Irreplacable

A/N: Here another chapter. And this story is not on hiatus…

Chapter 5:

Naruto sipped his cup of coffee carefully as he looked out of the small double glassed window. The world seemed so small down there…all hose people milling about seemed so insignificant; up here none of their problems mattered. He listened to the new Peter pan Dibelakangku which had really good music. To him it didn’t matter that he didn’t understand any of the words, they were just good.

He wondered how many of those insignificant dots down there he knew…they were flying over Konoha right now. Any one of them could be Gaara, maybe Sasuke driving to the airport or even Kakashi going to work. He dismissed it. It was two in the morning; none of them would be out. He would have to call a cab…he didn’t want the chauffer getting out of bed at this hour. He’d been in Wave Country for the past three months establishing and stabilizing a new branch of Uzumaki Corp. The three months had almost been like vacation…getting away from Sasuke.

He knew Sasuke had been relieved too. He could see it written all over the dark haired man’s when Kakashi had announced that it was okay for Naruto to go away on business trips as long as he still called any place with Sasuke home. Vacations were supposed to be taken only together…well that depended on what vacation was defined as. He was sure Sasuke had used these past three months productively. In a way Naruto hoped Sasuke would have healed a bit…after all it had been six months since Arashi’s death.

The pilot announced that they were going to land soon. Naruto fastened his seat belt and lay back closing his eyes. He loved the feeling as they landed. They made it pretty quickly. Naruto stopped at the baggage check and picked up his two huge suitcases, stuffed with Wave Country goodies. He hoisted a smaller bag onto his back and wheeled his trolley out through the arrivals gate. He headed to the cab service counter.

“Dobe!”

He turned to see Sasuke leaning against the far wall. The dark haired man came up to him and somehow took control of the trolley. Naruto stared at him in surprise. “Its two thirty in the morning, bastard.”

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. “I’m well aware of the time, dobe.”

“Then why are you here?”

“To get you….I didn’t want any poor cab driver suffering at your hands at this time. I’m used to you being annoying, so it doesn’t really matter.” Sasuke brought the trolley up by the car and began loading the suitcases into the trunk.

“Sasuke!” Naruto frowned as the other man indicated for him to get into the car. Actually the blond was quite grateful. This was so much more comfortable than a cab. Plus their house was two hours away from the airport.

They drove pretty much in silence, just enjoying the drive. Naruto glanced at Sasuke and was a bit pleased with what he saw. The dark haired man’s confidence seemed back….properly. Sasuke didn’t look the wreck he did when Naruto had left. He clothes fit him and he’d put on a bit more weight and looked filled out. The man seemed to have been working out too and a more satisfied look graced his features.

Naruto leaned back in his seat. He felt his eyes closing and a large yawn hit him. He drifted off into dreamland, lulled by the gentle movement of the car. Sasuke glanced at his friend and shook his head slightly. Trust Naruto to work constantly, he was sure this was the first time in ages that the man was getting any sleep. He bit back a yawn, he was pretty sleepy too. He’d been up all night and morning trying to finish the big floral Gaara wanted for his foyer. He was glad they were almost home. There was nothing he’d like better than to go fall onto his bed and drift off to sleep.

He drove into the garage he’d gotten build and parked. He turned to wake Naruto. Gently he shook the blond. “Naruto…” but Naruto just turned onto his side and tried snuggling into the seat some more. Sasuke couldn’t help but smirk. Clearing his throat he went in for the easier approach. He grabbed Naruto and shook him. “Dobe! We’re home!”

Naruto’s eyes flew open and an incoherent yell of “wha?” sounded through the car. His moment he got his bearings he glared at Sasuke. “Asshole! What the heck was that for? You could be gentler you know!”

“I tried. But when you rolled over like a hippo, I decided this worked just as well. So? You planning to stay in the car all night, old man? Or do you think you could make it to your bedroom?” Sasuke asked, his eyes mocking the blond.

Naruto grumbled and got out of the car. He waited for Sasuke to open the trunk before hauling out a part of his luggage and going to his bedroom. Sasuke appeared soon after with the other suitcase. The dark haired man watched him for a moment and ten sighed. “Listen have you eaten anything? If you feel like it I made some spinach and mushroom soup…”

Naruto nodded. “I did eat, but soup would be good…” he followed Sasuke downstairs, undoing his tie and shrugging off his jacket. Sasuke heated up the soup in the microwave before pulling out two soup bowls and filling it up. He slid one over the counter to the blond.

“So how did it go?”

