NF Chapter 6:

Naruto frowned as he absent-mindedly flicked a spec of white fabric off the collar of his shirt. It was only when he looked at the mirror that he realised a tissue must have stowed away the last time he washed it, the fluff covering his whole shirt like an interesting mould. Groaning, he hastily unbuttoned it and threw it onto his table, searching his cupboards for the lint roller he'd bought; this had happened far too many times before.

I don't even know why I care so much, he thought as he tried to clear as much of the white fluff as quickly as possible. It's only the old gang going for a few drinks, nothing major.

But it was a big deal: sure, he'd seen each of them every so often since they'd all left school, but it was very rare that they all got together like this.

So he slaved over the black shirt until it was presentable. Throwing it on, he paused by the door, debating whether to grab a jacket or not. In the end he decided against it: it was a warm Summer night, and once he had a few beers in him he'd be even warmer.

Stepping out onto the street, he waited a second to be sure the door slammed shut and the magnetic bolt clicked. He didn't usually bother, but since the incident with Sasuke he'd been extra careful to make sure everything was locked down: he'd been growing more and more paranoid, sure that people were watching his flat, following him…

Naruto shook his head, the physical movement clearing his head slightly. Even if people were keeping tabs on Sasuke, they wouldn't be doing the same to him. He was just a kid, barely an adult. What could anyone want with him?

Sasuke… it was hard to believe it had been three weeks since he'd jumped in and out of his life again. Literally jumped: Mr Dog-Always-Barks-At-6am on the third floor's car window was still smashed, a flimsy cover flapping lazily in the breeze. Naruto was worried about his friend. He seemed to be in a pretty bad place, surrounded by people that were no good for him. It must have been wearing him thin.

He was still lost in thought when he saw his bus sail past him.

Leaping off the top step he tried to catch it, but to no avail. It picked up one or two people from the stop just down the street and continued on its merry way. Slowing down to a gradual stop as he reached the bus stand, Naruto noticed that his unplanned cardio session had barely affected him: his heart wasn't beating much faster than usual, and he wasn't even slightly out of breath. Evidently Jiraiya's training was paying off.

He pulled out his phone as he waited on the next bus to pass, texting Ino and Kiba to inform them of his slight delay. Out of everyone there, they were the most likely to check their phones. That was, if things hadn't changed much.

Apparently they hadn't: he got instant near-simultaneous messages back from both of them. Ino's was a simple acknowledgement, whereas Kiba's was much more… Kiba.

'Haha, fuckin called it! Hinata owes us a round :P'

Naruto smiled as he tucked his phone in his pocket and hopped on the next bus.

Maybe some things never change.

(╯'□')╯︵ ┻━┻

25 minutes later Naruto, upon producing his ID for the bored-looking bouncer, was granted access to the pub. It was one of the many themed pubs around the city, this particular gimmick being Frankenstein. Passing a large statue of the monster, Naruto squeezed through a group of people leaving to get to the main bar. He spotted them instantly as he entered. They were a hard group to miss, especially as Ino excitedly waved him over.

They were all crammed into a booth at the back, an impressive feat considering there were seven of them. On the left, squeezed onto the dark couch were the first three: Hinata, sitting quietly at the back, gave a shy smile as Naruto walked over; Shino next to her, silent as usual, brooding over his drink; and Kiba, the antithesis of his room-mates, loud and boisterous, grinning over his pint. Opposite them were Shikamaru, Chouji, Ino, and a boy Naruto didn't recognise. He figured it must be Ino's new boyfriend, given that Ino had hopped into his lap in order to get the four of them on one couch. He looked rather uncomfortable with this arrangement, but nevertheless a small smile strained his face. He wasn't sure what it was, but something about this boy made Naruto feel uncomfortable. He tried, however, to reserve any judgements for now. Next to him was Shikamaru, leaning back against the booth, arms folded. He was shoulder to shoulder with Chouji, who was busy distributing shots to everyone.

"Naruto!" Kiba cried, leaping up to give him a hi-five and almost spilling his drink all over Shino. "Grab a shot, courtesy of Hinata."

"Damn it Hinata, you know better than to bet on my time keeping," Naruto said, accepting the dark liquid from Chouji.

Hinata hummed non-committedly, her soft voice hard to hear over the music. "One of these days you'll surprise us, I think."

