Holiday Revenge

I don't own Naruto or its characters and I make no profit from this story.

I just want to start off by thanking everyone who reviewed. I appreciated it and they made me smile. ^_^

Unfortunately, I had so many reviews that to respond to all of you would cause me to go over my author’s note character limit. I’ve responded to each review on my forum page, the link will be at the end of the story.

This story is beta'd by the amazing MisatosPenPen. Thank you ^_^

 

---

 

Naruto ran from the dining room, his heart thumping madly in his chest. He couldn’t get away fast enough. Almost tripping twice on the steps, he finally found refuge in his room, his hand coming up to cover his eyes as he caught his breath. Hearing the telltale thud of feet on the staircase, he flopped on his bed and buried his head in a pillow. He just wanted left alone, but was denied that request.

His door opened quietly and his bed dipped to the side, followed by Kushina’s gentle hand on his arm. He knew without a doubt it was his mom, but made no move to turn toward her.

A minute later, he felt the other side of his bed dip, but there was no comforting hand on his arm, just a strong presence. Again, he made no move to acknowledge his parents.

“Naruto-dear, speak to us?” Kushina quietly begged, her thumb rubbing along his shoulder.

Naruto exhaled into his pillow and hugged it tighter.

“Naruto,” Minato started. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he replied, his voice coming through muffled under his pillow.

Kushina bit her lip, her eyes meeting Minato’s, both worried and confused. He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

“Naruto-”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Please, talk to me Naru-dear,” Kushina begged softly.

Naruto bit his lip as he slowly emerged from under his pillow. Kushina smiled, cupping his face in her hands. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” he sighed, avoiding her gaze.

“It is something if you’re this upset.”

Naruto shook his head and repeated, “It’s nothing, really.”

Minato laid his hand on his son’s shoulder and smiled when Naruto turned to look at him. “You know we only want the best for you and if I upset you, then I’m sorry.”

“Dad,” he whispered. “It’s fine.”

“I was just…I was thinking that…you know… You rely on Sasuke a lot and I thought that, maybe, a fresh pair of eyes wouldn’t hurt.”

“I’m ok with the way things are. I don’t want to change that now.”

Minato sighed. “I won’t force you into anything you don’t want to do, but…”

Naruto shook his head, not liking the dejected look his father sported. “Sakura has good grades, but I like the way Sasuke teaches. I understand it easier when he explains it to me.”

“Then, you should stick with what is easier for you.”

“Thanks dad,” Naruto murmured. He was quiet for a moment, before he turned back to his dad. “I don’t like Sakura that way, you know.”

Minato smiled, “I had a feeling you didn’t, but cut me some slack will you. I want to see you happy.”

“Dad, if you really knew her…”

“Ok, ok,” he laughed. “I get it, not into her.”

They shared a laugh together, Minato rubbing his hair like he used to do when he was younger.

“Well, I think it’s about time we get back to dinner. We left them alone down there,” Kushina commented. She stood up from the bed and flattened the wrinkles in her dress.

“Oh,” Naruto exclaimed, looking at the clock on his bedside table. “The baby!”

He jumped from his bed and raced out his door, taking the steps at a reckless pace. Minato laughed and shared a look with Kushina, “I think he takes after you, dear.”

Kushina chuckled along with Minato, taking his hand and tugging him down the stairs at a more leisurely pace. When they finally descended, Naruto was in the living room tapping his blue bracelet over the crying doll’s stomach and reaching for a bottle.  

Kushina grabbed the bottle and handed it to Naruto as Sasuke and Sakura walked into the living room. Naruto could feel eyes on him, but he didn’t dare look up. His cheeks flushed, though, and his belly squirmed at the thought of Sasuke’s intense gaze on him.

“You’re a natural,” Sakura commented.

“This isn’t so bad,” he laughed, finally looking up. That was a mistake as his eyes caught Sasuke and the smoldering look in his onyx eyes.

Sakura’s smile fell to a frown when Naruto’s eyes swept over her and landed on Sasuke behind her. From the corner of her eye, she witnessed Kushina’s smug smirk.

Clapping her hands, Kushina put on her best hostess smile and said, “Well, I think it’s about time you two head home before it gets too late.”

Sasuke’s eyes shifted from Naruto to his mom, a smile softening his features, “Thank you for inviting me,” he turned back towards Naruto and continued, “and I’ll see you tomorrow morning, dobe.”

“I can pick you up,” Sakura interrupted.

