Spiral Falling

Title: Spiral Falling
Author: BeccaAmon
Genre: AU
Pairings: Naruto x Sasuke x Naruto
Warnings: Shounen ai, yaoi, language
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply.
AN: Thank you for being patient. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 25 – Distractions


The jingle of swinging bells announced their arrival at the local ramen joint. A wave of warmth and the rich fragrance of noodles and broth curled around and pulled them further inside. Heads looked up from their meal, a few familiar faces smiled and waved in greeting.

"Naruto! It's been awhile. How have you been?" the shop's owner gestured for them to come in just as a waitress bowed and led them to a vacant table.

He smiled, thanking the waitress, Shizune, and returned a few greetings as they sat. Sakura and Lee took their seats, leaving one chair empty, where upon Sakura placed their bags.

Naruto noticed Lee had held the door and now the chair for Sakura. He wanted to snicker at how flattered she looked, but restrained himself for fear of ruining the moment. As soon as she wasn't looking though, he slapped an approving hand over Lee's shoulder, grinning in amusement. Lee for his part turned a deep shade of red not befitting a guy, but grinned back with pride.

They took a moment to look the menu over--or rather, Sakura and Lee did. Naruto knew the menu inside and out, he worked there after all.

“Wow, there's so much to choose from. Oh! I like that, but…” Sakura tugged at her hair, eyes and index finger moving over the choices as she chewed her lips in thought.

Lee looked like he wanted to help Sakura with her choice, but backed off and was smart enough to know that she was a big girl and could manage on her own. Naruto shook his head and looked over the menu even though he had no need to. It was just something to do.

“May I get you guys something to drink?” Shizune came back, tucking her hair behind her ears. The place was packed, he could see she was tired, but her smile was still genuine.

Having already decided what they wanted, they ordered their drinks and their meal. Excusing himself, Naruto made his way to the owner, behind the bar. He leaned over and waved a greeting, showing his best smile.

“Hey, Boss.”

“Hey, kid. How's everything? We miss you around here.” The owner, Tsunade, welcomed, ruffling Naruto's hair as she was prone to do.

“It's all good.” He lied. “I was wondering if you could squeeze me in for a few shifts.”

Tsunade, ever perceptive, eyed him seriously. “What's the matter kid? You in some kind of trouble?”

Naruto laughed softly, waving the concern away. “Nothing like that, Boss. I just miss this place, you know? Besides, I got a lot of time in my hands all of a sudden.”

The owner flicked Naruto's forehead, raising a skeptical brow. “You're a terrible liar. But yeah, I could actually use you. These trainees are more trouble than anything else. Bunch of thumb-less monkeys. ” She shook her head in dismay.

Naruto grinned sheepishly. He was never good at lying. “So you got something for me?”

“Yeah.” She took out the schedule book, paper yellowed with age and constant use, everything written in her beautiful, illegible scrawl. She never did like to rely on technology, despite Shizune's prompting that everything should be saved in the less frequently used computer at the back room. “I have a few afternoons vacant and some of the weekend staff took day-offs, hacking out some half-assed excuses. When are you available?”

Grinning, Naruto scratched the back of his head. “Heh. All of them?”

Tsunade leaned over, her ample breasts resting over the smooth counter's surface. “Okay, give. Last time I needed you, you were so busy you barely had time to make excuses before you hung up the phone.”

A flash of memory intruded his mind. Sasuke had leaned over him, pulling the phone away, returning it to its cradle, before nipping on his ear and covering his body with his.

Naruto heard Sakura call him over, her voice sufficiently chasing the image away. His meal had arrived. He pushed away from the bar, away from Tsunade's well meaning eyes. “It's nothing, Boss. Like I said, I missed this place.”

“Don't insult my intelligence, kid. Go get some food in you. You look like you need it. Stop by before you disappear again. We'll work your schedule out.”

Naruto nodded, thanking her. Her attitude may be grating at times, but she was a cool boss. She was easy to talk to and only treated him like a kid when he acted like one. He had gotten the job by fluke. Being a regular customer, he'd come to know the going-ons of the business, as well as the clientele. One day, the place had unexpectedly become busy, with only a skeleton staff on hand. He had volunteered to help. He did very well and she hadn't let him leave until he had filled out a form and got paid.