"What, Naruto? He's gonna be late for his own funeral." Ino asked, laughing. She gestured behind herself, seeming to remember that she was sitting on someone. "Oh by the way, this is my boyfriend, Sai. Sai, this is Naruto."

"Oh yes," Sai started, his pleasant voice very cordial, if somewhat stiff. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Ino…" Naruto started.

"What? It was good things. Mostly." Ino added, stirring her drink.

Naruto downed his shot, instantly recognising the spicy burn of Jägermeister. The rest of them followed suit save for Sai, who didn't seem to drink.

"God," Naruto said, screwing up his face. "Haven't had this in a while. It was mostly at your college parties, Kiba."

Kiba laughed again, putting his shot glass back on the table upside down. "Those were some good parties."

"Because of the low standards of drunk girls?" Shikamaru asked, running a hand over his bushy ponytail.

"Hey, I'm a catch."

Ino grinned. "Which is why you're still single?"

"I'm a free spirit."

"Whatever you say Kiba," Naruto chimed in. "I'll leave you to debate that, I'm gonna grab a drink. Anyone want anything?"

Chouji held up a finger as he downed the rest of his pint and burped. "I'll go with."

"You might wanna take it easy Chouji," Naruto warned as they made their way to the bar. "We don't need a repeat of graduation."

Chouji grunted as they patiently tried to squeeze near the bar; given his friend's… 'generous' figure, he didn't think they'd be easily able to. Sure enough, with the Saturday crowds out they had to join a pseudo line, edging closer to the overworked bar staff with each customer served.

"So how's it going Chouji? Everything still good at the restaurant?" Naruto asked, glad for the opportunity to catch up with him one-on-one.

"Yeah, it's a decent job: dad's just a hardass, you know?" He laughed, pushing a lock of frizzy brown hair out of his face. "Still, he's said I'm getting good enough that I'll be able to run the place soon enough. It's kinda scary to be honest. What about you?"

"Just work and training, nothing exciting." Apart from Sasuke making a surprise appearance, trashing my kitchen, causing two "police officers" to turn up at my door, jumping out my window… "Same old, same old." Naruto confirmed as they edged ever closer to the bar. Not particularly wanting to talk about himself, he tried directing the conversation another way. "So what does this Sai dude seem like? I can't seem to get a read on him."

Chouji thought on the question for a second before replying, scratching the little goatee he'd grown since leaving school. "He's… odd. I mean, not that we aren't. But I never know when he's joking or being serious. And if he is being serious, he's one mean bastard." Chouji shrugged. "I dunno man, I've been with him for less than twenty minutes. I'd keep an eye on him though."

Naruto nodded, his gut feelings somewhat confirmed.

Walking back with his hands full, Naruto noticed Kiba grinning as a girl walked away from their table. Ino cautiously waited until she was out of range before not-so-subtly slamming her fist down on the table.

"Kiba you manslut!" She yelled, laughing as she almost knocked a glass over.

Shikamaru grinned, raising an eyebrow. "Does… does that even need to be gendered?"

"Exactly," Kiba replied, leaning back into the booth, "I reserve my right to be a regular slut, thank you very much."

"Did we miss something?" Chouji asked as he squeezed in next to Shikamaru. Naruto elected to stand at the edge on the table, placing his drink down after taking a small sip: he didn't want to go overboard tonight.

"Did you see the girl at our table?" Kiba asked as he took a napkin out of his pocket, pretending to fan his face with it. "Got her number."

Naruto laughed as Chouji leaned over the table and slapped Kiba on the shoulder, nearly spilling Kiba's pint on Shino again. He grinned and obliviously tucked the napkin safely back into his pocket as, much to everyone's amusement, Shino shot him dirty looks.

Naruto surveyed the scene and, for a second, his fears were abated: it looked like the years had done nothing to change his favourite group of people. But the feeling didn't last very long.

"She gave you a fake number. It was quite obvious." An overly polite voice piped up from behind Ino. "She just isn't interested in a loser like you."

The laughter stopped as suddenly as it had started, the atmosphere suddenly shifting. Kiba glared at Sai, seeming rather disgruntled, as an uncomfortable silence fell over the group. Naruto didn't blame him: while they exchanged little jabs and insults, it was all in good faith. Despite his polite tone, it was like Chouji said: Sai seemed quite serious.

