Year of the Fox

Edit: Sorry about the error earlier! As you can see, it's all fixed now! ^-^

Author's notes:

Ay, sorry for the delay! But this was a REALLY hard chapter! I didn't have any real notes on how to make it work, and it felt sort of strange to suddenly have Naruto and Sasuke as a couple. It still does actually. Hopefully though, it looks better than it sounds in my head. x_x

The working title it went under was 'Late Shichigatsu, come Hachigatsu', but as I reached 40 pages I realized that it would be at least 60-70, maybe even 80 pages long if I was to incorporate both the end of July and all of August in one chapter. So I ended up changing it at the last minute.
Oh, and I had a fever while writing the last fifteen pages, so I'm sorry for any incoherence.

Chapter 11 will be out quicker I think, cos I have a lot more ideas for it. ^-^

And...*sobs* I deleted a review. By accident ;___; My pc froze and then it suddenly reacted again and went 'review has been successfully deleted'. And that was the first review YotF ever got too ;___; *whines* Why couldn't there be one of those things where an extra message pops up asking you if you're sure you want to delete the review?! *fumes* *rant rant*
I'm so sorry DrakenD4 ;___;

This chapter has been beta'd by the lovely Nicole *3*

Warnings:

Lots and lots of boykissing, touching, groping etc.
Oh, and warnings for drunk Temari and Lee xD

Shichigatsu:
- part 2

"Itachi...?"
Sasuke stopped, and slowly went back down stairs again.
He turned on the lights and looked in every room.
But the house was empty; silent as a grave.

Standing in the middle of the hall, he shook his head.
He was certain he'd heard his brother's voice. And he recognized it, even after so many years.
Still, there was no one in the house, aside from him.
Could it be that he'd imagined it?
That was strange though...he'd never done anything like it before.

Sasuke made his way up the stairs again, constantly looking over his shoulder, surveying the dark hallway on the second floor.
He saw nothing.
Slightly hesitant, he cast a glance at the door that lead to what had been Itachi's room. Carefully he slid it open, his heart pounding in his chest.
As he peeked inside the room, he was half expecting to see Itachi sitting on the bed, or by his desk. But the room was empty, quiet.
He closed the door again.

To be on the safe side, he checked the rest of the rooms on the second floor as well, with just as little result.

He retreated to his own room, falling down on the bed.
Of course Itachi wasn't here!
That was ridiculous!
Sasuke took a deep breath and exhaled.
He was just tired... and overwhelmed.
That had to be it.
It was no wonder either...
He thought of the things that had happened tonight; the mini drama among the group, how Naruto had literally fallen into his arms and made no effort to pull away.
The blonde had been nervous, he knew that, he'd felt his heartbeat. And it was clear in his voice when he whispered those words, and asked for Sasuke to kiss him.
They'd kissed.
A mutual kiss this time.
And then again in his car...
Sasuke's lips felt cold now, but he still felt the touch of Naruto's on them; the blonde's scent and taste was clear in his mind.
He smiled.
Of course he'd be a little out of it....
He was still confused, and maybe not fully aware of what had happened yet, but he felt warm....and relieved.
Happy?
Yes, he realized, he felt happy.
Right now at this moment, he was happy.
So, had he imagined Itachi's voice because of that?
Because ever since he was little, or rather when he'd been little, there was only one person he would confide in and want to tell everything that was going on with him.
He'd wanted Itachi to ask that question whenever he went somewhere. So that when he came back, and Itachi asked, he could share his happiness with him...
Was that what this had been about?
It made sense...but it didn't make Sasuke feel any calmer. Hearing voices was a bad sign, no matter what the motive behind it was.
He sighed.

His past washed over him, as he lay staring up at the roof.
He clenched his eyes shut, wanting to forget.
It didn't work.
He turned on the bed, burying his head in his pillow.
But the shortage of breath had him turning his head again. His eyes ran to the nightstand.
Rising slightly, supporting his weight on his elbow, he pulled open the drawer, and took out a small square of glossy paper.
Looking at it lured out the smile on his lips again.
From the picture, Naruto was grinning at him, his finger pressing lightly on Sasuke's own cheek.
The raven absentmindedly ran his hand through his hair.
He wondered what Naruto thought about now, after tonight.

That thought in mind, he sat up properly, before standing, grabbing an empty glass from the nightstand, and made his way into the bathroom.
He filled the glass to the brim, and took out the pill container from the bathroom shelf.
***

"What are you smiling about?"
Naruto blinked twice, "Huh?"
"You're smiling like an idiot," Gaara said. "Did something happen at the dance?"
"Pft!" Naruto said, pulling the black tee over his head just as the blush crept over his face, "Like what?"
"I dunno," Gaara shrugged, stepping over to him, finishing the job for Naruto; jerking the shirt over his head, throwing it into a corner. His light eyes locked to Naruto's. "You tell me."
Naruto sighed, taking a deep breath. "Okay," he said dramatically, "I'll tell you..."
Gaara nodded, waiting for him to start talking.
"Well, Genma and Kotetsu made the speech of a century, and it nearly killed Iruka-sensei. You should've seen him! He was blue!" Naruto laughed.
Gaara frowned, this was not the kind of news he had meant. But the blonde went on;
"Kakashi-sensei spent the rest of the night trying to calm him down, I think it worked, because he seemed to get happier. I should've stayed longer, and found out if they went home together..." he rambled.
"Why'd you leave already?" Gaara probed.
"Sasuke wanted to leave."
Gaara pursed his lips, smirking.
"I needed a ride, sheesh Gaara, you have such a dirty mind!" the blonde babbled, "I was waaay too tired to walk home!"
"And why is that?" Gaara asked, with amusement in his voice.
"Well," Naruto wiggled his eyebrows. "I am very popular with the ladies, you see..."
Gaara rolled his eyes
"It's true! I danced so much my feet are killing me!"
"I didn't know you danced?"
"Are you kidding? I've got mad skills!"
Naruto thought he spotted disbelief in his friend's expression.
"How did you acquire such skills if I may ask?" the red demanded, still sounding doubtful.
"Heh," Naruto grinned, "Never underestimate the power of DDR."
"Tch," Gaara's lips curved upwards. "I should have known."
"You should," Naruto agreed, "I am, after all, the undefeated champion!"
Gaara merely shook his head.
After a while he asked; "What about Uchiha? Did he dance?" he just had to know; Sasuke didn't exactly seem like the School Dance type at all.
Naruto shrugged, "He did dance one dance..."
He bit his lip, waiting for the inquiry.
"Really?" Gaara looked stunned, "Impressive."
It didn't come. Naruto was relieved.
Gaara didn't need to know. Not yet.
And he wanted to keep it to himself a little longer anyhow.

When the lights went out, he smiled to himself, pulling the covers closer.
Not so long ago, he'd been struggling to achieve Sasuke's friendship. He'd been certain there was no way the Uchiha would turn 180 and become his best friend...
What was this then?
There wasn't any logic to it at all really...
But logic was like dew to the sun to the blonde right now; all he knew was that Sasuke was warm, tasted sweet, and kissed like a god.
And that was all he needed to know.

***

Naruto's heart skipped a beat the next morning, when he came out of the drive way to find Sasuke's car parked on the side of the road.
Sasuke himself seemed to be sleeping in his seat, when Naruto peeked in the window.
Nervously, he tapped the glass.
Sasuke stirred, and opened the door for him. "Sorry," he yawned, "Get in."
Naruto climbed into the passenger seat.
There was a long silence.
Naruto stared at the road, at Sasuke and then out the window again.
The Uchiha wasn't much different. His eyes flickering between the blonde and the road.
Naruto turned to him again, "Hey, Sasuke?"
"Hn?" their eyes met.
"It's okay right...?"
"What is?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto leaned in closer.
He closed his eyes, parted his lips. And kissed Sasuke carefully.


The fox pulled away.
"To do that..?"
Sasuke's shoulders sank. He gave a slight smile.
"Yeah," he said, touching his hand to Naruto's. He moved it upwards, letting it rest on the back of his head. And then pulled Naruto close again; biting lightly down on the blonde's bottom lip before releasing him.
"It's perfectly ok to do that."

"Heh," Naruto smiled, "Ok, I was just checking."
"Checking?" Sasuke repeated, "For what?" there was laughter in his voice.
"To see if you'd start yelling at me..."
"If anyone is supposed to worry about that, it should be me!" Sasuke exclaimed. "You're the one who freaked out and ran off the last time, remember?"
Naruto rubbed his neck, "Yeah, but... You're no easy person to understand you know."
Sasuke started the car.
"You're allowed to kiss me." was his only reply.


"So, did you guys stay long after we left last night?" Naruto asked, leaning over to Sakura's desk.
"About an hour longer," she replied.
"Long enough to see Tsunade throwing out Genma and Raidou though," Kiba grinned.
"Granny Tsunade was there?" Naruto asked.
"She showed up after you left, apparently she'd been busy earlier."
"Yeah," Naruto snorted, "Gambling!"
He sobered, "So she threw them out?"
"Yeah, did you expect otherwise?"
Naruto shrugged, "Not really... I saw them under the stairs when I went looking for Sasuke."
"Well," Shikamaru yawned, "Rumor has it they were doing more than just making out when she caught them."
Naruto's eyes widened, "I miss all the fun!"
"So does Tsunade," Ino smirked, "Because I heard that while she was busy with those two, Deidara-sensei snuck off with that guy...."
"What guy?" Naruto asked, annoyed. He really did miss out on everything.
He glanced over at Sasuke. Ok...not everything. He smiled.
"I guess that was the Sasori he was talking about earlier... They seemed pretty intimate."
"You mean...."
Ino nodded, "Tenten said she'd spotted them in the hall."
"So....Deidara's..."
Ino nodded again, "Seems like it."
"That," Sasuke said, "Can be discussed."
"What do you mean, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura wondered, leaning on her elbows.
"I mean," Sasuke smirked, "Does this Sasori guy know that Deidara is a man?"
The whole group burst out laughing.
"Silence!" Kurenai stepped into the room, "And before anyone asks; NO, you will not be getting back your exams yet. And most of you should be thankful for that." she shook her head.
The class settled down, falling back into the normal routine.
Though it didn't last long. Other classes, like Neji's were still having exams, so both Asuma and Kakashi were busy, and left them with nothing to do from lunch and until they were done for the day.
Officially it was Study Hour for four hours straight, but no one bothered to actually do anything.
Mostly, conversation revolved around last night.

Every time Naruto snuck a glance over at Sasuke, he'd notice something about him he hadn't noticed before, like how a few strands of hair from his fringe had gone astray, and were hanging in front of his left eye. Every time Sasuke blinked, they would sway a little, and cling to his lashes. Also, he couldn't help but notice how the raven would purse his lips slightly, pressing his pencil against his chin when he paused, seemingly pondering over a problem.
Because even though everyone were chatting excitedly, Sasuke kept working with the extra homework they'd been given, just so the teachers would still feel they were doing their job.
As if it wasn't bad enough that they were already giving them home work over summer.
The thought of that faded however, when he looked at the Uchiha.
It was strange, Naruto thought, that just a few kisses could change everything so radically; he'd noticed all these things about Sasuke before too, but they just seemed clearer now. His gaze was constantly drawn to the raven.
Was it really possible to fall so quickly after something so little?
As if the kisses they shared weren't a big deal.... When he'd first asked Sasuke to kiss him, and then when he did, Naruto had thought his heart would explode, or at least pound its way out of his chest...
He looked at Sasuke's lips, longing to feel them on his own again.
Sasuke didn't look back at him.
Instead he was torn from his daze, by Sakura; "Naruto! Are you listening?!"
"Huh?!"
The girl frowned, "You want to come with us after school? We've all got some errands at the mall."
"Sasuke-kuun!" Ino leaned over Sauke's desk, "What about you?"
"Sorry," Sasuke replied without even looking up, "I can't."
"Me neither..." Naruto said. He glanced over at the Uchiha, who still didn't look up at him.
If Sasuke wasn't coming he didn't want to go either. Partly because he sort of wanted the two of them to be alone... He felt a blush creeping up his neck just thinking about it. And partly because he was sure he'd be spacing out constantly, and he didn't want to deal with questions.
They were used to him having to go straight home and stuff, so he was spared the inquiry on why. Sasuke, on the other hand, wasn't.
Sasuke was used to that by now, and had long since become a champion at brushing them off without so much as giving a hint as to why he couldn't join them.

"Sasuke!" he chased the raven out on the parking lot.
Sasuke halted, allowing him to catch up.
"Are you busy?" Naruto asked him, slightly hesitant.
Sasuke shrugged.
"'Cos in there..."
"That was just to get away from the nagging," Sasuke replied, starting to walk towards his car.
"So, you're not busy?"
"Not really."
"Then..."
"Get in," Sasuke said, unlocking the car, "Let's go somewhere."
"Where?"
"It doesn't matter, does it?" the raven asked him.
He just wanted to get out of there, without having to go back home. "Well?" he asked impatiently.
"I guess not..." the blonde shrugged, getting in the vehicle.
Anticipation rose inside of him. He glanced at Sasuke, meeting his gaze.
A slight awkwardness arose; they'd hardly talked since yesterday....instead... Naruto's lip quirked, he laughed softly.
"What are you laughing at, dobe?" Sasuke asked, turning his head to look out the back as he put the car in reverse.
"Nothing," Naruto replied, he scowled, "You're still calling me dobe, Sasuke-teme?!"
"Of course," the raven said smugly, "It's a pet name."
"Bastard."
****

"Have you seen Naruto?"
Gaara yawned, turning his gaze from the TV, to look at Chiyo.
"No," he shook his head.
"So you don't know if he was going anywhere today? After school?"
"No," Gaara gave the remote to Moegi, who instantly switched the channels to a children's channel. More kids flocked around the TV.
"Could you call him dear? I just want to know where he is."
The red nodded, taking out his phone.

He sat on the stone steps outside.
While he waited for Naruto to pick up, he noticed some of the kids flocking around Neji on the lawn. The brunette had been let out of school early, and had turned up at their door with a bunch of forms he needed Chiyo to fill out.

Finally, after nearly five minutes of the annoying tone in the other end, Naruto picked up;
"Hey Gaara!"
He sounded like he was eating.
"Where are you? People are worried."
"I'm...at Ichiraku's," Naruto's cheery voice toned down a bit, "I forgot to call, sorry... Are you supposed to order me back home?"
"No, we were just wondering where you'd taken off to," Gaara yawned again, his eyes watching Neji and the kids; they seemed very excited, pulling on his jacket, jumping up and down.
"Are you with Iruka-sensei? Since you're at Ichiraku's?"
"No," Naruto swallowed in the other end, "I'm with Sasuke-teme,"
"Sasuke?" Gaara failed to hold back the surprise. "Again?" he thought.
"Yeah, we came here after school! He's been nice enough to treat me to three bowls already!"
Gaara caught Sasuke's voice through the phone; 'A mistake I'll never make again. I didn't know you were such a bottomless pit...'
At that point Gaara stopped listening.
His eyes wandered again.
The children had stepped slightly away from Neji now; they stood watching, as the teen stretched out an arm, his palm facing towards where Gaara was sitting.
He looked very focused, taking the first step to the left.
Then, at impressive speed, he whirled around, striking into the air while counting out loud.
Each movement was perfected to the slightest, Gaara noticed, every step carefully planned, swift, but powerful. And Neji's expression stayed the same; just as concentrated.
It was like watching some sort of dance...
"So yeah, I'll be home soon I guess..." Naruto went on in the other end, "We're gonna finish eating and then maybe we'll..." he continued, Gaara not catching a single word. He was far too taken with the other teen.
"Alright," he said absentmindedly. "Don't be late, kay?"
"I won't. Bye."
There was a click.
Gaara lowered the phone, slowly putting it back into his pocket.

