The Restricted Section

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I do not own the basis for the story idea ‘The Restricted Section’.


The Restricted Section
By 11


Chapter 04

Today was the day… the most horrible day to ever be, or at least the first of the progressively horrible days that would surely come. Why did he ever accept that crazy proposal anyway; for whatever reason it was not worth it to have been publicly humiliated like that and then have to ‘by his own volition’ be near, or within a fifteen foot radius, of the most execrable person imaginable.

Well either Naruto had misplaced his manly pride or had become a completely insane moron. He hoped it was the former; and he did hope he found his pride again after this sordid affair was over and done with.

Naruto’s hands clenched against his side and he forced them to uncurl, only to clench again. Every now and then his leg started shaking itself unconsciously and he had to firmly plant his foot back on the ground. Blue eyes glanced up at the clock across the way in the mall central area.

Sasuke was late. By one minute… he was probably required to wait at least one more minute before he could leave and just say; he thought Sasuke wasn’t coming. If the guy didn’t show for at least one more sixty second interval Naruto could jump ship and wouldn’t have to do anything; today at least.

Wouldn’t that be lovely? But no, the world was always against him. So of course such a thing did not occur. Luck is dead.

“Waiting long?”

Oh and Sasuke was a real phony. He actually was ‘trying’ to be suave; Naruto would have laughed if he didn’t think he’d spontaneously vomit if he opened his mouth.

"I'd have liked to wait till I rotted away and didn't have to go." Naruto smiled thinly, "Sadly most deadly diseases don't come just cause you ask them to."

"The hospital wouldn't be so bad." Sasuke mused, already familiar with this game. "Since you wouldn't have anywhere to run; I'd have you all to myself. We could even play doctor."

"Ew. Though I don't think you quite caught my meaning," Naruto winced not fully prepared for that interpretation, "If you continued to pursue this relationship it'd have to be necrophilia."

"Wow, Naruto, I didn't know you swing that way!" Sasuke purred, "But if you want me to; I'll be your corpse."

"That's okay, you're pale enough already." Naruto shook his head, standing up. This guy wasn't giving an inch. Maybe he should just try to avoid talking altogether during this 'date'. But then that was pretty much impossible, he couldn't stand silence, but he could try.

"So glad you approve." Sasuke smirked as he led the blond with him towards the downtown street; "I assume you like films?"

"Yeah..." Naruto said slowly, he may work in a porn shop but surely that wasn't what Sasuke was thinking of. Not on a first date; even a perverted gay man wouldn't do that, right?!

"Oh good, I know you'll like this then. It's really 'deep'." Sasuke smirked.

Naruto held back a shudder; oh it couldn't be! "Oh?"

"Yes, supposedly hailed as the 'biggest' yet. I know you'll get 'into' it." Sasuke continued, "It's very easy to do."

Sasuke stopped in front of the theater and headed for the door. Naruto stopped walking and stared at the dark-haired youth strangely, "I have no interest in watching your gay porn; if that’s what you planned, I'd prefer to skip straight to the part where I tell you at the end of the date 'this is never happening again'."

Sasuke snorted, "Ever heard of 'Niet Mein'."

"I am not watching that sick film!" Naruto started, not even listening at first to what Sasuke said; "Wait, what?"

"It's a political action film." Or are you really not interested?

Naruto shook his head. What a weird conversationalist this guy was. Nonetheless he followed him into the theater and sat quietly throughout the film.

It was actually a very good movie.

It was directed by… some famous guy Naruto liked but could never remember the name of; it was well directed. The intrigue and political in workings were wound tightly around a powerful message of the bureaucratic corruption and one man’s stand against it as well as his eventual destruction. His successor carried on in a less radical stream slowly trying to turn people’s minds and the laws in favor of the justice that had been so corroded.

It was very depressing. The main character was a likeable guy who died in the end; though his death did galvanize some movement in the right direction it was clearly not enough though all seemed hopeful that the trend would continue. All in all, the film was definitely depressing enough to win some academy award. It was a good film, no question, but very depressing.

The kind of thing Naruto may have gone to see with several of his college buddies; or a brother, if he had one.

"So, did you enjoy the film?" Sasuke asked as they left the theater, walking side-by-side, but with at least half a foot between them courtesy of Naruto's self-conscious keeping distance.

Naruto frowned, loathe as he was to admit it; "Yes."

"See now was that so 'hard'?" Sasuke all but purred, closing the horizontal gap between them. His arm draping easily over Naruto's shoulders. STUPID GAY! Okay, maybe he could just pretend it was an entirely friendly gesture; although this uncomfortable closeness was anything but 'friendly'.