The rest of them seemed to agree with him: Hinata didn't seem to know where to look, her eyes glued to the table; Chouji and Shikamaru looked just as annoyed as Kiba; Ino seemed absolutely mortified, her jaw slack in surprise. Only Sai was unaffected, that strange smile not shifting an inch. The more Naruto looked at it, the less genuine it seemed.

As much as he didn't like it, it looked like it was down to Naruto to be the peace-keeper. Sighing, he kicked Kiba under the table, shooting him a discrete 'play nice' look.

Kiba took a long drink and broke the silence. "It's just as well: I think my phone contacts are full anyway." He shot a look at Naruto. "Hey Naruto, are you sure you're okay standing?"

"Well unless you want me sitting on your lap like Ino, I think we're good."

(╯'□')╯︵ ┻━┻

"So what do you think?" Naruto asked as they breathed in the city's cool air. Their next stop, a vodka bar, was only a short walk.

"What do I think?" Kiba asked, knowing what he meant. He glared at Sai, walking ahead of them with Ino and Hinata. "I think he's a total ass-clown. And I've no idea what Ino sees in him. But… I guess I'd be a shitty friend if I didn't trust her to make her own mistakes."

"Yeah," Shikamaru interrupted from behind them. "And besides, doesn't he remind you of Sasuke?"

"What?" Naruto yelled as Kiba and Chouji laughed. "He's nothing like Sasuke!"

"Nah, I can see the resemblance." Kiba said, still laughing.

"They even look similar." Chouji chimed in.

"Sasuke's not an asshole." Naruto replied flatly, eyes straight ahead.

"Sasuke was an asshole," Kiba corrected, eyes narrowing at Naruto's tone. "And you're too forgiving for your own good. Even after everything-"

"I don't wanna talk about it Kiba."

"You never wanna talk about it." Kiba's expression softened, his hand reaching out to grab Naruto's shoulder. "Maybe it's time to let go."

"Come on, if he doesn't wanna talk about it, he doesn't wanna talk about it." Shikamaru interrupted as they reached the girls and Sai outside the next bar. He pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket. "You guys go ahead, I need to take care of something."

Naruto went to head in with the others, but Shikamaru gestured at him with the box. "How about you hang around, Naruto?" He asked, flicking the box open and pulling out a cigarette as the rest of them filed in.

Naruto almost did a double take as Shikamaru took a lighter to his mouth. "Since when did you smoke?"

He gave a small smile as he drew on the thin, hand-rolled tube. "Things change, Naruto." He took another drag, his face becoming more serious. "Look, I've been meaning to have a talk with you for a while. It just never seemed like the right time."

Naruto leaned against the wall with his arms folded. "What's this about, Shikamaru?"

"I think you know."

Naruto hummed an acknowledgement, looking up at the dim sunset between the buildings. "Sasuke."

Shikamaru nodded, briefly following Naruto's gaze. "Sasuke."

For a moment neither of them said anything. "I'm not gonna tell you that you shouldn't forgive him, or that you shouldn't miss him, but… I've had some experience with loss, Naruto. With grief. It makes you do some pretty stupid things." He flicked ash off the end of the cigarette, staring as it floated off on the wind.

Finally he looked at Naruto, his dark eyes steely and grim. "It doesn't make you do what he did. There's no excuse for that, and you can't think that it's okay."

Naruto didn't respond for a second, his eyes sliding off Shikamaru's to the pavement. "When he left, I… I blamed myself. For not understanding him better, for not trying hard enough. Everyone told me there was nothing I could have done." His voice got louder, taking on a bitter quality. "But it's bullshit. I could have understood him better, but I was too much of an idiot. I could have tried harder, but I was too weak. How do you think he felt, getting betrayed like that? By someone he loved?"

Shikamaru dropped the cigarette, grinding it into the pavement with his heel. "In this case, everyone's right: you couldn't have done any more than you did. You don't think we feel guilty Naruto? You don't think we looked at you and wondered what it might have been if everyone made the effort you made? If everyone went as far as you did? I thought about it long and hard, and it comes down to this: Sasuke Uchiha would do exactly the same goddamn thing regardless."

He straightened up, placing his arm on Naruto's. "Kiba's right: you need to let it go."

Naruto sighed, running a hand though his hair. "I don't know if I can."

"At least think about it?"