Naruto bit his lip, looking anywhere but at Sasuke as he replied, “Thank you, Sakura, but I’m fine walking. I think I can manage.”

“Well, the offer still stands.”

Naruto could hear the disappointment in her voice, but he reckoned he could handle that disappointment over Sasuke’s anger.

Sakura turned with a bid farewell and walked to the front door, Sasuke and Kushina following close behind. Kushina wished Sasuke a pleasant night, her gaze turning cold as it landed on Sakura’s retreating back.

“You don’t need to worry much, Naruto wants nothing to do with her,” Sasuke commented quietly.

“Hmm,” Kushina hummed.

“Goodnight, Kushina,” Sasuke replied, smirking as he turned down the short garden path.

He walked out on to the street heading for his house, but the sight of Sakura’s car made him pause. He slowly made his way over and slipped into the passenger’s seat. Sakura was dabbing make-up on her face, waiting for Sasuke.

“I’m surprised you even bothered to get in, Sasuke.”

“I thought we finished talking during dinner,” he replied, crossing his arms.

Sakura laughed and snapped the cap closed on her lipstick. “Do you think he’s happy with you?”

“I know he is.” That was the one thing Sasuke knew for certain; Naruto was happy.

“He couldn’t even look at me when you were in the room-”

“And your point is?”

“Sasuke,” Sakura laughed again, ignoring his little interruption. “Naruto deserves much better than a conceited control-freak like you.”

“And you think your gold-digging ways are much better? Is it his money you want? Or is it sex?” Sasuke eyed her up and down, a disgusted look on his face. “You have zero sex appeal; sorry, babe, Naruto isn’t into scrawny bitches.”

Sakura shot him a frosty glare, “Do you honestly want me to believe that he is into you, that you haven’t blackmailed him into being with you?”

Sasuke laughed, a deep-down, guttural laugh that chilled Sakura to the core. It was inhuman to her ears, the sound of a mad-man lost to the realm of darkness. She felt vindicated, until Sasuke spoke, “I don’t need to blackmail him for his love. I already have it.

“You know, there was a time when Naruto wanted nothing to do with me romantically and everything to do with you, but you were too blind to see it. He worshipped the ground you walked on, dreamed of being your boyfriend, maybe even thought of your wedding day together. I don’t know about that last one, but I do know, he doesn’t have those thoughts now and if he does, they are most assuredly about ME.”

Sakura was silent for a moment, her mind wheeling. Then she spoke, “I will change his mind, then. That is what second chances are for!”

“You’ve had many chances, but you chose to run after me instead; even after I turned you down repeatedly. You don’t get another chance now, just because you realized what you missed out on. Naruto deserves better than you!” Sasuke pulled the handle on Sakura’s Jag and stepped out on the street. A minute later he heard her car peel away and the rush of air gust passed him as he walked toward home.

Ten minutes later he was tossing his keys on the glass table in his foyer and stepping out of his shoes, his mind blazing with thoughts of Naruto and ways to keep Sakura at bay. A light in the living room caught his attention and had him following it like a moth to flame.

Itachi was sitting on the couch, regal and composed as ever, reading the business section of the Konoha Daily. But that wasn’t what caught his attention. It was the black velvet box sitting open on the coffee table in front of his waiting brother.

“You went into my room,” Sasuke demanded.

Itachi smirked and closed his paper, folding it and laying it on the coffee table. “I didn’t have to.”

Sasuke narrowed his eyes into a glare and sat down across from his brother, making no move to reclaim the box. Itachi would have it snapped up before he could even reach his hand out, past experience taught him that.

“I felt like doing a bit of tidying up, scrub the floors, run the vacuum; do the laundry.”

“You don’t clean up after yourself,” Sasuke scoffed. “You don’t even know how to run the washing machine.”

“I’m offended,” Itachi replied, feigning offense. “I’ve learned how to use a washing machine since living on my own; that’s more than you can claim, Sasuke.”

“I know how to wash my own clothes, I know how to turn on a vacuum and push it across a carpet and I know how to scrub a floor. Now, what were you doing in my room?”

“As much as I wish I had, the fact is, I wasn’t in your room. The maid found the box in your pants pocket and turned it over to me believing it was mine. Obviously, it isn’t.”

“Obviously, and you thought you would confront me about it?”

“Oh, no, I’m just curious as this is a serious commitment. Do you know what you’re getting yourself into here?” Itachi commented.

