The Challenge

Naruto/Sasuke AU that means no ninjas or jutsus.

Summary: Outgoing Naruto, bored with the girls that he always attracts, sets his sights on shy Sasuke. But Sasuke’s shy nature isn’t the only obstacle be has to overcome. Sasuke’s past, a protective older brother, and meddling friends and enemies create waves in their growing relationship.

XX***XX

Chapter One: “Delicate Virgin”

“Goddamnit, I need to get laid.” Two teachers and several students looked in his direction but turned away expecting this loud obnoxious behavior from the blond. Naruto hated peace and calm, it aggravated him. He liked to stir things up, cause a scene of which he would be the center of attention, of course. Lunch was almost over and the school common’s was beginning to quiet down with the dread of returning to class. His group of friends was soaking up the afternoon sun on this particularly warm winter day enjoying the crisp cold air not looking forward to having to sit in a stuffy classroom for the rest of the day.

“What happened to that pink haired chick you were banging?” Shikamaru asked through a yawn. “Weren’t you just saying yesterday that she humped like a bunny?”

“I did and she does.” He beamed his best smug smile. “But she gave it up way too easy. I would say ‘hi’ and she was already on her back. It was the same thing with that friend of her’s Ino or whatever, who I also had a taste of, might I add.” Shikamaru just rolled his eyes yawning again. It was no secret that Naruto fucked the hottest chicks in school. Unlike others he wasn’t impressed. As a friend he faked his way through interest in Naruto’s conquests. He had his own girlfriend to worry about. He had been dating Temari for over a year and knew she hated Naruto, besides, for a man slut Naruto had lines he didn’t cross. He never went for those who were already taken but everyone else was up for grabs.

“What about a threesome?” Kiba supplied.

“Ino was up for it, I think.” He waved his hand flippantly. “Sakura got all defensive. ‘I’m no lesbo’.” He mocked in a shrill girl like voice making then laugh.

“You’re bored.” Shikamaru stood grabbing his bag. “Trust me I know boredom when I see it.” Naruto nodded slowly watching the other boy walk away and thinking about what he said. Shikamaru was permanently bored even when excitement flared around him. It made him wonder how long his girlfriend was going to put up with him. Temari was nice but went to the school in the next town over and didn’t seem to care for him very much. As much as he wasn’t a fan for long term commitments he thought Shikamaru and her were good together.

Suddenly the bell rang but none of them made a move. They were the popular kids that lived above the rules so they had no interest in conforming to the school’s schedule. “What you need is a challenge.” Kiba finally grabbed his bag. “Oh I know you could do what I did and what I did was seduce me a delicate virgin.” He then proceeded to manhandle his silent boyfriend Shino into his lap groping him openly. Naruto guessed he would be blushing under his coat’s high color and his sunglasses.

“Delicate virgin you say.” He looked out over the crowd of students flocking towards the doors. Normally he didn’t pick girls up instead opting to just made himself available and let them come to him. It was a process that had been working perfectly. On the edge of the crowd he spotted Hinata being bumped into causing her pile of books to tumble out of her arms. When she bent over to pick them up he let his gaze move over a pert heart shaped butt and shapely legs. A sharp tug to his hair made him wince and look to the side.

“Not that delicate virgin.” Neji hissed giving his hair a second tug for good measure.

“Trust me I know better Neji,” and he did. The older boy would kick his ass but more importantly he liked Hinata. She was sweet and had once let him cheat off her math test. He knew she had a slight crush on him but he never acted on her infatuation. They were friends and he had too much respect for her to let her get involved with him. She had to be smart enough to know that he was no good for her. “Besides she likes me so it I asked her out she’s be just as easy as everyone else.” Neji threw him a dirty look at the word easy. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Don’t you have class?” The second class bell rang signifying that they were late. Shino was the only one who seemed worried tugging at Kiba’s arm. “Come on get a move on.” It was the assistant principal tapping her foot at them.