Konohamaru and the others were yelling and laughing over on the lawn.
They were begging Neji to do it again, Gaara guessed that much. He failed to hold back a smile when a few of the boys tried to mimic the Hyuuga.
He could see Neji smiling.
Smiling, and agreeing to show them again.

The red stood.
He made his way over to them, but refrained from coming too close. He preferred to watch from a distance.

Neji spun, counted, let his gentle strikes pierce the air surrounding him.
And when he stopped, he stared straight into Gaara's aquamarine eyes.
He smiled slightly, straightening his back.

"Isn't it awesome Gaara-nii?!"
"Isn't Neji cool?!"
"I bet you can't do that!"
Gaara's hand brushed through Konohamaru's hair. He took advantage of the situation; pushing the boy carefully so he fell down onto the grass.

"That little rascal was showing off his karate skills," Neji explained, "I offered to show him mine."
"But that wasn't karate?"
Neji shook his head.
"What's it called?" the red's voice was slightly different from normal, shaky in a way.
"It's technique developed by the ancestors of my family..." Neji started, "This one is called Hakke Rokujûyon Shô, if done correctly, it's known to be able to cut off the opponents chakra flow..." he paused.
Gaara didn't seem about to interrupt him, asking about chakra, so the Hyuuga figured the red had some experience with martial arts himself. Or at least that he hadn't just blown it off as nonsense, like most other teens these days.
"It has a rather peculiar name though," he smirked, "For a fighting style that can be so dangerous..."

Gaara's chest tightened slightly.
"Tell me," he heard himself asking. He said it in such a mechanical way.
Like he was spellbound by the other's words.

Neji's pale eyes caught his, held them in a stern gaze.
"The Gentle Fist."

The words struck Gaara like lightning.
And he had no idea why.
His chest tightened even harder. And Neji's gaze was still holding his.
***

"Uwaaah!" Naruto patted his stomach, grinning from ear to ear, "I'm stuffed!"
"Thank God...." Sasuke mumbled, leaving money on the counter as he dragged the blonde away from the ramen stand.

"I probably could have handled another portion though..." Naruto pointed out, walking next to Sasuke down the street.
"Well, my wallet couldn't," Sasuke said frowning.
"Don't worry about it," Naruto grinned, "Thanks for treating me!"
"I treated you to the first one, dobe," the raven's dark eyes wandered, "The fifty next were basically you ordering and me paying,"
"What kind of way is that to thank me for our first date?" Naruto hissed.
"Excuse me...Date?"
"Well, that's what it's called, when a couple go out like this, moron." Naruto lowered his voice, so no one would hear, his cheeks flushing as he spoke the words.
Sasuke barely heard him; his eyes were focused at a street corner where he was certain he'd seen someone he knew pass by.
"Sasuke-teme?" Naruto shook him gently.
"Oh...Couple...Right," Sasuke shook his head, collecting himself enough to look at the blonde.
He had to keep himself from spacing out like this, or the blonde would think that he...
Sasuke didn't want Naruto to think that he didn't care about him.
The way things were now, with the chaos inside of him, the only thing he was certain of, was that one thing.
If Naruto started to doubt that fact, he was in trouble, without doubt.
"Sasuke...You're acting weird. Are you ok? Did you see a ghost or something?"
A shadow blew over the raven's face, "Don't worry," he said, forcing a smile, "I guess this does count as a date..."
Naruto eyed him nervously. "Is there anything...wrong with that?"
Sasuke shrugged, "I just thought it would be different. I didn't want to take you to Ichiraku's of all places!"
The fox grinned, "I don't mind if we have every date there!"
"Negative," Sasuke walked on.
Naruto rushed after him; "Wait up! I'm too stuffed to run! SASUKE-TEME!"


Sasuke's entire body felt heavy when he dragged himself inside the house.
He'd been dreading the moment when he and Naruto had to part all day.
It was ridiculous he realized; all of a sudden, they had moved on from being in a friends and rivals type of relationship, to being in a relationship. Here he was, kissing in the car, staring at the blonde's lips, taking him out on a date...
And yet, despite all of those things being so very un-Sasuke, it wasn't what bothered him.
What bothered him was the fact that he suddenly felt so weak without Naruto.
He'd realized last night, the moment he'd heard - or thought he'd heard Itachi's voice.
It was horrifying.
As long as Naruto was nearby, he managed to keep calm and more or less in control of his thoughts, at least if you looked away from his constant urge to touch the blonde as if wanting to make sure that he was real. That this wasn't just another desperate attempt at creating something safe and comforting.

Last night, when he had kissed those lips, and the kiss had been answered, just like this morning, and just like when he'd kissed him in the car just now, before sending him off, he'd known that he was addicted to Naruto now.
He needed him, like a drug.
He needed him like he'd sworn that he would never need anyone.

Just a few minutes ago, they'd been in the car.
Naruto had leaned towards him, smiling shyly.
As their lips met, and Sasuke's arms went around him, pulling him close, he was sure he'd never let go. He wanted to ask, plead for Naruto to come with him.
But his pride, a trademark of the Uchiha's, had held him back.
He didn't want to appear weak. He didn't want anyone to know that he was afraid. Let alone Naruto.
He didn't want to accept that he needed someone.
So he'd allowed for the kiss to break, promising Naruto with a smile that he'd see him in the morning. And again he'd seen wondering in those eyes; like Naruto found it hard to understand that it really was the two of them.
Much like he didn't get it himself.

The door slammed behind him.
He winced.
He lined up his shoes nicely, stepping over the threshold, making his way down the hall towards the kitchen.
He was positive he could hear someone breathing.
And it wasn't him.

A light flick to his neck had him whirling around, grabbing the spot where he'd thought he'd felt it. The hall behind him was dark and deserted.
But....
Didn't someone flick him right now? Like when he was a child?
He could still remember that tap of a finger on his forehead, just like the sensation that sat in his neck right now.
"It's your imagination, Sasuke," he said firmly to himself, heading into the kitchen.
He placed the transparent bag he'd brought with him on the counter, and took out one of the tomatoes inside.
As he took the first bite, he calmed himself by thinking about Naruto's reaction when he'd bought them;
"Tomatoes?!"
"Yeah," Sasuke'd replied, "Tomatoes."
"Only tomatoes?!"
"I've got to eat, dobe."
"Exactly! That's why I'm shocked bastard! You can't live off of tomatoes?!"
"I had ramen," the raven reminded him.
"Yeah," Naruto scoffed, "Like one bowl!"
"Which is why I need the tomatoes," the Uchiha had retorted, "And they're healthier than ramen anyway."
Naruto had just wrinkled his nose, and left Sasuke to it. As he'd headed down towards the cash register Sasuke had heard him muttering about it. It had made him smile.

But tomatoes were the only thing Sasuke found himself capable of eating these days.
At least as long as he was at home.
He didn't bother to spend time and effort making something, and he didn't want anything either. Not since he'd started taking the new meds.
It was starting to get on his nerves; he didn't eat, partly because he didn't want to, partly because he couldn't. His nausea was starting to wear off, but all the more he suffered; he hardly slept, and he was starting to think he really was paranoid.
They were probably all just side effects, but Sasuke knew that if he told Anko, she'd blow it all out of proportion.

He sighed. The best thing would've been if he could've taken sleeping pills. At least he'd escape for a little while. But these goddamn new pills were never to be mixed with any kind of other medication, including sleeping pills.

Thoughtfully, Sasuke took another bite of the tomato.

He heard footsteps in the stairs.
"No." he said. "You're not hearing that."
They came back down.
As if someone was running up and down, looking for something.
Sasuke swallowed, nearly choking on the tomato.

With his heart beating in his chest, he rushed out of the kitchen, without looking up the staircase.
He made for the door; barely putting his shoes on as he slammed it shut and locked it.

His breath was heavy as he got in his car.
"I hate that house...." his voice was trembling.
He was starting to wonder if it was haunted.
That wouldn't be a surprise if it proved to be the case.
But Sasuke didn't believe in ghosts.

His phone buzzed in his pocket.
Quietly, the Uchiha hoped that it was Naruto, but the display read; 'Kakashi-sensei'. It wasn't who he wanted to talk to, but it had to do.
He couldn't stand the mansion and the atmosphere there; either crushingly silent, or terrifyingly noisy.
"Hello?" he asked into the phone.
"Sasuke? Are you ok? You sound stressed?" instant worry filled the teacher's voice.
"I'm fine, I had to run to get the phone," Sasuke lied.
"So you're free? I was wondering if you'd eaten?"
Sasuke sighed with relief. He wasn't the slightest bit hungry, but at least this meant he could stay at Kakashi's house for a few hours, and possibly relax.
As it turned out, something good came out of this arrangement.
******

Friday morning, Naruto's phone rang twenty minutes before the alarm clock.
Gaara was the first to notice, and he wasn't pleased.
"What the hell is that?!" he cursed out loud.
Once he'd located the source of the sound, he picked it up and flung it at Naruto.
It wasn't until the phone was in bed with him, buzzing and ringing fiercely, that Naruto noticed it and peered his eyes open.
Drowsily he flipped it open, saying in a hoarse, woolen voice; "Yeah...?"
"Hey, are you awake?"
"Hmm? S-Sasuke...?"
"Oh for fuck's sake!" Gaara snarled over in his bed, hiding under his pillow.
"What was that?"
"Gaara, he's not a morning person, and..." Naruto yawned, "Neither am I....."
"Go to hell!" Gaara shouted from under his pillow.
Naruto rubbed his neck, "Don't mind him, he's just..." he threw one of his pillows at the red. "cranky!"
Sasuke snorted in the other end.
"What do you want, teme?" Naruto yawned again.
"I thought I'd give you a ride to school."
"Now?!" Naruto squinted, peeking at the clock.
"Well, we don't have to go there now, I just wanted to see you.."
Naruto felt bad all of a sudden.
He'd been pissed at Sasuke for brushing him off constantly, and now it was the other way around. Though, he did have more of a reason to be annoyed; unlike Sasuke, he had never called at six thirty in the morning.
"Urgh, ok...Fine...I'm gonna get dressed and grab a sandwich, ok?"
"Ok, I'll be down the street."
"Fine. See you." he hung up.
"Don't tell me you're actually getting out of bed to see that moron?" Gaara's muffled voice came from under the pillow.
"I am," Naruto replied, pulling on a pair of pants, "But you can go back to sleep."
Gaara threw away his pillow, sitting up slightly, he scowled.
If looks could kill....
"Sure," he hissed, "I'll go back to sleep..."
He threw himself back down on the mattress, but both he and Naruto knew he probably wouldn't get any sleep at all. And even if he did, he had classes in two hours.

"You're up early?"
Naruto yawned, looking at Chiyo. "Yeah," he reached for one of the sandwiches she'd placed on the table, "Sasuke's waiting,"
"Now?" the old woman asked, surprised.
Naruto being out of bed before seven thirty was a rarity in itself, but having him stand before her, telling her he was going out to meet with a friend at six thirty in the morning had her doubting her own sanity.
"Yeah. He's right down the street."
The woman's stern gaze regarded him, "Are you up to no good?"
"What? No. I think... he probably wants to... go over our home work or something..." Naruto made up the excuse as he went along, stuffing the sandwich in his mouth, grabbing a new one on the way out.
Chiyo shook her head as the door slammed.
"Kids..." she mumbled to herself.

"Why the hell are you calling me up at six thirty in the morning?!" Naruto demanded, slamming the car door shut.
"I wanted to see you," Sasuke replied.
Naruto's expression softened.
The Uchiha forced a smile. He couldn't tell Naruto that the reason he was up so early was that he'd distinctly heard his mother calling him down for breakfast this morning.
And he didn't want to stay in the house for as much as a minute longer.
"Okay then, Romeo," the fox grinned. "What kind of mind boggling experience do you have planned this morning?"
"None," Sasuke shrugged.
"None?" Naruto shrilled, "You drag me out of bed, and you haven't even got a reason for it?!"
"Well," the raven licked his lips, "There is one...."
"Really?" Naruto glanced over at him, smiling slightly. He was expecting the kiss, he just didn't expect the possessiveness of it; how Sasuke grabbed his shirt, pulling him close, smothering his lips with his own.
It was surprising.
Suffocating.
Intoxicating.
He kissed back, parting his lips, tasting Sasuke.
Tasting the safety that was Sasuke.
It crossed his mind how strange it was for them to be this intimate when they really didn't know much about each other, or at least who they were now. It struck him how little they had actually talked since Sasuke had shown up in Konoha; they most they'd done was scream at each other, or talked about pointless things.... But along with the soft moan that escaped his lips, those thoughts slipped from his mind.


Sasuke smirked against the blonde's lips, he deepened the kiss, and relaxed.
When they were like this he completely forgot everything else.
The hand clenching Naruto's shirt let go of its grip, sliding down instead, resting at the blonde's waist. He wanted to slip it underneath the shirt, to feel Naruto's skin, but he refrained from it.
Breaking the kiss, his lips aimed for the spot right under Naruto's jawline, where the neck began. He pressed his lips softly to the tanned skin, loving the way Naruto tilted his head slightly so he could reach better. The gentle kiss grew harder, his tongue brushing over the skin. He could feel Naruto's pulse increasing under the touch of his lips.

Naruto's lips parted slightly, letting out a gasp.
His hand clenched Sasuke's shirt, pulling at it. How could anything feel so good?
Sasuke's lips, his tongue, his breath... It tickled, and it burned.
He gasped again, as Sasuke's lips moved lower.
"S-Sasu..." he whispered, swallowing.
Chills shot up and down his spine, his grip on Sasuke's shirt tightened.
Sasuke's lips moved from his neck, he pulled Naruto's shirt aside, starting to kiss his collarbone; it was as if he couldn't get enough of him.
No, Sasuke knew he couldn't get enough of Naruto.
He emptied his head, filling it with nothing but the taste, scent and everything else that was Naruto and the atmosphere in this car. He didn't want to stop; he wanted to keep tasting him forever; that peculiar taste... Yet, when Naruto breathed; "Sasuke...Wait..." he stopped.
He looked at the blonde, questioning.
Naruto was breathing heavily, his eyes slightly glazed. A red mark was forming on his neck.
He waited, for Naruto to tell him they were moving too fast, or something along those lines, only to be pulled into another kiss; shyer than his own, tentative and inexperienced, but still so addictive.