Running his fingers through his hair, he decided to leave the thinking for later. Making a bee-line toward his hot, long awaited meal, he prepared an excuse she might believe.

Taking his seat, he noticed Sakura's curious look, but she didn't say or ask anything.

“How is it?” He asked after they had tasted their respective meals.

Lee was busy slurping noodles from his bowl so he turned to Sakura who was trying to eat as cleanly as she could. But eating noodles was a messy job. She seemed to be faring well, though. Placing her chopsticks down, she patted a napkin over her lips.

“It's wonderful Naruto. We should bring the others here next time.”

He gave a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He agreed with her and then turned back to his own bowl without further comment.

“I mean everyone, Naruto.” She pursued carefully, with great emphasis.

“Ah, Sakura-san, perhaps this isn't the time to…” Lee warned as gently as he could, a little flustered.

Sakura waved him away and leaned over. Naruto could see her determined expression from the corner of his eye.

“You're not going to let it go just like that are you? Without any explanation?” She pressed further.

“But Sakura-san, I think they need space. At the moment, things seems to be…” Lee interjected.

“What? No way. This is the best time to talk it out. Before they have the time to think things out and forget.”

“I don't think what happened could be easily forgotten, Sakura-san.” Lee winced.

“Of course not! But the longer it gets, the more time they have to hide and ignore it!” She turned to Lee then, to get her point across.

Naruto wiped his mouth, feeling as if they had forgotten he was there. Their voices seemed to fade and the injuries he had received earlier throbbed in reminder of what had passed.

As soon as Sasuke had turned his back on him, Naruto had collected himself desperately. He had launched himself toward Sasuke, anger renewed. Sasuke had looked surprised and had been open to his attack, but Lee had gotten in the way out of nowhere, and Shikamaru and Kibahad held Naruto down. Sasuke had left the class then and Sakura had run after him. Naruto had been led to the infirmary by Hinata. His friends had insisted he get someone to take a look at his injuries no matter how small. He could have lived with the injuries; he hardly felt them. Besides, his scrapes and bruises weren't the part of him that hurt the most.

Naruto played with the edge of his adhesive bandage, the sticky part clinging to his fingers. He listened with half an ear to Lee and Sakura's argument. Lee was the first to admit defeat, a rare occurrence for the senior, but, Naruto guessed love could do that to a person.


“See you tomorrow, Naruto!” Sakura waved, disappearing into a packed bus, with Lee.

Naruto blinked in surprise, feeling disoriented as he stood two blocks away from the ramen shop. The soles of his shoes scraped against the pavement as he made a slow full turn, coming face to face with the bus stop once more. The smell of spices was lifted off his uniform by the breeze, telling him he hadn't imagined going into the shop. He tried to recall how he had gotten to the bus stop, but drew a startling blank.

Scratching his head in thought, he walked the few blocks to go home. Naruto heard the whoosh of cars passing by, felt the mild heat of the setting sun on his shoulders and remembered the cool kiss of glass on his palm when he slid his balcony door open. He couldn't recall anything more as he found himself once again at a different place.

He stood outside, on his balcony and gripped the rails with nerveless fingers as his knees buckled underneath him.

“What the hell?” He wanted to know.

Dizziness assailed him, bile rising up his throat, sour and thick; tasting slightly of ramen. Blood drained from his face, his knees gave out and he fell on his ass. On the cement floor of his balcony, he sat still, unfeeling. His heart beat loud in his ears.

When he lifted his head next, it was already evening. His apartment was heartbreakingly silent. It was also dark, because he hadn't turned any lights on when he came home. He got up unsteadily and went inside. He flopped down onto the couch and laugh softly, bitterly.

“Oh.” The exclamation, although uttered softly, had been too loud, shaking him deep within.

Naruto reached inside his pocket and pulled out his pendant and chain. Sasuke had given it back to him. Wasn't this what he had wanted all along? He pondered. But, things had changed and now he longed for something different, for someone else. How selfish was that? He laughed despairingly.

