Karma

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

Karma
:three:


"Hey, when we grow up…” he began softly. The other boy turned toward him, tilting his head in an adorable way. “Let’s run away together.”

The boy with sun-kissed hair and eyes of the skies furrowed his brow for a moment before biting his lip. “To where?” he asked.

“Anywhere!” Sasuke crowed. He jumped to his feet and waved his arms excitedly. “We’ll be free like the birds, won’t you like that?”

“Anything Sasuke likes, I like.” The boy laughed as he clapped his hands together.

“Then let’s make a promise!” Sasuke said as he spat into his hand. The boy made a disgusted face and cringed. He spat into his hand and tentatively reached out so that they clasped hands.

“Eww.”

***

He turned the corner and froze, stepping back and leaning against the wall. Naruto and Hinata stood in the hallway, the blonde towering slightly over the petite woman making them seem perfect for each other. He watched as Naruto gripped Hinata’s shoulders lightly, before running a hand through her dark hair.

That was right; Hinata and Neji would depart tomorrow.

Sasuke smirked slightly; glad that soon he would be rid of Hyuuga Neji.

“It isn’t like you to lurk in the corners, Uchiha.”

Sasuke turned and faced his cousin, face quickly changing to a mask of boredom.

“It isn’t like you to accompany me, Hyuuga.”

The corners of Neji’s lips twitched as he glanced passed him to see Naruto hold Hinata’s hands in his. “Naruto-kun is devoted to make sure this marriage works,” he commented.

“Arranged marriages do not need love.” Sasuke replied, thinking of his parents.

“It will be a long time before they actually get married.” Neji agreed. “There are many things that could happen between now and then. But, fate has been already decided.”

Sasuke raised an eyebrow and wisely chose to stay silent.

Suddenly the two of them noticed that they were having a conversation and turned away. They stayed like that for a few moments before Neji cleared his throat.

“Hey. Why don’t we like each other?” he asked, slowly.

“I don’t know.” Sasuke replied, after a moment. “Maybe I just don’t like how you look.”

Neji smirked. “The feeling is mutual.”

“Were you guys peeking in on us?” came an amused drawl from behind them. They started and turned around; Hinata blushed as Naruto placed an arm around her shoulders.

“You are an idiot.” Sasuke scoffed as he turned to walk away.

“He’s kind of a prick, isn’t he?” He heard Naruto say to Neji. Rolling his eyes, he walked up the stairs to change for dinner.


***

The morning after the Hyuugas left, Sasuke entered the kitchen just as Itachi got up from his seat. Realizing they weren’t going to have Japanese breakfasts anymore, he inwardly sighed at the sight of pancakes.

Eating a pancake plain and pouring himself a cup of juice, he glanced at the clock and frowned.

“Is that idiot up yet?” he asked. Itachi placed his dishes in the sink before turning back to him.

“Naruto-kun left early this morning.” His brother told him. “He said something about early training.”

“Hm. I’m going.” Sasuke said as he grabbed his books and headed out the door.

He wasn’t surprised that Itachi did not make any other comments to him. Today was Sasuke’s birthday and he was sure that no one remembered, save for Sakura and Ino.

If Itachi remembered, he didn’t give a damn.

Every year he would go off alone, trying to find something to ease the ache of bitterness that he felt every year on this day. His memories stirred restlessly, but he would get no answer.

He sat in the park, under a big cherry tree. His head tilted back so he watched as the branches danced with an occasional breeze, moving the sun spots that peered through the foliage. He reached up, trying to grasp a piece of the sun, even though he knew that all his efforts were in vain.

“Sasuke.”

He stiffened before slowly raising his head, and stared at the intruder of his solitude.

“You left early this morning,” he said. Even though he had left his tone carefully neutral, it came out like an accusation.

Naruto tilted his head to the side and sat down next to him.

“Are you mad, Sasuke?” he asked, glancing at him with humor. Sasuke snorted and Naruto shook his head in dismay. “I went out to check on these.”

Sasuke straightened when he noticed that Naruto had something in his hand. He pulled off the soft blue cloth that was covering the suspicious bell-shaped object.

“Aren’t they cute?” Naruto asked as he held out a small cage holding two small birds. Sasuke watched as they chirped and fluttered restlessly within the confinement of bamboo.

Sasuke couldn’t help but stare. Those birds were small, with feathers that were primarily gray. Slight brushes of yellow and black tinted the tips of their wings.

“I love spring.” He heard Naruto say.

Sasuke kept his eyes on the birds and glanced at Naruto before slowly reaching over. Seeing that the blonde’s eyes were closed, he took the opportunity to unlatch the door of the cage. The birds fluttered once before escaping, flying around their heads in new found freedom. Then they circled and landed on the tree branch above them.

Naruto was gazing at him in amusement when Sasuke chanced a glance at him.

“Why did you do that?” he asked.

“They deserve to be free.” Sasuke replied, shortly. He crossed his arms and leaned his head back again.

There were a few more moments of silence before Naruto shifted.

“Well then, I demand a repayment from you,” he said. Sasuke frowned, raising his head slightly and glaring at the blonde.

“Hm.”

The blonde took the empty birdcage and placed it on the ground, before edging closer to him. Sasuke stiffened, leaning away as Naruto came closer. One hand brushed against his thigh before it was placed onto the bench between his legs. His skin tingled from the contact and his eyelid twitched.

“The fuck you think you are doing, Uzumaki?” Sasuke snapped. Naruto paid him no heed, watching him with calm blue eyes as he came closer.

Lips descended on his softly, and a warm tongue traced the outer lining of his bottom lip.

