Birthdays, Hot Springs, and a Pale Moon

Hey everyone I got myself a great Beta so Im putting up the updated version so tell me what you think.

Birthdays, Hot Springs, and a Pale Moon

Chapter 2
Sasuke had called everyone that knew Naruto. Everyone told him the same thing, none of them could remember if Naruto had ever mentioned his birthday. He couldn’t figure out why Naruto hadn’t told anyone when his birthday was. The thing that seemed strange to Sasuke was that with Naruto’s personality, he would have expected him to tell his friends when his birthday was. With only one option left Sasuke decided he would have to visit Iruka-san the next day.

Once they had finished eating, Sasuke left Sakura a hefty tip, and walked out the door with Naruto following right behind him.

“So do you want to do something else since I won’t be able to see you for the next few days?” Sasuke asked, looking over his shoulder at Naruto.

Flashing his pearly whites, Naruto grabbed the teme and pulled him close, pressing his lips against Sasuke’s. With a moment’s hesitation, Sasuke returned Naruto’s kiss with the same enthusiasm. Keeping Sasuke distracted with the kiss, Naruto, snaked his hand down Sasuke’s back and down to his butt. Something in Sasuke told him to get a grip and not let the dobe get to him like this. Sasuke broke the kiss just as Naruto was placing his tongue into the raven’s mouth.

“What’s wrong Sasuke you didn’t like my kiss?” Naruto questioned, worried eyes wandering over Sasuke’s face. Sasuke turned away from Naruto and said softly,

“I’m fine I just want to go for a walk.” Naruto smiled and took Sasuke’s hand to lead him to his car. Naruto knew that Sasuke was thinking about something important. /I wonder if Sasuke realizes that he likes to take walks when he’s in deep thought/ Naruto thought.

Sasuke opened the door to Naruto’s car and sat down quietly. /What is it about his birthday he doesn’t want me to know about? I know Iruka-san will know, but it won’t feel right to get the information from him/ Sasuke’s mind raced with these thoughts. Naruto could only watch Sasuke admiring that there was such a depth of thought in some people. Sasuke snapped his head up as Naruto began to make small talk.

“So, Sasuke how are your classes going so far?” Sasuke looked like a deer caught in the headlights as he thought over the question.

“Well, my teacher’s a prick. I’ve a research paper due by next week, then a stack of homework, and I have to design and build a gyro-coaster by the first week in December and then of course I have to take my exams.” Naruto was shocked by how much work his lover had to do for the teacher who supposedly likes Sasuke the most. The teacher Sasuke was referring to was Professor Orochimaru, the man had a true gift for finding students with talent and then working with them until everyone would notice them. He had good intentions, but most students barely survived his strict class work. Naruto just smiled thinking that his teacher was the same way. It was a short drive to Shoji Park, and once they arrived, Sasuke got out of the car, remaining as quiet as he had been before. Following Sasuke Naruto struck up a conversation about what to do on the weekend.

As the two walked together through the beautiful park, Naruto’s phone began to ring. Before Sasuke could make out the ringtone, Naruto had answered.

“Hello?”

“Naruto, are you busy?” Naruto smiled into the receiver thinking about his adoptive dad.

“No, I was just on a walk with Sasuke in the park. Why, what do you need?”