“When have I portrayed anything but seriousness where Naruto was concerned?”

“Touché, little brother,” Itachi countered, standing up. “But I do hope you know what you’re getting yourself into. Is it the right thing for the both of you?”

“Of course it is,” Sasuke replied.

“Then congratulations are in order. That is, if he says yes.”

Sasuke watched Itachi leave, following his departure closely. The second Itachi disappeared around the corner; Sasuke snatched the box from the table and held it up, inspecting it for any damage or minute flaw. Finding it as flawless as the day he bought it, he sighed.

He’d searched for months looking for the perfect ring to propose with and the result sat nestled inside the velvet box; an elegant three layer ring made of gold, sterling silver, and copper. Now all he had to do was find the perfect moment to get down on one knee.

He closed the box with a snap of the lid and slid it inside his pocket, his mind buzzing with the thought of marrying his dobe. His heart fluttered and his stomach squirmed pleasantly. Marry his dobe, have him walk down the aisle toward him wearing white…the idea was everything he wanted since kindergarten when they first met. He couldn’t wait.

 

~ ~

 

Naruto was waiting impatiently for Sasuke the next morning, his body bending at the knees before snapping straight repeatedly in an anxious dance. He couldn’t wait to see Sasuke, not after his vivid dreams last night. A blush warmed his face at the thought of Sasuke’s hot mouth and talented tongue…damn; he couldn’t wait to see Sasuke!

“What are you thinking about?” Sasuke husked, his heated breath fanning over Naruto’s ear.

Naruto jumped and almost fell backwards if not for Sasuke’s arm around his waist holding him in place.

“I’ll bet it’s something very naughty,” he whispered.

“And what if it was?” Naruto suddenly found his throat dry, conjured images from his dreams messing with his mind and body.

“Hmm, wanna play?” Sasuke’s sultry voice tickled against Naruto’s ear, making him squirm in the Uchiha’s grip. Naruto had to bite his lip to stifle his moan, remembering a second too late that he was still outside his front door, his unsuspecting dad just inside in his study.

“Not here,” Naruto gasped, barely able to get the words out.

“School roof with you on your knees?”

Naruto gave a quick nod of agreement, breaking away from the Uchiha and reaching for his temporary daughter. He was down the garden path paces ahead of Sasuke and attempting to walk normally with a hard on.

Sasuke chuckled to himself, thrilled that his boyfriend was very eager today.

 

~~

 

Naruto all but ran into school, his heart pounding in his chest, and his face flushed red. Two sophomore girls eyed him up from their lockers, giggling behind their books. They stopped at the imposing sight Sasuke provided standing behind Naruto. They scampered off to their first class, not daring to look back.

“A little eager, dobe?” he chuckled. “You’re affecting the people around you.”

Naruto turned, panting for breath, and opened his mouth…only to be quieted by Sakura’s sudden arrival.

“I’m here for my motherly duty,” she announced, smiling wide and ignoring Sasuke completely.

Sasuke crossed his arms and rolled his eyes, barely holding back his snort. Naruto slapped him on his shoulder and returned Sakura’s smile. He bent down and lifted the doll, handing it off to Sakura. “I’ll see you after school then?”

“Oh, you won’t walk me to class?” she asked innocently.

Naruto’s smile dropped. “Oh, I had something to do real quick before class started.”

“More important than this?” Sakura held up the car seat for emphasis. “Can’t it wait until later?”

“I won’t be long…”

“You’ll be late and that will go against our grade.”

He bit his lip, eyes flitting between Sakura and Sasuke. Sasuke didn’t look happy, if the dark look was anything to go by. At least it was directed toward Sakura. Naruto wondered why she wasn’t a pile of ash right now.

Naruto laughed nervously. He was fully aware of his aroused state as it slowly dissipated in the bustling corridor, students filing passed them with only minor curiosity. “Umm…”

“He’ll definitely be late if you hold him up any longer. Just let him be, Sakura,” Sasuke drawled.

Sakura finally turned to Sasuke, eyed him up and down with a hard look, and summarily dismissed him. She turned back to Naruto, any hint of levity gone, “Is it more important than an ‘A’?”

Naruto was practically gnawing his lip off. He shot Sasuke an apologetic look.

“You can’t be serious, dobe? She-”

Naruto didn’t let him finish as he put his hands on Sasuke’s chest and forced him backwards down the hallway, out of shot of Sakura who stood glowing with triumph.

“Look, I need this grade,” he started.