Naruto nodded slowly, but wasn't particularly sold on the idea. He jolted up, only now really processing his friend's earlier words. "Wait, are you okay Shikamaru?"

He gave a sharp smile. "My problems are exactly that: my problems. Don't worry Naruto, I'm okay."

They entered the bar, almost bumping into the rest of the group coming out. "Don't bother – there aren't any tables and the line's ridiculous." Ino pouted, arms crossed. "Don't suppose you guys know a spot that'll be quieter on a Saturday night?"

With Sasuke still at the back of his mind, Naruto had a flash of inspiration. "I know a place that might be good. It's only a five minute walk. You guys keen to try something, eh… new?"

(╯'□')╯︵ ┻━┻

"Well it's certainly different." Chouji remarked fairly, being the first to break the awkward silence.

The whisky bar was exactly as Naruto remembered it from his previous visit with Sasuke: warm, homely, and full of all kinds of people. As a door opened at the back, heavy, violent-sounding music assaulted them before the doorman closed them again.

"I don't know Naruto…" Ino began, looking uncomfortable.

Sai was more straight to the point. "This place is a dump."

"Come on guys, give it a chance," Naruto pleaded, trying to ignore Sai's bluntness. "The drinks are cheap, and I really like this place."

It was a half-truth: while the bar had grown on him, he was really here to find Sasuke. He'd considered coming back a few times, but his nervousness had always got the best of him. Now, however, with some liquid courage, Naruto felt it was worth a shot.

They were in luck, managing to quickly snag a table vacated by a large group of punks. Naruto noticed one of them, a short man with a dirty blond Mohawk, made sure to take all their empty glasses up to the bar. He gave the staff a cheerful wave as he squeezed past Shino, throwing on a shabby leather battle vest.

Shikamaru deftly threw his jacket over the back of a chair to claim the table, pulling out his wallet. "I'm game for a few drinks if everyone else is."

Chouji shrugged. "Why not? Expand your horizons, all that shit."

Shino, Hinata and Kiba all agreed, making their way to the bar; Ino and Sai declined. Naruto told them he'd catch up, pretending to look for the toilet. Heading left through a stone arch, he passed the door to the stage Sasuke had talked about. Close up you could hear the screams of the singer, the rest of the band fuzzy through the thick walls. He paused for a second, how much he liked it surprising him.

I guess he's rubbing off on me…

He continued through to the other end of the building: it was set up so the back of the main bar functioned as a divider between two rooms, becoming a sort of island the staff were constantly circling. He checked every table, but he couldn't see Sasuke anywhere. He'd half expected it: what were the odds he'd run into him a second time in a city this big? He noticed the bartender pouring a line of shots was the same one that had served them last time: in a last ditch effort, he decided to go over and ask.

It took a few minutes to get served, but when Naruto ordered the barman seemed to recognise him. Placing the whisky down on the counter he leaned forward and frowned, asking "Haven't seen you or your friend here for a while, is he okay? It's not like him to be out of here for more than a few days."

Naruto shook his head. "I was hoping you'd be able to tell me. Last time I saw him was about three weeks ago."

The man nodded grimly as he gathered empties from the cluttered bar. He held up a finger and left, returning a second later with a list of bars scrawled on a receipt. He handed it to Naruto, ignoring a drunk girl trying to get his attention by waving her empty glass at him. "Here's a few bars I think he frequents, try those. Just describe him: even in this city, he kinda sticks out."

Fervently thanking him, Naruto took a quick glance at the list as he stuffed it into his wallet. He recognised very few of the names, and the ones he did he'd only ever walked past. Disappointed, but glad he had somewhere to go next, he made his way back to his friends.

(╯'□')╯︵ ┻━┻

A few drinks later, and everyone seemed slightly more at home: they'd fallen into easy conversation, and even Ino and Sai seemed to be warming to the place.

Naruto sat back down with his most recent order, handing a glass to Shikamaru. "Here, you like whisky, right? Try this."

He nodded his thanks, listening intently to the end of Chouji's anecdote.

"…so there's the junior chef, arms full of our finest steak, halfway out the door! Apparently there's a big market for it, so he'd been selling it on the side for weeks."

Shikamaru took a sip of the offered glass, frowning as he handed it back. "Damn, that's good." He turned back to Chouji. "So what did you do?"

"Yeah, some douchebag's eating into your dad's profits? I wouldn't let him get off easy." Kiba said with a wolfish grin.