Minutes later they allowed their lips to part.
Naruto looked so perfect at this moment; innocent; dazzling blue eyes that were hazy and dreamy, cheeks that were tinted pink, and that mark on his neck that said so clearly that the blonde was his.
Sasuke smirked.
If Naruto zipped up his sweater, no one would be able to see it, but he knew and that was enough.

Naruto's stomach growled loudly, completely disrupting the moment.
Sasuke frowned.
"Sorry," the fox grinned sheepishly, "I guess a couple of sandwiches aren't enough for me, huh?"
The raven smiled slightly, "What do you say about getting some breakfast then? We still have time..."
He too was hungry, after all, it wasn't as if he'd bothered to make breakfast this morning, he'd been too busy fleeing the scene.
Naruto's face lit up in an adorable, hopeful smile. "Ramen?"
"You eat ramen for breakfast too?!"
"Technically, this would be brunch... right?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes, "Fine, ramen."
"Yay!"
It was strange how someone so childish could make him feel so safe, Sasuke thought.
"But next time I decide, dobe."
"You only eat tomatoes!"
"It's healthier than ramen."
"Nu-uh," Naruto crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back in the seat, "Ramen covers practically every food group, and it works for every meal!"
"Sorry to burst your bubble, baka, but if you live of off nothing but ramen you're gonna get sick."
"I don't Sasuke-teme! I'm not allowed to.... Chiyo-baa forces me to eat at least one proper meal every day," he mimicked her voice, grimacing, "But pretty soon you can come over and eat my tomatoes for me!"
Sasuke brushed his fringe away from his eyes; "You think so, eh?"
"You should!"
The Uchiha flicked him gently on the forehead. The familiarity of the situation gave him goose bumps, but he chose to ignore them, saying; "Don't yell so much. Your voice is annoying this early in the morning."
"So is yours!" Naruto shrilled, "And thanks to it, I have to deal with a cranky Gaara when I get home! He was seriously pissed!"
"Tell him to get another room," was Sasuke's chilled reply.
Naruto glanced at him curiously, "Are you jealous, Uchiha?"
"Tch," Sasuke bit his lip.
"You are!"
"Your voice is annoying," Sasuke started the car, "Shut up."
****

Gaara yawned.
He was unable to concentrate, much to Shizune's annoyance.
"I know you didn't sleep much, but please, try to concentrate! If you finish this we can take lunch!"
Gaara grunted, staring down into the book at the table.
"Only three more problems to go," the teacher urged, trying to encourage him.
The red headed teen scowled at her, but reached for his pencil again, wishing to get over with it.
Maybe he could try to get some sleep during lunch?

"Very good!" Shizune smiled, collecting her papers, "See? I told you it wasn't that hard!"
"Stop talking to me like I'm a kid."
"Sorry," she sighed, "You want to take lunch now?"
"Please."
"Alright, we'll have an hour's break then."
The teen nodded, standing.
He wanted to go back to bed, or at least crash on the sofa... But froze in his tracks when the door opened.

"Hey," Neji said.
"You're not supposed to be here now." it wasn't a question, actually it sounded more like Gaara was giving an order.
"No, but I thought I'd stop by, I'm kinda in gym class," Neji smiled slightly.
"Then what are you doing here?" the red demanded.
"Individual exercise," Neji replied, "I barely escaped Lee's claws."
He was breathing heavily, Gaara noticed. He must've ran.
Turning on his heel, Gaara went back into the kitchen.

"Right..." the brunette was left in the living room. "Leave in the middle of a conversation..."
Gaara returned, surprisingly, carrying a glass of water.
Without saying a word, he held it out towards the Hyuuga.
Neji stared at him.
"Here," Gaara said impatiently.
The elder teen took it from him, drinking hesitantly.
"It's not poisoned."
Neji took a large gulp, emptying most of the glass, giving it back to him.
Gaara placed it on the table.
"So you're skipping?"
"What?"
"Since you're here rather than out running."
"No," Neji shook his head, "I'm not. I'm just hiding. Lee is way too intense to be working with in this heat!"
Gaara had no idea who Lee was; but from what he'd heard, he sounded like a very stressful person.

"Do you have to run?"
"Excuse me?" Neji turned to Gaara, sitting on the steps outside.
The red frowned, "Do you have to run? For gym class? Or can you like... do other stuff?"
Neji gazed down the street, squinting slightly, letting his hand work as a shield from the blazing sun, as he looked out for Lee. Like the other would suddenly pop up out of nowhere, which was highly possible.
"No, we can do other things, as long as it's physical." he exchanged glances with the red, smirking slightly.
Gaara took no notice of it.
"So you can practice that fighting style of yours?"
Neji nodded, "Yeah, why?"
"I find it interesting. I would like to be your opponent."
"What?" Neji failed to hold back a laugh, "Are you mad? I might hurt you!"
"You won't." Gaara said with confidence, "Don't underestimate me."
Neji cocked an eyebrow, "The same thing goes for you; don't underestimate me."
"We understand each other then?" Gaara's tired eyes were gleaming.
"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you."
"Fair enough," Gaara nodded, standing.
He followed Neji's lead, stepping over to the lawn.

They stood facing each other, each holding the others' gaze.
Neji bowed his head, respectfully, as taught by his sensei.
Gaara merely nodded in return.

The brunette was serious from the start; immediately striking the same pose Gaara had seen him show to the kids; one arm stretched out in front of him, palm mirroring him.
From there he wasted no time, coming straight forward, right arm stretched out in front of him. But when he stuck, it was with his left palm, not with the right as expected.
He was so fast, Gaara barely had time to react, before Neji's hand came towards him.
The red dodged, but only barely; a gust of hot air brushed by his cheek, along with Neji's fingertips, grazing slightly over Gaaras pale skin.
He was taken aback, yet grabbed the chance he was given; directing a punch to Neji's kidney. The brunette caught the fist in his hand, stopping it.
He gripped Gaara's wrist, holding his hand is place, twisting it slightly, whilst taking one step forward. His left arm, still suspended in mid-air suddenly came down at him; two fingers pressing hard down at his jugular.
"Nng," Gaara grit his teeth and stumbled.
Neji's grip on his hand loosened, pushing the red teen further back, the brunette turned 180 degrees, shifting his weight, resting most of it on his right leg.
He retracted his hand, preparing for yet another strike; this time with both palms.
"He's fast!" Gaara's eyes widened. It was hard to read the Hyuuga's movements, but he figured his best chance was to dodge, so he let himself down to the ground; catching himself with his hands. Neji looked at him in surprise, just long enough to miss Gaara slipping his leg behind Neji's, pulling it towards himself.
The brunette lost his balance, stumbling forwards.
The red on the ground turned to the left, stretched his leg upwards, delivering a kick straight to Neji's abs.
The Hyuuga stumbled again, letting out something like an 'oof', surprised, pale eyes meeting with the aquamarine pair of the red head now getting back up.
He failed to regain his balance, but instead of falling hard to the ground like he should; Neji somehow managed to catch himself; rolling backwards, flipping himself back on his feet, easy as that. Landing, he reverted back to his initial position; one hand outstretched.
"Not bad,"
"I'd never thought you'd minimize the damage of that fall," Gaara said, beyond surprised, but with a voice just as calm as always.
Neji smirked, he changed the subject; "Your defense is good, but you lack the will to attack,"
Gaara licked his lips, wondering where the brunette had gotten that idea. "Hmph," he said, "That's what you think."
"That's what I know!" with an emphasis on the last word, he rushed forward, so quickly Gaara didn't even have time to blink.
He managed to register how truly peculiar the Hyuuga's style was; he'd stopped mere inches before him, his left arm resting against his stomach, while the right was suspended in the air; two fingers shaped into hooks
Gaara half expected the strike to come from the left hand, rather than the right, like last time, but was taken aback when Neji sort of pushed his hands down, pressing back the air, gaining a twist to the kick he delivered instead.
Gaara dodged it swiftly, crouched down and moved slightly forwards.
He dared to take advantage of the situation, once again trying to hit the Hyuuga.
Only to learn that Neji's leg was still suspended in the air; straight into the air in fact.
Confusion flashed over his face as Neji let his leg down; so quickly he had no time to react before the other had trapped him; his leg coiling around his neck, the back of his knee pressing against the back of Gaara's head.
He could never, ever have foreseen that move!
But Gaara refused to give up, his hands were still free after all; it still wasn't over...
Almost before the red had managed to raise his hand however, Neji had pushed it away; pressing two fingers against his wrist, hard on the veins. It felt like his arm was being paralyzed.
Swiftly, the elder teen raised his other hand as well; the same two fingers, only on the opposite hand searching out the most vulnerable spot on the red's neck; pressing down on his artery. Underneath his rough touch, he could feel Gaara's pulse race.

The red's eyes widened.
Never before had he been in such a vulnerable position; right now he was being held in a death grip by the Hyuuga, by his leg none the less. His face was barely inches away from the other's groin. It was humiliating.
And it was over.

Neji let him go.
They stared at each other.
A slight smirk of self-satisfaction crossed over Neji's face, whilst the red focused on forcing back the blush that was threatening to come over him.
His hands slid into his pockets. He swallowed hard, his breath was heavy. But he didn't want the other to see that he was tired. The other seemed to have made no effort at all, although Gaara knew well he could've gotten in some good hits here and there. Still, as long as the Hyuuga showed no signs of fatigue, he wouldn't either.
A slight awkwardness hung in the air, but neither of the two wished to acknowledge it.

Neji nodded at his adversary.
It was one of acceptance. His arms were crossed over his white shirt.

"Gaara! It's time to continue the lesson!" it was Shizune's voice.

The red barely returned Neji's look, as he turned on his heel, marching back to the house.

Neji smiled after him, shaking his head.
Gaara intrigued him. Just as this fight'd been interesting, the red was too. Albeit being quite cold.
***

"Ah, Naruto! I've been looking for you!"
"Iruka-sensei?" Naruto looked up, he was sitting in the staircase, reading a tattered magazine that had been laying around there, "Is something wrong? You know that I'm in your class right? In like...an hour?"
"Well yes...But I was hoping to catch you earlier and-" the teacher stopped himself, "Aren't you supposed to be in class right now?"
"Yeah," Naruto shrugged, "But Orochimaru threw me out,"
"He what?!"
"Threw me out," Naruto replied calmly, "For disrupting the peace. Apparently it's a sin to ask for a pencil in his class..."
Iruka frowned.
"Though," Naruto chewed his nail, "he might've thrown me out because I was talking to Sasuke.... He's so.... I dunno...possessive when it comes to him."
Iruka's eyebrow twitched, "P-possessive...?"
"Yeah," Naruto said, his toes curling inside his socks when he remembered how possessive Sasuke himself had been acting this morning, "I mean, I've heard about teacher's who've got favorites, but this is ridiculous!"
Iruka rubbed his temple, "That man..." he mumbled, shuddering.
He turned to the blonde teen again; "Sasuke is in class then?"
"Yeah. Obviously. Why?"
"Kakashi was looking for him,"
"Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto repeated, "You mean he's actually here? On a Friday?"
"It's a rarity, I must admit...." Iruka said, beginning to trail off.
"So what did you want me for?" Naruto demanded impatiently.
"Ah, yes. I was hoping you could help me out a little this weekend."
Naruto looked curiously at him.
"For a small fee of course," Iruka smiled.
"Sure," Naruto shrugged, "What do you need me for?"
"A few minor things... I'm redecorating, and painting."
"Painting?"
"Yes, because apparently my living room is painted in a hideous yellow, and Kakashi thought that white-" he eyed the teen, who was now smirking knowingly, "what?"
Naruto's smirk broadened into a grin; "Heeeh, Kakashi-sensei eh?"
The teacher grew flustered. Standing, he grabbed Naruto by the collar of his shirt. "I expect you to show at my house first thing tomorrow morning then," he ordered, dragging the teen across the hall.
"What are you-!?"
"Getting you back into class."
Iruka slid open the classroom door.
Orochimaru looked at him with narrow eyes, over Sasuke's shoulder.
The man was currently leaning over the raven; his black, greasy hair falling over Sasuke's shoulder onto his desk as the man tried to show him a formula or something, although the teen obviously had no problems with chemistry whatsoever.
Sasuke looked positively disgusted.
"What do you want?" the snake-like teacher inquired, standing up straight.
"I came to return this," Iruka said, pushing Naruto inside the room, "He claims you threw him out. But surely you know better than to ban students from your class just for a little chatting?"
"I demand that they bring the proper equipment. If they aren't prepared, they suffer the consequences," Orochimaru replied.
"Nonsense. Naruto, take your seat." Iruka ordered.
Orochimaru scowled at the young teacher who so daringly stepped in and intervened with his class. He then glared at the blonde, plopping down in the seat next to Sasuke.
The man opened his mouth to deliver a sour line, but was interrupted by the door flying open again; this time Kakashi came through it.
"Sasuke!" he demanded.
The Uchiha looked up, with badly hidden relief.
Orochimaru sent the scarecrow a warning look, but the man didn't bother to interpret it.
"Come with me," he merely said.
Sasuke stood, following the man.
Iruka turned as well, saying something about Orochimaru trying to teach his kids something rather than throwing them out of class, and then shut the door behind them.

The snake glared at Naruto, who quickly made himself busy with the chemistry book.
****

"So you'll be busy all weekend?"
"Pretty much," Naruto shrugged, loosening his seat belt.
"Me too," Sasuke sighed.
"You too? With what?"
"Kakashi-sensei asked me to come help out, starting tonight. I'm going over there straight away though,"
"Really?" Naruto furrowed his brow. "What kind of help?"
"Painting for one..." Sasuke replied, "I think he's selling the apartment..."
"Selling it?!" Naruto echoed.
"Yeah," Sasuke shrugged.
"And....Iruka's painting because Kakashi...." about ten different expressions rolled over Naruto's face.
"What?" the raven wondered, confused.
"Don't you get it?!" Naruto asked excitedly.
"Uh..."
Naturally, it was hard for Sasuke to follow; he hadn't been exposed to Naruto's theories yet after all.
Still, the raven was sharp; "You think they're moving in together, aren't you?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"It could be a coincidence," Sasuke shrugged, "And Kakashi might just be moving to a different apartment complex or something."
"Pfft," Naruto rolled his eyes, "I'm not buying that one Uchiha."
Sasuke shook his head.
"You're there alot, aren't you?"
"Huh?"
"At Kakashi-sensei's?"
"Oh..." Sasuke stared at his shoes, "I guess...Since I live by myself he drops by and stuff you know? Or let me stay with him...he thinks I'll get lonely or something, I don't know."
The raven bit his lip.
Naruto could tell he wasn't comfortable talking about it. Besides, he didn't need him to either, since he had already overheard Kakashi and Iruka in the kitchen that time. He knew that Kakashi worked as a sort of guardian for Sasuke. And he was grateful for it; Naruto himself had no idea where he had been today if it wasn't for Iruka.
"Well," he said, smiling, trying to lighten the mood; "I guess we might get to see each other after all then."
Sasuke smiled slightly, "Yeah, if you're right that is."
"Of course I'm right!" Naruto beamed.
"Alright then," Sasuke smiled, "I'll be looking forward to working with you."
"Really?" the blonde's eyes narrowed, mischief dancing within the blue.
"Yeah...." Sasuke pulled him close, kissing him.