“What are you talking about?” Sasuke questioned, placing his hands on Naruto’s shoulders and stopping him short.

“I didn’t have great scores on the last two tests, so I need this grade.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I didn’t want to add to the list of subjects you were already helping me with, ok.” Naruto crossed his arms in a gesture Sasuke knew well. He also knew the dobe would be pacing by now if they weren’t at school.

“Ok,” he muttered, deflating considerably.

“Rain check?” Naruto asked, uncrossing his arms. He made his best apologetic pout that always worked on Sasuke.

Sasuke wanted to resist the pout, really he did. “Sure,” he sighed in defeat.

Naruto pulled away and walked back to Sakura, knowing Sasuke wasn’t thrilled. He wasn’t thrilled either. Sasuke’s company was ten times better than Sakura’s even on a bad day.

 

~~

 

“What are your plans for Valentine’s day, Sasuke?” Ino asked, taking a seat across from him.

It was lunch time at Konoha High and Sasuke had spent the last ten minutes anticipating Naruto’s arrival. He was late, usually beating Sasuke to food, and that had him worried.

“I plan on spending the day avoiding everyone.”

“Isn’t that hard to do when you have school?” Tenten asked, sitting down next to Ino and setting her baby on the bench next to her.

“Hn.”

“Teme hates Valentine’s day,” Naruto piped up, claiming a seat right next to Sasuke.

He visibly relaxed next to Naruto, his mind suddenly at ease with his appearance. He was beginning to think Sakura was behind his tardiness, but she was nowhere in sight.

“You would too if you were hunted down by packs of wild females intent on giving you chocolate,” Sasuke visibly shivered. “And other things.”

Naruto laughed recalling the previous years and the lengths that Sasuke had to go to lose his female entourage and the outrageous and outlandish gifts they attempted to regale him with. One year he was driven to the highest point in the school; the old bell loft, where Naruto had been hiding from his own admirer.

“I wouldn’t mind being chased by the right person,” Naruto commented offhandedly.

Sasuke turned to Naruto, watching him blush as the words caught up with him. Caught in their own world for a moment, they were oblivious to the knowing smirks from their friends. “Careful what you ask for dobe, someone may just take you up on the offer.”

“Would that be a bad thing?”

“Only with who takes up your offer,” Sasuke muttered, his eyes drawn away from Naruto and toward Sakura who was approaching their table quickly.

She went to sit down next to Naruto and almost bumped into Shikamaru. “Sorry,” Shikamaru drawled lazily, sliding in next to Naruto. “Did you want to sit here?”

“Of course I did!”

Shikamaru yawned, unfazed by Sakura’s angry outburst. He was used to it by now. He took a look at his tray and the nearest open seat across the table and shook his head, muttering, ‘Troublesome.”

Sakura huffed waiting for him to move and when he made no attempt to accommodate her, she all but slammed her tray on the table and sat next to Tenten. She fumed, wishing a thousand deaths to Shikamaru, one more painful than the last.

Sasuke had to hide his smirk behind his hand, sending a million thanks to Shikamaru’s laziness. Now he wouldn’t have to sit next to a tense Naruto.

“So, you were saying, Naruto?” Tenten prompted, pulling her doll closer to her and away from a seething Sakura.

Naruto flushed, his heart pounding in his chest. He moved his hand under the table and gently bumped Sasuke’s knee with his casted arm.

“You have anyone special in mind?” she teased.

“Umm, maybe one…or two…” Sasuke knocked his knee into Naruto, who responded nervously, “Or, yeah, just one.”

“Oh,” Sakura asked coolly. “And who would that one special person be?”

She tried to smile and take the bite out of her words, but the way she was tearing into her orange wasn’t helping. The skin was torn from the fruit viciously, juice flowing over her hands as she tore.

Naruto was horrified. He really loved oranges and the way that Sakura ripped the fruit apart was …He swallowed and focused on Tenten instead. “There is someone-”

“Who is it?” Tenten demanded, leaning over the table and into Naruto’s face.

Naruto leaned back and laughed nervously. “Uh, umm,” he stuttered.

Sasuke leaned on his elbow, cocking an eye at Naruto, a smirk playing at his thin lips. “Oh, I’m curious to know too? Aren’t best friends supposed to share all their secrets?”

Naruto turned to Sasuke and shook his head, whispering, “I have a feeling you already know who.”

“Hmm,” Sasuke hummed. “And who is that?”