“Tiring and very pissing off actually. Old man Tazuna refused to give his company up until I finally convinced him that I wanted a partnership and didn’t want to buy it. Then we had to make sure we could do better than Gatou…I’m still a bit worried about that man. He seemed pretty angry that I collaborated with Tazuna. He’ll give us a bit of trouble.” Naruto eat ravenously. “Apart from that in a lighter vein, there were many pretty girls…unfortunately I did not have any time for them. Tazuna’s grandson Inari seems pretty capable. We went to the beach when we had the time…see this awesome tan I got?”

Sasuke shook his head. “Uzumaki, you were born tan…I don’t see why you have to go get more tanned!”

“So what were you up to?”

“Well, your friend Gaara…I suppose he’s my friend now too… commissioned so many paintings… I’ve been up all night working to finish them for the past three months. He’s a lot of fun to be with…you were right. He came over a few times…we had a good time. And well apart from that Uzuphone has been doing really well. I might have to open up a branch in Rice Country…I’m hoping that venture goes well. We’ve had huge orders for steel…they’re building that big bridge in Wave Country ne? It’s been pretty good. Gaara’s brother Kankuro visited. Man does he know how to get wasted…I didn’t find it funny though, since he kept puking everywhere!”

Naruto laughed. “Yeah Kankuro gets like that. How come you’re not hitting the bed? Don’t you have a lot to do?”

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. “Do you realise tomorrow is a Sunday moron?”

The blond grinned sheepishly. “My time sense is a bit messed up. Wave country is twelve hours behind, remember?”

Sasuke nodded and cleared the bowls. Placing them in the sink with water, he stretched. “I’m off to bed. Sunday or no, I have plan for tomorrow so I’ll need the sleep.” He saw Naruto’s questioning look. “Gaara’s taking me to this really cool hot springs spa...come along why don’t you? We can catch up there and I’m sure you haven’t talked to Gaara in a long time either…”

Naruto wondered if Sasuke really wanted him to come along, but none of the signs said that he didn’t. So he nodded. “Just don’t get me up at some unearthly hour.”

“Ten o clock dobe…it isn’t unearthly.” Sasuke headed upstairs. And Naruto hear his bedroom door shut. Stretching and fighting a huge yawn Naruto made his own way upstairs. Somehow…the house did feel like home.

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“Dobe?”

Naruto blinked and opened his eyes to see Sasuke standing over his bed. The raven was dressed in a round neck blue t-shirt and blue jeans. He looked a little pissed. “Naruto…get ready ok? Gaara will be over in five minutes or so! Dammit I should have known you wouldn’t have put on an alarm!”

Naruto jumped out of bed and scrambled for the closet. He ran in and came out pulling on his jeans with an orange t-shirt halfway down his waist. Sasuke clicked his tongue and reached over pulling the t-shirt down. Naruto’s breath caught a tiny bit as those pale knuckles brushed against his toned tummy. But Sasuke was too pissed to notice. He waited for the blond to button up his jeans and tossed a backpack at him.

“Here, just put things you want to take in here. I’m taking some CD’s for the ride and some snacks just in case you feel hungry. By the way Shikamaru and the others from school are joining us. I didn’t know Gaara knew them all…” He sighed a bit irritably.

“Well of course Gaara knows them all. Shikamaru and I knew Gaara. He doesn’t know the Hyuuga’s yet, but if the school gang is coming then I guess Hinata and Kiba will be a part of them?” Naruto grinned. “Why are you looking so pissed?”

“I don’t feel like socializing. If they’re coming it mans Ino and Sakura will be coming as well! Which means that they will want to nose in my business…they never stopped that for the first year even when they found out I was dating Arashi!” Sasuke sighed again, more forcefully this time.

Naruto winced a little at his dad’s name. He should have gotten used to this, but the three months away seemed to have made him forget in a way. He watched the sliver of sunlight make its way through the blinds and dance on Sasuke’s face. And suddenly, Naruto could see exactly what his father had found attractive in Sasuke…at least physically. He remembered how when they were best friends, they used to sit under that huge tree after football practice. The sunlight used to play on their faces and Naruto would wonder how the heck Sasuke could be so beautiful…like a girl…in fact even Hinata wasn’t as beautiful as Sasuke…

“….Gods, u idiot!”

Naruto blinked and looked at Sasuke who seemed to have been saying something to him. “Huh?”

“I said ‘they’re here’, dobe…what the heck were you thinking of?” Sasuke frowned. “And stop staring at me!”

Naruto shook his head. “Got a little lost in thought…” he mentally berated himself for even thinking like that. And shoved the thoughts in with the weird ones he’d had in school…the ones where he’d felt a sudden urge to kiss Sasuke or had thought of Sasuke while kissing Hinata…oh well, one did not think of things like that.