“Oh, great Sasuke-kun’s there. I was just wondering if you two were busy the day after tomorrow. I thought perhaps the two of you would like to come over for dinner. I’m cooking.” Hearing that Iruka was cooking, he informed him that they were free and would certainly be there.

~~~

Sasuke sat in front of the computer looking at the formula on how the Gyro-coaster worked. Professor Orochimaru slithered his way over to the distressed looking Sasuke.

“Issss there a problem Sssasuke-kun?” Sasuke jumped, startled by the question. He looked over at his white skinned professor and smiled.

“No just got lost while I was trying the equation.” The long black hair waved as the snake like man bent over and took a good look at the problem on screen.

“SSSasuke-kun, you simply forgot to add the distance to show how far you want the top to go.” Sasuke looked back over the seemingly impossible equation and saw where he had made his mistake. Sasuke slapped a hand over his forehead in frustration and add the little bit of data to the equation and finally figured out how much energy he would need for the gyro coaster to work. He was thankful for the teacher’s ever seeing eyes, but the man gave almost everyone in the class the creeps. Looking down at his watch, Sasuke noticed that he was supposed to meet Naruto in thirty minutes. He thanked his teacher for the help and started packing his things.

/Well if I can get Iruka away from Naruto for a few minutes I might finally be able to figure out when his birthday is/. Once he finished, Sasuke left the science lab and started towards the parking garage. Pulling out his keys, he hit the starter button on the keypad. From a little ways off the engine could be heard starting up as the owner opened the door and climbed in. Quickly pulling out of the campus parking lot, Sasuke started on his short trip to Naruto’s. /Ok, I just can’t come out and ask Iruka-san when Naruto’s birthday is, I have to find just the right moment when the little dobe isn’t around/. Before long Sasuke pulled up to the apartment complex, and parked alongside Naruto’s familiar orange car. Sasuke walked up the few flights of stairs before noticing Gaara outside looking off the balcony.

He chose to ignore him as he headed down towards Naruto’s apartment. But as he knocked on the door Gaara turned to look at him. /This must be the guy Naruto likes, and chats with on the phone twice a week and practically keeps me up all night/. Gaara started to walk over to introduce himself, but Naruto opened the door before he had the chance. Naruto smiled politely and waved hello to Gaara before quickly pulling Sasuke into the apartment.

“Ok, I missed you too Naruto, but what’s with the rush?” Naruto simply explained that if Gaara hadn’t taken his medications he could be trouble, so to just be aware of him when he got like this. Sasuke looked out the window and noticed that Gaara stood outside the apartment, hands were balled into a fist and a murderous look in his eyes. /I wonder what goes on in that kid’s mind…/ Sasuke thought to himself.

Naruto grabbed his keys and started towards the door. He took Sasuke by the hand, not noticing the red blush run across his lovers face. As they left the apartment, Gaara watched the two avoid him by using the other staircase. /What is it that Naruto finds so appealing in Sasuke? / With that on his mind, he walked back into the apartment before his sister would drag him into the house to take his medication.

The two walked over to the orange car and got in rather quickly. As Naruto started to the car, Sasuke studied the color of the hood.

“Naruto what on earth made you get this car painted orange?” Feeling a bit insulted Naruto snapped back,
“If you don’t like it then get out and walk!” Sasuke just smirked as Naruto turned his attention to driving as they pulled out of the parking lot and headed out onto the road. The rest of the ride to Iruka’s had been pleasant and quiet, much to Sasuke’s surprise. As they pulled into the driveway, Sasuke noticed few clouds darkening the sky. Walking up to the front door, Naruto took his old house key and stuck it into the lock. With a quick turn, the door opened to reveal a large living area. The area was decorated with various reproductions of artifacts and displays which Iruka had gotten from his lover’s work as an archeologist.

“Wow I like what Kakashi has done with the living room,” Naruto said walking over to the Egyptian headdress on display.

“Why thank you, I really liked the way this one was made.” Naruto nearly jumped out of his skin then turned around and saw the silver hair and signature black mask that his step dad always wore. Kakashi pulled his head back and smiled at his guests to say hello.

“Kakashi-san, where’s my dad? I haven’t heard him yet,” asked a worried Naruto.

“Don’t worry bout your mama, he’s fine he just went to the store to grab a few things for dinner, he should be back soon.” A car pulled into the driveway seconds later and Naruto was out the door in a flash, as though he were three years old again.

Turning off the engine, Iruka got out of the car and started grabbing the bag of groceries when he saw Naruto running at him. Iruka dropped the bags back into the car catching his son up in his arms. Before Kakashi or Sasuke could even look out the door, Naruto was hugging his father, picking him up off the ground. Surprised at his son’s strength, Iruka laughingly demanded to be put down. Naruto then slowly put his father back on the ground, mumbling about getting a too over excited.

“Dobe, you never get a little over excited.” That remark made Naruto turn around and glare at his lover. With the happy reunion over, everyone went back into the house and waited while Iruka finished the Italian dinner.

“So Naruto, how are your classes coming? I heard that you were in Tsunade’s class,” Kakashi asked sitting in the arm chair. Naruto looked away remembering what had happened earlier that day in class. Sasuke looked concerned and nudged his arm trying to get him to talk.

“Well, it’s was okay today but Tsunade-san, is mad with me now,” Naruto replied still remembering the punch the woman gave him. Kakashi laughed knowing how violent the woman could be when she gets mad. After a few minutes small talk and conversation, Iruka called every to the dining room. “Well everyone take a seat and let start eating.” Naruto sat on the right of Kakashi, while Sasuke sat in front of Iruka. Iruka smiled to himself as he ate. He thought he had out done himself tonight, with using the skills he acquired from his cooking classes. Naruto was eating happily with pasta sauce smearing his lips. Sasuke looked over at him and noticed it. /Naruto can’t do anything without making a mess, but the red looks good on his lips. I think I may have to try and take it off him later, / Sasuke thought to himself. However the side effect of his thoughts, were going to make themselves known, but Sasuke forced the reaction to reverse. Sasuke stopped looking at Naruto and finished his meal so as not to become aroused at the table again.

Once everyone had finished eating, Sasuke volunteered to help Iruka with the dishes. It was normal for Sasuke to do this, and every time he did it Naruto would pout, claiming that if he had cooked for Sasuke, he would never volunteer to help with the dishes.

As Kakashi and Naruto went into the living room to watch TV, Sasuke was wiping off dishes and setting them into the drying rack. Iruka watched Sasuke for a moment, wondering /Why is this guy so special to Naruto? I’ve seen some of Naruto’s lover but none of them can hold a stick to him in looks but, they show so much more liveliness./

Sasuke was restraining himself from just asking the question he wanted answered but he was losing the battle and finally asked.

“Iruka-san, there’s something I want to ask you, because if I asked Naruto he’d never tell me.” Iruka paused in his dish washing, confused about the statement.

“Something Naruto won’t answer? Well if I can help I’ll tell you.” Sasuke sighed in relief and calmly asked about Naruto’s birthday and why didn’t any of his friends know when it was. With that Iruka stopped washing the dishes and looked at Sasuke with a troubled look on his face. This was something Iruka had not been ready for. He now understood why Sasuke came to him and asked. Iruka placed the last dish into the sink and sighed heavily.

“I’ll tell you, but you guys might have to stay the night. This is a long story.” Sasuke nodded in agreement as he dried the last dish.

After they finished, Iruka and Sasuke went into the living room to join their lovers. The time simply flew by as the four men sat, just talking and watching TV. Before anyone had really realized it was ten o’ clock at night.
“Oh man! Sorry dad but I have to get going. I still have some work to do at home, so I guess we’ll see you later.” Naruto blurted out, rushing to leave. However, before Naruto could even pull his keys out of his pocket, they heard a huge crash from outside and the room went instantly black as the power left the house.