uzumaki, are you in here?" Naruto didn't recognise the voice but he was certain it was one of Orochimaru's underlings. Sasuke raised his finger to his lips and unlocked the stall door, slipping out quickly and carefully. "Oh, Mr Uchiha I didn't realise it was you"
"Well as you can see I am the only one here, now would you mind it's rather uncomfortable having someone watching my movements" Naruto heard the shuffling of feet and the person mumble sorry. Naruto chuckled quietly, if only people knew that Sasuke had a soft side to him "Well, what are you doing still standing there?"
"S-sorry Mr Uchiha" Naruto heard the door swing shut and he poked his head out to see a scowling Sasuke glaring at the bathroom door.
"It's disgusting how they follow that man" Naruto placed a hand on the Uchiha's shoulder. "I'll leave first, give it five minute's then come out, I'll distract anyone waiting for you" Sasuke leant down to give Naruto a quick peck then winked at him "See you later Dobe"
Naruto watched Sasuke's retreating back, a firm smile plastered on his face. The night may be terrible but at least he had something to look forward to now and the kiss they had shared left Naruto feeling giddy. His stomach was tense with butterflies and his heart felt like it was going to jump out of his chest in excitement. It had been years since Naruto had felt such a strong connection with someone and he was going to make sure that Nagato wouldn't take this feeling away from him.
….