Separating the clasps, he slid the chain around his neck and fastened it close at the back. He waited for the relief that came with the knowledge that the pendant was once again his. It came, he felt it, but it wasn't what he had expected. He shrugged in the darkness. In time, he thought, it will feel like it belonged to him again.


The following days were filled with frantic jogs from school to work. As promised, Tsunade had given him shifts starting an hour after school and lasting until nine in the evening, which gave him plenty of time to do his homework once he came home. On days that he didn't work, he spent more time with friends, going over to their houses, or to the arcade, or they sometimes visited him at work. His routine had changed dramatically. He'd discovered more things about his friends that he hadn't known before. He had met their families and even their pets. It was as if a chapter of his life had closed and a new one had begun.

He looked through the glass, to the people and cars that zoomed past, and he corrected himself. He refused to accept that that chapter was over. He never did like unhappy endings.

“Hey, Naruto! If you have time to gawk, you have time to help out at the back.” Tsunade chided from behind the bar.

He finished wiping the table quickly and carried the dishes to the sink, winking at his boss as he passed. Pushing the swinging doors open, his eyes widened at the piles of dishes waiting to be washed. Their busiest time had been fifteen minutes ago. Now, only a few regulars would be trickling in, giving them time to recover from the rush and get ready for the next.

He ran his fingers through his hair and then rubbed at his eyes tiredly. He had forgotten what it was like to work several days in a row. It was exhausting and very demanding on the body and mind. Sleep hadn't been coming too easily as well and somehow school work had doubled. Or so it seemed. He walked to one of the sinks and began placing the dirty tableware into the dishwasher. Distractedly, he threw out leftovers into the trashcan as he remembered why it felt as if the workload would never end.

They had done their homework together. Helping each other out, competing who finished first and who got the correct answers. Sasuke and he had. Sometimes, while in the middle of it, one of them would distract the other with a touch, a kiss, a look, and the work would remain unfinished and forgotten. He remembered finishing the work during the bus ride to school or outside in the hallways before class begun. Sasuke would smirk at him in that way he had, distracting him even more.

“Hey!”

Naruto jumped at the voice and yelped as he was forced into a headlock. His cheek pressed against Tsunade's breast as she tightened her hold. He struggled, hands trying to pull her arm away, but failed pathetically.

“Boss…” He groaned, losing air quickly. He tried to wiggle away, but she held on tighter.

“I've been calling you, but you just leered at the dirty dishes. You like spoons that much, Naruto?” Tsunade grinned, turning his head to face her.

“What are you…” He gasped for air. “talking about?”

“I'm not paying you to space out. You've been distracted all week.” She observed.

“No, I haven't.” He denied. She tightened her hold.

“Okay! Okay!” He tapped out, hitting a nearby counter.

She didn't let go of him, but loosened her hold and patted his head briefly. When he stilled at the affectionate touch, she let go.

“Hey, kid. You're worrying us, you know?” She said in that tone that always got him to spill his guts to her.

Stifling a weary sigh, he told her there was nothing to worry about and promptly went back to work. Without turning to see her expression, he knew she was giving him that disappointed look that made him feel like he had kicked a puppy, but he still didn't tell her anything. He stopped a stubborn flinch in time when he felt her squeeze his shoulder reassuringly. She told him that she was there for him if he needed to talk to someone. He nodded in thanks and then she smacked him, because thanking her meant there was something wrong and he had just lied to her. He rubbed at his smarting head and glared at his boss' retreating form, hearing her mutter something about the stubborn youth of today.

“Crazy old hag…” Naruto sighed and went back to work. He wondered why he was surrounded by females who just loved to mother him. He smiled softly then. It was small, but it was real. In truth, he was thankful for them. They cared.


