For the first time all night, Sasuke didn't mind Sakura dragging him around because at the moment he wasn't really thinking about his surroundings. Sasuke couldn't even feel relief that Sakura hadn't noticed his eyes were focused elsewhere. Nothing else mattered except the omega across the room.
Sasuke couldn't believe it. It was him. It was really Naruto. Sasuke blinked once, then twice but he still didn't disappear or turn into someone else. Naruto was really there, sitting across the room...with Itachi. An array of thoughts and feelings assaulted Sasuke. He was excited and nervous but also confused and angry. Sasuke's alpha was barreling through his subconscious trying to drive him forward, but Sasuke stubbornly stood still.
Why was Naruto there? Naruto didn't live anywhere near Konoha, they'd only met because he had been there for work. It had been nearly two months since their phenomenal encounter. Why did he pop up here and now, in the same building as him and Sakura? And why was he talking to his brother?
The rapid beat of Sasuke's heart had been from the thrill of seeing the person who had haunted him day and night, but now it thumped in rapidly building irritation. Was Naruto like all the others after all? Did he play him? Was he talking to Itachi to try and get some angle on him? Fuck, was he here to tell Sakura about them?
Even as Sasuke's thoughts continued to spiral, he couldn't help but appreciate the stunning blond. Naruto's hair was even brighter than he remembered, his honey skin seemed to glow under the crystal chandeliers twinkling lights and the tux he was wearing was sure to draw attention to his pulchritudinous sapphire eyes. Naruto was in fact in an indigo tux but what stood out even more was another high-necked collar, dyed in a soft lavender. It wasn't surprising that Naruto looked stunning in formal wear. Sasuke was convinced he'd make rags look good.
When Naruto's turned, Sasuke got a greedy glimpse at those orbs, and he realized the tux wasn't needed to draw attention to his eyes. God, those eyes were beyond beautiful even from afar. They were like the glassy surface of the ocean on a calm day, reflecting the sky on its surface perfectly; calling out to him like a beacon. Sasuke's memories didn't do them any justice. How could he forget how beautiful they were? They were every bit as beautiful as their bearer.
Sasuke didn't expect Naruto's gaze to fall on him, but when their eyes met it was like the world stood still. A brief flash of recognition flashed through Naruto's eyes and the shock alone was all the proof Sasuke needed to know that Naruto wasn't there for anything malicious. It was strange to have so much faith in someone he'd only met once and knew next to nothing about. It wasn't in Sasuke's nature to trust blindly, if at all, but he couldn't help the inexplicable trust he suddenly had for Naruto. Much to Sasuke's dismay, Naruto quickly turned his gaze back to Itachi who, lucky enough for him, had missed their brief exchange.
"Sasuke?" Sakura's incredulous voice cut through Sasuke's reverie. She had unhooked their arms as she waited impatiently for Sasuke to pull her seat out for her. For the first time in his life, Sasuke felt dirty, but not because Sakura might catch him openly staring at the other omega, but because Naruto saw him with Sakura. That night they spent together, he was very clear with Naruto so he knew he shouldn't feel this way, but he did.
Sasuke was torn over the fact that Naruto's first reaction to seeing him wasn't to immediately come over. He knew if Naruto had come over to see him, it would have violated the terms that he himself had set, not to mention Sakura would surely wonder how they knew each other. Sasuke had purposely kept his extracurriculars undisclosed for a reason, he'd hate to see how she'd react if she found out he'd actually fucked another omega. But still, he couldn't help but feel more than a little disappointed by Naruto's avoidance.
Sasuke knew he should feel thankful that Naruto was ignoring him, but he didn't. Naruto ignoring him meant that someone else was being blessed with his attention and that was the problem. A new feeling bubbled up inside him like an active volcano ready to erupt. Jealousy. Naruto saw him and decided to completely ignore him in order to pay attention to his brother. Sasuke didn't know why, but he wanted that attention. Itachi receiving it was infuriating.
