Life's Little Changes

Oh Gods!!!... I suck!!!... *hides*... I promise I'll get another chapter up ASAP!!!

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Sasuke laid in bed, staring at the ceiling as his mind went wild with thoughts.

He had smiled. That idiot made him smile! It had been so long since he smiled like that, not a smirk, and he couldn’t clearly remember the last time.

And he had been nice to him, well as nice as he would ever get, even providing him dinner and finding out about Naruto’s past. Sasuke didn’t know where most of his so called friends lived, much less anything of their pasts. But every day they seemed to do more together, the blonde constantly cracking jokes while they study in an attempt to make his tutor’s icy shell crack.

Never once had the blonde asked for anything other than something to snack on, but still he kept him there to eat dinner.

Was he getting lonely?

It had been over a year since his aunt had gotten sick, just under a year since she died and left him everything, including the house he now lived in.

Then tonight’s dinner, the blonde sitting on his lap, their bodies so close as they shared food. He hadn’t shared food with anyone after what his brother did… but he wasn’t going to think about his psychotic brother.

Did Naruto know about his sexual preferences?

Had he been flirting with him?

This was all starting to make his head hurt.

After clearing his mind, sleep finally came to the normally brooding boy, a slight chuckle in his chest from a remembered joke that he had resisted laughing at when Naruto told it.

In another part of town a man yelled at his neighbor to stop banging on the wall.

Naruto stopped hitting his head immediately.

His mind was also in turmoil, thinking about what Shikamaru had said that day.

Okay, so Sasuke fed him when he really didn’t have to, the guy just probably had more money and food than he knew what to do with.

So he had ridden in his car for three days now and no one else got to, it would take too long for him to get to the other’s house otherwise! Yeah! That explains that!

The swimming was fun though! That had really brightened up his day and who knew Uchiha could actually be fun and get in a dunking fight?! The smile threw him though and he couldn’t help but regret not having a camera.

He would have made a mint selling a picture of that to the girls at school!

But what had possessed him to sit in Sasuke’s lap like that?

Well, his expression had been funny, not to mention the fact of making Mr. Perfect face a fear, he would have never guessed he would have a thing against sharing food.

What had Shikamaru meant by the comment of him moving in with Uchiha?

And that suddenly brought back the conversation with Gaara, did he really think there was something between them? But that makes no sense, they’re both guys!

He couldn’t help but grin at the thought of living in Sasuke’s house though. Heat in the winter, air conditioning in the summer, heated pool, all that food, it was like a little bit of paradise and Naruto had never lived that good, it was something he only dreamed about at night.

The place had to have two bedrooms, right? Sasuke didn’t just buy the house outright, did he? Bet he even has a soft bed not on the floor, with a box spring!

He almost began to hit his head on the wall, until remembering the guy threatened to come bang on his head for him.

Rolling onto his side, blue eyes slid closed and Naruto was out like a light, thankfully having remembered to set his alarm clock earlier.

His spirits were good as he walked to school with Shikamaru, actually having gotten up in time to make a bowl of ramen before leaving. He had food in his stomach, the sun was shining, Shikamaru had even made lunch so there wasn’t a worry about food, this was going to be a good day.

Especially after watching Shikamaru’s jaw drop at hearing about the water fight and Uchiha smiling.

“I thought he was in some accident or something and lost the ability to smile.”

“Yeah, I had thought he was born missing those facial muscles. Boy was I ever shocked!”

The rest of the day betrayed him though since almost all his teachers decided it was pop quiz time, the odd thing was, this time he knew the answers!

Most of his teachers didn’t assign work, so he only had an outline for history and a drawing for science.

“I wonder how many times Mr. Perfect will make me draw the stupid frog?”

“Naruto.”

He spun around, stopping on his trek to Sasuke’s car and finding himself suddenly surrounded by three boys, the angry red-head being the obvious leader.

“What do you guys want?”

“Off to your boyfriend’s house?”