“Yeah we’re going don’t get your panties in a twist.” Naruto grabbed his bag and jogged towards the door before she could send him to the principal’s office. One more trip and it would be a suspension. If he was suspended then Tsunade would learn that Jiraiya had left him alone. It didn’t help him that the principal had grown up with and hated his guardian. In such a hurry he didn’t notice the other boy in the hall until they collided. “Watch it you little shit.”

“Sorry.” The dark haired boy mumbled picking up his books.

His after lunch class was science with Iruka-sensei. He liked the teacher but was practically failing the class so he was in no hurry to get to class. Instead he inspected the boy on his knees in front of him. From his vantage point all he could see was a head full of black hair. His one failed quarter of art told him the color had to be warm black because that was the shade of black that held the blue highlights. Thin hands and wrists flexed picking up the books. He could see the bones and veins shift under his pale skin. “Here let me help.” He squatted down to get a better look at the beauty more that actually help him.

“I got it.” The boy jerked away from his outstretched hand before he could actually touch him. “I have to get to class.” He pushed up to his feet and practically ran down the hallway away from him.

“Well excuse me for giving a damn.” He too got to his feet only to bump into someone else.

“That’s Uchiha.” Naruto turned slowly towards the familiar voice. Gaara looked at him with a bored look that was similar to Shikamaru’s but held a hint of danger. His standoffishness and ‘I don’t care attitude’ made him popular unlike Naruto who acted out and played sports. Even being complete opposites they were arguably the two most popular boys in school.

“I’ve never noticed him before.” It was true because he would have definitely hit on him. He would have to change that and get to know him. Right now, however, he was interested in Gaara speaking to him. They didn’t talk to each other even though they had the same level of popularity. In fact he had never really seen the red head talk to anyone other than his brother Konkoru.

“His brother graduated some years ago, valedictorian and went full scholarship to some University. So far Sasuke’s only similarity to him is his brain and grades.” Gaara stared down the hall where Sasuke was gone.

“I remember him,” Naruto started, “Itachi who was MVP in every sport he went out for and homecoming king. Sasuke’s much cuter.” ‘Not to mention more obtainable,’ he thought. Gaara turned back to look at him.

“You can try but I guarantee the only company you’ll get is your own hand. Sasuke ignores everyone including me.” That wasn’t surprising since he too had no contact with Sasuke. Then again he and Gaara attracted different kinds of people. Gaara usually attracted the darker more withdrawn students and he was more popular and open.

“Well, we’ll see, nice talking to you Gaara but I’m late for class.” Time to ponder Gaara’s sudden interest was over, now he needed to devise a plan to get close to Sasuke. He’s been into girls a lot lately so it was about time to go after a boy. Sasuke’s guarded nature was just the challenge he needed to get over the boring run of days.

XX***XX

Sasuke walked as swiftly down the hall as possible without getting stopped for running. He knew exactly who it was who bumped into him and knocked him down. Naruto was the most popular boy in school and was completely full of hot air. He needed to concentrate on his 4.0 GPA to get into a good University and finally move out and away from his older brother. There wasn’t time in his life for loud mouths that slept with anything with legs.

The day had started out normally enough but now after bumping into Naruto he kept seeing him for the rest of the day. It wasn’t like he had never seen him before but this time was different because Naruto seemed to notice him. After his last class he put his heavy coat on over his hooded sweater and headed outside. It was winter and he would have to wait outside for his brother to pick him up. Why Itachi wouldn’t just let him take the bus home was beyond him. One stopped right in front of their house. Instead he insisted on rearranging his class schedule so he could come to the high school and pick him up. He would wait outside on the backside of the school so Itachi didn’t have to fight the traffic of leaving teachers and buses.