Naruto flushed, knowing what Sasuke was asking him to do. Come out to their friends. Their relationship wasn’t meant to be a secret, it just happened that way. And for the most part, he was fine with that.

He took a deep breath and was interrupted by the mechanical wailing of doll. He turned immediately, shattering the moment. His eyes locked with Sakura before falling to the baby next to her, but Sakura wasn’t listening, her eyes wide with shock and her mind buzzing with a jumbled mess of thoughts.

Naruto pulled himself from the table and walked around it, Sakura turning to stare open-mouthed at his advancement. She couldn’t believe this was happening, she’d won. She beat Sasuke Uchiha!

She leaned in to receive Naruto, who swerved around her to pick up the car seat with the wailing doll.

He pulled his temporary daughter from her seat and nestled her against his cast, placing his bracelet against her stomach. The crying stopped momentarily, giving him time to fetch the plastic bottle. Without thinking, he walked back around the table and sat next to Sasuke, his back now to Sakura.

Once again, Sasuke found himself transfixed by the image of Naruto. His stomach squirmed again and his hand went to his jeans pocket, feeling the lump from the ring box. He wanted to ask now and he didn’t care if it was in front of a cafeteria full of students. He started to lean out, to pull the box from his pocket, when the bell rang signaling the end of lunch.

Naruto stood up and turned to Sakura, “I’ll see you after school,” and then turned to Sasuke, “Coming teme?”

Sasuke stood up and grabbed the car seat for Naruto, following him to their next class. Hinata was waiting by the door, ready to hand off to Sasuke before heading to her next class. Sitting in the back of the class, with two babies between them, Sasuke was suddenly hit with a strong sense of peace. It was so overwhelming that a rare, true smile broke through.

It was shattered a moment later by a blinding flash. He turned to see Ino standing in front of them, waving her digital camera. “For the school yearbook,” she replied and ran away before Sasuke could steal the camera and delete the picture.

 

~~

 

Naruto trudged to his locker, ready to go home for the day. He set the baby down at his feet and settled against the locker, waiting for Sasuke. Frustration was the key factor for his tiredness and the key factor for his frustration was walking towards him now.

Sakura stopped before him, her hands behind her back and her eyes cast toward the floor. He made no attempt to engage her in conversation as he stared out the window at the soft February sun. He didn’t want to be angry with Sakura, but he really needed a good grade on this assignment or face summer school.

“I’m sorry,” she finally muttered, leaning against the locker beside him.

Naruto remained impassive wondering if this minor incident would count against his grade. The doll recorded how long it took to react to the crying, but if it was meant to be a real testament to parenting, it shouldn’t count against them. No parent could be right on top of their child all the time, right?

“I wasn’t paying attention and I apologize for that. I’ll be more aware next time.”

Naruto sighed, “Look, maybe I should keep her...”

Sakura turned to him quickly, “That isn’t necessary. I promise I’ll pay more attention!”

Naruto finally turned to her, “I really need this grade Sakura. If you can’t-”

“I can-”

“Or if you don’t want to do it, I can do it myself. All you have to do is write the paper and explain why.”

“I want to do the assignment! I was just caught up in the moment and got lost in my own world. It won’t happen again.”

Naruto shook his head and closed his eyes. Should he forgive her?

“I won’t screw up next time. I’ll be vigilant,” she promised, placing her hand over her heart and nodding.

Naruto exhaled, relenting, “Ok.”

Sakura smiled and leaned back against the lockers, relieved. “Do you want a ride today?”

“I can walk, but thank you anyway.”

“Do you want me to take her?” Sakura cut off, looking at the fake baby by their feet.

“That would be ok,” he agreed.

“Then, I will see you when you get to your house.”

Sakura bent down and lifted the car seat in her hands, walking away. Naruto leaned against the lockers; banging his head gently against the metal and listening to it reverberate.

“That bad, dobe?”

Naruto smiled instantly and turned to Sasuke, his hands laden with his own baby boy.

“It’s better now that you’re here.”

“Let’s get going then.” Sasuke turned to look for Naruto’s car seat and noticing it absent, sent him a questioning glance.

“Sakura has decided to be a mother, so I gave her a second chance.”

“I would have made her write the paper and kept the baby.”

“I plan on it if she messes up again.”

 

~~

 

But Sakura stayed true to her promise. She didn’t miss a beat when the doll cried, acting the perfect parent. Still, it was a relief when she had to hand the doll back over to the teacher on the third day.