Even as he pushed Sakura in and seated himself next to her, Naruto never looked back. This is the sort of thing that should've relieved him. His one-night stand was still following his rules, but there was no relief, only fury. The fury of being ignored, the fury of those eyes being on someone else, the fury of Naruto laughing at whatever the hell Itachi just said to him. Who did Itachi think he was, making Naruto laugh like that? That should be hi-
"Sasuke?" Sakura's shrill voice broke him from his trance.
Sasuke's eyes reluctantly fell on her. "Hn?"
"Red or white wine?" She gave him a tight smile but there was a dark aura about her. Apparently, she didn't like the attention his absent mindedness was drawing to them. That or she noticed him staring. He really hoped it wasn't the latter.
"White," Sasuke grunted as the wine was already being poured for the table's other occupants.
As the waiter poured their wine, Sakura's eyes tracked where Sasuke was staring, and her emerald eyes widened. "Is Itachi laughing? Oh my god, he never laughs!"
Sakura didn't want to believe Sasuke was looking at the collar wearing man. She really wanted to believe he was observing his brother's reaction to the omega, but it was nearly impossible to prevent herself from pointing accusations. It was obvious the man in the obnoxious collar was an omega, no one else wore collars. She bit back a sneer because what self-respecting omega attends a social event in the wake of their heat? One that's trying to seduce every alpha in the vicinity, her alpha included. Sakura took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. This situation was putting all the exercises she learned in therapy to use.
"Looks that way," Sasuke tried to keep his face passive as he feigned disinterest. It wasn't bad enough that his brother was making Naruto laugh, but Naruto was also capable of making his brother laugh as well? This had to be hell.
Here he was with his partner, watching the object of his weird infatuation, hitting it off with his own alpha brother. He shouldn't care, he knew he had no right, but he was furious. He never envied another person, but right now he was ashamed to say that he envied Itachi.
There was no other way to say it. Sasuke was fucked.
Sasuke didn't remember dinner, he didn't remember the topics of conversation around the table, and he certainly didn't remember dessert. All he remembered was the crisp taste of his —not nearly strong enough— wine, those blue eyes avoiding his and...and why the fuck was Itachi still smiling? Wait, was Naruto blushing? What right did Itachi have to make Naruto blush so prettily?
A menacing growl percolated in Sasuke's throat, but he caught himself before it could trickle past his lips. What the hell was wrong with him? He was with Sakura! Was his alpha sexually frustrated? Or maybe his rut was coming early?
Maybe he should give into Sakura's advances. The last two weeks she had been persistent, but he didn't think it was a good idea to jump right back into it. Or at least that's what he told himself. But with these weird feelings he surely needed something because at the moment all he could think about was storming over to Naruto and devouring him in front of his brother so Itachi and everyone else would see just who the omega belonged to-
Sasuke's eyes enlarged. No way did he just think of Naruto as his! Sasuke knew he had to stay away, but the thought tormented his alpha. These thoughts and feelings weren't normal, and it was really starting to trouble him.
"Let me guess, you're just watching your brother, right?" Sakura's saccharine voice was icy and accusatory. It took all her restraint to not say what she really wanted after spending all supper watching her alpha openly gawk at another omega. She tried, she really tried to tell herself it was nothing and that it was all in her head, but at this point her therapy wasn't enough to quell the storm raging inside of her.
The man wasn't even good looking. Ghastly, bright blond hair, basic blue eyes and those hideous marks on his face that made him look like a child playing dress up. And who wears a colourful tuxedo? Honestly. But what was worse was the attention he was seeking with that collar. The thing was huge and purple, the man wasn't trying to be discreet at all; shamelessly advertising to the world that he was an omega open for business. Sakura knew Sasuke says he doesn't like omegas —let alone loose ones— but the staring he'd been doing all throughout supper was sending her mixed signals.
Internally Sasuke was scolding himself. How could he have been so careless? Having been caught, "hn," was all he could manage to say. He made it sound disinterested, but Sakura didn't buy it.
As the wait staff was finishing collecting the remainder of desert, Sakura gave Sasuke a menacing smile that made the fine hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. "Let's go say hi then, shall we?" The usual intimidation Sakura would feel when faced with Itachi was nil compared to the outrage the other omega was building up inside her. At this moment she had a desperate need to stake her claim on Sasuke, even though the blond man didn't look at her alpha even once throughout supper, she needed to make a stand. Dr. Yuhi told her to expect slip ups, to Sakura, that's all this was. Just one territorial slip up.