He didn’t have work on Saturday and Kiba had invited him to come over his place. Shino had bought the ninja game for him as a gift and Kiba couldn't wait to kick Naruto’s ass. Ignoring who the game reminded him of, Naruto agreed and promised Kiba a good ass kicking. Shino of course would also be joining them. Shikamaru and Chouji had backed out, claiming to have been kidnapped by both their parents for a family friend's baby shower. With long suffering faces, they had trudged their way home, making sure to drag their soles against the pavement, asking for their pity. Instead, they had laughed at the pair and wished them plenty of luck.

Kiba's room was, predictably, a mess. Clothes were strewn everywhere; on the bed and on the floor. A sock clung precariously on a lampshade and Naruto side-stepped a banana peel.

“Your room's a sty, Kiba.” It was the obvious, but it still had to be said. In case the condition of his room had fully escaped Kiba's notice.

Kicking a few things under his bed and pulling the comforter over some clothes on the mattress, Kiba turned to him and grinned. “This just means that I'm a real man, Naruto. I'm not picking anything up. That's for the women to do.”

For his bravado, his sister who had entered the room in time to hear the entire thing beat him to within an inch of his life.

“No, it just means you're still a kid who constantly has to be reminded to clean after himself.” She snorted, placing a tray of snacks and drinks on a less cluttered part of Kiba's desk.

Picking himself up, Kiba frowned at her turned back. Naruto held in the snicker that wanted to escape and he imagined Shino was doing the same behind his high collared jacket.

Suddenly, she turned and looked him up and down, making Naruto feel self-conscious.

“How have you been, Naruto-kun?” She inquired. He had only seen her once or twice since she was hardly home, usually in school or at work.

“I'm fine, thanks.”

She grinned and he noted Kiba grinned the same way; with a lot of teeth. Naruto had seen a cat boldly scratch a dog's nose once. High on life, it probably thought it could escape easily. But there had been construction in that alley that week and the way had been blocked. After rubbing its nose against its leg, the dog had looked at his then attacker. Kiba and his sister's grin reminded Naruto of the look on that dog's face once it had realized the cat had nowhere else to go.

“Kiba!” she pointed at her brother. “Clean up a little will ya? One of your friends might get hurt. And there's this smell in here.” She sniffed and waved a hand in front of her nose. “Find it and get rid of it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Kiba grumbled. He started picking up the clothes scattered all over his floor and tossing them to a nearby laundry basket. Shino set up the game and Akamaru, Kiba's dog, waltzed in, sniffed around and climbed onto Kiba's bed like it owned the place.

“Okay, you boys have fun. You're staying for dinner aren't you?” Before Naruto could protest, she answered for them, winking as she left the room.

“If you die from her cooking, I'm not responsible.” Kiba muttered under his breath. Akamaru's chew-toy hit Kiba’s turned back. Naruto looked outside the room to see the woman descending the stairs.

“I think she likes you.” Kiba teased.

Shaking his head, Naruto grabbed a nearby chair to sit on and took the game controller Shino offered him. They started the game, noise bouncing off the wall. Shino rested his back against the bed's side just as Kiba climbed onto the bed. He lay on his stomach, arms circling Shino's shoulders, chin resting on one.

Naruto looked away, flushing a little. He knew they were together. However, the pair hardly showed affection. Kiba had done most of the obvious touching, and the way he threw his arms around Shino was sometimes more than just friendly. But if Naruto had never found out about their relationship, he would just see them as close friends. Naruto flushed a little more, remembering where he was. His eyes darted to Kiba's bed and he didn’t dare imagine what had gone on in this room when the pair had been alone.

“Damn, Naruto! Shino's kicking your ass!” Kiba laughed.

Shaking his distraction away, Naruto had enough time to dodge Shino's attack but was far too late to save his character as it was sucked dry of energy by Shino's. He groaned and hit the button to play again. He concentrated on winning this time. A couple of games later, Kiba had joined in. Naruto excused himself to go to the washroom while the pair was busy playing.

