Author's note: So, I haven't updated this story for years. But that was because I didn't properly get into Naruto fanfiction writing until recently. If ENOUGH PEOPLE review this story, I will continue to update it (within much shorter time intervals :P).
I came across this story again years later. A spark of creativity in me fired as I re-contemplated ways to explore Naruto and Sasuke's relationship. Hence the chapter before you!
NARUTOSASUKENARUTOSASUKENARUTOSASUKENARUTOSASUKENARUTOSASUKENARUTO
Sasuke gazed ahead of him at team 7's deserted training field. The now long grass waved idly about as the sun set on the horizon. A beautiful sight, Sasuke thought, though he would rather pull out his own teeth than admit such sensitivity to his teammates. His gaze remained customarily blank and emotionless, but any person who knew the boy well might have spotted the slight softening of his expression, and almost miniscule thawing of his usually ice-cold eyes, as he drank in the glorious sight of the setting sun on the horizon.
"Yo, Teme"
Sasuke's head whipped around in surprise to lock on the blond shinobi leaning against a tree on the edge of the clearing.
"What, dobe?"
Naruto gazed at him consideringly, then out to the flame-coloured horizon, his gaze also softening, though to a much greater extent than the Uchiha's. Unlike Sasuke, Naruto obviously had no hang-ups about showing his emotions.
"No matter how many times you see it, it still manages to amaze." The blond said in an almost awe-struck tone. "I guess they don't call it Fire country for nothing."
Sasuke resisted the urge to squirm uncomfortably. He wasn't used to seeing this side of the dobe.
Sure, he wasn't blind; he knew that Naruto wasn't the same old brat he'd fought with at the academy. He'd seen much evidence that the blonde had matured, in more ways than one. But sometimes it was easy to forget, with the dobe's usual obnoxious attitude and loud, spitfire demeanour. Sometimes Sasuke wondered if the blond kept up his obnoxious attitude purely because he knew it annoyed Sasuke to no end. For if there was one thing Naruto lived for (other than ramen and becoming Hokage), Sasuke knew, it was riling him up. It seemed Naruto had always gone to any means to try and evoke an emotional response out of him. This became a harder task after Sasuke had returned to the village, his emotionless mask had come down stronger than ever after his experiences in the sound village and eventual confrontation of Itachi. But still, the determined blond was one of the few, if only, people who could force Sasuke to come out of his dark, isolated shell, even if it was usually in the form of anger and reflexive violence.
"What's the matter Sasu-teme? Cat got your tongue?" Naruto grinned teasingly at him. He knew the raven haired boy had a soft spot for sunsets, and that it would be like pulling teeth for him to admit it.
"Hn."
Naruto smirked in amusement. Sasuke wasn't fooling him one bit. To prove it, Naruto walked slowly and deliberately in front of the boy, effectively blocking his vision. He watched the look of annoyance on Sasuke's face with satisfaction.
"Move it, dobe."
"But why? I like it here." Naruto replied sweetly.
"Because I'd rather not look at your ugly mug."
"Ouch, it bites. Sorry, am I blocking your view?" Naruto glanced behind him, pretending to be surprised.
The Uchiha growled.
Naruto's grin widened.
"Hn. Your hair blends into the background." Sasuke looked at Naruto bemusedly.
"Huh? Really?" Naruto reached up to touch his hair whilst simultaneously glancing behind him.
Sasuke took the opportunity to shove the blonde backwards, then relax once again to lean on the tree.
Naruto looked up at Sasuke, annoyance and amusement playing on his face. He just didn't get why the boy insisted on pretending he didn't care. Why try so hard to hide what you took pleasure out of? To the boy who had proudly paraded his love of bright orange, ramen and becoming Hokage, Sasuke's silence was confusing.
Shrugging, Naruto picked himself up off the ground, deciding to let him be. "Hmph, well don't stay out too long Teme, you have a big day tomorrow."
Sasuke's eyes flickered toward Naruto as he passed. How could he know? Sasuke wasn't the type to care about birthdays, least of all his own. In fact, he made it a point never to tell anyone when it was. His eyes narrowed at the smirk on Naruto's face. The blonde had better not be planning anything to celebrate.
Naruto whistled cheerfully as he walked back to town; confident that he had made Sasuke uneasy about tomorrow. Naruto enjoyed putting the boy on edge, particularly as he had absolutely no pranks planned, but had made Sasuke THINK he did. Just one more way he could mess with the Uchiha. The blonde cackled gleefully to himself as he slowly made his way back to his apartment.