He stiffened and his breath caught in his throat. His mouth parted and he froze as Naruto plunged his tongue in.

Sasuke felt himself drowning into the kiss as it deepened. He moaned lowly in his throat as Naruto’s fingers buried themselves in the hair at the back of his head. An intense heat awakened at the pit of his stomach and to his dismay, traveled swiftly downwards.

When Naruto pulled back, he had a grin on his face. They were both flushed and their lips were swollen from the heated kiss.

“Happy birthday, Sasuke,” he said as he stood up. Sasuke watched dumbfounded as the blonde got up and walked away.

He sat alone still recovering from the event before straightening. Wearily, he reached up, grazing his bottom lip with his thumb.

And the birdcage was left forgotten on the ground.

***

The confusing turn of events left Sasuke in a thunderous mood. Everyone could sense the dark aura that surrounded him as far as a mile away. Even Ino and Sakura approached him with caution; they didn’t dare mess with him when he was in a bad mood.

The scene at the park kept replaying over and over in his mind like a rerun of a horrible show.

Naruto coming closer…

Naruto’s hand brushing his thigh…

Naruto kissing him.

He growled softly, eyebrows drawn together as he drowned out his professor’s voice.

But…it didn’t seem that he minded. The kiss had been surprising but his body had reacted to it like a moth drawn to a flame. It was as if it was something he had waited for, this whole time.

The kiss had made him feel lightheaded, almost giddy. They were feelings that the great Uchiha Sasuke was not accustomed to.

He buried his face in his hands, closing his eyes tightly as he racked his brain for answers.

“Since this is a small class, I would like you to get to know each other better.” The professor was saying as Sasuke was brought back to the present. “We have a new student joining us for the rest of the quarter. One of the other English teachers recommended him for this class level.”

His head shot up, eyes focusing on the blonde in front of the room.

Oh…hell no.

“Take any seat you see that is available, Naruto.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

He watched as Naruto walked towards him, and Sasuke shifted uneasily in his seat. The blonde man met his eyes for a brief second. He could feel himself drowning in the intensity of the gaze, but when he searched those depths. He found nothing.

It was either Uzumaki Naruto had no recollection of the event that happened this morning or he was a great actor. Sasuke decided to choose the latter.

But on the notion of his birthday, who had told him?

He didn’t know he was holding in his breath until Naruto passed him to sit in the empty seat in the row behind him.

His jaw clenched tightly and exhaled sharply through his teeth, only to tense when he heard Naruto take out his notebook.

He remained in his seat after class ended, and sat motionless in his seat as waited for Naruto to descend.

The blonde shuffled as he picked up his books and proceeded to walk pass him. Sasuke stood up in shock as he watched the blonde converse with the professor before walking out the door. Sasuke growled as he headed down the stairs to the sloping lecture hall and dashed out the door after the blonde. Weaving through a few students, he clamped his hand down onto Naruto’s shoulder.

“What was that all about, Uzumaki?” he hissed, angrily.

“What?” Naruto looked at him, clearly puzzled. “What are you talking about?”

“You kissed me earlier.” Sasuke said, making sure his voice didn’t carry out to unsuspecting ears.

“I’m sorry, Sasuke.” Naruto said with a confused look. “I really don’t know what you mean.”

He frowned and allowed his hand that was gripping the blonde’s shoulder, fall to his side.

“All right,” he said finally. “I’ll see you later.”

Naruto nodded, blue eyes mirroring the confusion that was sending his mind in turmoil.

What the fuck?

***

Sasuke-

I’ll be gone for the week on a business trip. Take some time to get to know Naruto-kun a little more. Happy birthday Sasuke, we’ll celebrate when I’m back.

Itachi.

***

Glowering faintly, the addressed boy ripped the paper from the magnet on the fridge and tossed it in the wastebasket. Then he walked out of the kitchen, falling onto the sofa carelessly.

His eyes shut tight as he bathed in the quietness of the home. It was always quiet when Itachi was home, but when he was gone, the atmosphere seemed melancholy.

When the phone rang he got up and reached over, grasping the cool plastic with his hand and held it up to his ear.

“Hello,” he stated, hoping it was a telemarketer to hang up abruptly on.

“Uchiha.”

Sasuke deadpanned and considered if he should hang up in anyways, instead he returned the cool greeting smartly.

“Hyuuga.”

It was silent for a moment before Neji cleared his throat.

“Is Naruto-kun there? I was wondering how he was faring.”

“Why do you care so much, Hyuuga?” Sasuke asked. “He’s fine here with me.”

“Can I talk to him?” He could practically see the frown on his cousin’s face.

“He hasn’t come home yet.” Sasuke replied. “I came home without him.”

“…There’s something you should know, Sasuke-san.” Neji told him, quietly. At the change of tone in his voice, Sasuke shifted uneasily that Neji had addressed him formally. “Naruto-kun, has been suffering from a bout of amnesia ever since he was a kid. Sometimes, he forgets things.”

“Did you tell him it was my birthday today?” Sasuke asked with a frown. There was a paused before Neji cleared his throat, shakily.

“It’s your birthday?”

“Yes.” Sasuke replied.

“Well, happy birthday Sasuke.” Neji responded. “But, no I did not know it was your birthday today.”

Sasuke’s frown deepened.

“But I do know today is the anniversary of his mother’s death.” His cousin said, softly. “I would appreciate it if you don’t leave him alone.”

“Aa. Thank you for telling me.” Sasuke said before hanging up.

He took a minute to absorb the information before grabbing his keys and running out the door.

Quickly, he got into his car and his fingers fumbled to insert the key properly.

You better still be at school, Naruto.

***

Kisu.