Karma

Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me.
Pairings: Naruto x Sasuke
Warnings: Sasuke-centric

Karma
:two:

“Sasuke.”

The soft voice of his friend made him turn to look at the child next to him. He couldn’t help but admire their golden locks that hung around a round face with adorable baby fat. Blue eyes that matched the sky above them, made him wonder how many different shades of blue there were in the world.

“Hm?” he replied as small fingers found his and entwined them together.

“If I die, would you forget me?”

Sasuke’s eyes widened. “Iie.”

“My mother died today.” The blonde child continued with blue eyes so fearfully calm for such a young age.

“Then she must me dancing among the clouds right now.”

The boy laughed and leaned back, closing his eyes. “Dancing, huh?”

Sasuke smiled slightly and the boy turned to look at him.

“If I die, will you meet me again?”

"Hai."

***

It was the setting that Sasuke was accustomed to, except this time he was not woken up by his internal clock. Rather the ringing of his cell phone drew him out of his rest.

“Hello,” he stated. His voice echoed quietly in his silent room. A breeze stirred the curtains by his window with all do familiarity.

“Yes, the Hyuugas have settled in.” Sasuke said after a long moment. He closed his eyes and kept his silence as the voice continued to ramble on. “Yes, I understand. Good bye, Mother.”

With that he hung up, his finger lightly grazing the end button on his cell phone. Opening his dark eyes, he turned his phone on silent and placed it on his bed next to him. Then he shifted, rolling over on his side to stare at the screen. The illuminated green glow it gave off slowly died away.

Then as it disappeared, the glow reappeared with the caller’s name blinking on the small screen.

It was always like that, whenever he hung up, she’ll always call back. She’ll beg him to return home and ask her to forgive her for the horrible things she had said.

Mama wasn’t thinking when she said that. Please forgive Mama.

Aa. He’ll automatically reply.

You’re not serious Sasuke. I really am sorry.

I know. He will respond and then hang up, appeasing her worries that her youngest son was still talking to her.

Even if he tried to forget, her words still stung. It drove into his heart again and again.

Don’t act so selfish Sasuke. Itachi sacrifices a lot of things for us. You should remember to be grateful.

You should be like him.

Sasuke closed his eyes as the screen stopped blinking and the glow on the phone slowly died away.

Why can’t you be more like him?

Because he wasn’t Itachi, that was why he couldn’t be like him.

***

When he walked down to the kitchen, everyone was already up. Itachi sat at the table, hidden behind his newspaper while Hinata placed the bowls of miso soup onto the table. Sasuke stood in the doorway and stared.

“Good morning, Sasuke-kun.” Hinata greeted him when she noticed his presence.

“Good morning,” he replied as he sat down at his usual spot across from his older brother. He stared blankly at the Japanese-styled breakfast laid out before him.

“Hinata was already up when I got up.” Itachi explained casually. “She prepared breakfast.”

“Naruto-kun and Neji-niisan will be back soon.” Hinata told him. “They went for a walk.”
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. Hyuuga and him?

“Have you set a date yet?” he asked, bluntly. Hinata blushed and looked down, clasping her hands together.

“Otousan wants Naruto-kun to finish school first.” She replied, softly. “Otousan is teaching him business right now, and wants him to take over for him.”

Sasuke stared at her blankly.

“So it’s an arranged marriage.” Sasuke stated. Hinata looked startled and her head shot up quickly, her gray eyes meeting his before glancing away.

“H-Hai.”

“Sasuke stop tormenting Hinata.” Itachi spoke up as the kitchen door opened. Neji walked in first, followed by Naruto.

“You’re awake.” Neji commented as he breezed by him. Sasuke narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Again, Naruto gave him a look of curiosity before smiling warmly at him.

“Good morning Sasuke,” he greeted him as he moved past where he was sitting to sit down next to him. “Hinata, this looks delicious. You really should have let me helped you.”