"I didn't. In fact I, ehh, may have gone overboard. I mean I was doing the dishes at the time, and-" He gave an embarrassed laugh. "I threw a frying pan at him."

The entire table erupted in laughter, save for Sai, who still smiled despite himself. Kiba was just about ending himself, tears forming at the sides of his eyes. "Oh my God dude, did you hit him?"

"Yeah, actually. Headshot." He grimaced.

Hinata giggled. "Oh wow. Did you get into trouble?"

"He got arrested, and the officer gave me a telling off for being 'slightly too enthusiastic.'"

Kiba started laughing even harder, bringing his pint up to toast Chouji. He grinned ruefully, his glass meeting Kiba's. "Anyway, that's how I got the nickname 'Steak Guardian: Guardian of the Steak.' And a promotion to Junior Chef."

Shikamaru leaned forward as the laughter died down, his elbows on the table. "Say you guys… anyone feeling adventurous?"

Kiba cocked his head, a quizzical look in his eye. Naruto recognised that look: Kiba was always feeling adventurous. He groaned inwardly, knowing that if he decided he was interested there'd be no stopping him.

Naruto had to admit, his curiosity was piqued. "What do you have in mind?"

"Just up the road there's this place, Banshee's. It's really popular with some of my Uni friends, big with the goth and rock scene. It's got its own movie theatre, and a ton of different bars. Apparently the cocktails are good. And-" he looked pointedly at Kiba "-they have legendary absinthe and tequila shooters."

"Oh God, absinthe." Chouji went visibly pale. "I'm never touching that shit again after graduation."

Banshee's… where have I heard that name before?

"Ah yes," Kiba sighed, putting a hand over his heart. "I shall never forget the day we witnessed Chouji: The Magical Chunder Dragon."

"Fuck off."

"Yeah guys, it isn't funny." Naruto interjected. "My couch was the real victim here. I don't think it'll ever be the same."

"You guys can eat a bag of dicks." Chouji scowled over his pint, a small smile nonetheless pulling at his lips. "Seriously though, there's something inherently wrong with that drink."

"It wasn't the absinthe itself." Shino piped up. "It's because you drank half the bottle."

"No, that doesn't sound like something I'd do…" Chouji shrugged. "Fuck it, why don't we give this a shot. Sounds like a laugh."

Kiba agreed. "Fuck yeah, I'm getting us some of those shooters."

Ino elbowed Sai playfully in the ribs. "Come on grumpy, looks like we're heading off again. Banshee's it is!"

It had taken Naruto a second, but he realised where he'd seen the name before: on the list of bars Sasuke might be at. As soon as it clicked he was quick to throw his vote in too.

Maybe I can still do some digging tonight…

It didn't take them long at all to reach the new bar: it was literally just up the street, on the same road at the whisky bar. As they presented their IDs and trooped into Banshee's, Naruto realised he'd been wrong about the patrons of the whisky bar: compared to some of the people here, they were tame.

A dark corridor ran up from the entrance, creepy portraits lining the walls. Rather incongruously, they passed a row of sweet machines on their left. A girl with bright green spiky hair was perusing the brightly coloured containers, a skull tattooed on the side of her thin neck. She was just one of many alternative styles, and that was just in the first corridor: there were several more branching off from the entrance, one leading downstairs, others deeper into the labyrinth.

Their group, Shikamaru in the lead, milled around the first bar they found, waiting to be served. Naruto made another weak excuse and split off from them to once more look for Sasuke.

The bar was aptly named; it was truly a labyrinth one could lose themselves in, not half aided by the drinks Naruto had downed. After several minutes of searching the cramped bars and twisting corridors, he finally saw someone he recognised: the purple-shirted man, the one who'd handed the parcel off to Sasuke after Naruto had followed him. He was wearing a tight vest in the same fuchsia colour as the shirt, one that clung to his lithe body. A drink was in one hand, his other arm around a woman's shoulders, his strong voice carrying over to Naruto from the other side of the room. It had an arrogant, boyish quality; after just a second or two, Naruto began to despise it.

After staring dumbstruck for a moment, Naruto tried kicking his brain into gear. He needed information, first about this man and second, most importantly, about Sasuke. After loitering intently for a minute or two of eavesdropping, the girl at his side smirked, and a name floated over the aggressive music: Suigetsu.