Coming back, Naruto paused just as he was about to enter Kiba's room. He had pulled the door closed when he left, fearing the game's noise would irritate Kiba's sister but the latch must have caught and the door hadn't closed properly. Through the sliver of an opening, Naruto saw Shino's head turned to Kiba as Kiba kissed him hungrily, hands pulling Shino's shirt up to reveal tight, toned abs. One of Shino's hands, the one not holding the controller, was buried in Kiba's wild hair, pulling the head closer. One of the boys groaned loudly and Naruto was startled enough to step back. He continued his backward walking until he could no longer see into the room. His thighs encountered a low table in the hallway and he leaned onto it. He felt the embarrassing tightness in his pants and closed his eyes in frustration.

Upon seeing Kiba and Shino, he had recalled a time when he was doing his school work, sitting on the floor and using the bed as a makeshift desk. Sasuke had come up behind him and kissed his breath away. Remembering how Kiba's hand had crawled down Shino's chest reminded him of how Sasuke had reached around him and slid a hand into his pants. Naruto gripped the table's edge as his body remembered clearly how Sasuke's hand had wrapped around him and stroked with sure fingers until he came. His ears felt warm just as they had been then when Sasuke's breath caressed the side of his face and his mouth left open and wet kisses on the nape of Naruto's neck.

Sighing loudly, Naruto went back to the washroom and threw cold water on his face. He waited until his erection went away enough that it wasn't obvious. He wasn't about to jack off at his friend's washroom with them two rooms away and Kiba's sister downstairs cooking their dinner. Even if that wasn't the case, jacking off at someone else's house just didn’t sit well with him. He groaned pathetically when he recalled almost giving Sasuke a blowjob that one time they came over Chouji's place for a barbecue party.

“That's just sad, Naruto.” He berated himself. “just a week away from the guy and you can't even think straight.”

Gathering his wits about him and schooling his expression into one of nonchalance, he made his way back into the room, making sure his footsteps were loud enough to be heard. He looked through the gap first before entering, making sure he wasn't about to walk into something that was potentially embarrassing for all of them.

“Hey, where'd you go? Got lost?” Shino asked and Naruto couldn't meet the boy's eyes when he saw the well-kissed lips.

Plopping back onto his vacated seat, he grabbed a cookie off the snack tray and found his controller where he had left it. He shrugged, not really knowing how to tell Shino, 'Oh just saw both of you sucking face, got a hard on and had to take a couple of minutes to tell it to go away', so he kept his mouth shut.

The game continued on until they were called down for dinner. Despite Kiba's claims on his sister's lack of cooking skills, dinner was wonderful. Even the dog's food looked edible. She served them at least two portions and Naruto was too nervous to protest. Something other than ramen in his stomach was good once in awhile.

He didn't leave until early evening, and was sent home with a bag of food enough for five people. Shino was sleeping over, which didn't surprise Naruto much, so he traveled home alone. At the train station, he saw his cousin flirting with some guys and he only shook his head at how easy she made herself sound. Despite, recalling all the harsh things she had said to him, he still couldn't help but feel protective toward her. She looked so small when standing among such tall, built young men. She was still family. Besides, he just felt unsettled for any girl surrounded by a bunch of guys. He felt a measure of relief however, when he saw that two of her friends were with her.

At home, he put on music to fill the silence. Upon entering his bedroom, he was assailed with Sasuke's lingering scent. He furrowed his eyebrows. He had been sleeping on the couch for most of the past days and had only used his bedroom to get clothes and such. He scrambled quickly to his front door, pushed it open and ran a finger over the keyhole. He paused in his careful scrutiny and almost laughed at how ridiculous he was being.

He snorted. Right, as if he could tell that Sasuke had been in his apartment simply by looking at his door lock.

“You're losing it, man.” He murmured, closing the door. He went back to his room to get out of his school clothes. As he was about to slip into a pair of pajamas he changed his mind. Instead, he took a shower, jacked off and spent the rest of the night watching cars outside his balcony.

Waving goodbye to the night staff, Naruto stepped out of the shop. he pulled his school jacket closer when the wind picked up, adjusted his bag on his shoulders and made his way toward the bus stop. Claiming a bench, he fished for his student pass while he waited for his ride. He could walk home, but he was too exhausted to even attempt those few blocks.