Naruto, on the other hand, wasn’t as relieved. He’d grown attached and was currently a wreck as Sasuke walked him home.

“Cheer up, dobe. It wasn’t real.”

“I know,” Naruto sighed. “But, I’ll still miss her.”

Sasuke laughed, hugging Naruto to his side as they walked. “Look, what’s your plan for tomorrow?”

“That depends what your plan is. Are you going to hide all day?”

Sasuke frowned, but he didn’t release his hold on Naruto. Tomorrow was Valentine’s Day and as much as he wanted to stick to Naruto’s side all day, he knew it would never happen. They were in different classes and barely spent half the school day together as it was. And tomorrow he would be absent from lunch, hiding in the old bell tower that still remained safe from his entourage. “I’ll probably be dodging admirers all day, but I’ll look forward to the time we get to spend together during class.”

“So, that means I get to sit back and watch you hide?” Naruto laughed.

“Hn.”

“Hn,” Naruto mimicked. “I guess that means yes.”

“You don’t have to sound so happy about it, dobe.”

“Why shouldn’t I, teme?”

“Because we won’t see each other after we get to school. I won’t get to eat lunch with you or walk you home tomorrow either.”

“But I’ll see you tomorrow for dinner, mom invited you over again. That’s what, four times this week?”

Sasuke wasn’t complaining about all the meals he was attending at the Namikaze/Uzumaki household. He was able to keep an eye on Sakura and got to spend more time with Naruto. Plus, the cooking was superior to his family’s personal chef. “I’ll look forward to it then.”

“It’s a date then!” Naruto laughed, bounding forward and up the garden path to his front door.

“Definitely a date,” Sasuke murmured, leaning in to kiss Naruto.

It was a simple brush of the lips, but those were the ones Naruto appreciated the most. What could he say, he was a hopeless romantic. He sighed and pulled back. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I’ll call you later,” Sasuke promised, turning down the garden path and onto the street.

Naruto pushed his door open and leaned against it as it closed, smiling like an idiot. He pushed away a moment later and rushed to his room to change, his mind always on Sasuke. He couldn’t wait for tomorrow.

 

~~

 

Sasuke took extra care that morning to dress himself; making sure everything was in place before he left his bedroom. He grabbed up the ring box, placed it inside his pocket and grabbed up a silver bracelet from the top of his dresser; a hawk gripping the center with its talons and the wings spanning the length of the bracelet. Once he had it on, it looked like the wings were wrapping around his wrist. ‘Something new,’ he thought to himself.

He took the steps two at a time, ignoring Itachi waiting at the bottom.

“You look particularly drab today.”

“You should know from experience. The least amount of attention I can get today the better.”

“And yet, it never seems to work,” Itachi sighed.

Sasuke gave a curt nod in reply. He knew very well that no matter what he wore, it wouldn’t stop the love-sick horde. He could show up caked in mud, wearing pink, and a sign that says ‘I AM GAY’ and that still wouldn’t stall his entourage.

“I’d tell you to have a fun day, but I know you won’t. So, instead, I’ll tell you to be careful.”

“Hn, I’m always careful,” Sasuke muttered.

“Of course you are. See you when you get home, we have dinner with the in-laws tonight.”

Sasuke shot a glare at his brother. “I haven’t asked him yet.”

“I know,” Itachi smiled.

“Hn,” Sasuke huffed and grabbed up his school bag.

He was out the door and down the driveway before Itachi pulled out his phone, texting.

+Keep an eye on the kit. She will pull something today.

Waiting for a reply, Itachi made his way to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water before retiring to the backyard. He sat on the white wicker bench and opened the Konoha Daily to the business section. The reply could be awhile in coming.

Half an hour later, Itachi laid down his paper as his phone dinged.

+Troublesome

Itachi smirked. He felt sure that by tonight Naruto and Sasuke would be celebrating their engagement; if his brother had any sense about him and proposed already.

 

~~

 

Naruto was silent the entire walk to school, his eyes occasionally falling to Sasuke’s wrist and the silver band wrapped around it. His stomach was fluttering like crazy, knowing that Sasuke had something special planned for tonight.

“Here’s where I leave you, dobe.”

Naruto stopped short, forgetting about Sasuke’s self-imposed exile for the school day in the wake of the bracelets implication.

“I wish we could just spend the day together like a normal couple,” Naruto laughed, but Sasuke could tell it was forced.

“I know, but they don’t let up. As soon as I step through those doors-”

“You’ll be a man on the run.”