"Why?" Sasuke scowled at her skeptically. He may be a master of stoicism, but even he was impressed by the fact that he kept the rising panic out of his voice. Having Sakura catch him staring was bad enough, but in no world was being made to interact with Naruto alongside her, any less than monumentally catastrophic.
"Because, dear, if 'your brother' has managed to keep your attention all supper, obviously you have something to say to him, right?" Sakura's frigidly sarcastic tone dripped from her cloying smile like venom from a fang.
Sasuke felt dread bubbling up in the pit of his stomach. To others, Sakura's request may sound like a suggestion, but Sasuke knew, he knew it was a demand. This was the last thing he needed. Right now, he should be worried about his actions causing Sakura to revert back to old habits and trying to come up with an excuse to keep her as far away from Naruto as possible, but he couldn't. Instead, he found himself nodding slowly in agreement, the only worry in his mind was what would Naruto do?
Sasuke stood up then pulled Sakura's chair out for her. "Thank you," she smiled forcefully as she stood then latched onto Sasuke's offered arm so possessively, he's surprised her nails hadn't pierced through his jacket. As the two slowly navigate their way across the room, Sasuke grits his teeth as he watches Itachi pull Naruto's chair out for him. It was a move that had Naruto's cheeks flushing a pretty pink once again. It made Sasuke furious. It should be him making Naruto blush.
Weaving their way through the final tables as they followed the duo towards the terrace, Sasuke could barely quell the thrill of coming face to face with Naruto again. Not even Sakura's presence seemed to deter him the closer they got. Sasuke absently noticed how dainty Naruto looked next to Itachi as he led him out the French doors. He wondered if Naruto looked that small next to him. It was a far more satisfying thought than he could have ever imagined, it had him biting back a pleased growl just picturing Naruto swallowed up in his embrace, covered in his scent.
Sakura had never provoked any of these thoughts and feelings in him. Even during heats and ruts his alpha wasn't overly interested, but one look at Naruto had his alpha ready to show everyone who the gorgeous omega belonged to.
Fuck.
He wanted Naruto, didn't he? This wasn't good.
Sasuke's mind should be sending out warnings, demanding him to turn back and avoid Naruto at all costs, but his body just kept moving forward. When they got close enough to hear that angelic laugh, Sasuke's breath nearly caught. It was so mesmerizing that he'd momentarily forgotten it was his brother making Naruto laugh and that Sakura was latched on to his arm.
Yeah, he definitely wanted Naruto.
Itachi had just managed to catch a glance of the duo striding towards him and his new, charming acquaintance. Sakura's eyes gleamed maliciously as she guided a troubled looking Sasuke. Itachi mentally raised an eyebrow at the change in his brother.
"Did you guys need some air as well?" Itachi greeted as the soft music started up once again; softly carrying out through the opened doors. The slightly cool air was refreshing and much appreciated after sitting through the warm, stuffiness of supper.
"Hn," Sasuke hummed, he couldn't help but feel disappointed that Naruto didn't so much as glance at him.
"Actually, we wanted to know who your friend was?" Sakura's voice cut in suddenly. It came out silky smooth and filled with underlying animosity. So much for her breathing exercises.
Itachi frowned at the rude female. "Ms. Haruno, this is Naruto Uzumaki, the newest member of Dr. Senju's team."
Sasuke's mind was suddenly reeling, Naruto was the one Tsunade had been talking about all along? Naruto was going to work for them? Sakura's presence couldn't deter the elation Sasuke was feeling at the possibility of being able to see Naruto regularly.
"I've agreed to no such thing," Naruto pouted adorably, while making sure to look anywhere but at Sasuke. It was a hard feat to accomplish with the weight of those endless eyes practically pinning him down.
"Details, details," Itachi waved dismissively. "Naruto, this is my brother Sasuke."