"I dunno, was it?" Naruto asked tentatively glancing side-ways at Sasuke. Since if he turned his head to face him chances were very high their lips would bump - Naruto wished to avoid that catastrophe if at all possible.

"Could be soon," Sasuke smirked, Naruto just handed this one to him; how easy. "Are you hungry for it?"

"Yeah, lets get pizza!" Naruto chirped surging ahead so that Sasuke's arm fell off his shoulders and there was a great gap of space between them. Naive stupid grin in place, Naruto was perfectly prepared to act as if the innuendo wasn't there. "Come on Sasuke; you're so slow!"

Sasuke started slightly at the sudden drop of subject, but he could play along with that too. "Oh Naruto; I didn't know you were so forward."

"Yup, always straight." Naruto grinned; Sasuke completely fell into that one.

"Oh yes, straight as a doorknob." Sasuke jabbed.

"Nope, a noodle!" Naruto contradicted.

"No, no, Naruto. That noodle you're thinking of is your brain." Sasuke mocked jovially.

"So that makes your brain jello." Naruto replied.

"Jello? How do you figure?" Sasuke asked arching a single fine eyebrow at the brightly grinning blond.

Naruto walked back over and poked Sasuke lightly in the stomach; "Because you're squishy."

Sasuke stared; he knew for a fact he was not squishy. But he shrugged anyway; "At least I'm not a noodle like you. So you want pizza?" he asked motioning to the pizza restaurant right across the block from the theater.

"Yeah, let's go; or we won't get a seat." Naruto hurried ahead to get a place in line.

Sasuke followed; and just to be sure he poked his own stomach just to see... nope. Not squishy, just a fleshy covering with muscle underneath. Next he got the chance; he'd have to poke Naruto to get him back for that.

Actually... darn it! When did this turn into a regular outing, like with friends? What happened to his seduction plan?! Okay, Sasuke resolved, when we're in and seated then I will-"Sasuke! Come on, hurry or we'll lose our place."

Naruto called Sasuke over as the blond started following the waitress into the quickly filling restaurant. The two of them did however manage to snag a two-seat booth. Booths are the best, with comfy cushioned seats; chairs aren't bad either but booths are in fact the best.

"By the way Naruto; I am not squishy. I'm actually quite 'firm'." Sasuke brought up as they seated themselves; and grabbed Naruto's hand to pull it towards him, but under the table. "You can feel."

"Yeah, I know. It's called muscle." Naruto said turning Sasuke's grip around so that he could pinch a part of Sasuke's arm then withdraw completely. He then brought his hands onto the safety of the surface of the table.

"I work out."

"I can tell." Naruto grinned; "But you're still so skinny; with that frame you'll never bulk up."

"Why, so I can look big and fat like you?"

"Excuse me, did you just call me fat?"

"Yes, I do believe I did."

"That's not right. I'm not fat; my frame's just bigger than yours!"

"Sure, that's what they all say."

"I'm not fat!"

"Your order...?" Oh crud, the cute waitress heard that? Shit. Naruto did his best to recover quickly and grin at her; but he still felt too sheepish for it to be his normal charming grin that made woman fall in love; so he opted to stare out the window and sulk.

"Yeah, we'll have two rootbeers and a medium-sized cheese pizza." Sasuke told the girl; smirking at her lightly; and watching with his usual satisfaction as her cheeks reddened and she looked away flustered and blushing.

"Ah yes! Uh-will that be all?" she stuttered, fidgeting slightly as she jotted down the order.

"Yes, thank you so much; I'd really appreciate it."

"Ah of course!" she squealed happily before she trotted away from the table glancing back several times on her way to the kitchens.

"Show-off." Naruto muttered. "I could have gotten her phone number."

"Sore loser; now she knows you’re a fatty." Sasuke grinned.

"I'm not fat."

"Yeah I know."

"Then what the heck was that all about?" Naruto growled angrily.

"The look on your face was funny." Sasuke admitted with a cocky smile, tilting his head to better goad the blond to argument.

"You jerk." Naruto steamed, pouting childishly.

"Yep."

"Fine, I'm not talking to you."

"Course you are."

"No really I'm not."

"Of course you are."

"Nope. I'm not talking to you."

"Yes."

"Glad you agree."

"Yes you are."

"What?"

"Talking to me." Sasuke smirked, "your convictions don't last long."

"It's not a conviction; it's called a whim."

"Well I have convictions."

"So do I." Naruto declared critically, "mine just happen to fluctuate every few days."