“He isn’t my boyfriend, will you guys stop being gross!”

The two bigger ones growled, making the blonde swallow the lump trying to form in his throat.

“But you are going there, right?”

“Yeah, I have to study.”

All three chuckled darkly.

“Feel like making a bit of money?”

Alright, this guy was creepy to begin with, the way he kept trying to call the ice prince his boyfriend had him unnerved and now asking if he wanted to make money. He knew what people in his neighborhood meant when they asked that, so what was his game?

“How?”

“Well, I’m sure you’ve had a chance to look around Uchiha’s house, maybe find out some of his secrets?”

This was sounding worse.

“No, he doesn’t really let me roam.”

“You’re a smart boy, right? I’m sure you could find a way, look around, do some digging, maybe get some… compromising pictures.”

“No, no way.”

“I would make it worth your while.”

“That doesn’t matter! I’m not going to sell him out to you guys!”

“Not the answer we wanted to hear, Naruto. Not smart.”

Blue eyes got huge as he watched Gaara crack his knuckles, nodding to the other two who began to pull back fists.

Now it wasn’t that he couldn’t fight, he could hold his own just fine normally, but since he was pinned between three of them with no room to dodge…

This was going to hurt.

Naruto closed his eyes, bracing for an impact that didn’t come, and was shocked to hear one of the other guys cry out, an arm grabbing and pulling him away from the remaining two.

“Uchiha.”

It was a low growl and suddenly the blonde wasn’t the focus of their attention any longer.

“Gaara.”

Sasuke’s voice sounded cold enough to freeze lava instantly.

“So was it luck or brains in picking that one?” Dark eyes narrowed as they watched Gaara talk. “He was willing to take a beating instead of selling you out. Figures.”

Dark eyes blinked before instantly looking at Naruto who was now bravely glaring back from beside the Uchiha as Gaara and his two friends, one holding his wrist, walked away.

“Let’s go, idiot.”

This was baffling, why would Naruto take a beating for him? Did the blonde think himself noble or something?

It wasn’t until they were in the car that Naruto filled him in without prompting.

“That jerk! He wanted dirt on you, was even offering out money, how low is that! Then trying to scare me. Ha! Like he could.”

“Why didn’t you?”

Blue eyes blinked in confusion.

“Why didn’t I what?”

“Take his money, get something on me, you have the chance and I know you need the money.”

“Well.” Naruto scratched his head, facing forward again. “Cause that just wouldn’t be right, I mean, aside from your attitude and the names, you’ve been pretty nice to me so selling out a friend would be wrong.”

Wait! Hold the presses! When had he started considering Sasuke a friend?!!!

The normally brooding boy surprised them both, almost cracking a smile.

“Thanks.”

“Yeah, umm, sure.”

It turned out that he had to draw the frog three times that night before it wasn’t thrown away and deemed worthy to turn in. Neither mentioned it though as Sasuke went through and inked in Naruto’s pencil lines, smoothing out the overall picture.

“So what’s for dinner? I’m starved.”

“Shikamaru didn’t feed you?”

“Naw, he did but I’m a growing boy.”

This earned him an eye roll as the other stood, going through the freezer while the blonde cleared and set the table.

Later that night, dark eyes actually made certain Naruto was safely in the building before glancing at the surrounding neighborhood and grimacing.

How could anyone live like this? But then, these people most likely didn’t live here by choice.

Naruto watched the sleek, black car drive off from his window, wondering slightly why he had waited around this time.

“So how did last night go?”

“Pretty good. Check out my frog for science!”

Naruto pulled out his picture, happily waving it in front of Shikamaru’s face.

“When did you get this good?”

“Well I had to do it three times.”

“You even inked in the lines.”

“Actually Mr. Perfect did that, I think he has this thing about my work reflecting on him or something stupid like that.”

“Hmmm, interesting.”

“What is?”

But now it was too late, the clouds already had his friend’s attention, meaning the conversation was over.