“Iie. It’s not a trouble Naruto-kun.” Hinata said with a small smile. She began putting rice in bowls and distributing them onto the table. Naruto sprung to his feet to help her.

The blonde’s hand grazed his as he set his bowl down and Sasuke felt his heartbeat quicken. What was this feeling?

“You two have class soon so hurry and start eating.” Itachi said as he folded his newspaper
neatly. He placed it on the side and picked up his napkin, spreading it onto his lap.

Clasping his hands together, they all followed his example and bowed their heads.

“Itadakimasu.” They said, quietly before picking up their chopsticks.

It was a long time since they had a Japanese-style breakfast, Sasuke noted. Itachi had always made Western-styled breakfasts since they had left the house.

“Is the meal okay, Sasuke-kun?” Hinata asked, interrupting his thoughts. He blinked and nodded. He realized he must have stopped eating because his chopsticks had been idle for a long time.

“Neji, how long are you staying?” Naruto spoke up.

“Hinata-sama and I will be leaving in three days.” Neji replied. “We will return to the estate as Hiashi-sama has requested.”

“Wait, what?” Sasuke asked, with a deep frown. Itachi picked up his mug of coffee and took a sip.

“Naruto-kun will be staying with us until he finishes schooling. On breaks and holidays he will return to the Hyuuga estate.” Itachi told him.

Sasuke glared. Once again, his older brother had forgotten to enlighten him with important details.

“I’m sorry to intrude.” Naruto murmured.

“I have no problem with it.” Sasuke stated, darkly. He finished his food and drank the last of his tea. When he slid his chair back and got up, he paused at the stares he was receiving. “I’m taking you to school?”

Naruto laughed sheepishly and got to his feet.

“I’m sorry for the hassle,” he said.

“Go get your stuff. I’ll be waiting in the car.” Sasuke said as he left the house. Naruto went up to his room and grabbed his school bag before walking back to the kitchen.

“I made you two lunches.” Hinata smiled as she handed him large carefully wrapped bento box.

“Are you sure it’s okay. Itachi-san?” Naruto looked worried. “I mean, intruding like this…”

“Ah…Sasuke just needs to refine his social skills.” Itachi replied with a wave. “Now hurry before you guys are late.”

“Okay. I’m going!” he smiled at Hinata before walking to the door.

“Have a safe trip.” Hinata replied, softly.

***

Their car ride was silent and Sasuke couldn’t help but sneak glances at the young man who sat in the passenger seat.

“Why did you enter with a scholarship when you could have gotten Hiashi to sponsor you?” He asked.

Naruto turned toward him from where he was staring out the window.

“I want to do this my own way.” Naruto said. “I want to be acknowledged through my hard work to make Hiashi-sama proud.”

“Your family must be wealthy to have Hiashi name you as his heir.” Sasuke said as the university came into sight.

“My late father left him instructions to take care of me after he died.” Naruto smiled. “I have no family, save for the Hyuugas.”

“Sorry.” Sasuke frowned.

“No, it’s fine.” Naruto laughed. “I’m used to living alone.”

Sasuke pulled up into an empty space in the parking lot and turned off the ignition. Before he could get out of the car, a hand stopped him. Sasuke swallowed and turned around meeting the eyes of the blonde.

Again with the curious look, what was up with that?

“Hinata made us a bento; do you want to get together for lunch?” Naruto asked.

“Sure.” His reply came out on instinct and Naruto smiled.

“Ok! We’ll meet in the quad at noon.” Naruto told him. “I’ll carry the lunch so you won’t have to.”

“Hmph, don’t eat it all before lunch.” Sasuke said as he closed his door.

“Hey! What is that supposed to mean?” Naruto complained.

“You know what it means,” Sasuke said as he walked away

***

The weather was wonderful when Sasuke got out of his second class. The sun beat down warmly onto his back and perfect breezes stirred the cherry blossoms on the Sakura trees. The quad was an area of the university with beautiful blooming trees in the spring. It was
Sasuke’s favorite place.