Finally, Naruto looked up at him. Being graced with the attention of those glistening sapphires, Sasuke's breath had been stolen. God Naruto was beautiful. He was stunning from afar, but up close like this he was absolutely gorgeous. Sasuke found himself smiling softly as he held his hand out, anxious to touch that small, soft hand. "Naruto, it's a pleasure."
Sasuke's expression and lack of formality wasn't lost on either Itachi or Sakura, and he couldn't find it in himself to care. Naruto was finally looking at him, consequences be damned.
His name rolling off Sasuke's tongue had Naruto fighting back a shutter, but he couldn't show it, he had a promise to keep after all. "Likewise, Mr. Uchiha," he greeted respectfully. As their hands made contact, a jolt shot through him, causing his skin to prickle with pleasant goosebumps. Thankfully, Naruto's tux hid his skin's reaction because the female was already murdering him with her blazing emerald eyes; she was clearly feeling threatened. It was a drama Naruto could do without.
Sasuke frowned at the almost clinical formality in Naruto's voice. Where was the cute, playful omega he had once met? Surely, he wasn't the only one that felt like a bolt of lightning shot through him when their hands met? Unfortunately, Sakura made herself known and reality set in.
"And I'm his mate, Dr. Haruno," she put a possessive emphasis on the word 'mate' as she gripped Sasuke tighter and held out her free hand feigning politeness.
'Ah, right,' Sasuke scolded himself while managing to keep his face passive. How the hell had he forgotten her presence with her cutting off the circulation to his arm?
Naruto felt his panic begin to rise. Did Sasuke tell her about him? He quickly dismissed that thought though, because one of Sasuke's stipulations was that no one was to find out about their night together. It seemed highly unlikely Sasuke would tell his mate about his one-night stand. No, she was just acting like an omega aggressively marking her territory.
"Nice to meet you," Naruto offered a dazzling smile as he shook her manicured hand. Naruto wasn't intimidated, if she wanted to throw her title around, he'd humor her. "If you don't mind me asking, Dr. Haruno, what's your field of expertise?"
Sakura's eyes enlarged briefly as a blush rose up her cheeks. After her snideness, she hadn't expected such a warm greeting. She quickly shook it off and found her confidence; she was damn proud of her career path. There was no way she was going to let this little pip squeak who somehow managed to gain Dr. Senju's attention, one up her. "I'm a second-year surgical resident at K.G."
It made sense that Sasuke would be with someone accomplished but Naruto hadn't expected her to be a surgeon. Regardless, he didn't rise to her obvious bait. Instead, he played the polite, inquisitive role. "Wow, that's quite impressive. Have you decided on a specialty yet?"
"Plastics," Sakura answered with a smug smirk pulling at her painted lips.
Itachi raised his eyebrow at her curiously. "What happened to pursuing General?" This is the third time she's changed her specialty and she'd just started her second year of residency.
"Oh, our new head of Plastics says my hands were made for it. He's sort of taken me under his wing," Sakura explained hesitantly. Itachi's scrutiny unnerved her.
Sasuke stayed silent, inside he was seething. Sakura was boasting about herself, Itachi was giving him those calculating eyes of his, and Naruto was smiling at everyone else but him. Naruto wouldn't even look at him!
"I guess we can all rest easy knowing you'll be helping Konoha one butt lift at a time," Itachi quipped. In all honesty, regardless of her specialty, she was definitely an accomplished young woman. What he couldn't stand however was the way she seemed to be shoving those accomplishments in Naruto's face like it made her far more superior than him.
Itachi was an excellent judge of character —he wouldn't be where he was today if he wasn't— and in the short time he'd been graced with Naruto's presence, he found him nothing short of remarkable. Tsunade wouldn't be interested in him if he wasn't. Naruto definitely didn't deserve to be made to feel inferior because he wasn't a doctor.
Sasuke snorted while Naruto had to bite his lip to stifle his laugh. Itachi smirked at both reactions while Sakura's mouth gaped in shock.
Sakura's face quickly morphed into a deep red with embarrassment. "Plastic is about more than cosmetic surgeries. We change and improve people's lives!"