Naruto felt he could lose himself in this sensation forever, but alas;
"Now, get out dobe," Sasuke broke the kiss, "You have to make dinner today, right?"
Naruto threw a glance at the clock on the dashboard, "Crap!"
He opened the car door, scrambling out of the seat. "I'll see you!"
Sasuke nodded, waving slightly at him.
****
"What the heck is that?" Gaara asked suspiciously the moment Naruto took his sweater off.
"What's what?"
"That mark on your neck."
"Oh that....Never mind that...." Naruto turned around, catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror. A small round mark, with a slight purple color prided his neck, right above his collarbone.
"It looks like a hickey." Gaara pointed out.
"Are you kidding?!" Naruto sputtered.
"No."
"I..." the blonde chewed on his bottom lip, "I got into a bit of trouble at school, ok?"
"And....it kissed you?" Gaara wasn't sounding very convinced.
"No! It's not..! C'mon Gaara, at my school... who'd kiss me?"
Gaara frowned, "Do I really need to tell you his name, since he's all you talk about?"
Naruto forced himself to calm down, trying not to spaz. "It wasn't Sasuke ok? It's a bruise..."
"Whatever," Gaara sighed, opening the door to their room.

The lightning in there was better than in the hall, and when Naruto looked at his friend, he noticed the mark on his neck. A mark that actually looked like a bruise.
"What about yours?" he asked, sapphire eyes digging into light green ones, "What happened to you?"
"Never mind." Gaara mimicked, annoyed. However, he touched two fingers to the mark on his neck, pressing lightly; it felt tender. "It's a bruise, I guess..." he shrugged.

Naruto looked alarmed.
"Where'd you get that?"
Gaara shrugged again.
"No," Naruto's voice grew stern, "Tell me,"
If Gaara had a bruise, it was bad.
If he did it could mean he was going out of control again, and that.... was something Naruto didn't want to worry about.
"God," Gaara rolled his eyes, "It's just a bruise! I got it earlier, when I was sparring with Neji."
"You got into a fight with Neji?!" Naruto whirled around.
"No," Gaara replied, "I sparred with him."
"It's the same thing!" Naruto shrilled, "Are you mad?! You're not supposed to fight!"
"If you could listen to what I'm saying, you'd know that it wasn't a fi-"
"Gaara!" Naruto yelled, "It's the same thing! You know that you're not supposed to get aggravated like that!"
"I had everything under control," Gaara's voice fell, sounding more annoyed. "Shizune saw us, and she did no-"
"Nothing to stop it?!" Naruto's mouth dropped open, "What the hell?! I thought it was clear that you-"
Gaara stood from the bed, placing his hands on his best friend's shoulders, holding his gaze sternly. "Naruto," he said, "I'm fine. I didn't relapse or anything. It was just a little sparring. A work-out. If it'd been dangerous you know someone would have stopped it. So please stop talking to me like you're my mother or something."
Naruto sighed.
He didn't say any more. He was pissed off, but arguing with Gaara wouldn't make it better, and besides, the other seemed impossible to talk to right now.
Gaara knew, he knew, that with his unstable temper, anything that as much as resembled a physical fight, be it martial arts or play, could easily turn into something real in his eyes.
He might be fine at this point, but way too many times before had he failed to distinguish innocent play from the real deal, and the outcomes had never been good.
"Whatever," he said, throwing on a long sleeved shirt over the one he was wearing. "Let's just go make dinner,"
Gaara grunted, following him back downstairs.
****

Naruto's temper still hadn't cooled down the next morning, when he was getting ready to go to Iruka's house, he ran into Neji; walking up the drive way.
"Hey Naruto," the Hyuuga said.
The blonde glared daggers at him; "What the hell are you thinking!?" he yelled.
"Huh?" Neji stopped, looking back at him with confusion.
"I'm talking about yesterday!" Naruto seethed, "How the hell could you challenge Gaara to a fight?!"
"Fight?" Neji repeated, still confused, "It was only some friendly sparring," he tucked some dark locks of hair behind his ear, "And he was the one who wanted to,"
"Alright, so maybe he was!" Naruto stepped closer, "But you shouldn't have accepted! Are you out of your fucking mind?!"
"What?" Neji furrowed his brow, not following at all.
Naruto grabbed the elder's shirt; "Do you have any idea what you could've done?!"
"No," Neji grabbed Naruto's hand, forcing it to let go, "I don't. Care to inform me?"
"Tch," Naruto scoffed, jerking his hand loose from the Hyuuga's grip. "You could've lost him his freedom, that's what!"
Neji stared blankly at him.
Up until two minutes ago, the tone between them had been fairly good. So what was this?
"He's unstable, ok?!" Naruto snapped, "Aggravation can send him over the edge!"
The Hyyuga's eyes darkened slightly.
"Do me a favor ok?" Naruto hissed, "Leave him alone, for his sake."

Neji watched as the blonde walked down the road, with angry steps.
He bit his lip, feeling insecure for the first time in ages.

"Morning," Gaara said, stuffing a spoonful of cornflakes into his mouth.
"Hey," Neji sat down, accepting the sandwich he was offered. The girl serving them left the kitchen shortly after. He heard her calling some of the kids.

"Listen, I just talked to Naruto and-" Neji paused, "Or...he kind of yelled at me actually."
"Oh God..." Gaara rolled his eyes, putting down his spoon.
"He said-"
"I know what he said," Gaara bit him off, "He's way too overprotective. I'm not as unstable as he claims."
Neji didn't reply, it seemed like he was looking for words.
"Just forget about it, and don't mind him," Gaara shook his head, "He's got a big mouth, and an even bigger heart."
The brunette smiled slightly, "You're lucky to have such a friend, even if he looked like he was about to kill me."
Gaara refilled his bowl, not saying a word.


"So where'd you learn to fight like that anyway?" Neji asked him suddenly, "It looked like nothing I've ever seen before..."
Gaara shrugged, "I've seen a lot."
Neji cocked an eyebrow.
"Some is from various techniques and martial arts styles, others are street moves."
"A pure-bred holds nothing on a scruffy mutt," Neji said, smiling slightly.
Gaara eyed him, lip curving slightly upwards.
"You really surprised me! I didn't think you'd put up such great resistance."
Gaara shrugged again, "It wasn't easy though; you're good."
Neji stood, carrying his plate over to the sink, "I know. But you put up a fair fight. Almost as good as Lee."
"What are you doing here anyway?" Gaara changed the subject, "It's early. And I doubt having breakfast is part of the experience you're supposed to be gaining?"
"I'm here to pick up the grocery list, then I'll do your shopping, and finally help looking over the budget."
"You're a regular housewife then," Gaara remarked, standing as well.
His eyes met briefly with Neji's; before he headed back upstairs. "See ya."
****

"Naruto! I can understand that you're upset! But please try to be careful!" Iruka shrilled as there was a loud crash from the living room.
"Sorry!" the teen shouted back to him, "But this thing's heavy!"
Iruka came in to see the teen struggling to move a large, wooden chest. "What's in here anyway?!"
"Books. I was meaning to get a new bookshelf...."
"Just help me, will ya?!"
The teacher sighed and joined Naruto. Together they carried the obnoxious object across the floor and forced it through the doorway into the hall.

It was already three in the afternoon, and they hadn't even gotten around to painting yet, because of all the crap Iruka had saved over the years that had been dusting away in the attic and now needed to be sorted for whatever reason.
"You could've moved out the furniture before I got here you know, then maybe we'd be halfway done by now," Naruto muttered sourly, as he grabbed one end of Iruka's couch, waiting for the teacher to take the other end.
"Please Naruto, calm down," Iruka tried, "I can understand that you're worried... But he's come a long way over the past year; I'm sure Gaara's fine."
An image of Gaara with the switchblade knife popped up in Naruto's mind. "What if he's not?!" he said, biting down hard on his lip, "What if they take him away? He won't be able to handle that... I won't be able to handle that!"
"Naruto...." Iruka put down the couch, stepping over to the boy that was so much like a son to him, "Nothing is going to happen... If it had been really bad, you'd know by now, right?"
Naruto let himself slide down on the floor, "I guess...."
Iruka touched his hand gently to the top of Naruto's head, resting it there, between wild, blonde strands. Even though the boy hardly showed it he'd been afraid of losing those close to him ever since he was young. It was understandable too, with his history. But Iruka suspected that Naruto's fear of losing Gaara was connected to the boy he had left behind years ago, rather than to the loss of his parents. It pained him.
He didn't say anything, and knew that Naruto was grateful for it.

The silence was broken by the sound of someone opening the front door.
"Iruka?"
"In the living room!" Iruka called back.
Seconds later, Kakashi was standing in the doorway. He had a white plastic bag in his hand; the sweet smell of dinner drifting from it. "I bring food!" he beamed.
Naruto rose to his feet, ogling the bag.
All depressive thoughts were blown away once he smelled the food and realized how hungry he was.
"Glad to see you're helping out, Naruto!"
"Like I had a choice..." the teen said, grinning.
Kakashi turned his head; "It's ok to come in you know!"
He moved aside, making room for Sasuke.
Naruto felt his heart skip a beat when his eyes fell on the raven, who was standing there, looking so indifferent; hands in his pockets.
"Hi Sasuke!" Iruka smiled at the boy.
Sasuke offered a nod.
"So, what did you bring us?" Iruka asked, leading the way into the kitchen.
Kakashi followed, Sasuke tagging behind him. He watched as the teacher put the bag on the table, taking out it's contents; little tin foil containers with the 'Ichiraku' stamp on the lid.
"Zaru soba for us, ramen for Naruto..."
The blonde grinned even wider.
"And..."
"Let me guess! Tomatoes for Sasuke!"
"Tomatoes?" Kakashi stared blankly at Naruto.
"Don't ask," Sasuke growled, "Just give me my fried rice."
"That's all you're having?" Naruto asked, accepting the chop sticks Iruka was offering him.
"Yes," Sasuke's eyebrow twitched, "And it's better than living strictly off ramen you know."
Iruka chuckled.
"Oh, and you were right," Sasuke continued, leading the chopsticks to his lips. "They're moving in together."
The younger of the two teachers went bright red, throwing a coughing fit.
"Where did you get that idea?" Kakashi asked him.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "It's pretty obvious. You know, with the post-it notes all over the apartment that say whether you're throwing stuff away or taking them here..."
"I could just be giving away my furniture..."
"No."
Naruto nodded. "Just admit to it already! What are you gonna do? Jump out the window every time I come over?"
"Keep the apartment, so I can still go there when you want to look after me?" Sasuke continued.
"You can't hide it from us forever!" Naruto said, stuffing his face with ramen.
"Alright..." Kakashi sighed, he looked over at Iruka who looked positively horrified, "Relax Iruka, they are right, it's better to just come clean."
The man smiled.
Iruka turned white.
"Yes," Kakashi said, "We are moving in together. Mostly for practical reasons; Iruka's house is far too big for him to live in it alone for one."
"Then there's the rent..." the other concurred.
"Dinner benefits."
"Carpooling, which is environmentally friendly," Iruka nodded enthusiastically.
"And sex," Sasuke said calmly, staring at them both.
Naruto burst out laughing, while Iruka coughed and spluttered.
Kakashi remained quiet, but there was a mischievous glint in his eyes, "As I said; plenty of benefits!"
"Shut your mouth!" Iruka shrilled, blushing ten shades of red.

"Can you believe those two?!" Naruto laughed, running the paintbrush along the wall, "They're adults and still afraid of admitting they have a relationship, even though I've figured it out ages ago!" he dipped the brush in the paint bucket again, "And on top of that, using their own students as slaves! Meanwhile they're upstairs somewhere doing god knows what..."
"What about you?" Sasuke asked, turning to him.
"Huh?"
"Are you afraid of admitting that we have a relationship?" his voice was gentle, but his words sounded harsh.
Naruto stared at him. He nervously chewed his lip.
Of course the thought had crossed his mind; that he was afraid. He didn't really need more attention and rumors. But...That wasn't the reason he hadn't told anyone, was it?
"You've got paint in your hair..." he said, reaching out, touching his hand to Sasuke's cheek, proceeding to brush it through strands of ebony, tinted with white.
"Naruto," Sasuke said, taking his hand.
"No," Naruto shook his head, "I'm not afraid."
"Then why is it still a secret?"
Not that Sasuke himself had made any effort to reveal it.
"Because," Naruto sighed, "I...."
His expression changed, his smile reappearing.
"Because," he whispered, leaning closer, "I want to have you to myself for now..."
"Hn," Sasuke smiled, touching their lips together, "Moron..."
The blonde smiled against his lips, sliding his arms around Sasuke's neck.
He smelled of paint, and tasted like spices...


They broke the kiss when they heard Kakashi and Iruka coming back down the stairs, carrying an old dresser.
"Remind me again why we're doing this in this kind of heat?!" Iruka groaned, once they reached the foot of the stairs and he could finally put the dresser down.
"Because," Kakashi said, putting down his side as well, "The best way to fight the heat is by hard work!"
"Yeah right!" Naruto commented, "That's a huge lie!"
"No it's isn't. It's just as reasonable as dressing out the heat, and a good day's work gives a good night's sleep."
The two teens glared at him.
Sasuke's eyebrow was twitching again. He certainly didn't sleep well.
"So with that in mind, you two slackers should get back to work!"
Groaning, they grabbed the paintbrushes and went back to the wall.
***
Four hours later, Kakashi announced that it was time he and Sasuke left. The teacher wanted to finish moving out things from his own living room, so that it could be painted the very next day.
He offered Naruto a ride home, which the blonde happily accepted; he didn't care much for staying over at Iruka's, as his room was way too crowded at the moment, and the entire house reeked of paint.

"Are you hungry dear?" Chiyo asked before Naruto had even had time to remove his shoes.
"No, I ate at Iruka's."
"You finished painting?"
"Barely, we finished the living room, but there's still the hall.... And he's got so much stuff! Like you wouldn't believe!"
"I think it's nice of you to help him out like this," the elderly woman smiled.
Naruto shrugged, "I don't mind. Do you need me to help out with anything or...?"
"No, it's fine. I'm just going to prepare the evening meal, and send them all to bed, you can relax."
"Alright," the teen smiled at her.
"You should take a shower though," she pointed out, "You've got paint on your face."
"I know. I'll just go on upstairs then."