His science teacher complimented him on his drawing, of course his grin over that was gone instantly as he followed it with a comment about how Uchiha must have helped.

Did all the teachers know that the ice prince was tutoring him?! Knowing Kakashi, yeah, they did.

By gym he was grumbling, making a dark eyebrow arch before Sasuke stole the ball, leaving Naruto to yell and chase after him.

This day started out alright, but after a history report being assigned, double math homework and an English test on Monday to study for, he couldn’t wait for it to end, to finally be the weekend.

Even if Mr. Perfect made him work on all of that tonight, he still had Saturday and Sunday to relax.

After school his mood almost improved as he walked towards the black car, seeing Sakura and the other popular teens around it and it’s owner.

“We were thinking of movies tonight, how about it Sasuke, you could sit by me.”

“I’ll sit by you, Sakura.”

All eyes were suddenly on him.

“Eww, why would I want you sitting by me? I might catch something.”

Alright, that was just one more to add to this great day so with a grumble he walked to the passenger door, opening it and throwing in his bag before noticing the shocked and angry looks everyone but Sasuke was sending him.

“What? Did I do something?”

The blonde girl, Ino, started to open her mouth only to be cut off by Sasuke.

“Ready to go?”

“Yeah, may as well get this work done, you’ll probably make me write my history paper six times.”

“Not if you do it right within the first five.”

He opened his mouth to retort, but was stopped with the need to scramble for his seat belt as they left two very pissed girls and confused looking boys behind.

Surprisingly it only took two tries before the paper was passed, leaving Naruto grinning in pride before his math book was tossed in front of him.

“Oh, man! My brain is going to melt! Why don’t you ever have any homework?”

“Because I have study hall, idiot.”

“Oh.”

Now why hadn’t he thought of doing that?!

By the time he had gotten a good way started, their dinner arrived and the Uchiha had to deal with Naruto deciding that they should share entrees.

They had just finished cleaning up and sat down to the work again when the door bell rang, causing the scowl to instantly return to Sasuke’s face as he stalked towards the door.

“Hey, Sasuke, since you couldn’t go earlier we brought the movies to you. Get rid of that loser yet?”

Naruto frowned, that stung, but he would have been surprised to see how dark eyes had turned to dangerous slits.

“No, we’re still working.”

“So let him work and you watch movies with us.”

“Whatever.”

Blue eyes were intent on his work, trying to pretend he hadn’t heard the conversation or the sounds of the others in the living room. So intent in fact that he didn’t realize that Sasuke had come back into the dining room until the Uchiha cleared his throat.

“Yeah?”

“Grab your book, if you don’t get a seat now then there won’t be any.”

Had he heard right?! Uchiha had just invited him to join in their movie night!

It was with a whoop and a grin that Naruto grabbed his stuff, claiming the loveseat while a much more sedate Sasuke walked into the room shaking his head at the antics.

Seating, as Naruto found out, was limited and simple, all the furniture was over stuffed suede and consisted of an arm chair, loveseat and couch, a glass coffee table in the center.

Kiba had taken the chair, Ino and Sakura each taking one end of the small couch while Neji set up the first DVD.

This left Sasuke and Neji to find seats and while the two girls were both smiling and patting the spot between them for the dark haired young man to sit, he walked right past them, standing in front of where Naruto was sprawled across his love seat.

“Make room, idiot.”

“Sure thing, Ice Prince.”

It only took a moment to shift his books, the girls glaring as if about to kill the blonde while the Uchiha sat next to him, immediately looking over his work and pointing out a mistake.

Neji had taken the spot on the couch and the first movie went well, holding everyone’s attention, aside from Kiba sending Naruto the occasional glare and Sasuke reminding him to work whenever they had to pause it.

Everyone stopped to stretch before the second movie was set up which left Neji and Kiba time to cure a bit of their curiosity.

“Naruto, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

He looked up to meet almost white eyes and barely prevented shivering.

“And exactly what are you doing?”