"Oh really. So one day you're a marxist, the next you’re a capitalist pig?"

"No! Like I prefer chocolate and then vanilla. Today it's mint."

"Or grape."

"No, they don't have grape ice cream. But that might be good."

"Sure you like mint right now? There's ice cream next door."

"Oh. Then I might want pecan."

"I thought your favorite was mint."

"It was. Now it's pecan."

"I hate pecan."

"So do I, I hate the nuts."

"Then why do you like pecan?"

"Because of the ice cream; who likes the nuts."

"But the ice cream is vanilla with nuts - that's pecan."

"Well then I like vanilla."

"Me too, and chocolate - I prefer chocolate cake to white."

"Yeah, vanilla cake is actually white cake and there's sadly not a lot of taste to it." Naruto bemoaned.

"Your cheese pizza, and rootbeers." the waitress announced as she returned with the youth's orders.

The boys thanked her and enjoyed their meal thoroughly. Actually it wasn't as bad as Naruto had thought it would be. As a regular person Sasuke was actually really cool; the two of them also seemed to hate the same things and like the same sort of things.

Their taste in music coincided, though Sasuke liked classical probably a few degrees more than Naruto cared for it. Sasuke had got the rootbeer. Naruto liked it better than he'd thought it did and wound up not ordering the coke he was going to get instead when he discovered he didn't care for the rootbeer.

"This is your check; you can pay at the front." the waitress said upon her final return to the table to drop off the check.

"Thanks." Sasuke said about to take the paper from her; but Naruto beat him to it; standing beside her as he did so.

"Hey thanks so much. If I could get you whenever I come here, I'd come every day. Don't suppose you're takeout?" Naruto asked cockily, his hand trapping hers in his.

The girl flushed darkly at the attention from the grinning boy. "Uh, well I- um- that is-!" she stuttered, as she looked at the floor shyly.

Sasuke frowned and stood up as well, freeing the girl from Naruto's grasp. "I don't believe I got your name before; what is it?" Sasuke shot a smirk at Naruto as the girl turned to him and fidgeted further - not at all used to so much attention, let alone from two hot guys!

Naruto scowled and set the paper down on the table to better compete with Sasuke. "My name is Junie!" the girl finally managed to squeak in response to Sasuke before Naruto's arm circled her shoulder, guiding her back to him.

"Junie? That's such a cute name; perfect for such a gorgeous girl." Naruto smiled at her broadly. Sasuke looked annoyed; ha, take that jerk!

"Ah thank you..." she smiled slightly.

"What time do you get off work?" Sasuke asked artfully; loosening Naruto's arm with his own as he moved the girl closer to him.

"What's your phone number?"

"Do you live close by?"

"Are you in college?"

"What kind of music do you like?"

"You're so pretty; would you like to go out sometime? A cafe, some coffee?"

"How about a movie? I own a porsche."

"You do not."

"Yes I do."

"Do not."

"Oh yeah, I do; what do you own a beat-up truck?"

Naruto chose not to respond, and turned attention back to the girl; "Want to give me your number?"

"Sure it's-!"

Sasuke scowled, and abruptly released the girl, and in the process forced Naruto's hold away from her as well. He took the check from the table and grabbed Naruto's shirt and yanking hard once, walked in the direction of the door.

"Sorry; next time I won't bring this pushy brute, so you and I can be alone, okay gorgeous."

"Okay." the girl flushed and nodded.

"He's lying, but I'll be back for you beautiful, you're too cute to waste on this jerk." Naruto told her, his hand brushing her cheek before he followed Sasuke to the front where they each wound up paying half. At least after a moment of arguing who paid for the movie and how they should split the meal or if Sasuke should pay it all and then eventually walked out of the restaurant.

"That poor girl; you were so mean to her; flirting like that." Naruto scolded Sasuke.

"Hey, you challenged me; you expect me to take that lying down?" Sasuke asked incredulously.

"Yeah; since I'm your friend, and I called dibs."

"Did not; I spoke to her first; you were too shy when she first came over."

"That was your fault;" Naruto blamed, "and besides that you were only half flirting; I was serious - I would have gotten her number if you weren't in such a hurry to leave anyway."

"She was gonna give me her address if you remember."

"No, she didn't even say she would."

"That's cause you butted in. Way to cramp my style."

"Oh I cramp your style? That's a laugh."

"Just because you have none, I don't have a right to mine?" Sasuke asked coldly, "You self-centered shit."

"Bastard."

"Piss-ass."

"Turd."