Naruto slid the door to his and Gaara's room open with one hand, while drying his hair off with the towel he held in the other.
"Hard day?" Gaara glared at him, leaning against the wall.
"Kind of...Iruka-sensei really doesn't have any system in his things! I've told him that if he just organized-"
"You just love telling others what to do, don't you?" there was a tone of spite in Gaara's voice that Naruto had never heard before. Not directed at himself at least.
"Gaara?" Naruto asked hesitantly, uncertain.
"You're always wanting to tell us how to live our lives!" the red continued, "Here's a newsflash; we can't all be like you!"
Naruto's chest tightened.
Was this what he'd been afraid of? Was this the relapse?
"I don't understand what you're...."
"Let me tell you then!" Gaara seemed absolutely furious, "I know that you worry about me. I know that you like to think that just because you warn me, I'll listen to reason. But that's not how I work! I need to do things myself!"
"When did I ever say that you couldn't do anything yourself`?"
"Yesterday for example," Gaara hissed, "You think that a little sparring will kill me. And I appreciate your concern, but it's not you who have to suffer the consequences. It's me!"
"No," Naruto said sternly, "If something happens to you, it'll affect me too. You know that."
His best friend stared defiantly at him. "Maybe so," he said, "But it wasn't enough to just talk with me, was it? You had to talk to Neji!"
"I just thought that..."
"He would listen? That he would understand, and allow you to overprotect me?!"
"Gaara...." Naruto started softly.
"No!" the red yelled, "Do me a favor, Naruto. Stay out of my business, ok?!" he brushed past the blonde, slamming the bedroom door shut.

Naruto was left in shock, wondering.
He wondered whether Gaara was right; that he really did bother too much with everyone else.
And he wondered why he could never have one good thing happening without something bad sneaking up from behind....
Things had been so good lately; with him and Sasuke acting all lovey-dovey, so why did he have to go and get into a fight with Gaara?!
He sighed.
He wanted to go after the red, but he knew him well enough to tell that there was no way to talk to him right now.
Gaara needed time to cool down, and Naruto himself needed time to think about things, and figure out what to say to his friend, when the opportunity arose.

Gaara didn't come back to the room that night. He stayed downstairs.
And he didn't say a word to Naruto the next morning either.

It was all really awkward, and since Naruto had no idea what to say to him yet; he couldn't apologize, since he still felt he'd acted in Gaara's best favor, he decided to just take his things with him and stay at Iruka's place for the night, chaos or not.
At least he'd be able to sleep without having to feel bad about Gaara spending the night in the living room.

Sunday was spent helping Iruka with the hall; cleaning and painting it
Kakashi's hands were full it seemed, so neither him or Sasuke came by.
Naruto texted the Uchiha though, letting him know that there was no need to pick him up the next morning; he'd catch a ride with Iruka.

On Monday he told Sasuke about what had happened.
They were sitting on the roof, having lunch. The rest of the group were still in the cafeteria, but they'd probably find their way up here soon, so all they dared to do was talk to each other.
"I wouldn't worry too much," Sasuke said, "you said yourself that he's unstable and short tempered, this can't possibly be the first time you've fought?"
"It's not the first... but...We've never been fighting like this. Not like we've been recently."
Sasuke's hand found his, "Just...give him time. Give him some space. Let him try and fail by himself. And when he falls, you'll be there to help him back on his feet, without judging him. That's what you should do."
Naruto stared blankly at him.
"Try talking to him today," the raven said softly. "If he wants to talk, he'll talk. If not, wait for him to calm down."
"You sound like... like you really know him." Naruto mumbled.
"Really?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow, "Strange. Honestly, I can't understand how you can stand that guy at all...."
Naruto shot him a sharp glance.
Sasuke stopped himself.
"I guess I should talk to Neji too..." Naruto sighed.
"I'm fine with it if you don't," the Uchiha said.
Sasuke wasn't exactly a member of the Hyuuga Neji Fanclub.
"I have to say something to him," Naruto frowned, "even if you don't like it."
Sasuke shrugged, "Maybe, but I don't think he cares much what you have to say."
He stood.
"Where are you going?" Naruto inquired.
"I have an appointment...I'll be gone for the rest of the day."
"Where?!" Naruto called after him, but Sasuke was already halfway down the stairs.
He was always so secretive.
Or was it just that he appeared that way because they didn't really talk when they were together?
Getting home that day, Naruto had prepared in his head the speech he hoped would help Gaara understand why he'd acted the way he did.
However, it seemed to be useless, as his best friend was in a completely different mood; he smiled at Naruto when he came through the door.
Insecurely, Naruto smiled back.
"Sorry I drove you out of the house," Gaara started.
"No," Naruto shook his head, "You were right, I shouldn't have meddled. I'm sorry."
Gaara turned a deaf ear; "I'm lucky to have a best friend who worries about me the way you do."
Naruto smiled at him, "I'm lucky to have a best friend who is short tempered, but never angry for a long time."
"You are," the red agreed.

Naruto felt relieved.
Still, something was off; things were fine with Gaara again, but now Sasuke was acting strange.
***
Sasuke dragged himself down the stairs; he'd gotten no more than three hours of sleep.
When he finally drifted into dream land, he'd been having nightmares.
And finally, the alarm clock had rang.

He was glad that this was the second last day before summer.
After tomorrow he could sleep in, and maybe double his sleeping hours.

Of course, he could just succumb to Kakashi's wishes, and come stay with him for a few days again; the last time he'd gained a few good nights of sleep.
But now that the man seemed to be moving in with Iruka, Sasuke would only feel like he was in the way. And he didn't want to go stay with the two of them.

Maybe he could make Naruto come stay with him for a night or two...?
He smiled slightly.
It was unlikely that the blonde would be allowed to stay over; he was pretty much obligated to stay at home every night. Iruka's house seemed to be the only exception.
Still, Sasuke liked the thought of having Naruto over.
He felt warm when thinking about his soft lips, sunkissed hair and...lean body....
Absentmindedly he took the box of cereal from the cupboard, pouring some into a bowl and then added milk.
He sat down at the kitchen table, staring down into the bowl as he had the first mouthful.

Sasuke chewed slowly, forcing back a yawn.
As he blinked, he thought he saw something like a shadow, moving swiftly through the kitchen.
He opened his eyes, narrowing them.
There was nothing on either side of him.
Again his mind was playing tricks on him.
He stared down into the cereal again.
Swallowed, and led a new spoonful to his lips.

The feeling in his gut told him he wasn't alone.
He looked up; gasping.

"Good morning, little brother."
Itachi was sitting across from him at the table, looking straight at him.
Sasuke choked on his cornflakes.
He coughed.
His eyes watered. He tried to keep them open, but failed, and blinked hard a couple of times.
When he opened them again, the chair where Itachi'd been sitting was just as empty as it had been minutes before.
He blinked again.
But again the kitchen was empty when he looked around.

He felt sick.
The cornflakes grew in his mouth, became impossible to chew, and even harder to swallow.
He stood, carrying his bowl over to the sink.

"You're not sleeping well?" Itachi's voice came behind him.
Sasuke dropped the bowl.
It hit the floor with a loud crash, broken glass scattering all over the floor.
He whirled around; and the kitchen was empty.
Sasuke's heart was beating so fast he thought he'd die.

He didn't care that he stepped on the pieces of glass, that it dug into his feet and left bleeding cuts, as he stormed out of the kitchen.
Sasuke needed to get out.
He had no idea where he was going, but his car seemed like the safest place to go right now.
He had yet to see his brother in there.

He was shaking so badly it was a miracle he even got the car starting.
Backing out of the drive way, he wondered if he should go to school. But he knew that it was a bad idea. It just wasn't an option.
Especially since Naruto would be able to tell that something bothered him, and thus it would bother the fox as well.
Deciding on no particular destination, he drove off.
***

The classroom was almost empty.
Since there were no real classes, there was a lot of absentees, and most of the remaining students were in the committee for tomorrow's ceremony.
Sakura, Naruto, Kiba and Shino were left in the classroom.
Sasuke hadn't shown up yet, and he hadn't responded to Naruto's call earlier either.
It was slightly worrying, but Naruto figured that Sasuke was just taking advantage of the chance to get some extra sleep.
"I wonder if he's sick..." Sakura said, taking out her phone, "He still hasn't replied to my messages..."
"Has he ever?" Kiba asked her.
She snarled something at him.
Ino came in, carrying a bunch of papers, "I need you guys to help me proof read these," she said, "Kurenai-sensei will go mad if she finds any misprints."
Kiba groaned.
"Sasuke-kun's not here yet?"
Naruto shook his head.
"I hope he's not sick.... It's his birthday tomorrow after all...."
Naruto sprung to his feet; "What?!"
"You didn't know?" Sakura rolled her eyes, "Honestly Naruto! You spend more time with him than anyone! How can you not know when his birthday is?!"
Naruto cursed inwardly, asking himself the same question.
"I'm not an obsessed fangirl," he retorted, sticking out his tongue.
"Soo...should we....get him presents or something?" Kiba asked.
"I have a better idea!" Sakura chirped, "You know that party tomorrow?"
"The Summer Celebration thing?"
She nodded, "Kotetsu and Genma both had their birthdays this week, and they're celebrating tomorrow during the party. We should include Sasuke in the celebration too!"
"How did you intend to pull that off?" Shino asked, looking at her through tinted glasses.
"Well, you know the two of them, don't you?" Ino smiled.
"Know....I don't really...."
"You're in the student council, aren't you?!"
"Yeah, but...."
"So you know them! It won't hurt to ask!"
"Kotetsu and I were in the same committee for the dance," Sakura continued, "So I can talk to him too. Let's do it together!"
"Sakura-chan..." Naruto started, "I don't think Sasuke...."
"Your job will be to bring him!" Sakura broke him off, smiling.
She grabbed Shino's hand, dragging him down the hall, in search of the two upperclass-men.

They spotted Kotetsu over by the staircase.
He was hanging up a banner, announcing the date for the start of summer classes.
"Kotetsu-san!" Sakura shouted.
He turned, waving at her.
"Sakura, Shino. To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked her, smiling as he stepped down from the ladder.
"Well...About the party tomorrow...." she started sweetly, "My friends and I were wondering... You know Sasuke-kun? Well, his birthday is tomorrow...And I know that you don't really know him, but do you think that it's possible..."
"For him to celebrate with us?" Kotetsu finished.
She nodded.
"Well...Usually....A kid from your class wouldn't really belong..."
"But it would be so great! And everyone's gonna be there anyway!" she pleaded.
Kotetsu sighed, "Uchiha Sasuke doesn't seem like much of a party animal..."
"But it'll be such a nice surprise!" Sakura tried to convince him. She nudged Shino in the ribs, wanting him to contribute as well, but he remained fairly quiet.
She shot him a sharp glance.
"We'll..." he started, "Stay out of your way of course....it would just be a nice way to show him that he's part of the group and all....At least, Sakura seems to think so."
"Hold on then," Kotetsu got out his phone. He dialed a number.
"Hey! Genma! It's me! Where are you? Library? Ah, I'm on the first floor...Listen," he went on, explaining the situation.
Sakura was half expecting a rejection, but instead she heard Genma's voice, loud and clear through the phone; "Why the hell not? The more the merrier, right?! Besides, they'd be there anyhow!"
Kotetsu hung up.
"Well," he said, "You heard the man. Seems like it's ok."
"Yay!" Sakura exclaimed, "Keep in mind though, it's a secret!"
Kotetsu smiled, "Don't worry about it. I'll make sure to have Izumo make some more banners."
"Thank you so much!"
For a second Shino thought Sakura would fling her arms around the older teen, but she managed to stay relatively calm.
"Thanks." he nodded at Kotetsu. "We'll go back to the classroom again then."
This time, he was the one dragging her down the hall.

"It's all fixed!" Sakura beamed, throwing herself at Ino.
"It is?! Yay!"
They danced around on the floor.
"Why doesn't anyone listen to me?" Naruto whined.
"What?"
"Sasuke's not gonna want to go..."
"He's said that about everything. And he always shows!"
"Yeah but..." Naruto wasn't sure how to explain the hunch he had that Sasuke was in no mood for festivities lately. It was just a hunch after all, created by his worry and Sasuke's recent behavior, "It's gonna be hell to talk him into it!"
Sakura smiled sweetly at him, "You're just going to try your best then, ok?"
The fox sighed.
There was no way out of this one.
Absolutely no way.
He'd probably have to sell Sasuke his soul to make up for dragging him along.
And he didn't even have anything to give him....
The realization hit him like a boulder over the head.
Time to panic yet?
Oh yeah.....
***

"Gaaaaraaaa!" Naruto came storming through the door, kicking off his shoes so they flew in totally opposite directions.
The red came rushing down the stairs. "What's wrong?!" he asked, sounding very alarmed.
"You have to help me!"
"Okay okay!" Gaara came over to him, "Just stop yelling, and tell me what it is you need me for!"
It felt nice to be able to talk to him again, but Naruto had no time to be thinking about such matters.
"Sasuke...." he started, leaning forward, his hands on his knees, gasping, swallowing hard. He'd pretty much sprinted home, and was exhausted.
The moment the raven's name came up, Gaara looked annoyed.
"Please..." Naruto started over, "It's his birthday tomorrow, and I need to get him something."
"I've got no money if that's what you mean."
"No!" Naruto grabbed Gaara's sleeve when the red turned to leave. "That's not it! I need you to-" he gasped, "...to help me make a cake!"
Gaara stared at him in disbelief, his brow furrowing.
For a long time he stood quietly in one place. Then he scratched his red hair, still staring at Naruto.
"Let me get this straight....You want me to make a cake for Sasuke?"
"No no no...." Naruto shook his head, "I have to do it myself baka, or it wouldn't be a present. But see, I need you to show me how!"
"That's all?" Gaara rolled his eyes.
"That's all. I swear!"
The red sighed, "Ok, fine. I'll help you. After dinner, 'kay?"
"Deal!" Naruto grinned, "You're the best!"
"Yeah... whatever." Gaara made his way back upstairs, muttering.

After having eaten, Naruto excused himself to run to the store, picking up the ingredients that were needed to make the cake. Gaara had listed them for him, and made sure to imprint that he'd need to get twice the amount, since they'd be making two cakes.
He was left with the dishes, the blonde disappearing head over heels so quickly he didn't bother to remember that it was his turn to help as well.

"I hope you're not expecting too much. I'm not exactly a confectioner, you know," Gaara said, rolling up his sleeves.
"Don't be so modest," Chiyo came into the kitchen, she ruffled the red's hair.
Gaara scowled, but didn't say anything.
"You've helped enough to know what you're doing. I wouldn't be surprised if you did become one in the future."
Gaara pulled away from her, annoyed.
"I hope you don't think it's irresponsible of me to take from my savings for this..." Naruto said, feeling slightly guilty.
The old woman smiled, "Quite the opposite. I think it's so sweet of you to do this for Sasuke," she gave him a soft pat on the head, "I'll leave you to it, and I'll try my best to keep the kids out of here, so you don't have to worry about them making more of a mess."
Naruto smiled thankfully at her.
The door slid shut behind them.

The two teenage boys lined up at the kitchen counter, with a bowl each.
"Alright," Gaara started, looking at his friend, "We're gonna start with making the batter,"
Naruto nodded, "Obviously."
"If you're gonna be rude, I'm not showing you this."
"Sorry," the blonde smiled, "So what's first?"
"Eggs, sugar and water..."
Naruto watched Gaara crack the eggs, and poured water and sugar into the bowl.
He smirked, failing to hold back a chuckle.
"Then add flou- What?"
"You make such a lovely housewife," Naruto laughed.
Glaring at him, Gaara turned around, "You're on your own."
"Gaara!" Naruto whined, grabbing his friend's arm, "Please!"
The red sighed, "Fine," he smacked Naruto gently on the cheek, leaving a palm print in flour, "But you owe me, 'kay?"