“Oh, my math homework.”

Kiba snorted, Neji merely seeming amused.

“I meant what are you doing at Sasuke’s?”

“He’s tutoring me, it was all Kakashi’s idea.”

“I see. I’m surprised, I mean Sasuke usually doesn’t tutor, lack of patience. Typically I am the one asked to tutor out of all of us.”

“Well, he’s bossy and picky and stuff but I’ve been passing all my tests.”

Sasuke was watching the conversation with cold eyes.

“I noticed you have had trouble with that problem, may I see?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Naruto handed over his paper, not noticing the way that the boy next to him tensed.

“Ah, here, this should be a 7.”

One pale finger pointed at a number and blue eyes widened, suddenly realizing the mistake.

“Hey, thanks! I thought I would be on that problem all night.”

“What are you trying to prove, Neji?”

The other boy barely feigned innocence when addressing his friend.

“Merely allowing him to know what a real tutor is supposed to be like.”

Now blue eyes were glancing between the verbal spar.

“What good would it be to tell him all the answers? I could do it, but it wouldn’t help him on tests.”

Lips pursed on the pale face, light eyes narrowing.

“Hey, yeah, Sasuke’s right, I mean, I have been getting really good grades on my tests now.”

A smug smirk answered the boy, both of them knowing that Sasuke had just won their private little battle of one-up-man ship.

“Are we going to start the movie?”

The girls instantly broke the tension in the air with their question as they sat down, handing the DVD controller to Neji.

It wasn’t halfway through the movie that Sasuke got up, returning shortly with a bottle of orange soda.

“Where’s mine?”

Even though they whispered once the raven took his seat, the eyes of both the other boys were on them as Sasuke smirked.

“Last one.”

“That’s not fair, I love those.”

“So.”

His face scrunched in concentration before he quickly grabbed the bottle, turning it up and gulping the contents before it was jerked from his hand.

“Don’t drink it all! Idiot, you could have asked.”

“Ahhhhh, now that hit the spot.”

Kiba’s jaw tightened and Neji’s dropped as they watched Sasuke check the bottle to see how much was taken before taking a drink himself.

The fact that the soda continued to silently pass between the two did not go unnoticed.

“Hey, someone make popcorn.”

“You ate dinner not that long ago, dolt.”

“Yeah, but movies without popcorn just seems wrong.”

Neji paused the movie as Sasuke got up with a grumble, digging out several bowls and bags of popcorn.

By the time he returned, there were three bowls in his hands, each full, the first two he sat on the coffee table where the other’s could reach and sat down with the third.

“Where’s mine?”

The bowl was held out to a grinning blonde, the movie already started though the other two guys were again shocked as they watched Sasuke share a bowl of popcorn with Naruto, exchanging contemplative looks.

The second movie ended, though Neji merely hit the mute button as he turned to face the two on the loveseat.

“Sasuke, what is going on?”

Said boy looked up from having taken a drink of soda and passed the bottle of root beer to the blonde.

“What do you mean?”

“That. You sharing.” He gestured with his hands, Kiba nodding in agreement and the girls seeming to just catch on. “I have known you for years, you never share food or drink with anyone, ever. I have watched you throw away entire sodas because one of us took a sip or you thought we had, witnessed you shove away food and order new from one fry being taken. Tonight you have not only shared an entire bowl of popcorn but two sodas with him, what is going on?”

“Nothing, mind your own business.”

Naruto bit his lip, debating on telling them that he had made Sasuke get past that, but a nudge to his foot and the look on the Uchiha’s face told him to stay quiet.

“It’s not nothing, are you dating him or something?”

Both girls had their jaw drop before looking ready to lynch the blonde.

“Whoa, whoa! We are not dating! What is wrong with you people?! Get your minds out of the gutter.”

“As I said, Neji, it is none of your business, now put in the last movie.”

The subject was dropped, though both the young men on the loveseat could feel the intense scrutiny they were under for the remainder of the night.


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