“Sasuke!”

Hearing his name being called out, he opened an eye and looked at the girl before him. Seeing the people that he didn’t really care for, he closed his eye and promptly ignored them.

“Sasuke, that’s rude!”

“No, it’s okay Ino.” Sakura said, soothingly to her friend. “Sasuke, do you want to eat lunch with us?”

“No.” Sasuke replied.

“Why?” Sakura frowned. “I made your favorite, tomato and cheese sandwiches!”

“Sasuke! Sorry I’m late!” Naruto ran up to them and the girls stared at him.

“How dare you address Sasuke so informally?” The girls screamed. Naruto blinked and took a step back.

“W-What?” He frowned. What was up with them? They had been friendly yesterday.

“You’re of the lower class, and you should address Sasuke as Uchiha-san!” Sakura snapped. “We’re the elite of the school and we didn’t have to get in through scholarships.”

“Enough.” Sasuke stood up. “I’m leaving.”

“Wait..Sasuke…” Naruto said quickly.

“Shut up, idiot!” Sakura said angrily. Naruto’s eyes hardened and Sasuke eyed him coolly before walking away.

“I have nothing to do with you,” he said, ignoring the blonde’s gaze on his back.

The arrival of the blonde was like a thorn in his side. He didn't need any more distractions in his life.

But most importantly, he didn't need someone to break down the barrier that he had carefully constructed around himself.

***

Sasuke opened his eyes and blinked, squinting at the fluffy white clouds overhead in the blue sky. He sat up slowly before getting to his feet and deciding to walk around off campus until it was time for his last class. He ignored the usual attention he received, after all he was an Uchiha and the last Uchiha that attended the university was Itachi.

His lips thinned out into a line as he thought of Itachi.

At first it was a young boy’s fascination to be as strong as his older brother.

His parents encouraged him to be more like his older brother.

Hell, he wanted to be just like his older brother. Until Itachi left the house without any word said.

Two years later, their father suffered a stroke and Itachi returned with his degree in business.
Life resumed as if Itachi had never left.

“Why can’t you be more like him?” His mother had asked one day.

“He left for two years, mother. This was while father was sick,” he had replied, somewhat angrily. “What have he done for us?”

“Don’t act so selfish Sasuke. Itachi sacrifices a lot of things for us. You should remember to be grateful.” His mother scolded. He had stormed out, unable to listen to her voice any longer.

When Itachi had announced at dinner that he was moving out, their mother had burst out crying. She had begged her son to stay. Her father had left the table angrily, not even finishing dinner.

“Aniki, take me with you.” Sasuke had said, quietly.

Itachi had stared at him for moment before slowly nodding. “All right.”

Their mother had grabbed onto Sasuke’s hand, holding it onto it with such strength that Sasuke had never knew she had.

“Sasuke. Sasuke, don’t leave.”

“I don’t like staying here anymore,” he replied. “There is nothing for me here.”

“What about me?” His mother sobbed. “What about your father?”

“You do not need two genius sons,” he said, calmly.

***

He shook his head, trying to clear his mind of past cobwebs that lingered in his consciousness.

“Sasuke.”

His breath stilled and he turned around slowly. Naruto stood in front of him, regarding him calmly. Slowly he raised his arm, offering him the bento box, still wrapped up by Hinata’s skillful hands.

“If you don’t want to eat with me, you should eat alone.” Naruto said.

Sasuke reached out, taking the package from him and never breaking eye contact. Skin touched as their hands brushed against each other and Sasuke blinked.

“I’ll see you later.” He turned around and Sasuke tightened his grip on the cloth.

“Naruto,” he voiced. The blonde stopped in mid-step and looked over his shoulder curiously.

“Hm?” he responded.

“Have we met before?” Sasuke asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Maybe,” Naruto laughed before walking away. “We could have known each other in another life.”

Somehow, that carefree laugh that came out of Naruto was bitter.

***

Kisu.