SASUKENARUTOSASUKENARUTOSASUKENARUTOSASUKENARUTOSASUKENARUTO
The next day, Sasuke walked the streets of Konoha, senses on high alert for anything out of the ordinary, though to passers-by he looked the same as always; detached and aloof from the world. Time was Sasuke wouldn't have had to waste brain cells on detecting Naruto's pranks, but he had quickly learnt on his return from Sound village that Naruto's pranks could no longer be taken likely. It seemed that with the growth of Naruto's shinobi skills, the ingenuity and resourcefulness of his pranks had improved. Sasuke could have been cliché and wished he use his shinobi powers for good instead of evil, but somehow he felt that would be hypocritical...
Naruto chuckled while watching the Uchiha flinch ever-so-slightly at sudden noises. Oh, this never got old. The blonde decided he'd been entertained enough and silently jumped out the shadows to sneak up on the boy.
Sasuke got the uncomfortable feeling that he was being watched, and given Naruto's previous pranks, it probably wasn't paranoia. Sasuke further heightened his senses, sacrificing some of his indifference for greater awareness of the chakra around him. The dobe had surprised him before with his impressive ability to suppress his chakra signature, he was determined not fall for that again. Concentrating intently, Sasuke suddenly felt it, a burst of bright yellow chakra headed his way. Spinning abruptly, Sasuke lowered himself into a fighting stance, only to be faced with a confused-looking blonde, holding a wrapped box.
"Huh, Sasuke? Are you feeling ok? You seem a bit…tense." It was all Naruto could do to maintain his look of innocence and confusion. Inside he was cackling madly. Sasuke slowly relaxed from his stance, looking at the blonde disbelievingly. There was no way Naruto had dropped that line yesterday unintentionally. Clearly, the boy had something planned for today.
"Uh, well anyways. I know it's your birthday today and all, so I bought you a gift. It's, um, yea well you should probably just open it." Naruto placed the box in the Uchiha's hands awkwardly, looking for all the world innocent of any crime.
Sasuke wasn't buying it. Lifting the box carefully, he discreetly ran chakra over it to search for hidden traps. Finding none, he raised the box to his ears and rattled it slightly…it didn't sound like nasty gadgets were hidden in it…
Naruto watched the raven-haired boy's antics with badly disguised amusement. Sasuke had tried to do his checks discreetly; passing chakra over the box inconspicuously, and feigning interest in the gift while shaking it at his ear, but Naruto knew he was doing the Uchiha equivalent of wetting himself. The sharingan user had checked for every trap, and found nothing. That left two options: Either Naruto had indeed prepared no prank for him, or Naruto HAD prepared a prank, but hidden it so well the Uchiha couldn't spot it.
Not wishing to appear weak, Naruto knew Sasuke wouldn't refuse his gift without solid proof that it was a prank. The setup was perfect. Dropping all pretence of innocence, Naruto smirked knowingly, further off-balancing the Uchiha.
Eyes narrowed in suspicion, Sasuke began to untie the bow and unwrap the package; unconsciously holding his breath while lifting the box's lid. His breath came out all at once and his eyes widened in surprise when he saw what was inside. Naruto finally lost it and started laughing uncontrollably with hands on his knees. Sasuke's expression had been priceless!
Nestled amongst soft paper in the box, was a beautiful painting of a sunset; intricately brushed to the finest detail. Sasuke looked at the blonde in disbelief.
"Y-you should have s-seen your face! Hahahaha! It's like you thought the box was gonna eat you or something." The blonde dissolved into a fit of laughter once again, clutching his stomach.
Sasuke, re-analysing the situation, realised he'd been duped. Down came his fist on Naruto's head. "OW! Hey!" Naruto looked up to see Sasuke's eyebrow twitching dangerously.
"Dobe." He grunted in annoyance. He should have known the blonde would progress to psychological pranks. The classic ones had probably gotten boring for him.
"Hey, well, prank aside, do you like the gift or not?" Naruto waited with an expectant grin.
Sasuke had half a mind to smash the painting on the ground then and there. Glancing at it again, however, he couldn't quite bring himself to do so. A moment of silence passed with his indecision.
Naruto's grin grew wider. "Is that a yes, then?"
Sasuke grunted noncommittally. "It's passable."
Naruto's expression fell slightly. Jeez, would it kill the boy to show a little gratitude? He knew he'd pushed Sasuke's boundaries with the prank, but he was conveniently ignoring that right now.
Sasuke turned to walk away, having not missed the blonde's sensitivity to his answer. He fought with himself till he reached the end of the street. Pausing there briefly, he grudgingly looked at the painting again. "Hey, dobe."
"Yeah?" Naruto had been watching his exit with interest.
"Thanks." Sasuke mumbled, before quickly walking away.
Naruto's grin was earsplitting. He'd known that if he waited long enough, Sasuke might show some of his gratitude. The boy was like a skittish snake. Patience and perseverance was the key to coaxing him out of his hole.