About two hours later, the only thing that was left was coating the cake with cream and decorating it.
"You can do that by yourself, right?"
"Yeah. Thanks for the help!"
Gaara picked up his cake, putting it in the fridge.
"You're not finishing yours?" Naruto asked him, smearing a thick layer of cream on the cake.
"Nah, I'll do it tomorrow. I'm bored with it."
Naruto smiled at him, shaking his head.
Gaara squeezed Naruto's shoulder carefully, smiling at him, "Good luck. Try not to mess up too badly, huh?"
Naruto grinned, shaking him off. "Get lost."
Smirking, Gaara went out into the living room. "Oh!" he called back, "I trust you to clean up!"
"Screw you!" Naruto hollered back to him, laughing.
"Language, Naruto!" Chiyo scolded from another room.

Konohamaru came into the kitchen, "What are you doing?"
"Making a cake," Naruto said.
"Why? It's no one's birthday today."
"No, but it's Sasuke's tomorrow."
"Who's Sasuke?" Konohamaru wrinkled his nose.
"Sasuke's....a friend of mine..."
"Oh, can I taste the cake?"
"No. You can lick the bowl though," Naruto said, giving it to him.
Konohamaru smiled; showing off the gaps where his baby teeth had been.
"Now scram brat," the teen shoved the boy out of the kitchen.

Konohamaru had to fight over his bowl of cake batter, that much was clear from the noise coming from the living room.
Naruto shook his head, chuckling and turned back to the cake.
"Yosh," he said, "Let's get started!"
Regardless of that, he remained in the same place, staring down at his cake.
What was he going to write on it? 'Happy Birthday Sasuke' obviously, but.... What about the decoration?
Should he make little hearts for example?
No way. That was lame.
They were a couple though.... He chewed his lip.
But even so, Sasuke didn't seem like the type who'd appreciate little hearts, and besides it was girly. Real girly. And Naruto was no girl.
He sighed.
Maybe he should just write 'Happy Birthday Sasuke' and leave it at that?
He shook his head. That'd be way too plain.
"Urgh...." Naruto growled in his throat. Who'd thought it'd be this hard to make a cake for someone?
And this wasn't just any someone! Since it was Sasuke, he wanted it to be perfect. Because he wanted Sasuke to be happy. He wanted Sasuke to smile at him...
His cheeks flushed slightly.
"It definitely needs something more than just whipped cream..." he mumbled, as if he hadn't already established that fact.

The blonde teen checked the fridge and the cupboards, looking for something he could put on the cake . It didn't necessarily need to be decorated with writings and the like...He could just use something like...."Chocolate!"
Naruto grinned, taking out the bar of milk chocolate.
Of course....He stopped himself just as he was about to tear open the wrapper, "It's not mine..."
Looking around, he smirked slightly. "Whose chocolate is this?" he asked, making no effort to speak up so the people in the other room could hear him.
When no one answered he just went ahead and opened it, "Ah well. I'll just take it then!"
"What was that Naruto?" Someone called from the other room.
"Nothing!" Naruto shouted back, getting out the grater, starting to grind the chocolate into little shards that he sprinkled over the pastry.
The transformation was absolute, he noted as he placed the little chocolate sign that read 'Happy Birthday Sasuke' on top of the cake. With the chocolate, it looked a lot tastier and more...fun.
Also, the blonde dared to say that the cake looked delicious.
Neatly placing it on a plate, he stuck it in the fridge, for the next day.

****

Sasuke was out the door without even stepping into the kitchen; he went from the bathroom, straight down the stairs and out.
And even when he was in that kind of rush, he could feel cold, dark eyes digging into his back.
Eyes that weren't really there, but....
He shuddered, starting up the car.

Though the distinct feeling of being watched was enough to make him feel sickened; the cold sweat emerging on his back as soon as it crept up, he was relieved that he didn't have to get up this morning to see his family at the table, wishing him a happy birthday.
The raven shook off the thought.
That was hard enough in itself, but today it was worse than ever; it was the last day of school. He'd hoped to be able to catch up on his sleep and get away for a while...calm down during summer break, but there was no way that'd happen. Without having to concentrate on school and home work, Sasuke would find himself with way too much free time on his hands, and with way too many unpleasant memories and visions knocking on his door.
It would all begin in mere hours, and he dreaded it.

He didn't pick up Naruto this morning, but they hadn't agreed to meet before school anyway, so he doubted the blonde would mind.
He praised himself lucky that Naruto seemed blissfully unaware of which day it was, and that the others seemed oblivious to it as well.
All he wanted right now was for this day to pass quietly.
He hated birthdays.
Especially his own.
If it went by unnoticed by everyone else, Sasuke would have no problem believing this was just another day.

Sasuke didn't see Naruto or anyone else from 'their' group when he parked, so he decided to just go straight to the classroom.
**

"Listen, remember not to let Sasuke think that we're planning something!"
"Don't worry, he probably thinks we have no clue what day it is!"
"Naruto, it's up to you to get him to the beach, remember?"
"I don't like this..." the blonde muttered, "Sasuke hates these things, I've told you!"
"And I've told you that he's just pretending," Sakura placed an arm around Naruto's shoulder, "So just please make up some excuse and take him with you!"
"Why do I have to bring him...?" Naruto sighed, hating the fact that when Sasuke realized what he was being dragged to, he'd blame him.
"Because," Sakura squeezed his shoulder, "He listens to you!"
"Fine," Naruto gave, "I'll do my best. But he leaves when he wants to, I don't want to piss him off!"
"You're awfully sensitive when it comes to Sasuke, you know that?" Kiba nudged Naruto.
Forcing back a blush, he shook off both Sakura and Kiba, "Knock it off. I'll talk him into it, but you can't really expect much from him beyond that."
"Anyway," Ino interrupted, "All you have to do is bring him, and the rest will be ready."
The blonde nodded reluctantly.
Sasuke would hate this thing.
And although Naruto knew that, he was somehow relieved, because as much as he wanted to be with Sasuke on his birthday, just the two of them... He was slightly afraid of what could happen; what to say, what to do...what Sasuke might be...expecting...
He failed to contain the blush that crept up in his cheeks.
"What are you blushing about?" Kiba snickered.
Naruto ran a hand through locks of unruly blonde, and grinned cheekily, "We're surrounded by gorgeous girls! How can I not?!"
Ino and Sakura laughed it off, Hinata turned away, blushing.
The blonde laughed too, relieved to have saved himself out of the awkward situation.
"Lay off, Naruto!" Sakura pushed him gently. She sobered, "Just bring him, 'kay?"
"I told you already; I'll try my best! Now let's get to class!"
"Do we even have classes today?" Shikamaru moaned.
"Who knows?"
"We have one lesson," Shino said, "In which we'll get back tests and the like, then there's the ceremony in the gym."
"And then we're free!" Kiba and Chouji exclaimed happily.

Although they had been the ones demanding that no one let Sasuke on to their plans, Sakura and Ino seemed to be the ones who struggled the most not to jump the raven and wish him a happy birthday from the moment they came into the classroom.
Naruto found his seat, sitting down.
He glanced over at the Uchiha. "Good morning," he mouthed.
"Hi," Sasuke nodded at him, his lips forming the word.
Naruto stared, a little too long.
Always, always Sasuke had this effect on him. Making him long to be close to the Uchiha.

"Settle down class!" Iruka came into the classroom, followed by Mizuki, Kakashi and Deidara, who was following behind, closing the door after them all.
"I know you all think it's a waste of time to be here today," Iruka started, "But I can assure you that it's absolutely necessary."
Mizuki shoved Iruka aside, "Ok brats, here's how it's gonna go down; we'll hand back the exams and hand-ins that are left, and then you'll get report cards for this semester. Finally, we'll all go down to the gym, and listen to the principal."
"And then we're all free!" Kakashi said in a sing-song voice. Clearly the teacher was looking forward to six weeks of freedom as well.
"Not quite," Iruka interrupted, "We will be offering some classes and courses here at school over summer-"
"Like art classes, yeah!" Deidara beamed, "Since the members in the art club are so dedicated, we decided to host classes over summer!"
"And for all of you under-achievers, summer classes will be mandatory," Mizuki said, a wicked grin playing on his lips.
"Whaaaaat?!"
"Sadly, you and I will be seeing a lot of each other this summer, Uzumaki."
"But...I passed!"
"Barely. I don't want to spend my summer with you either," the man said, ignoring the sharp glare from Iruka, "But Tsunade felt it was necessary."
"Also, you're scheduled for math twice a week." Kakashi noted.
Naruto felt a sudden urge to slam his head into his desk.
"The rest of you will have to check the lists, to see if you'll be joining Mr.Uzumaki." Mizuki surveyed the class, "Now, we'll hand out your math exams first. Deidara, if you would be so kind?" the teacher gritted his teeth, glaring at the blonde intern, their little dispute was obviously not over yet.
Deidara stepped forward, starting to hand out the sheets, "Read them and weep, yeah."

They received the hand-outs, checking the list, went to the gym, snoozing though Tsunade's 'end of term' speech, and eventually also Izumo and Raidou's, it seemed Kotetsu and Genma weren't allowed to do any more public speeches...
And then finally, one could cheer loudly and finally begin to enjoy summer, looking away from summer classes, and the homework they'd have to complete over the next six weeks that was.

Naruto tried not to think of it as he made his way to the classroom.
Rather than worrying about something he'd pretty much seen coming already, his first priority should be to find Sasuke.

That didn't prove to be too hard; the Uchiha was already in the classroom when Naruto came back there. Naruto picked up his book bag, "Let's go?"
"Hn," Sasuke nodded, following him out the door.

"You wanna... go somewhere or something?" Sasuke asked.
Naruto fastened his seat belt. "I kinda....Have to get home early, but... Do you mind if I come over a bit later?"
Come over?
As in come to his house?
Sasuke winced slightly, but didn't let it show.
He preferred to be out somewhere with the blonde, although that rarely gave them time to be alone... But it was better than having the ghosts of his past hanging over their heads.
"I was thinking..." Naruto started, "That maybe we could get started on the summer homework? It's better to finish it early, right?"
Homework?
Was that what he had in mind?
Sasuke glanced over at Naruto.
That had to be just an excuse... Nevertheless, he nodded absentmindedly.
"Sure."
Strangely enough, Sasuke found himself to be slightly annoyed at the blonde for treating this as any other day.
Not because he wanted to be showered with gifts or anything, but because he was sure that somewhere inside of him there was something that wished for this day to replace all the shitty birthdays he'd had up until now.
It was ridiculous though; Naruto had no idea what day it was, even if he had asked him about it, years ago.
Why would he remember such a trivial matter? And why would it bother Sasuke if he didn't?
The Uchiha shook off the thought, parking the car at the side of the road.
"I'll see you later then," he mumbled, leaning over to kiss the blonde.
He smiled to himself. As long as he could have this, he'd be fine.
"Yup, I'll be over around five-ish..." Naruto smiled at him, touching their lips together in another hasty kiss before he slammed the car door shut and waved Sasuke off.

"You won't be at home tonight, will you Naruto?" Chiyo asked over dinner.
The blonde teen shook his head, "I'm going over to Sasuke's, and then I have to take him to the surprise party..."
"You're throwing a surprise party for Uchiha?" Gaara furrowed his brow, looking at him in disbelief.
"We aren't," Naruto said, "They are, and I have to bring him there. It's gonna be a disaster, I just know it...."
"Then don't go!" Moegi shouted from the other end of the table.
"No, I have to. But it's not like the party's just for him... I'm sure it'll calm his nerves a little to know that his name was crammed in on the banners and stuff at the last minute..."
"Or maybe he'll be pissed that he's not the center of attention anymore," Gaara mumbled.
Naruto scowled at him.
"No fighting at the table," Chiyo scolded, "You two are worse than the kids sometimes!"
Naruto laughed at that statement.
"Anyway, I guess it'll just be you and Neji here tonight then Gaara," the old woman said, refilling the rice bowl of the girl sitting next to her.
Gaara looked up, "Where are you going?"
"Don't you remember? The theater gave us free tickets for the extra show tonight. At first I thought that the youngest ones might not like it, but it is a play for kids after all, so I accepted the offer. It's not often we get out of the house..."
"Oh," the red said quietly.
"You're free to join us of course, but I didn't think you'd want to."
"You thought right," Gaara mumbled.
Chiyo smiled at him, "So, I asked Neji if he could stop by and keep you company."
Gaara rolled his eyes, "I don't need a babysitter."
"Then look at it as having a friend visiting."
"Whatever," Gaara stood, taking his plate over to the counter.
"We'll only be gone a few hours, but I prefer to know that there's someone here with you in case something happens..."
"Somehow," Gaara said, heading towards the kitchen door, "I doubt that this is what he signed up for."
He exited the kitchen, the door closing behind him.
Gaara leaned against it, and failed to hold back a small, apprehensive smile.

Two minutes later he was nearly knocked out as the door came flying open again.
"Watch it, will ya?"
"Sorry," Naruto grinned sheepishly, "What are you still standing here for?"
"I...Don't know..." Gaara chewed on his bottom lip.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah, jeez."
Naruto shrugged, "Just checking."
"You're going now?"
"Yeah," Naruto started up the stairs, his friend following, "I'm just gonna change."

*****

"Which one?" the blonde asked, holding up the two shirts Sakura had bought him, "Black or orange?"
"Does it matter?"
"Well..." Naruto looked a little embarrassed, "Yes..."
He had to admit that there was a part of him that wanted to look good for tonight, - For Sasuke, even though the party would be a disaster.
Gaara didn't need to know that though.
Naruto praised himself lucky that his best friend wasn't of the nosy kind. In fact, he appreciated it so much, that he handed Gaara the black shirt; "You know what, you'd look really good in this one! Try it on."
The red stared at him, "What?"
"Come on! Try it on!"
"But...I'm not going anywhere."
"No, but still! Go on!" Naruto thrust the cloth into Gaara's hands. He gripped the shirt Gaara was currently wearing, and started tugging it upwards.
"Fine!" Gaara pushed him away, getting his shirt off, putting the black one on.
"It's too big."
Naruto eyed his friend carefully, "Not much. It's a bit loose, but that's just cool. Button it up!"
Gaara did as told, meanwhile Naruto slipped the orange shirt on, over a dark tank top with an orange swirl printed on the chest.
"Very handsome!" he grinned, looking at himself in the mirror, "And you too!"
"Idiot," Gaara smiled.
"Keep the buttons closed though," Naruto warned, "You never know what kind of ideas that pervert might get..."
"Would you quit it?"
"Sorry, but I don't like the thought of you being alone with him."
"Just go to your party," Gaara pushed him towards the door, "I'll be fine. If he tries to rape me, I'll call you," his voice was sour and sarcastic, but playful.
"You'd better," the blonde said, hugging him swiftly.
Gaara pulled away, he never got entirely used to Naruto being so physical.
"I'll be back later tonight. Unless Sasuke-teme decides to kill me..."
"Right. Have fun."
"I will! Bye!"
Naruto stormed down the stairs, into the kitchen, got the cake and was out the door.
***

With his heart in his throat, it was a very nervous Naruto who rang the doorbell of Sasuke's house. He'd put the cake in a paper bag, so Sasuke couldn't see it.
It was supposed to be a surprise after all.