Well, the description Sasuke gave certainly fit; so this was the partner, the lover that he had talked about. Despite his effort to control it, a hard, boiling feeling rose in his stomach. He tried his best to recall what Sasuke had about the man.

Suigetsu sees no gender, only prey.

Naruto gulped: it seemed like the only feasible way he could approach this was to flirt with Suigetsu. He leaned against the wall, trying to analyse using the techniques Jiraiya had taught him.

This is a bit different from reading an opponent's moves…

He was a confident man, that much was obvious. From the way he dressed to his posture, he oozed power and sex. If Naruto had to pick one word to describe him, it would be sharp: his face was thin and pointed, his lazy smirk matching it. Harsh, almost white blond hair flowed smoothly down his face, just reaching his shoulders. Naruto figured he must work hard on his image.

That's not the only thing he's worked hard on.

Suigetsu had cultivated his body, belonging to the league of people like Sasuke; maybe even beyond that. The tight vest left nothing to the imagination, the muscles very defined. In particular his obliques were blown out and toned, giving his hips that perfect "V" shape that so many sought after. It was a particularly hard area to train. His arms were rigid and veined, but fairly thin: Naruto reasoned he must be a swimmer or gymnast, someone that used their core in regular training. As he raised the glass – a long, dark drink – to his mouth, Naruto spied a tattoo of a sword on his inner forearm.

That could be a good conversation piece.

Naruto sighed, gathering up his courage. For a second he paused, thinking about just how ridiculous the situation was: he was about to try seducing a man for information. He shook his head.

Sasuke better appreciate this…

He squeezed past several people and in next to Suigetsu. He caught Naruto's eye, making Naruto quickly look down at his hands, resting on the bar.

Christ. Come on, Naruto.

Trying to look as confident as possible, he spun round, making as if to leave the bar. He timed it just right: his elbow caught Suigetsu's drink hand, sending the long glass crashing down on the floor.

"Oh shit, sorry man!" Naruto apologised, grabbing some tissues from the bar and dabbing at Suigetsu's top, trying to linger ever so slightly. As disgusted as he felt with himself, he couldn't deny that those abs were impressive. "Here, let me get you another." He turned, trying to get the bartender's attention. "What you having?"

For a second Naruto thought his gambit had failed: Suigetsu's face changed from angry to incredulous, before finally settling on a cocky smirk.

"I think I'll have to take you up on that. Vodka coke, double." He leaned over and whispered something in the girl's ear. She laughed, winking at Naruto as she walked off.

"So," Naruto started off awkwardly as their drinks were fixed by a larger gentleman with dreadlocks. "What brings you out tonight?"

He seemed to find that funny. "What I was doing before you so rudely interrupted me. Drinking, socialising…" He sidled up to Naruto's ear, a teasing grin on his thin face. "Looking for someone to fuck."

Naruto went bright red, electing to drink as he tried to form a reply. It wasn't that he was a prude, but the way Suigetsu emphasised the word, the unexpected candidness, it was all deliberate.

He's trying to throw me off, putting himself in control of the conversation.

Sasuke was right: Suigetsu was a predator.

"Seems like you're doing well then." Naruto eventually replied. "Your… friend seemed rather into you."

"Apparently she's not the only one." Suigetsu said with a sly grin.

Now that he was closer, Naruto could see Suigetsu's tattoo better: if the proportions of the handle to the blade was to be believed, this thing was supposed to be massive. It had a thick edge, and a hole near the end. All in all, it was a rather strange sword, but it was very well done.

Naruto decided to try change the subject. "I like your tattoo."

"Thanks. I plan on getting a lot more."

"Got a thing for swords then?"

Suigetsu leaned back and flashed his pointed teeth. "Like you wouldn't believe."

Naruto nodded, trying not to be put off by that grin. "I've always thought about getting one myself. Wouldn't know what to get though." It wasn't a lie: the thought had always been there, as it was something that fascinated him.

An idea suddenly struck Naruto, one that could maybe shift the conversation where he wanted it.

"A guy I know has this cool design on his neck. It's like these 3 commas in a spiral, I think it's some sort of Japanese thing, but the vague bastard never told me what it meant."

"Huh, that sounds like someone I know. Black hair, Asian, fuck-your-shit attitude?"

Naruto grinned. "Yeah, that's him. To be honest though, I haven't seen him about recently. Any idea where he is?"