Catching sight of a car slowing out of the corner of his eye, Naruto stopped cleaning his nails with his bus pass and looked up. He eyed the car that had stopped in front of the bus shelter. There weren’t any stop lights or signs nearby, he noted. He wondered if the driver was lost. The dark window from the passenger's side slipped down and Naruto was caught off guard for a moment to see Sasuke gazing at him. As the light of the car's interior came on, he realized it wasn't Sasuke. It was his brother. He tried to recall the name.

“Itachi-san?” He asked, voice lifting higher to beat the noise of traffic.

Itachi gestured for him to come closer and he felt stupid when he actually did. Leaning into the window like how parents and teachers in elementary told kids to never do.

“Naruto-kun. Do you need a ride?” The deep timbre of the man's voice startled him.

Naruto agreed when he looked into the pair of dark eyes and the all too serious expression, but he kicked himself mentally for it.

"Uhh," Naruto stuttered, wishing for a more intellegent reply, "No, I'm alright, Itachi-san."

Naruto frowned at the almost smile on Itachi's face, but when he checked again, it seemed as if it had never been there.

“I apologize. You must be wondering why I'm here. I saw you. You're sort of easy to spot.” There was definitely a small smile then. Naruto was sure. “How about I park somewhere nearby and we can go for some coffee and dessert. We never really did get to talk.”

Naruto recalled that time. The crossing lights, sunset colors and Sasuke's palpable fury. That had been when Naruto had felt the shift in Sasuke, when suddenly his friend became diminished.


Naruto checked his watch and noted the early hour. He didn't really have a lot of schoolwork to do and coffee and dessert didn't sound so bad. It would also give him a chance to get to know Sasuke's brother. Maybe even answer a few questions that had been bothering him.

“There's a dessert shop just a block away.” Naruto pointed to his right. How about I meet you there?” He suggested.

Itachi looked the direction he pointed consideringly. With a brief nod, the man turned on his signal. Naruto moved away as the car rejoined the flow of traffic. He walked the block as the sound of the bus screeching to a halt told him he had just missed his ride home.

Naruto found Itachi beside his parked car and they went inside together. The place was dimly lit. Soft jazz music buzzed from the hidden speakers and comfortable looking chairs and sofas were arranged in sections. There were also practical chairs surrounding tables on another side, for customers who preferred those over cushioned seats. The night staff was sociable and welcoming, and most notably running on caffeine.

Naruto took a while to consider what he wanted, so he let Itachi order before him. The man was quick and decisive, when Naruto was still stuck between choosing coffee or hot chocolate. In the end, he felt hot chocolate was the better choice. They found seats near the window and sat in front of each other.

Naruto cradled the cup between his chilled palms and tried to sit still. It was sort of difficult with Itachi's gaze prickling the small hairs on his skin.

“Heh. Nice place, huh? I’ve never actually been here since I go straight to work but, I should have tried this place out a long time ago…” He stopped himself before he really began rambling.

Itachi merely nodded, not even looking around. He lifted a well manicured hand to touch the handle of his ceramic cup, but didn’t lift it to drink. The action reminded Naruto of his own drink and he was the one that took a sip. Flinching slightly at the hot liquid, he only succeeded in a small slurp before deciding it was still too hot.

After a short silence, Itachi spoke.

“How is school, Naruto-kun?” He asked.

Naruto looked away from watching the steam curling above his cup and gave the automatic reply. “It’s fine, thanks.”

A stray lock of hair fell into Itachi’s face, making Naruto’s finger itch to move it away.

“Really?” His companion asked.

“Yeah.” The man, Naruto thought as Itachi pushed the rebellious hair back in its place, was distracting. Every move he made demanded attention. Naruto found his ears singling out even the softest sigh of fabric against fabric.

“I’ve visited your school and had noticed your name was among the top ten students on the honor role. That’s a feat worth mentioning, don’t you think?”

So the guy wasn’t just making conversation, Naruto thought.

“It’s no big deal.” Naruto quickly dismissed.

“Had it always been that way?”

A small ball of discomfort dropped in the pit of his stomach. Naruto turned his cup around, its bottom sliding against the face of the saucer. “No, I didn’t even use to be among the thirty outstanding students.” He grinned sheepishly.