Luckily it wasn’t raining but still cold and he groaned when he saw Naruto leaning up against the wall smoking. “I was told you stand out here after school. Do you want a ride home my cars over there.” He gestured over to a semi-new car. Not speaking out loud he shook his head and kept his distance. Naruto looked confused then angry. “I’m a great driver and would get you home safe. Maybe we could get something to eat before I dropped you off or some other time if you’re busy.” Naruto threw the cigarette butt away then leaned with one hand against the wall looking over at him. He recognized the look. It was the look he used to make every girl in school become a pool of girl goo. Not only was he immune to it but it left him feeling kind of sick.

He pulled his hood up over his head because the wind picked up freezing his ears. “I have a ride.” His voice was quiet but steady.

“Why don’t you ride the bus home?” Naruto walked over to him and leaned against the wall next to him. Their shoulders almost touched and he shifted away slightly to create distance.

“Why ride the smelly bus when I have a ride home in a heated car.” He just wanted Naruto to take the hint and leave him alone but he didn’t want to attract the popular boy’s wrath. Right now he was ignored by the upper level of students and the last thing he needed was to be bullied. Sure he got bumped into on purpose from time to time but he was nowhere near being a constant target. Being invisible saved him from being beaten up or having his locker violated. He was in no hurry to change that.

“You and your older brother are rich why doesn’t he buy you a car?” Naruto turned to his side looking down at him. Their position made him wish he wasn’t slouching because then the blond wouldn’t be so much taller than him.

‘Itachi where are you?’ He thought while trying to figure out how to explain the reason to Naruto. “I’m fifteen.” It wasn’t the only reason but Naruto didn’t need to know that Itachi didn’t want him to drive. Driving meant freedom and the ability to get away. The blond opened his mouth to probably ask another intrusive question but before he could make a sound a slick black car drove up. “Itachi,” he said pushing away from the wall and escaped towards the car.

“Bye Sasuke.” The blond called to him as he climbed into the car. They drove away just when it started to rain. He looked back to see Naruto just standing there watching them drive away and not heading to his own car.

“Put your belt on.” Itachi ordered before taking a right on the road outside of the parking lot. “What did I tell you about talking to kids like that?” The slight anger in his brother’s voice made him sink in his seat.

“I wasn’t talking to him.” He explained. “Naruto was talking to me.”

Itachi looked over at him a moment before turning back to the road. “So you know his name.” Sasuke thought about what he was going to say next very carefully. His brother’s voice was on edge.

“Well yeah. He’s only the most popular boy in school.” He tried to keep his voice bored. “But he’s a total jerk and he smokes behind the school.” Itachi seemed satisfied with his reply and continued to drive home in silence.

Itachi pressed the garage door button to open it before driving in and closing it again. He turned the car off but didn’t get out. Instead he turned to him and grabbed his shoulders. It was just enough to turn him in his seat but it wasn’t painful. “I don’t like the look of that kid. Stay away from him or I’ll pull you out of that school. We can try home school for a while.” Itachi pulled away.

“No, I’ll stay away from him.” He grabbed onto his brother’s hand. “I promise.” The last thing he wanted was to be trapped longer than necessary in the house. Itachi already almost never let him go out of the house unless it was for school or to the library on occasion to study. Sometimes he feared that Itachi was trying to turn him into a shut in. Each season brought a new reason for his brother to keep him from going outside. The winter was cold and in the summer he could get sunburned. Fall and spring brought out his allergies.

“Okay then. Go inside and do your homework before dinner.” Itachi climbed out of the car and waited for him. This complete 180 in his attitude wasn’t unusual. One second he’d be smiling then the next he would be intense only to suddenly start smiling again. It always kept him on his toes and careful to not bring out his brother’s dark side. He grabbed his bag and followed his brother listening to him lock the car with the remote.

Only five more years and he would be twenty and free of his over protective brother. Until then he was stuck.

XX***XX

NOTES:
In Japan high school students have several restrictions like no working or having dyed hair and piercings. I made driving one of the restrictions. I don’t know if it is actually true.

Itachi is not abusive just overly protective.

Bell schedules, class structure, and school days are based on American high schools.

In Japan a person is an adult when they reach majority at 20 years old not 18 like in America.