"Sure," Sasuke retorted wryly, barely holding back an eye roll. Implants as opposed to transplants? Oh yeah, her new pursuit was clearly all about helping people, it had nothing to do with the huge pay increase elective surgeries would provide her with.
Regardless of how obnoxious Naruto found Sakura, it was still his omega's nature to deescalate the situation. "Well, it's impressive regardless."
"Tch, I know that!" Sakura scoffed, as if excepting his praise would be an inconvenience.
"Sakura," Sasuke's deep voice warned as he pried his arm from hers. "You're being rude."
Sakura's eyes widened; Sasuke never spoke to her that way in public. Judging by the slight flash in Sasuke's eyes, he was just as surprised as she was by his sudden reprimand. Her shock was quick to morph to anger, she clenched her jaw and glared. She was being rude? How about how he was treating her?
Sakura grit her teeth and put on a big fake smile. "And you're not?" she said just loud enough for him to hear.
Sasuke knew that he should lock up whatever he was feeling for Naruto and focus on calming Sakura down before she ended up causing a scene, but he couldn't. One look at Naruto worrying his lower lip and all reason left him. Sasuke instinctively needed to soothe him —he wasn't going to question why that was right now— and bickering with Sakura obviously wasn't going to do that, so he ignored her snide remark in favor of continuing their conversation. "So, Naruto, you're the one Tsunade's hasn't been able to stop raving about?"
Naruto rubbed his neck bashfully as a light flush rose up his cheeks. "I guess?"
Sasuke's alpha was preening, he was finally the one to put that pretty blush on Naruto's soft, supple cheeks. But he wouldn't be satisfied until the blush he caused was deeper than the one Itachi caused. He didn't understand why, but he needed to have this. "You must be exceptional to warrant her interest."
Naruto looked away, his cheeks the deepest pink they'd been all night. "No, I'm really nothing special."
Sakura had to literally bite her tongue to keep her sneer at bay. Obviously, he wasn't anything special. She couldn't see why anyone would be interested in the promiscuous runt.
Itachi was a bit bewildered by Sasuke's sudden interest in socializing. It also amused him to see the rage bubble up in Sakura's eyes. Sasuke never paid this much attention to anyone, and for him to do it in front of her? It made his night far more entertaining. When he first saw the two together tonight, he'd been questioning his brother's mentality. Were they actually together again, or was he simply attending the event with her because of previous arrangements that would require them to attend together? One thing was certain, Sasuke was far more interested in Naruto than Sakura. Sasuke was probably showing more interest in Naruto in this short amount of time than he'd shown anyone ever. Itachi mentally smirked, his diabolical mind was going to have fun with this.
Sasuke wanted to let out a pleased growl for finally getting his desired reaction from Naruto's pretty cheeks, but that was dampened by Naruto's inability to see his own worth, and that just wouldn't do. "Well, being part of Tsunade's team, you better get used to being praised," he smirked.
Sasuke thought he sensed a brief flicker of confusion in those sapphire orbs before Naruto huffed adorably. "I haven't agreed to anything."
Sasuke couldn't help but wonder why Naruto seemed unsettled for a moment, but the thought was quickly pushed aside. "Oh? Is my brother losing his touch?" Sasuke's eyes danced with mirth as he quirked a competitive brow that was directed at Itachi.
"As if. Naruto simply hasn't agreed yet," Itachi scoffed as if the idea was offensive, though his dark eyes were still looking at Sasuke peculiarly because he wasn't even trying to hide how odd behaviour was from him.
Naruto looked up at Itachi with a playful smirk. "I take it you're used to getting your way?"
Being addressed by the object of his brother's clear interest, Itachi found himself looking down at Naruto with his own fiendish smirk. "I always get my way," his eyes glimmered with something that had Sasuke's alpha snarling. Was Itachi trying to fucking flirt with Naruto?!
"Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is one time you'll only be letting yourself down. I have no intention of working with Dr. Senju," there was a mischievous twinkle in Naruto's eyes, but his tone dictated nothing but honesty.
Sasuke clenched his fist furiously, Naruto was supposed to be focusing on him, not another alpha! He knew he was being transparent, Itachi's amused look and the dark aura coming from next to him were proof of it, but this was apparently the bulk of his self-control at the moment. Sasuke really didn't know what was going on with him right now, even more concerning was he couldn't bring himself to care.
