Disclaimers: I did not create Naruto nor did I make Beauty & The Beast- a sad fact, but still a fact. This is purely a SasuNaru fanfic using someone else's characters.

Beauty & The Beast: A D-Rank Mission

Chapter 16

D~,'~~~

They finally found Lumiere, coincidentally enough, in a broom closet with the feather duster.

The two seemed flustered as they were hustled back to the stage, which Sasuke presumed was because they hadn't had a chance to finish what they had started.

I know the feeling.

Naruto was hesitant at first about inviting Sasuke into his apartment last night, but finally let him inside after the Uchiha promised to be on his best behavior. And for a while they just acted like typical Sasuke and Naruto. They joked around, made fun of each other, made fun of Sakura and Kakashi-sensei.

Then they settled down onto his couch to relax, and Sasuke slowly made his move. He took his time, made sure Naruto was comfortable, and then they made out for a while. And it was amazing. More than amazing. Which is why Sasuke was painfully turned on. And when he attempted to initiate more it was immediately shut down.

So yes, candelabra. I understand your pain.

That didn't mean it wasn't a good night though. They went back to talking and lazy kissing until they fell asleep in each other's arms. When Sasuke woke up in the middle of the night to find Naruto curled up next to him on the couch, he was the happiest he had been in a very long time.

And when he carried him to bed and laid down next to him, pulling him close, that happiness only grew.

But it doesn't mean I don't crave more..

He shook off the thought and refocused on the play. He could dwell on his love life later. Right now he needed to talk to a candlestick about a girl and get his hair done by a coat rack.

D~,'~~~

"There will be music. Romantic candlelight, provided by myself", Lumiere said, moving his arms dramatically - surprisingly similar to how the director often did, "and when the time is right, you confess your love!"

"Yes, I- I.." the Beast sighed. "I can't."

"You care for the girl don't you?"

Sasuke immediately thought of Naruto, smiling over at him with innocent blue eyes and a devilish grin.

He smiled softly. "More than anything."

Lumiere leaned towards him, avoiding the coat rack that was priming his hair. "Well then, you must tell her."

Sasuke had insisted with a long string of detailed threats that they do not do the scene where the Beast has bows and pigtails in his hair after an idiot coat rack styled it poorly. The director unhappily agreed to skip that part. So, while the coat rack simply styled Sasuke's mane, correctly, Cogsworth stepped on stage, pendulum swinging, as he announced that Belle was waiting for him.

And Sasuke weirdly felt nervous about it.

He knew the Beast was supposed to feel nervous for the next scene, but he actually was. A very un-Uchiha like feeling that he wanted to stab a million times and hide deep down, along with his childhood trauma, his secret love of ramen, and his distrust of butterflies.

He shook his head, clearing out the crazy so he could focus on his concern. And for some reason that was going to the Ball with Naruto.

Maybe it's because I'm dancing with him in front of everyone ..

Or because they are going to change his outfit and I know he'll look incredible and everyone will be able to see that on my face..

Or.. maybe it's because now that Naruto knows that I like him I feel.. I don't know- some kind of compulsion to impress him.

That one was closer to the truth.

He knew it was cheesy, but.. he wanted to sweep the blonde off his feet. Dazzle him. He wanted Naruto to look at him the way all of the love-sick, blood-thirsty fangirls did.

Well.. maybe not to that extent.

No- really he just wanted to be able to see Naruto's attraction for him. He made his feelings for Naruto incredibly obvious, and would continue to because he couldn't get enough of the blonde. But, Kakashi's doubt was starting to get to him.

He told Naruto that he liked him, but..

Naruto never said it back.

D~,'~~~

"This is even girlier than the last freaking dress!"

Kakashi patted his head. "It's a robe, Naruto. And I'm sure many would agree that you look quite fetching in it."

Naruto pushed the hand off his head, "like a dog?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. "Yes, Naruto. Clearly that is what I would mean."

"Hey! I don't look like a freaking mutt!"

"Ok, where's Sasuke? He's the only one with the patience for this."

"Haven't seen him.." Naruto grumbled.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment on his sudden sullen mood.

Naruto looked down at the light yellow silk wrapped around him, draped low and cinched at the waist, revealing his tan, freckled chest and small frame.

He sighed. "I really have to wear this thing..?"

Kakashi simply gave him a look.

"And it really can't be orange?"

Before Kakashi was stuck in another nightmare conversation with the spacey blonde, the director called for him to get to his spot on the landing above the stairs.

Naruto stepped forward, struggling to not stomp all over the hem of his new outfit, when he heard his sensei call his name.

"Hm?"

"The only thing you need to worry about with your new robe-" he grinned.

"- is whether or not Sasuke will try to tear it off of you."

And he was happy to see that the overly clueless blonde could be horrified by a suggestive comment.

Who would have thought.

D~,'~~~

The large, bubbly woman who was playing Mrs. Potts stepped onto the stage and situated herself to the far right side. She cleared her throat, jostling the lid to her tea pot, but was quick to recover. She looked at the director, he nodded back, and in her most boisterous voice she began singing-

"Tale as old as time..

True as it can be.."

Naruto stood on a small landing, nervously fidgeting with the tie on his new robe, keeping his eyes averted to hide the blush warming his face.

He could hear Sasuke's footsteps as he approached him, but couldn't get himself to look up.

"Barely even friends..

Then somebody bends,

.. Unexpectedly."

Sasuke moved towards him trying to keep his face as expressionless as possible, knowing that his eyes already said too much.

As he drew closer, he saw Naruto bite his lip and his knees felt weak.

"Just a little change..

Small to say the least.."

Naruto looked up and their eyes met, and everything around them seemed to stop.

Sasuke's breath caught in his throat. He's.. beautiful.

His eyes traveled from Naruto's slightly tamed long blonde hair, his bright cerulean eyes and flushed, whiskered cheeks, down his freckled sun-kissed chest. His robe was a softer yellow, making his tanned skin, golden locks, and big blue eyes all the more vibrant.

He was stunning.. and Sasuke couldn't get himself to look away.

"Both a little scared,

Neither one prepared.."

Naruto's eyes widened as he stared back at Sasuke.

Sasuke was so rugged and gorgeous- it made his head spin. The dark blue suit he wore looked like it was perfectly tailored to him. It revealed his toned arms and lean waist, and was a sharp stunning contrast to his flawless porcelain skin. Long raven hair fell heavily next to deep obsidian eyes, and his gaze completely locked onto Naruto's.

He could feel himself melting into them.

"Beauty-"

Naruto reached out his hand. It trembled, and he hoped Sasuke didn't notice.

"and the-"

Sasuke held out his arm so his Belle could grasp it. Naruto gently rested his hand against it, and Sasuke scooted in to stand closer to him.

.. Beast."

They smiled and took their first steps forward.

D~,'~~~

AuthorNote:

Bats- misunderstood puppies with wings.

Butterflies- repulsive insects in a dress.

And yet- which one do people chase around and catch with a jar, or get embroidered on their pillowcases, or tattooed on their thigh meat?

There you have it.

Also, I just like the idea of me & Sasuke being on the same page with that.

Ok... I should sleep more. Lol Moving on~