Masked

And I didn’t mention this before, but I don’t own Naruto.

Masked

Chapter 2: In Disguise

Sasuke sat at his desk at the office, thumbing through his papers. His tie was loosened as it always was as soon as the clock hit 5:30pm. When over time began, as far as he was concerned, he needed someway to relax.

He could hear the hustle and bustle of the rest of the people in the office leaving, the blurs of their drab brown, blue, and black business suits flashing by his closed office blinds. Sighing, Sasuke turned on some music and continued to work.

At about 6:30, Sasuke was unsurprised to hear a knock on his door. He contemplated turning the speaker volume up to annoy the person he knew would be on the other end of the door, but decided it wasn’t worth the headache for the return annoyance he would receive. Reluctantly he turned the knob of his speakers down.

"Come in," Sasuke drawled. Into his office walked tech specialist Uzumaki Naruto, one of the only other people who stayed late at the office. Someone he couldn't decide if he wanted to fire – or to force him to sit in a corner and entertain him when the office started getting too boring.

Today, at least, with the bright orange tie with dark lettering saying, "My boss is scary enough, who needs Halloween?" printed on his tie, Sasuke couldn't help but feel amused. The man didn't bother to say hello before launching into one of his many stories.

"It was so funny today at lunch. I went to go get some milk from the fridge, and that old lady, Yamaguchi or something or other, you know who I mean, though, right? You know: the one with the blue wig? She totally starts yelling at me when I took a drink from the carton. She goes on and on about how that's what people put in their coffee and tea and I’m getting my germs on it and blah, blah, blah, and then I hold up the carton just as this guy on the other side of the lunch room takes a sip of his coffee, and I said, ‘Lady, this is mine. It has my name on it because I bought it. Use this one,’ and then I went and pulled out the other one people use for coffee, and I said, ‘because this one they get for free by milking Sai's pale white ass.’ And don't you know, the guy drinking the coffee totally spit out his mouthful. So freaking hilarious. Poor guy thought I was serious. I bought him another coffee and his own container of milk."

Crude, vulgar, and something he wouldn't usually have found funny, except for Naruto's infectious smile and hand gestures. Even so, Sasuke put his fingers over his mouth to hide his smirk. Not to mention that Naruto, while trying to seem rude and mean, was actually rather considerate of his fellow co-workers. Quite frankly, Sasuke would have berated the nagging woman far worse for yelling at him when the container was clearly labeled with Naruto's name. He also wouldn’t have wasted his own money to buy the foolish man another drink, let alone his own carton of milk.

"Hilarious," Sasuke deadpanned.

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto grinned as he then pointed at the extremely hard to miss words written on his tie. "Did you read my tie? This is about you."

"Cute," Sasuke remarked to irk Naruto. Naruto merely rolled his eyes. "Why are you wearing a Halloween tie though?" Sasuke asked.

Of all the holidays, Halloween was his least favorite. His parents’ idiotic traditions had suffocated any enjoyment he may have had from it as a child, and he loathed the thought of dressing up.

Naruto gaped at him.

"Are you serious? Halloween's, like, this weekend! We have that office party to go to. The black-tie-event-masquerade-gala-like-thingy to raise money for, that, uh, charity thing? Remember?" Naruto offered a little unreliably.

"Vaguely. Not that the charity is unimportant, but still, why Halloween?" Sasuke scoffed.

Since the time he was little, the thought of Halloween made him uncomfortable: and for good reason. In fact, he would call his early childhood memories rather traumatic.

"Halloween is the best time for masquerades and galas! And little orphans need money all year round stingy bastard! Gotta use it to raise money for the kiddos. Not to mention Halloween is freakin’ awesome. All the orange is great! And the candy! Mmmhmm! Yum! Not to mention the dressing up. Best holiday ever! I love Halloween!" Naruto enthused.

"I thought you didn't need Halloween because I'm your boss," Sasuke smirked. Naruto waved his hand airily.

"You scare little children. Not me. I like it for the goods," Naruto said with a smile. Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"Did you have anything else to say or were you just dropping by for that anti-climatic story and to remind me of the Halloween Gala?"

"Asshole," Naruto snarled. "I wanted to know if you wanted any coffee from the store – free of Sai's ass milk, I promise."

"With that less than appetizing visual, no," Sasuke shuddered. Naruto guffawed.

"I'm also gonna grab dinner. You need anything you toothpick of a man?" Naruto asked, grinning. Sasuke rubbed his head, feeling Naruto had begun to cross the amusing line and had crossed over to where it made Sasuke want to fire him.

"The usual for Thursday," Sasuke answered. With a nod, Naruto gave Sasuke a thumbs up before leaving the room. Sighing to himself, Sasuke's fingers hovered over the keyboard. He remembered a few years back when Naruto was first hired, thinking how intriguing Sasuke had found him. At first glance, Sasuke had been leery of Naruto’s capabilities. For some reason, Naruto hadn’t struck him as being the most computer savvy. Yet in the end, he turned out to be extremely intelligent in his field, even if it bothered Sasuke that Naruto didn’t even know the name of the current Japanese Prime Minister.