"You sound ungrateful. Do you know what a great honor it is to work with someone like Dr. Senju? People would kill for that opportunity," Sakura rudely interrupted. Watching the way both Sasuke and Itachi interacted with the little hussy had rage simmering through her body nearly to the point of boiling over. She was trying not to cause a scene, she really was, but Itachi was never that friendly towards her and she'd been part of his brother's life for years! And Sasuke? He wasn't even trying to hide his interest in the omega. Therapy hadn't prepared her for this.
Unlike the two brothers, Naruto didn't seem affected by Sakura's jealous outburst, he simply shrugged before flicking his eye from Sasuke back to Sakura. "I have a previous agreement that would conflict with such work. Besides, I'm not thrilled at the prospects of being someone's lab rat."
Sasuke furrowed his brow in perplexion. It felt like Naruto was talking about him.
"Please," Sakura's eyes narrowed as her painted lips pulled into a wicked smirk. "Wearing a heat collar at such a public event, you obviously like attention. A lab rat sounds right up your alley."
"Sasuke," Itachi's voice was deep and ominous. It was extremely rude to reprimand someone else's partner, so Itachi was letting him know out of respect that he had two seconds to stop the line crossing female before he himself did. The music may be doing a decent job at keeping their conversation somewhat private, but more and more people were beginning to file outside so quarters were becoming tighter.
Sakura giggled to hide the terrifying shutter that Itachi's tone caused. "Oh, come on, I'm only kidding. Surely you can take a joke, can't you, Naruto?"
Sakura knew she was spiraling. She was never this catty —not even during the party that led to Sasuke proposing the break— but she kept getting flashes of Sasuke intently watching the omega all through supper and it only fed her fury as he continued to interact fondly with him. Even though Naruto wasn't letting out pheromones, the fact that he held Sasuke's undivided attention without ever trying pissed her off to no end. What was worse? He didn't even seem to care! He had both brothers' attention, and he wasn't even acting flirty or trying to gain favors. He was kind and polite. Who the fuck did he think he was?
"A joke?" Sasuke snarled, the rims of his irises bleeding red. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he seethed while trying not to draw attention.
"It's alright, really," Naruto's soft voice caressed his ears and calmed him down instantly. Naruto knew how tense Sasuke was and he needed the alpha to relax. Sakura's words didn't hurt him. Women like Sakura thrive on conflict, so Naruto would simply refuse to engage.
Naruto couldn't help but feel confused regarding Sasuke's actions though. That night he had been very clear that they would remain strangers afterwards, so it didn't make sense that Sasuke seemed disappointed at Naruto playing clueless. This should be what he wanted, right? Acting like they never met, never fucked. Acting like they weren't destined mates, Naruto's subconscious added bitterly making his omega whimper.
Naruto admitted to himself that it hurt seeing Sasuke with Sakura, but he would always support his destined mate even if that meant watching him bond with someone else. It just seemed ridiculous that Sasuke's loyalty drove him so far as to go back to a woman like her. Their relationship was the farthest from healthy he'd ever seen. And after only five minutes with Sakura, Naruto found he really couldn't stand her.
Sasuke was appalled by Sakura's actions, but he was damn proud of Naruto. Naruto had ammunition that would wound Sakura deeply, but instead of using it he just smiled and remained gracious. "Why of course I can take a joke, Dr. Haruno. But I also feel obligated to inform you that this is not a heat collar."
Fuck, it was insanely attractive hearing Naruto continue to speak respectfully, and it only made Sasuke want him even more. Sasuke couldn't remember a time Sakura was ever that polite. Sure, she was respectful enough in public, but her eyes never hid her pettiness and she always made passive aggressive remarks. Naruto's eyes only twinkled with amusement, not even his fingers twitched with irritation at essentially being called an attention seeking whore.
Naruto might be too polite to put Sakura in her place, but Sasuke certainly wasn't. In fact, he had an incredible need to stick up for Naruto, to protect him. No one had the right to speak to him like that. "That was no joke. What it was, was incredibly rude and inappropriate. Sakura, apologize now," Sasuke's voice was cold but at least his eye faded back to black from the strange calming effect Naruto had on him.