Sasuke looked a little weary when he opened the door.
He glanced at the bag in Naruto's hand, "Your books, right?"
"What?" Naruto said, and then remembered his lame excuse for visiting, "Yeah! We're supposed to study.." he rubbed his neck, laughing.
The raven stared at him, shaking his head. "Come on in," he said, moving aside.

Naruto followed Sasuke into the hall.
"Just go on upstairs," Sasuke said, "I'll be right up."
"Ah, ok..." Naruto nodded, heading up the stairs to Sasuke's room.
His footsteps echoed in the empty mansion. It was sort of eerie.
How did Sasuke survive living alone in this place?
He looked down the hall, wondering what was behind all those doors, but didn't dare to open any, just went straight into Sasuke's room, sitting down on the bed.
Just as the last time, it was perfectly neat; not a thing out of order, no clothes on the floor.
It bore no trace of anyone living here.
But it was still Sasuke's room. Naruto fell back onto the mattress.
Turning his head, he caught a whiff of Sasuke's scent on the bedspread.
He smiled.

Sasuke opened the cupboard, taking out a couple of glasses.
He could feel someone's eyes on his back, but refused to turn around.
"You're not here."
Still not looking, he opened the fridge, taking out the bottle of soda he'd bought for today. He didn't really care for it himself; it was too sweet. But he reckoned Naruto'd like it.
Taking the bottle and glasses, he walked out of the kitchen.
"Study hard, little brother," the cold voice sent shivers down Sasuke's spine.
"You are not here!"
He failed to convince himself, and pretty much ran up the stairs and up to his room.

His heart was pounding violently, but he forced himself to regain his composure before going inside. Only to lose it again when he found the blonde sprawled on his bed.
The horror he'd felt moments ago was forgotten in that instant.
Sasuke swallowed, staring at Naruto.
"What?" Naruto asked him.
"Nothing," Sasuke shook his head, setting down the glasses and bottle on the small table by the bed. He sat next to Naruto.
Nothing. Yeah right.
Naruto had looked so stunning right now, that Sasuke'd had to hold himself back, not to jump the blonde. But of course he couldn't tell him that.
Actually, he was shocked himself, at how quickly his feelings for Naruto were developing.
He had to think of something else... With the two of them alone like this things could get out of hand, and he might end up driving Naruto away. The blonde'd ran off once before, so he had to be careful not to scare him off again. Even if things were different now.

"Should we get started?" he asked, ridding himself of the thoughts.
"We can't really," Naruto smiled.
"What?"
"I didn't really bring my books..."
"You didn't?"
"No." the blonde teen smiled secretively.
"Then what's in the bag?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Naruto moved closer, touching his lips softly to the corner of Sasuke's mouth.
"I would, yeah." the raven's tongue flicked out, running over Naruto's lips.
They kissed. The meeting of tongues deepened the kiss, Naruto's hand found Sasuke's hair, fisting in it. He moaned quietly against Sasuke's lips.
Smiling he pulled away, nervously reaching into the paper bag.
"Close your eyes," he commanded.
"Tch," Sasuke frowned, but closed his eyes anyway.
"Alright...." Naruto took the cake out of the bag, placing it on the table, taking off the plastic lid covering it. He leaned over to the Uchiha again.
"You can open them now," his lips ghosted over the shell of Sasuke's ear, "Happy Birthday."
Sasuke's eyes flew open, "How do you kn-"
His gaze fell on the cake.
His eyes darted up again, meeting with Naruto's.
The blonde's cheeks were flushing with a becoming shade of pink.
"I..." he started.
"You made this?"
"Well...yeah..."
Sasuke stared down at the cake again, not taking his eyes off it for a second.
"Woah...A cake..." he chuckled quietly. "Thanks..."
"Is something wrong?" Naruto asked nervously.
"No...It's just..." Sasuke's lip quirked slightly, "I don't like sweets..."
"You don't...Oh shit!" Naruto smacked himself on the forehead. He blushed even harder.
"No, but...it's really...uh...sweet of you." Sasuke smiled.
"Sweet?" Naruto giggled, "I never thought you'd say anything like that. Or rather, I didn't think you were capable of it."
"Well," Sasuke pursed his lips, "You are. And...Although I don't care much for cakes, it looks good. Really."
"So you'll eat it?" Naruto asked hopefully.
"I'll taste it."
Naruto grinned, "Go ahead!"
He watched Sasuke reach out his hand, coating two fingers carefully with whipped cream sprinkled with chocolate, leading it to his lips.
His insides swelled, seeing the raven's pale lips close around the fingers, tasting the cream.
Sasuke clicked his tongue, "It's...not bad."
"You hate it."
"I don't hate it," Sasuke said, having another taste, "I just don't like sweets. You really don't remember that?"
"Remember...?"
Sasuke smiled at him; there was something bitter in the way he smiled though. A dark shadow crept over his face.
"Or rather..." he started, "I can't believe I still remember it. It's silly really... But you asked me once, when my birthday was, and I never told you."
"All those years ago...." Naruto heard his own voice in his head.
"The next day, you....God, this is so lame," Sasuke interrupted himself, "You gave me this muffin... This...muffin with pink topping and sprinkles... I have no idea where you got it...But you were so happy about it, and then you said, I remember the exact words; 'We'll just pretend that today is your birthday!' he smiled.
"I did?" Naruto stared at him.
"You did. And even though I told you that I couldn't stand sweets, you practically forced me to eat the whole thing. I don't think I've ever felt that sick in my life."
Naruto burst out laughing.
Sasuke's hand found his cheek; fingers brushing over Naruto's whiskered cheeks.
Scars that they had yet to talk about.
There were still so many things they needed to say to each other... But not now...
"You're the same as ever, Naruto."
"So are you," Naruto replied, "Only meaner."
"Hn," Sasuke smirked, silencing him with his lips.
He tasted sweet of the cake topping.
Sweet and intoxicating.

"So how'd you find out anyway?"
"About what?"
"That today's my birthday."
"Oh, that," Naruto said, loading another slice of cake onto his plate, "I heard it from Sakura and the others."
"Sakura, of course," Sasuke sighed, "She's freaking me out."
Naruto laughed, "She's not that bad!"
"She doesn't stalk you." Sasuke retorted for about the gazillionth time, he put down his glass with a low 'clink', "Didn't you like Sakura by the way?"
"I thought so too..." Naruto said thoughtfully.
"But?"
The blonde grinned, "I like you better."
"Usuratonkatchi," Sasuke smirked, kissing him hastily.
He pulled away just as quickly.
Was that a creak in the stairs?
He felt his skin crawl.
"Sasuke?" Naruto looked at him, wondering.
"Uh...Never mind..." Sasuke said, smiling slightly, but his eyes were darting nervously around the room. "What do you say we go somewhere, huh?"
"No!" Naruto almost yelled, "I mean..." he looked at his cellphone. They'd agreed for him to bring Sasuke around seven. It was ten to now. "Sure," he smiled, "Let's go somewhere."
Sasuke seemed overly relieved.
Naruto said nothing though. And it didn't seem like Sasuke noticed that he'd taken a note of it either.

He kept an eye on the Uchiha when they made their way downstairs and out the door.
Sasuke seemed to avoid looking anywhere but straight ahead, and pretty much slammed the door shut behind them when they exited the mansion.
He offered no explanation, just lead Naruto to the car.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked, breaking the silence.
"How about the beach?" Naruto asked carefully, hoping it didn't sound too revealing.
"The beach?" Sasuke repeated, looking at him, "Now?"
"Yeah, now. I like it there..." he continued hopefully.
Sasuke shrugged, "Whatever, if that's what you want."
"Could we drop by the store first?"
"Sure," Sasuke nodded, steering the car out on the road.
Naruto was already sporting cold sweats.

He rushed into the store as soon as Sasuke parked the car.
Once hidden behind some tall shelves, he picked up his phone, texting Sakura: 'we're on our way, get ready.'
He had no idea what the others had planned; if they were to jump out and scream 'surprise' or something along those lines, but he hoped not. Dragging Sasuke out to a place full of people he hardly knew was bad enough as it was.
Seconds later he got her cheerful reply. 'Okay! We're ready! ^-^'
He paid for his merchandise and rushed out to the car again.
"Here," he said, handing the bag to Sasuke.
"What's this?"
"Since you hated the cake-"
"I didn't hate it!"
"It doesn't matter! At least you like what's in the bag!"
Sasuke peeked into the plastic bag, and didn't know whether to frown or laugh. "Are you kidding?"
"What? You think I could refrain from it? I've been joking about it pretty much all week, right?"
Sasuke fumbled with the contents of the bag.
"But still," he said, shaking his head, "Tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato sauce, tomato soup, canned tomatoes?!"
Naruto laughed, taking the can from him, "At least you won't starve!"
Sasuke shook his head again.
"You're hopeless Uzumaki."


Naruto had always had the impression that it was cooler at the beach than in the city, but now he highly doubted it.
Just walking from the car was dreadful, even though it was so late already; the heat met them like a wall from the moment they opened the car door.
Sasuke didn't remark it, but in any case that was the least of Naruto's problems. Actually he just wanted to grab Sasuke's hand and run away. There was still a chance they'd make it, and Sasuke would never have to know about the...
"Do you hear something?"
...party.
Naruto heard it too, but he'd tried to ignore the beats from the music.
"I guess...someone's here..." he mumbled.
"More like everyone," Sasuke said as they came over a small hill and looked down at the gang of teens assembled on the beach; dancing, playing volleyball and some even swimming. There was even a bonfire, despite the heat. And was that a band? The same band from the dance?
"It's too late to run away now," Naruto braced himself.
"There they are!" someone yelled.
"Alright! Now that all three of them are here;" someone yelled into the mic, interrupting the singer. Naruto thought it was Raidou's voice, "Let's all wish them our best!"
Right on cue, pretty much the whole crowd burst into song; "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."
Sasuke turned, glaring at Naruto.
"Did you know about this?"
Naruto took a step back, "I'm so sorry. They forced me!"
There was murder in Sasuke's dark eyes, but he said nothing more, simply grit his teeth at hearing his own name sung out between Kotetsu and Genma's.
"Well, come on!!" Raidou called for them, "Get down here!"
Naruto sent Sasuke an apologetic look, which wasn't returned.
Nevertheless, the infuriated raven started heading down to the beach, Naruto following closely behind.
****

It was always strange to be alone at the orphanage, Gaara thought.
Everything was so silent. Though, it was rarely this quiet; usually when he was left alone here, Naruto'd be with him, and the blonde was anything but toned down.
Neji on the other hand, was so quiet it was as if he wasn't even here.
The brunette was in the living room, having started on his homework already. For a sexual predator, as Naruto called him, he was quite the nerd.

Gaara was in the kitchen. He was bored.
Lacking anything else to do, he'd whipped up some cream, deciding to finish his cake.
All that was left now was to coat the top, and decorate it.

"What are you doing?"
Neji was standing in the doorway.
Gaara turned to look at him. "Isn't it obvious?"
"You're making a cake?"
Gaara grunted. That's what he'd just said! It was obvious!
"Whose birthday is it?"
"No ones," Gaara shrugged, "I was helping Naruto, and then I never finished it." his answer was incoherent, but Neji seemed to accept it.
"Can I help you with anything?" the Hyuuga asked.
"I don't really need help," Gaara replied coolly, "I'm not as helpless as they want you to think."
"That's not what I meant," Neji said, twirling a dark lock of hair around his finger, "But science gets sort of boring in the long run, don't you agree?"
"I guess," Gaara sounded fairly uninterested.
It agitated the brunette.
This detached person in front of him was more than just intriguing... He didn't find the words for it, and ended up just staring at him with vague interest.
"I suppose...You could get the strawberries from the fridge, and cut them in half..." Gaara said absentmindedly.
"Alright," Neji got out the red berries, and started slicing them in half, placing them on the counter, next to Gaara.
"Why'd Naruto want to make a cake all of a sudden?"
"Today's Sasuke's birthday."
"Oh. I didn't know."
"Apparently, no one else did either, until yesterday," Gaara's voice was rejecting.
"Hn," Neji took another strawberry, "It was my birthday on the third you know," he had no idea why he'd just said that.
"Really?" Gaara asked, sounding just as indifferent, "You can have the cake if you want, I won't be able to eat it all by myself. And it's not like Naruto won't be getting enough cake tonight..."
He was so calm, the indifference he spoke with bordered on mechanical.
Neji smiled at him.
"Yeah? Thanks."
Gaara didn't reply.
"Why aren't you at the party?" he asked instead.
"The beach-thing?" Neji shrugged, "I don't know.. It's not really my thing. And I guess I'm not in the mood to take care of a wasted Lee."
"Wasted?"
"He always drinks too much at these things. Or rather...He has very low tolerance," Neji chuckled, "It's rather entertaining actually, as long as you're not the one who has to babysit him."
"It seems you do that alot," Gaara's cold eyes surveyed him.
They caught his own, pale ones, and tossed him completely off balance.
That, along with Gaara licking whipped cream from his own, slender, pale fingers.
"It just so happens that I- Ow! Fuck!"
Gaara glanced over at the dark-haired boy, still licking his finger, "Did you cut yourself?"
"Yeah...It's not deep...but it stings."
"Let me see," Gaara reached out, taking his hand, looking at the small cut.
Without thinking, he took the other's finger in his mouth, sucking gently at it.
Neji stared at him, slightly taken aback.
Gaara stared back, without as much as a hint of hesitation in his green eyes.
Slowly, he let go of the finger, but continued to hold Neji's gaze.
For a long time, they just stared at each other, barely blinking.
In reality it couldn't have been more than a few seconds, but it felt like so much longer.
Their breath hung heavily in the tense air; each breath audible.
They were so close to one another they could feel each heavy breath on their skin.
Neither of them caught who made the first move as their lips met in a hard, possessive kiss.
Neji pushed Gaara back against the refrigerator.
It felt cold on the red's back, through his shirt, but he welcomed it.
Neji's body was so hot against his own; hands gripping around his wrists, holding him as his tongue danced over Gaara's lips, gained entrance and met with his own.
He won the battle for dominance; gently exploring the red's lax mouth.