Sasuke snorted, and Naruto just grinned. They had already walked as far as the park. It was really pretty at night. In the darker spots you could see part of the night sky, despite light pollution.

Naruto looked up at the stars. It took a moment before he realized that he'd just spent the entire day with Sasuke. Not only that, hardly anything weird happened; he'd actually had fun just hanging out. Huh. That was actually pretty interesting.

Sasuke frowned when he realized how very late it had gotten; they must have spent over an hour in that pizza place just talking about random stuff. It was fun; he didn't regret it but... it was too soon.

There needed to be more hours in a day; he didn't want this to end now; he'd enjoyed himself, even if he had yet to get in the blond's pants.

Actually he hadn't even been trying to seduce him the entire time; he'd tried and wound up goofing off with the blond just a few minutes later. He'd had fun hanging out with Naruto; just talking with him after a while it had begun to feel like they were old friends.

"Well, as much as I hate to admit it;" Naruto stretched his shoulders as he turned to face Sasuke, this would be the parting point, since it was also where they'd met up. "This was fun, we should do it again sometime."

This time he didn't have to fake the smile.

Sasuke opened his mouth; he meant to agree with Naruto, and encourage a second meeting as well as say the quick and inevitable goodbye; however unpleasant such a thing would be - but that's not what came out.

Sasuke moved forward, and Naruto froze as Sasuke came closer; his cool breath ghosting across his skin; the flesh of his lips tingling slightly. The proximity momentarily ignored as their lips grew closer and closer.

"I love you."

Naruto stared for a moment. When Sasuke's body seemed to move slightly closer Naruto finally started out of his trance-like state and lurched away from the other youth.

He certainly wasn't expecting that to come straight out of a donut's eye. From the paler youth's expression Sasuke was also somewhat surprised by his words; maybe he wasn't intending to be that forward but...

"Huh?!" Naruto finally said, feeling after a whole minute of silence that he should in some shape or form address that which had caused such an awkward silence to fall.

Sasuke started as if stricken, and looked away. Was it just Naruto, or were Sasuke's cheeks slightly pinker than before? "Well, I don't want to scare you off or anything but..." Sasuke's voice trailed off and the barest bit of anxiety seemed to enter his voice, when he finished there was none. "I think I love you."

Naruto suppressed a shudder. Yeah, and this was a line he used how many times? Naruto wondered idly. Naruto looked away when Sasuke's eyes glanced back; all emotion carefully hidden once more; like the vicious hiding smirk that Sasuke had started the day with. Naruto felt he actually preferred the pale youth's unguarded cockiness to this dead mask.

Naruto didn't really have to fake the embarrassed flush as he looked away, and worried his lip as if thinking. The image was, not quite scared off but unsure how he feels. "Well, that's new."

He didn't need to give him an answer yet probably; definitely not now. He didn't want to be anywhere near Sasuke right now. Everything had been going so well until this happened. "I need to think. Some time."

"Yeah. I'll see you." Sasuke nodded.

"See you." Naruto walked away as quickly as possible without running; as soon as he was out of Sasuke's view he sprinted.

That sucked!

He did not want to go home yet either. He did not want his last memories of today to be of that awkward instance with that guy! Sure it had been fun, for a while he'd even forgotten that he was actually on a date with a gay guy. Then that stupid jerk had to go and do something gay and weird!!

Naruto stopped outside the bookstore looking inside at the people idly; he couldn't see his reflection since it was dark, but he knew he was breathing hard. He needed to calm down before he could hope to go call one of his friends to go drinking. Or else to do something that involved making positive memories the last of the day rather than a strange and gross encounter with Sasuke.

One girl in the store caught his attention; she looked like he'd seen her somewhere before. Pale eyes glanced out at him, as if sensing he was watching her; their eyes met and she smiled. He returned with a bright grin; he did know her.

Short black hair, cute smile, pale eyes – Hinata. She's one of the three who warned him about Sasuke to begin with. In any case she was cute, and maybe she'd spend a while with him so he could forget the grossness of the day. With that in mind he went inside, and straight over to Hinata.

"Hey Hinata, you never called me." Naruto whined in jest as he draped his arms around her. She let him although she squeaked slightly at the sudden intimate motion. She was so cute! Then he withdrew, since he didn't want to scare her or make her uncomfortable around him. "You wanna go get some coffee?"

"Sure Naruto." she agreed, "Just let me get this book; there's a good place just down the block."

"Great."

He was almost afraid she'd say she couldn't; but he was glad she could. Hinata was a person he wouldn't mind at all having the last thoughts of his day about.

"So you had a date with Sasuke today, didn't you?"