“That’s wonderful. What motivated you to do better?” Itachi looked like he really wanted to know, but the man was hard to read. Really, Naruto was just guessing.

“It wasn’t what.” At Itachi’s curious raise of a brow, Naruto elaborated. “It was who. Someone motivated me to do better.”

Itachi made an understanding sound and gazed out through the looking glass.

“Sa…Sasuke is among the top three. Isn’t that amazing?” Naruto approached. The name felt heavy on his tongue, but he wanted to know how Itachi felt. A deep silence followed and then Itachi turned away from the sight of the outdoors.

“Yes, but he’s not the first or even the second.” Itachi said.

“What?!” Naruto stood in surprise, the legs of his chair scraping against the floor. A few heads turned his way. He wanted to demand why the man thought so little of Sasuke’s accomplishment, but restrained his sudden anger first. At that moment, he had felt protective of Sasuke. It had surprised him as much as Itachi’s reply had. He took his seat once more and looked expectantly at Itachi.

“Sasuke works hard to keep his place. Isn’t that something you can be proud of?” He asked, frowning.

Itachi rested his elbows on the table’s surface, intertwining his fingers and looking at Naruto as if speaking to a child. “But he shouldn’t have to work hard, Naruto-kun. It should come to him easily. I believe he has been distracted. If he focused more, his name should be at the top of that list without fearing that it would be taken away.”

Naruto was taken aback as he began to understand what sort of guy Itachi was; the realization only left him more confused. “Distracted? Sasuke has never been anything but focused.”

Itachi sat back, his hands falling to finger the smooth edge of the ceramic cup. As if deep in thought, he began to explain. “Has Sasuke ever told you, Naruto-kun? That in our family we were expected to achieve great heights and once we’ve reached them, to climb even higher?”

Naruto got that impression a while ago. He nodded for Itachi to continue.

“In our family, Naruto-kun, our spoons did not touch. Our hands rarely met and words of acknowledgement were almost never given. To receive that pat on the back, one has to accomplish something extraordinary.”

“So, what are you saying?” Naruto had to ask, even though he was starting to get the idea.

“Have you spoken to Sasuke lately, Naruto-kun?” Itachi answered with his own question. He started to get up, straightening the wrinkles off his coat.

“What?” Naruto faltered. “No, I haven’t lately.”

Rising to his full height, Itachi tilted his head and with an almost smile he said, “I’m saying, that’s good, Naruto-kun.”

The man left Naruto blinking in his wake. Only when the bell sounded as the door opened and then closed did he understand what Itachi had meant. He got off his seat quickly and ran outside. Itachi was about to get into his car when Naruto stopped and stood a few steps away.

“Sasuke had accomplished a lot of extraordinary things! Maybe your head’s too far up your ass to see it! And no, I won’t stay away from him!” Naruto spat vehemently.

Itachi blinked in surprise and then a slow smile grew on his handsome face. Without a word, he stepped into his car, revved up the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.

Naruto stood in the parking lot, his body taut with determination. He decided then, that Sakura was right. He wasn’t going to let Sasuke go just like that.


*

Crystal glasses, golden liquid, and bright chandeliers everywhere. Classical music teased his ears. Men in suits, women in gowns, shiny shoes and high-heeled soles. Sasuke scuffed the toe of his expensive dress shoes on the plush carpet, leaned against the banister and looked over at the meandering mass. It had been ages since he had agreed to come to one of these galas his parent’s colleagues threw. As he sighed in boredom yet again, he remembered why he had stopped attending. No less than two hours and he had already begun to regret his decision to come. At first, he had thought that a party was better than holing himself in his room and wallowing in his own stupidity. But now, screaming at himself and yearning futilely seemed more appealing to him compared to this.

He nodded in greeting as a crowd of guys around his age passed by. He remembered a few of them. Familiar faces with forgotten names. They had asked him to join them earlier, he had felt tired just looking at them and excused himself quickly. He was relieved that they left him alone now. He stayed mostly in the shadows, at the corners and the blind spots. He wanted to be alone. No he only wanted to be with one person. The one he had hurt a week ago.