“At least I have you to look forward too.”

“Hmm,” Naruto hummed, leaning in closer to Sasuke. “Of course you do.”

“I better high-tail it before anyone see’s me.” Sasuke’s eyes lowered, trailing over the curve of Naruto’s lips.

“You can kiss me,” Naruto whispered, his eyes dropping with anticipation.

Sasuke leaned in quickly and stole a chaste kiss; disappearing a second later just a horde of high school girls rounded the corner with plentiful gifts and yelling Sasuke’s name.

Naruto noticed that the group hadn’t changed much from last Valentine’s Day. Last year’s seniors were replaced with this year’s freshmen, but notably absent was Sakura who normally led the mob.

Naruto smiled as he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, knowing it was Sasuke already.

+Miss you already, dobe

He reread the text again before replying.

+I always miss you <3

Naruto closed his phone and made his way to his locker, sidestepping the mass of love-struck girls seeking out their favorite Uchiha.

He was just pulling out his books for the day when Sakura called out to him, stopping next to his open locker.

“Hey, Naruto,” she commented, leaning against the lockers.

“Sakura,” he replied, smiling.

“Alone today?” she questioned, turning to look for Sasuke.

“I don’t know where Sasuke is,” he started.

“Silly, I’m not looking for him. I think he’s made it clear that he’s not in to me.”

Naruto stalled, nodded to himself, and turned. “I’m really sorry about how the teme acted at his Christmas party. I wish I could say he isn’t like that, but he can be a real jerk sometimes…I know he wasn’t very nice to you.”

Sakura gave a nod of her head, her stomach burning with Sasuke’s words from that night. She hated him, hated him and wished nothing more than to cause him pain! Masking her burning hatred for Sasuke, she gave Naruto a reassuring smile.

“Do you want to walk to class with me?”

“Sure,” he replied, reaching for his textbooks. In a classic fit of clumsiness, the books went falling to the floor with a loud smack, causing Sakura, and anyone in the vicinity, to jump.

“Oh,” Sakura exclaimed, kneeling to help.

“I’ll get them,” Naruto replied, bending down on his haunches.

Sakura smiled and stood up. Her eyes caught his phone resting in his open locker and without a second thought, reached in and plucked the phone.

“Sorry about that, I can be so clumsy,” Naruto laughed, standing straight up.

“It happens,” she chuckled, and wrapped her arm around his elbow. “Ready to go?”

“Yes.”

 

~~

 

For the first time in Naruto’s life he was enjoying Sakura’s company. He found out early that she was a fantastic deterrent to any guy who wished to present him with a Valentine. They approached him, Sakura cracked her knuckles, they went scurrying…And this made Naruto very happy, if not a little anxious for his own Valentine from Sasuke.

He was dripping with anticipation just wondering what Sasuke had planned for tonight. ‘Something new’, he thought, wondering what new kink his boyfriend wanted to try. He didn’t dare entertain the notion that Sasuke may have a question to ask him instead…He couldn’t wait to get home and see Sasuke.

His eyes searched out the clock, noting only ten minutes left before they were dismissed for the day. It was taking too long by his reckoning.

“Hey,” Sakura hissed, turning around in her seat.

“Yeah,” Naruto replied.

“Can you stick around after class?”

Naruto cocked his head to the side, but agreed.

Sakura beamed and turned around, Naruto’s phone clutched tightly in her hand. She waited for the bell to ring and made no move to follow the other students filing out of the room.

Once the room was clear, she flipped open Naruto’s phone and composed a quick text before turning to Naruto.

“Thanks,” she commented. “I just wanted to give you a gift for Valentine’s Day.”

“A gift?”

“Don’t sound so shocked. You’ve been a good friend to me lately, not to mention a good partner, and I wanted to thank you.” She reached into her backpack and pulled out a small square plastic container filled a quarter of the way with dirt, setting in on Naruto’s desk.

“Uh, thank you,” Naruto questioned, eyeing the container with confusion. “What-what is it exactly?”

Sakura laughed. “Silly, it’s a flower. Well, it will be. You just have to water it and it will bloom. It’s all the rage at the moment…”

“Oh,” Naruto exclaimed. His face lit up with joy as he cupped the container in his hand. It was a secret passion of his to grow flowers; he even helped his mother with the gardening. “I love it, thank you Sakura.”

“You’re welcome.”