"Oh you knew?"

Hinata smiled at him over her vanilla latte, Naruto nursing his mocha. "Yes, he was sure to tell, Shika, Temari, and I, every gory detail of his 'conquest'."

"Yeah, he's a real piece of work." Naruto sighed, "But you guys are his friends?"

"We're worried about him, just as much as we're worried about the poor people he uses then throws away." Hinata explained sheepishly, not sure whether Temari and Shika felt the same or had other or similar reasons.

"So you're also in college?"

"Yes. I'm majoring in history." Hinata smiled, "It's only my first year. One day I'd like to be the curator of my own museum."

"That's awesome, I liked history though I wouldn't say I'm wild about it." Naruto shrugged, "my high school teacher wasn't too great so maybe that turned me off."

"I had a very enthusiastic teacher; she was touch on us students but we learned a lot." Hinata responded.

"So you've ever had a boyfriend?"

"No. My cousin was always very protective of me, my sister, and other members of our family. In a way he looks out for us," Hinata explained.

"An overprotective cousin?" Naruto puzzled, "your last name wouldn't happen to be Hyuuga, would it?"

"Yes, it is. Why?" she queried.

"Is your cousin, Neji?" Naruto asked.

"Yes. You know him?" she seemed surprised.

"Oh no. I can't go hitting on my friend's cousin! I'm so evil!" Naruto moaned sorrowfully, "Don't tell Neji I've hit on you, he'd kill me."

Hinata only smiled kindly.

"You're taken aren't you?" Naruto figured.

"Yes." she nodded.

"Anyone I know."

"Can't tell." Hinata told him, though she seemed a bit guilty about keeping it from him.

Well Naruto wouldn't pry. He sipped his drink; Hinata really was a very sweet girl. Whoever it was, it was probably someone really nice.

"They're a really wonderful person, a lot like you in some ways." Hinata told him shyly. "Do you have someone?"

Naruto frowned. "Nope." He answered, his cup was empty.

"I'm sure you'll find a really nice girl someday then. I can't imagine someone not liking you." Hinata told him truthfully.

"Aw, thanks Hinata. You're so sweet." Naruto grinned at her. They talked shortly about school, and the movie Naruto saw - no mention of Sasuke though - and he explained it to her where she wanted to find out about, she thought she'd probably have to see it too.

After a satisfying conversation the two parted. Naruto at least felt better about going home afterwards.

Lying down on his bed in his apartment was easy; and it was just before darkness came that it leapt again into the forefront of his mind.

-I love you.-

Sasuke's lips ghosted near to his again and Naruto's body shuddered pleasantly. Naruto forced his eyes open and sat up staring into the darkness. It was replaying over and over again now. He didn't want this.

It was just when he'd been scared that Sasuke was going to kiss him. He laid down again and tried to think about Hinata and their time in the coffee shop; how much she resembled Neji when he finally started thinking about it, but eventually it all turned back into Sasuke.

Sasuke’s perfectly chiseled face turned up in a mocking smirk. His body leaning close; repeating those horrible words against his ear. Moving him in a way he wished he could control not to. He didn’t want it.

It just wouldn't leave him alone.

Naruto sat up again, this time determined to rid his mind of everything, wipe it entirely clean. It was time he looked up the past that he, literally, carried with him in a box.

He opened his bottom drawer and took out the box. Set it reverently on the floor before him. He opened the lid and took out the few items: a red ribbon, a pressed flower, a silver chain, a colored glass stone, and a picture; the one of him and her...

Touching upon each piece, the final one was the picture; and he could hear her voice.

The smell of her perfume permeated the room; the old school, the vivid colors, the sounds and smells all the same. It was her.

"You're so sweet Naruto!" her laughing voice danced echoing in the room and in his head. "A present, it's beautiful, you really shouldn't have!"

Her warm soft arms wrapped around him, "You're my best friend Naruto!"

The salty tears shed by emerald eyes, "Naruto... I can't think of you that way." Followed by the cold cuts lodged within his chest, "Yes, Nishi broke up with me."

"No I won't go out with you, it'd just be me on the rebound." She pleaded with him so often, just as he would beg her. He didn't care if she never loved him; he just wanted to be with her, forever.

"I'd be using you!" He didn't care; he wanted her.

"You may not care but I do!" Why did she have to be so kind?

"You're my best friend Naruto. I won't do that to you."

"I'm so sorry." Don't cry.

"Goodbye."

It was all just like yesterday. Every word, the joy, the love, the hurt, the cold – her righteous rejection; tore him down. He drifted in the memory, and he was left empty.

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