Leaning his elbows onto the banister, he found his father among the crowd. At another corner, his mother charmed the ladies and the gentlemen. She looked lovely; he should have told her. His father hadn’t. Sasuke planned to tell her later, just so she knew her hard work had been appreciated. But, somehow he knew it wouldn’t mean as much to her. It was, as he had predicted, too much to hope that things had changed.

Looking back to where his father sat, Sasuke recognized a few of the men. CEOs and partners, tycoons of the business world. His father looked regal, important. He looked like he belonged. A chair beside him was empty. Itachi must be somewhere else.

Looking down at his hands, in that moment Sasuke could only hope to attain such achievements. He had gotten rid of his distraction. Now what? He asked himself.

“Sasuke-kun, wasn’t it?”

Startled, Sasuke turned to find the owner of the voice. He found a man in an exquisite suit, long dark hair framing a pale shapely face. He met startling eyes and a smile that felt more personal that it should have. Rendered speechless, Sasuke could only blink as the man laughed a most boisterous sound. A hand was held out to him and he lifted his hand to meet it, as if pulled by strings.

“Orochimaru. An Acquaintance of your brother.” The man introduced himself.

“Oh.” Sasuke pulled his hand back, ignoring the urge to wipe it against his slacks.

The man laughed again, as if he knew what Sasuke had been thinking. Gesturing to the crowd below, Orochimaru raised an amused brow at Sasuke.

“You don’t look like you’re enjoying yourself. Not your thing, Sasuke-kun?”

“No,” He agreed. “It’s not my thing.”

Nodding in understanding they watched the crowd for awhile. Feeling like he couldn’t help himself, Sasuke asked how the man knew his brother.

“Oh, we’ve crossed each other’s path on several occasions. Kept the same circles and clashed swords once or twice.”

Sasuke nodded. It was a likely explanation. Most of the people present were connected to each other in some form or other.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Sasuke-kun.”

The way Orochimaru had said his name compelled Sasuke to abandon his focus on the crowd, to silent his thoughts and tell his heart ‘not now’. His eyes widened as Orochimaru went on. Every word, every smile, made his excitement grow. The easy going presence that Orochimaru had presented earlier had vanished. It had become dominant and the man lorded over his attention. Sasuke listened avidly.

Suddenly, a path had been handed down to him and to his shame he had pounced on it greedily. He told Orochimaru that he would think upon it, but they both knew Sasuke had already agreed.


The next day, he could barely concentrate in class. He was only too happy to get out of the stifling room and go to the library to find a few reference books he had needed. His hand and eyes skimmed titles absently, mind still running last night’s conversation over and over again. In his inattention, he didn’t notice the pair of hands that reached for him until he was turned and pressed against the bookshelves. He dropped the few books he carried and stared surprised into very familiar eyes.

“Sasuke…” A husky whisper.

“Na--” He was cut off as soft lips descended on his and rendered his knees to useless jelly. The hard body supported him and his arm clutched at Naruto’s uniform shirt. To pull closer or to push away, he didn’t know. The boy’s tongue, lips and teeth trapped him, sucked him in and he was helpless. Naruto’s scent assaulted his nose, the hard body against his made him shudder. It made him want to break.

Gathering his quickly scattering wits, he took his lips back and shoved Naruto off him. He wiped his mouth on a sleeve and glared heatedly at his one desire.

Naruto looked smug. Pleased, as if he had won something. And when Sasuke had checked on his fragile resolution, Naruto might have done just that.

“What the hell are you doing?” He asked once he had enough composure for speech.

A quick hand grabbed his and he felt the kiss of metal on his palm. He didn’t have to look down to know what had been given to him.

“Give it back to me when you really mean it, asshole.” Naruto growled. He swiped his thumb across his wet bottom lip, making Sasuke recall biting it, and turned to leave.

Left alone, Sasuke stared down at the spiral pendant and cursed. He sank to the carpeted floor slowly, heaved a sigh and shut his eyes tight.

He wasn’t sure whether it had been a sigh born of frustration, or of relief.

TBC