Naruto looked apologetic as he waved his hands with urgency. "No, really it's fine."
"Nonsense," Itachi chimed in sternly. "Ms. Haruno's actions were incredibly rude and uncalled for." Itachi was more irritated with the woman than he'd ever been, but he couldn't dwell on it because he felt some strange wave of tranquility, blanketing him, easing the very tension she caused. It was the oddest thing.
Sakura would rather gnaw her own foot off than apologize to the omega who seemed to have both Sasuke and Itachi under his spell. Even though Itachi never hid his dislike for her, he never reprimanded her, so she knew just how dangerously she was treading. Not wanting to suffer his wrath the next time they see each other, she decided to suck it up and apologize.
"I apologize," she mumbled without making eye contact with anyone. It was a humiliating blow to Sakura's ego. Part of her really wished the area was saturated in Naruto's pheromones, at least then she'd have proof he was coercing the brothers with his pre-heat scent. She didn't believe for a second that that collar wasn't for Naruto's heat. This was the type of person Dr. Senju was enamored with? Sakura wanted to scoff at the thought.
"Thank you, but really, it's fine," Naruto uttered softly. This was not how he pictured his evening going. This was supposed to be an evening where he'd come show support to a charity that was close to his heart, not run into the ever-persistent Dr. Senju, not meeting Sasuke's even more persistent brother, and certainly not running into Sasuke and his fucking mate. Naruto needed a stiff drink, somehow, he couldn't picture his Shirley Temples cutting it tonight.
Sasuke's gaze softened as he looked at how uncomfortable Naruto appeared to be accepting an apology but before he could say anything else, a nearly imperceivable buzzing sound came from Naruto.
Naruto was startled for a moment before quickly reaching into his inner pocket for his phone and politely excusing himself. Instincts told him he wouldn't be getting that drink tonight.
When Naruto stepped away, Sakura suddenly felt very small being under the scrutiny of Itachi's intimidating gaze. The nerve she had gained through her fury was completely erased now that Naruto was focused elsewhere. She couldn't even feel relieved over the fact because it was blatantly obvious that Sasuke was interested in him. Suddenly a room full of overzealous omega vying for Sasuke's attention paled in comparison to one omega that actually held her alpha's attention.
Sasuke's only focus was Naruto. The alpha in him was demanding he keep the omega close which he didn't understand. He knew he was with Sakura, he hadn't forgotten, but with each passing minute he found himself caring less and less about the fact. It was like he was suffering from tunnel vision and Naruto was the only thing he was seeing the longer he was in his presence.
Logically he should turn back, look at Sakura, hell, look at anybody else besides Naruto. But he couldn't, he couldn't tear his eyes away if it were to save his life. What the hell was wrong with him?
Naruto ended his call and turned back in a hurry. "I'm sorry to have to cut this short but there's a matter I have to tend to."
"Oh, what a shame," Sakura feigned disappointment, but her pout wasn't fooling anybody. She was thrilled the little nuisance would finally be out of her hair and away from her alpha. She hadn't yet figured out how to tackle this issue with Sasuke though.
Itachi frowned; he didn't like the look of worry on Naruto. It didn't suit him. "Is-"
Sasuke's urgent voice cut him off. "Is everything alright?"
Naruto puts on a fake smile. "Yeah, there's just something that requires my attention. Nothing to worry about."
"Are you sure?" Sasuke's brow furrowed; his voice was laced with concern.
Itachi was full on giving him 'the look' now. Oh, they were definitely going to address this later.
"He's a grown man, Sasuke, he doesn't need you worrying about him," Sakura grits out, barely holding back a hiss.
"Really, everything's fine," Naruto was starting to feel like a broken record. "Thank you for your concern, but I really have to go."
"I'll walk with you," Itachi was quick to offer.
"No really-" Naruto began to protest.
"Nonsense, I insist," Itachi's tone showing he was not to be argued with but the smirk he was giving Naruto was a little too friendly for Sasuke's liking.