Gaara's head was spinning.
His mind was clouded.
His mouth willingly responded to each new kiss Neji engaged him in, and he couldn't understand why, it just felt so...amazing.
He, who hated human contact, loved the sensation of Neji's hands on his body as the Hyuuga let go of his wrist, and unbuttoned the two top buttons in Gaara's shirt.
The hand slipped inside, roaming over alabaster, burning skin.
Yet another kiss broke, and Neji's lips moved lower; to Gaara's jugular, down his neck, to his collarbone.
The red shook against him, impatient little moans and gasps escaping his throat, revealing that the cold and cynical boy was indeed human.
Neji bit down on the pale skin; sucked gently.
"Nnh..." Gaara moaned softly.
He caught himself wondering what the hell he was doing, but forced the thought aside.
It didn't matter.
Neji knew what he was doing, that much was certain, and that was all the red needed to know.
The little bites moved downwards, grew rougher. In-between them, Neji would trace kisses and brief licks along Gaara's skin.
He pulled aside the red's shirt, kissing along his collarbone, down his chest.
Gaara's free hand fisted in his hair, moved down, gripping at his shirt-clad back.
The teen swallowed hard, pressing closer to the Hyuuga, begging him for more through impatient little whimpers.
His pale skin was turning purple where Neji had kissed and bit him. It felt tender, slightly painful.
Their lips met again.
Bodies pressed tightly against each other.
The air around them was so hot, Gaara noticed.
Not even the fridge pressing against his back felt cold anymore.
He felt like he was burning up; like he was feverish.
Nothing had ever had this impact on him; nothing had ever awakened so many new sensations in him. It struck him that this had to be the thing known as 'desire'.
Supposedly, desire was dangerous.
So be it, he was willing to follow Neji's lead, wherever it may take him...
The Hyuuga's hand wandered lower, along his inner thigh.
Gaara inhaled sharply, stifling his own gasp with Neji's lips; breathing heavily into the kiss, biting down at the brunette's bottom lip.
"I want you..." Neji whispered huskily, into his ear.
Gaara parted his lips to speak, when they both winced at the sound of the front door opening.

"We're home!"
The two teens jumped apart; Neji quickly taking a seat at the table, Gaara buttoning up his shirt, continuing to put strawberries on the cake.
His heart was racing in his chest, and his skin felt like it was burning still.

"My God!" Chiyo exclaimed, entering the kitchen, "It's so hot in here! You could open a window you know!"
She didn't wait, but opened one herself.
Minutes later the room was full of kids who all babbled excitedly about the play they'd just seen while begging to have a taste of the cake.
Gaara nodded and mumbled answers, avoiding Neji's look completely, because he was sure that if he looked at him, he'd die.
Desire was dangerous.
But...
He wished them all to be gone, so he could experience more of it.
****

"I can't believe you were in on this!" Sasuke glared at Naruto.
"S-sorry..." Naruto stared down at the ground, "But...they wouldn't take no for an answer, and I tried to tell them..." he frowned, "I'm sorry...Are you mad?"

Sasuke was mad.
In fact, he was utterly pissed off.
But during the last 45 minutes, in between all the congratulations and presents and barbequed food and cake...he'd gone many rounds with himself.
Although he'd wanted nothing more than to have this day pass quietly, he was glad he didn't have to spend it in the house, alone.
And he felt fairly good; with no side effects bothering him for once.
And...when Naruto begged him for his forgiveness, putting up his dazzling blue puppy eyes, he had a real hard time staying mad.
But Naruto didn't have to know that.
Not now.
He wanted him to suffer a little first.

"I don't even know half of these people!" he hissed, "And I don't care if they all know me!"
Naruto seemed at a loss for words, for once.
Sasuke almost felt sorry for him. But yelling was easier than acting mellow after all...Even if they were the only ones sitting on the rocks several feet away from everyone else.
"You know I hate these things!"
"I know..."
"I sort of expected something like this from Sakura and the others... but you?"
Naruto squirmed.
"I did tell them that the condition was that you'd get to leave when you wanted...."
"You told them..." Sasuke snorted, rubbing his temple.
Naruto turned his head, sighing heavily.
"Look at me," Sasuke said, griping the blonde's chin.
Naruto looked up at him, with genuine guilt in his eyes.
Sasuke couldn't help but smile.
"Thanks," he touched their lips together.

Naruto's heart fluttered. He thought he heard something behind them, but brushed it off as the other didn't seem to notice.
His hand found Sasuke's on the rocks.
Sasuke kissed him here!
Here, at a party with pretty much the entire school.
Anyone could see them, and still...
"Let's go back," Sasuke whispered, breaking the kiss, "I can't miss my own party, can I? Not that it matters...I only know our group anyway...And there's still two more guests of honor."
"I'm sorry." Naruto said again, rubbing his neck.
"I'll get revenge, somehow," Sasuke smirked at him.
"Fine," Naruto pursed his lips, "But you will enjoy yourself."
"Hn," Sasuke snorted, "You think so eh? Well, get this dobe, I'm not dancing with you tonight."
"I didn't expect you to," Naruto replied, nudging him with his shoulder. "I won't dance either."
"You can still have fun."
"I'd rather keep you company."
"It's fine already," Sasuke insisted, "As long as you only dance once with the same girl."
"Was that a joke Uchiha?" Naruto smirked, eyeing the raven.

"Where were you two?!" Sakura demanded when they found the group again.
"Sorry, but the king of sulky wasn't pleased." Naruto laughed.
Sasuke glowered at him, saying nothing.
"I was afraid you'd ran off to get-"
"Shitfaced?" Kiba suggested.
"Something like that..." the girl frowned, "You should see Lee...He's really out of it! Apparently he's only had one drink, but well...Tenten had her struggles keeping him on his feet."
"At least he leaves you alone, right?" Chouji pointed out.
"I wish," she laughed, "He's still following me around. When he can walk in a straight line that is."
She glanced over at Naruto, "With him out of the picture though, you'll dance with me again, right?"
"Of course he will," Sasuke said, biting Naruto off, "Isn't that right?"
"I guess... " Naruto eyed him cautiously.
Either the Uchiha was gonna wear him out as his revenge, or he was trying to create a scenario he could take advantage of later, saying how Naruto'd ignored him all night.
"And maybe we'll get to dance with the birthday boy too?" Ino giggled, hopefully.
"Of course!" Naruto smirked, pushing Sasuke forward.
This time Sasuke really did have a murderous intent in his eyes when he looked at him.
"Fine," Sasuke sighed, "On one condition; it has to be slowdancing."
The girls squealed with delight.
"I refuse to jump around like an idiot," Sasuke finished.

The band started up with a new song which just happened to be a slow one.
"What a coincidence!" Ino grinned, grabbing Sasuke's hand. Unwillingly, the Uchiha followed her.
"Come on!" Sakura smiled, grabbing Naruto's hand as well.
After the song was over, the girls switched partners.
Ino seemed a bit disappointed, whilst Sakura looked like she was in heaven.
Sasuke seemed to have had enough of it already.
Naruto almost felt sorry for him.
And... Somehow, even though he knew that the Uchiha couldn't stand the two girls, he felt a little jealous at seeing them with their arms around Sasuke.
His Sasuke.

He spotted Kotetsu and Izumo, dancing down by the stage. They were completely infatuated with each other, if not slightly tipsy, dancing totally unaffected by the crowd around them.
Both had party hats on, sitting slightly crooked on top of unruly, dark hair.
He glanced over at Sasuke.
It seemed he had seen them as well.
Naruto turned Ino around, feeling that slight yearning to dance with Sasuke like that again.
Even if it was for just a few seconds.....
"Come on!" he dragged Ino over to Sakura and Sasuke. "Sorry to interrupt," he smiled, "But we said we'd switch, didn't we?"
Sasuke's eyes dug into his. "What the hell are you doing?!" he hissed.
Naruto tore Sakura from the raven's grip.
"I just thought it'd be fun." he winked at him.
No one needed to know anything else.
Sakura and Ino looked at him in disbelief.
"What?" Naruto grinned, "Maybe this is just my bad excuse to see two hot girls dancing, huh?"
Sakura shook her head.
Ino laughed.
But the two girls did join in on the fun, spending the next fifty seconds dancing with each other.
Meanwhile Naruto inhaled Sasuke's scent, with the raven's arms wrapped around him.
They weren't pressed as tightly together as the last time, but they were close enough for him to hear it when Sasuke whispered into his hair; "Idiot."
"Hn," Naruto smiled.

Seconds later the music went upbeat again, and Sasuke dragged Naruto back to the bonfire.
"You don't hate it so much now, do you?" Naruto probed, teasing him.
Sasuke refused to answer him.

"What the hell was that?" Kiba demanded the second they sat down.
"What?" Naruto grinned.
"No comment," Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"It was what it was," the blonde said, ending the discussion, snagging some food from his plate.
"Hey!"
"Where's Shika?"
"Over there," Shino pointed down the beach, to the crowd dancing.
"He's dancing?" Sasuke asked, as if that was weird, when he had just been dancing, and with a guy no less.
"Yeah," Shino nodded.
Naruto searched the crowd. He spotted Sakura and Ino, who were now accompanied by Lee, who was pretty much clinging to the pink-haired girl.
He surveyed the crowd further, until he spotted his friend, "No way! Is that?"
"Who?"
"The girl he's dancing with! I know her!"
"Well duh," Kiba said, "It's not that big of a town you know."
"Hold on," Naruto shushed him, "I think they're coming over."

As the couple approached, Naruto's guess turned out to be right.
The girl hanging from Shikamaru's arm was Temari. Gaara's sister.
He stared at her.
"Naruto! Hi!" she chirped. The tone in her voice gave off that she wasn't all that sober.
"Taking advantage of drunk girls now Shika?" Kiba remarked dryly.
"Fuck off."
"You know him?" Shikamaru asked the girl.
"Of course she does!" Naruto exclaimed, "She's Gaara's big sister!"
Briefly it looked like Shikamaru's eyes were about to pop out of their sockets.
"I didn't know you liked younger guys," he grinned.
"I didn't know you liked guys," she retorted.
Naruto mumbled something, looking away.
"Besides, he's kinda cute!" she smiled. "And it was only a couple of dances anyway! For now," she winked at her young dance partner.
Shikamaru looked slightly uncomfortable.
"I still don't get how you got him to dance!" Kiba looked perplexed.
"I asked him of course!" she said as if it was the easiest thing in the world to make Konoha's laziest boy dance. "And then he kinda just....didn't let me go!" she laughed.
"Right..." Naruto shook his head, laughing, "I hope Kankurou is here to take you home?"
"He's around somewhere..." she gesticulated.
"Why are you here anyway?" Naruto continued to inquire.
"Believe it or not, but I happen to know Izumo!"
"Fine, I believe you." he replied before she got into a long rant about how he was the cousin of her best friend's mother's nephew or whatever.

The hours passed quickly with the music playing and fire burning.
Even after they'd stopped dancing, everyone was in high spirits, and the chatter went on excitedly. Even Sakura was laughing at Lee's drunken antics. While Tenten was frantically trying to drag him away from her, to get him home.
"Did you forget that you promised to help out Gai-sensei tomorrow?!"
Lee slurred something that was impossible to catch.

"Hey," Naruto said, turning to Kiba, "Where's Hinata?"
The boy shrugged, "I guess she went to get some refreshments or something... I haven't seen her since we were dancing about an hour ago..."
"Maybe she ran into someone," Shino suggested.
"That's too bad," Naruto glanced over at Sasuke, who was impatiently waiting for him a bit further away, "I was hoping to dance with her or something before we left...But I guess not..."
"Hurry up dobe!"
"Say hi from me, 'kay?"
"We will."
"See you guys!" He waved at the lot of them, chasing after Sasuke up the hill towards the parking lot.
***

Naruto came in around 00.30. Though he'd been home already at midnight, he'd been held up.
He smiled to himself, thinking about the long goodbye with Sasuke.
His lips were swollen from kissing, he found when he touched them.

"You're home late," Gaara pointed out.
Naruto grinned at him, "What did you expect?"
"Nothing really," Gaara shrugged, "Did you have fun?"
"Yeah!" the blonde plopped down on his bed, starting to undress, "You'll never guess who was there!"
"Tell me," Gaara said, sounding mildly uninterested.
"Your sis."
"Temari?" the red seemed slightly more interested now.
"Yeah, she was totally drunk."
"My sister? Drunk?"
"Well...Maybe not drunk...Tipsy. Anyway, she was totally clinging on Shika all night!"
"Shikamaru? That Shikamaru?"
"Yeah!" Naruto nodded energetically.
"She must've been really drunk..."
The blonde chuckled.
"Kankurou was there too, but I didn't see him... He's supposedly the designated driver."
"Hah," Gaara snorted, "They're screwed."
Naruto summarized the rest of the party, leaving out certain bits of course.
Still, Gaara almost choked when he got to the part about the dancing.
"You danced with Uchiha Sasuke?!"
"Yeah! For like fifty seconds. Is that so hard to believe?!"
"Well...yeah!"
"Tch," Naruto said, "It's not like it was a big deal. It was just for fun and-" he stopped himself. "Since when do you sleep in a shirt?"
"Huh?" Gaara looked down himself.
There was no way he'd tell Naruto that he was covering up the marks Neji had left on him.
"That t-shirt you're wearing," Naruto pointed at him, "Since when do you sleep with a shirt on? And in this heat?"
"Since when do I sleep, Uzumaki?" Gaara promptly retorted, turning off the lights.
That was the end of that discussion.

Naruto was beat, but before he drifted off to sleep he managed to catch the message that ticked in on his phone;
'I actually had fun tonight, dobe. So I guess I should say thanks. 'Night'
****TBC***
[Aah, the fluffiness! Expect some serious angst in the next chapter!]

Replies: (omg, I can't believe I almost forgot! o_O;;)

chloe: Sorry I forgot to answer this one! It's just that your review hapened to be the last one for chapter 8, and then you were the first to review chapter 9, so I got a bit confused.. Blame my flu! X_x
Anyway, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! *3*
As for Itachi... I can't say much. But then again, this chapter kind of explained things, or...made them more confusing, I dunno xD

Nusku: *takes ice cream and helps you up* Poor Sasuke indeed, he's gonna be going through some rough times. I'm glad you think so! *hugs* Thank you very much!

FBIY_lover: Sorry about the cliffhanger! But look! There isn't one this time! xD Hope you liked the chapter! Thank you very much!!!

SneakyFox: Or does he? Kukuku... Unfortunately not. Thanks for reviewing again!*gives cookie*

ari: Of course I'm not sick of it! I'm a reviewwhore! XD *loves on you* HI HUN! ^___^ Ah yes, Dei-chan is an expert on these things.. Kukuku...
Glad you're loving it! How was this?! *3*

Reyn: OOoh, you're the first one to be thinking in the right direction! xD *gives you heaps of cookies* NejiGaa you say? ^___^ I think this chapter answers that question! (omg, what did you think?) Though, they're not that fluffy xD Thanks! ^___^

Chibi: Sorry for the wait! *Gives more cookies* Hope the chapter made up for it somehow though! *__*
Thank you very much! ^___^ I was hoping it wasn't too cheesy @__@ *takes cookies* ^-^

Dark Illusions: Kukuku, you'll have to wait and see to find out! xD
Sasuke and Naruto's realtionship will deepen, but they're gonna have to suffer a bit for it methinks..*plots* Also, you're right, the doctors are evil. He's getting better though. But sideeffects can be really nasty! X__X
Thanks for reading! ^___^ Leave me a few words again, ne?

PansyLane: Ahaha, and only hours later I post the next chapter. But you read it earlier...didn't you? ;p Sorry for the delay! X_X
Nyaahaha *cackles* There are possibilities for smut...yes...yes... xD *smirks secretively*

Thanks everyone! *loves*