Naruto stood up and walked over to the sink in the back of the classroom, watering the seed. “So what flow-”

Naruto nearly dropped the seedling when he turned around to see Sakura right behind him. “Oh, sor-sorry, didn’t see you there.”

“No matter,” Sakura whispered, taking a step closer to Naruto. She grabbed the flower from his hand and set it on the counter next to them.

“Uh, umm,” he stuttered, trying to take a step back and bumping into the sink.

“You know, you’re kinda cute,” she laughed, walking her fingers up Naruto’s chest.

“O-oh, you think s-so…”

“Hmm,” she hummed, snaking her hand around Naruto’s neck and forcing his face into hers where she attacked his lips with hunger.

For the second time in his life he knew what it was like to kiss Sakura, and he could accurately say now that Sasuke was the better kisser. He wanted to push her away immediately, but the words his mom and dad used to say came floating through his head, ‘you should never push a lady’ and ‘always treat a lady with respect’.

Naruto’s brow crunched, his uninjured hand gripping the side of the sink as the need for oxygen became more and more crucial. He attempted to pull his head back, but Sakura’s grip was ironclad.

He panicked when she snaked her other hand to grip his crotch, fondling him. He attempted again to pull away; even brought up his cast between them to push her away…his parents would forgive him; if he even told them.

Suddenly, Sakura was pulled away from him and pushed half-way across the room by a furious Sasuke. She stumbled, but regained her balance, cackling.

“Stay AWAY from him,” Sasuke hissed. He turned and grabbed Naruto by his good arm, dragging him from the room in anger.

Naruto was in shocked disbelief, being tugged along behind Sasuke like he was nothing more than a ragdoll. They passed by remaining students who lingered to give Valentines of their own; passed Ino and Shikamaru, who were staring with shock, and out into the parking lot.

Sasuke was furious, Naruto knew this even without the bruising pressure on his arm. Finally the pain became too much and he tugged back, “Stop, you’re hurting me.”

Sasuke rounded on Naruto, but he released him as if burned. “What the hell was that!” he demanded instead.

“I-I…”

“I told you to watch yourself around her! And you couldn’t even do that!”

“I didn’t know she was going to do that…”

“How could you not? I told you!”

“I’m sorry,” Naruto whispered.

“Sorry, you’re sorry!”

“I’m sorry,” he repeated. “You shouldn’t have seen that.”

“Oh, I saw exactly what I was supposed to see!”

“What do you mean?”

“Where is your phone, Naruto?” Sasuke demanded, knowing it was the easiest way for Naruto to understand.

“It’s in my pocket, why?”

“Give it to me.” Sasuke held out his hand, waiting for Naruto to hand it over.

Naruto patted down his pockets looking for it but to no avail. He shook his head, “It must be in my backpack. I left it back there-”

“Just as I thought! I got a text from you telling me to meet you,” Sasuke snapped.

“Wait, I didn’t send you a text!”

“Obviously,” he drawled. “Sakura set you up and you just let her. She sent the text.”

Naruto stood there shaking his head. “I didn’t let her do anything. I don’t know how she got my phone-”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, it does! I didn’t let her have my phone! I didn’t do this on purpose.”

“It may not have been on purpose, but it happened! How can I trust you? You just let her do this to you; to us!”

“I didn’t just let her!”

“She was fondling you!”

“I was getting ready to push her away!”

“And what about the next time?!” Sasuke demanded.

“There won’t be a next time!”

“You say that now, but how can I trust you! I can’t do this every time!”

Naruto jerked away from Sasuke, the words hitting him like a ton of bricks. His chest constricted painfully, his breathing coming in sharper gasps. “What do you mean?”

Sasuke took a moment to calm his breathing before responding, “I can’t go through this every time you let your guard down around her. I think we need a break.”

“What? You don’t mean that?”

“I do.”

Naruto blinked back his tears, ignoring the rain that began to pelt him. He didn’t want to take a break, but there was such a look of seriousness on the Uchiha’s face that he couldn’t fight against.

“Ok,” he barely whispered and backed away from Sasuke. He walked away slowly, not daring to look back even once. He was hoping that Sasuke would reach out and stop him, to tell him that he was just angry and didn’t mean what he said. But there was only silence the further away he got.

When he was two blocks away, he ran for home, the tears flowing heavily now and his chest heaving with racking sobs. He didn’t stop until he was inside his house. Dripping wet, he slid down the inside of his front door and cried.

---

http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/topic/33885-review-replies-for-revenge/

---