Itachi wasn't sure what was going on between Sasuke and Naruto, but at this point he was positive it stretched far beyond the here and now. Sasuke was polite with strangers at best, but with Naruto he was actively trying to engage in conversation, his eyes never left him and he didn't even seem to care that Sakura was standing right next to him. Sasuke even defended him and reprimanded Sakura, which was something he only ever did in private. Yes, there was definitely something going on between the two and Itachi was going to get to the bottom of it. But in the meantime, he was going to enjoy torturing his little brother.
The thought of Itachi taking Naruto away from him was bad enough, but when Sasuke saw Itachi place his hand on the small of Naruto's back to guide him away, something primal took over and Sasuke snapped. His eyes turned a blazing crimson and this time he didn't try to stop the deep, menacing growl that slipped past his snarling lips.
Everyone in the vicinity froze. Itachi was stunned, Sakura's face blanched, and Naruto was wide eyed, his cheeks flushing as he fought the urge to purr at the alpha's possessiveness...his alpha's possessiveness. Did Sasuke know the implications of what he just did?
Again, that strange warmth began blanketing them in serenity, effectively diffusing the situation. When Sasuke snapped out of it, his fading red eyes were staring startlingly wide at his brother, had he really just done that? Sasuke felt like he was losing his damn mind. "I'm—I-"
"You—you just," Sakura's lower lip wobbled when she realized what Sasuke had just done. Sasuke growling at Itachi that way was a rather primitive way alphas challenged each other. By doing so, Sasuke was warning Itachi to back off what was his. In other words, he had just openly staked his claim over, not her, but Naruto. Not being able to deal with this right now she quickly took off without another word, leaving Sasuke behind.
Between Sasuke's growl and the emotional female fleeing, people had begun to stare and whisper. Itachi turned and gave them all a bone chilling glare that had them turning around instantly, Sasuke however, couldn't take his eyes off Naruto's bewildered blues.
"I should go," Naruto muttered before quickly turning to leave. Naruto didn't care if it was rude, he needed to be somewhere and with how confused Sasuke was making him feel, getting out of there was necessary.
"Naruto, wait-" Sasuke began to follow after him, but Itachi blocked his way.
"Leave him," Itachi's tone was gentle yet stern and full of authority.
"What? No!" Sasuke immediately began to protest as he went to walk around his brother.
Itachi grabbed his shoulder and stopped him. "I'll go make sure he's alright. You have to go find your...Ms. Haruno." As much as this situation intrigued Itachi, it would be bad for press if Sasuke was seen leaving his partner of six years to chase after another omega. The whole thing reeked of scandal.
With a furiously clenched jaw, Sasuke reluctantly nodded. Doing what Itachi said went against his alpha's very being, but the rational part of his brain understood. Sasuke wanted to say to hell with Sakura, to hell with the press. Sasuke had never chased after anyone a day in his life, had never needed or wanted to, but as he stood there watching Naruto's back fade into the crowd, he wanted to chase after him. He lost Naruto once; he didn't want to lose him again.
What the hell was happening to him?
Sasuke stood there for what seemed like hours. When he could finally bring himself to move without fear of overturning the city in search of Naruto, he tried to locate Sakura but to no avail. With her absence he pulled out his phone to call her but noticed she left him a single text.
Sakura:
I had Ino pick me up. Don't bother waiting up.
Sasuke was honestly surprised Sakura didn't want to ream him out immediately, he knew he deserved it this time. He could admit that taking time to assimilate was probably for the best, he really wasn't sure what to say to her right now anyways. Hell, he wasn't even sure what to say to himself. Sasuke let out a deep sigh and decided he'd been around enough people for one night. His drive home was quiet, he usually found solace in silence, but tonight it enveloped him in darkness. You'd think he felt that way because he acted despicably, causing his partner of six years to leave without him, but no. He felt that way because he was worried Naruto wouldn't accept Tsunade's offer now and he'd never see him again.
Sasuke had never felt so lost in his life. What the hell was he supposed to do now?
Well, that's a wrap on another chapter!
I'll see you in the next one!
-GrimTopography