Suigetsu burst out laughing, slapping his hand down on the bar. "Aw man, I knew you wanted something, but that… holy shit dude, that was weak!"

Naruto could feel himself blushing, the heat rising in his cheeks. "No, I-"

"-Save it." Suigetsu cut in. "Knocking over my drink and buying me another? That's a classic. You're cute though, so I thought I might let you get away with it. Imagine my surprise when it turns out you're after Sasuke." He arched his eyebrows and put a hand over his chest in mock offence. "I'm insulted."

He grabbed his drink, stirring it with a finger before sucking it dry. "So what are you, one of his old squeezes? He's not the type to call back."

"No, it's not like that." Naruto argued. "He's an old friend, and I'm worried about him."

He could see that Suigetsu didn't believe him. "Yeah, I'm sure you miss his sunny fucking disposition. Tell you what though," he leaned in again uncomfortably close, his voice dropping to a lower register. "You're adorably awkward. And you obviously… take care of yourself."

Naruto could feel Suigetsu's eyes raking across his body, appraising him like a slab of meat. He shakily took a drink and tried not to look at the man next to him, acutely unnerved.

"How about we work out a little deal?" Suigetsu asked, still too close. "I tell you where you can find Sasuke, on the condition that you be my… plaything."

That was the last straw: Naruto grabbed Suigetsu by the collar and finally looked him in the eyes. "Listen here: that creepy shit might work on drunk kids with daddy issues, but not me. Where the fuck is Sasuke?"

"Well it worked on your Prince Charming, didn't it? Hey, hey! Easy dude." Suigetsu bit his lip as he looked at the hand on his chest, still smirking. "Damn man. Watching you get all alpha with me… that's hot."

"Stop fucking with me." Naruto growled, staring the man down.

"Up yours, I can admire the merchandise. Now let go so we can talk. Unlike our mutual friend, I'm not always up for a fight." He straightened up as Naruto let him go, casting a quick eye around the bar and throwing a nod at the concerned barman. "Follow me: I don't feel like airing Sasuke's dirty laundry in front of everyone."

Suigetsu led him to a stone stairwell near the entrance, just behind one of the band rooms. Apparently no one would bother them there.

Suigetsu leant against the walls, arms folded but still grinning: the whole thing seemed to amuse him greatly. "Here's the truth, kid: I have no Goddamn clue where Sasuke is. He comes and goes as he pleases, changes his phone every other week, and only answers to Orochimaru. He's the most annoying shit to work with, but…" He shrugged. "He's good at what he does."

It took Naruto several seconds to realise why the name sounded so familiar.

Orochimaru.

For a second it was like he was back in Sasuke's training room. The long, dark hair hung lank in front of a pallid, dead face. But the eyes were very much alive.

'Sasuke Uchiha…I have an offer for you.'

Suigetsu snapped his fingers in front of Naruto's eyes, snapping him out of his daze with a jolt. "Yo. Dude. Still with me?"

"Sasuke works for Orochimaru?" Naruto asked, trying to concentrate.

"What? Yeah, of course. He always has, as long as I've known him."

Naruto swore under his breath, the reality of the situation slowly dawning on him. Orochimaru was into some bad shit; specifically what, Naruto wasn't sure, but he knew enough to be scared for his friend.

What does he have on Sasuke? He can't be doing this out of choice… but it'd explain why he was such a state the last time I saw him.

"If Orochimaru knows where Sasuke is then I need to speak to him. How do I arrange a meeting?" The words were out of his mouth before he could think it through.

Suigetsu shook his head condescendingly. "Not gonna happen. I don't think you fully realise how in over your head you are."

"Tell me." Naruto growled. His patience with Suigetsu was wearing thin.

"Well, if you're determined to get your shit wrecked…" He shrugged again. "Who am I to stop you? Orochimaru's rather old fashioned: to secure a meeting with him you have to fight one of his men. One of his captains, to be precise, like me or Sasuke. Bare knuckle, no weapons. Think you can handle that?"

Naruto paused for a second. A fight for a meeting? What the fuck is this guy about?

He looked at Suigetsu, still wearing a smirk wider than his face. He felt very compelled to throw a punch that very second, but managed to contain himself.

"Deal. I think I have a perfect location too."

Suigetsu laughed, shaking his head. "I was right. You are cute."