After Naruto had proven his rather talented computer skills, Sasuke had begun to grow quite fond of him. For a while, Sasuke wondered about pursing after Naruto for a sexual relationship. He enjoyed his presence, and he felt a spark of something with the other man.

But that notion was quickly quelled. First, he was Naruto's boss. Second, Naruto was extremely hyper and chipper all the time. While brash in some aspects, he could be extremely unsure of himself in uncomfortable situations, leaving Sasuke feeling that Naruto would be more comfortable in a bottom position of a relationship or a switch position at best.

Third, while it was endearing, Naruto’s caring personality was a sexual turn-off for Sasuke. Naruto was extremely considerate of everyone and everything. Sasuke couldn't picture Naruto fulfilling his more animalistic needs, let alone to understand why Sasuke craved the rush of force and strength. For Sasuke, he preferred rough handling. Naruto was too considerate of others to even think about hurting someone on purpose. He also obeyed Sasuke too easily. Even if he annoyed Sasuke, he did so more out of a jesting nature to cheer him up rather than to push at Sasuke’s position of authority over Naruto.

Not to mention how dominating could a man be when he got excited about the idea of Halloween candy?

And Sasuke could clearly imagine Naruto's high pitched voice getting even higher and scratchier when aroused – another definite turn off. Not like the husky, low murmurs of his precious lover. Sasuke was lucky to have found a man willing to adhere to his sexual needs and guidelines – while not being a creep – and getting nothing more out of it than his own sexual release.

His body shuddered with want as he remembered the voice that pleasured him, remembering the way his lover had sounded sated because of Sasuke. His heart sped up, and Sasuke's fingers fell to the keyboard as they quickly finished his report before he navigated to his personal e-mail, intent on setting another rendezvous date between he and his lover as soon as possible.

It was getting harder and harder not to ask for daily meetings. For the most part, their schedules were always compatible, so it seemed plausible. Sasuke mused over the idea that perhaps he was becoming a sex addict, but found he didn't really care. It was a very pleasant addiction – if only his source of relief would consider a real relationship. Every day could be filled with pleasure and passion.

His lover could play off his every sexual desire, and it was like the other man could openly read him. Sasuke felt safe and secure yet passionate and desirable. Idly Sasuke wondered if that was what love was supposed to feel like. Yet he couldn’t say he loved the other man until he got to know him better. Even so, he was sure they would be perfect for each other, if only his anonymous lover would rise to the challenge.

Perhaps he could coerce his lover into meeting on Halloween? Do something in costume, and then de-mask him? Sasuke would be willing to dress up to get what he wanted.

The idea of stalking the man had actually occurred to Sasuke. He could find out information via one of his company sources through e-mail tracing or something of that sort. Naruto was his tech person; he was sure he would be able to help him out. The only problem was this was a rather personal matter.

That and Sasuke didn't want to admit how desperate he was becoming. It was as though his nameless lover had cast a spell over him. He shook his head, wondering at the absurdity of his own thought.

"Who're you typing to so heatedly? I've never seen you glare at the computer before. I promise even your glare won't work on it," Naruto said, making Sasuke snarl at the interruption of his rather important e-mail. "Whoa," Naruto said, backing up as his glare got redirected at Naruto. "Then again, that death glare could kill the cuteness of kittens. Don't use that laser ray on Halloween on the kiddos either. Might do some serious brain damage, and they'd end up like you. Poor things."

"OUT!" Sasuke yelled, as Naruto all but scampered from the office.

Sasuke cursed himself for forgetting how quick Naruto could be. Not to mention quiet. It unnerved him how quiet and efficient Naruto could be when he wanted to. It just wasn't natural. He took a deep breath, not sure why he was so rattled by Naruto's comments, or why he was upset about Naruto’s efficiency. Usually he demanded it. He decided not to dwell on it too much.

He quickly finished his e-mail, asking his lover to meet him on Halloween, sure that they wouldn't miss him at the Gala. He'd have someone make excuses for him.

It surprised Sasuke when only a few minutes passed before he got a reply.


Oh So Fuckable -

I already have a prior commitment on Halloween and then the following three days. November 4th is the next time that I will be able to meet with you.

Yours Truly



Sasuke banged his fist angrily by the computer. He turned and glared at nothing, furious with his lover for abandoning him. A gnawing feeling of jealousy surged through him. As far as their e-mails indicated, neither had anyone on the side, but Sasuke always feared that perhaps his lover would find someone else he would want to be with other than him. Sasuke snarled. Who could ever replace him? Huffing angrily, Sasuke looked at the e-mail address, wondering at how non-descript it was.

Nineteenhundred_and_1 at gmail dot com.

He debated with calling Naruto in the room to see if Naruto could find out information about his lover but was startled from his thoughts when he heard a knock at his door.

"Need me for anything else before I go?" Naruto asked as he poked his head in. Sasuke schooled his face to look the perfection of neutrality. He resisted the urge to glance at his computer screen.

"No. I'll see you tomorrow," Sasuke said before icily turning around and saving his e-mail before shutting down his computer to head home for the day.


Next Chapter: Dress Up


More info about why Sasuke hates Halloween next chapter. Oh, how I love to torment him, so. Hope you liked this chapter! ~ Jelp