Naruto shouldered his backpack and followed Sasuke out the door. The raven nodded to Gaara, whereas Naruto gave him a one armed hug. “Gaara, how’s it going man?”

The red head just nodded. “Going good…I brought the others along…and Shikamaru brought more people along. I hope you don’t mind that he brought your ex and her new husband as well…” the last part was said in a lower tone.

Naruto shook his head. “Hey Hinata! Kiba! Where’s Miyagi?” he smiled when they said they’d left him with his grandparents. He made the rounds, he group was pretty big. Shikamaru had brought Kiba, Hinata, Chouji, Ino, Sakura and Lee. Gaara had brought Shino. They were all there except for Neji who had apparently left on a business trip.

They drove down to the hot springs resort, three hours away from Konoha. Naruto had missed this chatter actually. He hadn’t seen them all together in ages. And it was nice the way Sasuke was accepted back…the raven had cut off all contact with them since he’d gotten together with Arashi. Lee was currently interrogating Sasuke on his business practices. Kiba was trying to ask Sasuke if he’d like to partner with his firm. Sakura and Ino were still squealing over how hot he and Sasuke looked. Naruto grinned, this was life.

The girls disappeared into the changing rooms and the guys headed to their own. They all had to shower first in small cubicles. Naruto couldn’t help but notice the smooth curves of Sasuke’s body. The man was defined muscle…it was hard not to appreciate such manly beauty. That’s what Naruto told himself…he was just appreciating Sasuke’s beauty. He looked away and around and his eyes fell on Gaara who was not so subtly checking out the same beauty. Naruto wasn’t sure he liked what sparked in those green eyes as they wandered over Sasuke’s body. He pulled on the loin cloth and then walked over to Gaara. He grabbed the red head.

“Come on, talk to me…we haven’t talked in ages.”

Gaara nodded. “I’m just asking Uchiha to do some art for my home. He’s a very good artist…he’ll make a name for himself in that pretty soon. How did Wave Country go?”

Naruto filled him in on the details and they slipped into the hot water. Sasuke joined them not soon after. The girls immediately latched on…one on Sasuke and the other on Naruto. The day passed quickly enough. The girls left after a few hours complaining about becoming prunes or something of the sort…Hinata being who she was stayed on, but she talked more to Kiba…they were still in their newly wedded bliss part of their relationship.

Shikamaru had claimed Gaara and was talking about some business venture, since he was their lawyer after all. And Naruto found himself feeling vaguely thankful that the red head wasn’t around. He and Sasuke were by themselves at the comer of the pool. Chouji was munching away in a corner and Lee it seemed had left to see if he could win Sakura’s affection.

Naruto chuckled. He looked up to see Uchiha's questioning look and grinned. “It’s just Lee…you would have thought it’s been five years and he’d have given up on her by now. But then again it’s because it’s Lee…I think Sakura had better accept him soon.”

Sasuke nodded. “But I wonder if she will cave in finally. I mean its Sakura and from what I can see, she still prefers the good looking and wealthy. I think I might have to drill it into her head literally that I’m gay! This is why I stayed away from them!”

Naruto looked at him. “Are you sure that’s the reason?”

Sasuke looked away for a moment before meeting his eyes with determination etched in them. “Yes…it is a part of the reason.” He reached over Naruto to pick up one of the titbits on the tray next to the blond. Naruto had to will his body not to stiffen as the Uchiha’s arm lay against his chest. The few seconds actually seemed like minutes. Then it was gone and Sasuke was taking a tiny bite, staring at the water contemplatively.

Naruto wanted to grab his head in frustration. He did not want to admit that he’d missed Sasuke a lot when he was in Wave Country. The three months he’d spent with the bastard before he’d left had actually made quite an impact on him. No matter what had happened, Sasuke had been and was his best friend. And he’d gotten used to Sasuke…actually it was almost like he’d never left…with exception of the pain the both of them felt about Arashi’s death. But that had been friendship! Did being away make me crazy? He’s my best friend…he’s beautiful but why the fuck am I reacting like this? It has to be because I’m so sexually frustrated…it’s been a fucking year since I got any!

Naruto steeled himself…he needed an excuse to get away from Sasuke. He smirked. “What was the other reason Sasuke? Were you scared?”

The raven almost dropped his food and stared at Naruto in disbelief. He’d thought things were getting a bit better between them and now Naruto seemed to be needling him again. “What did you say?”

Naruto smirked, his eyes mocking the raven. “I asked you if your other reason was because you were scared…of keeping in touch with these friends of ours…?”

Sasuke’s lips tightened. “Yes…I was scared. I didn’t want to be shunned because I was with your father. I mean you did it…what was the guarantee that the others would stick by me? But you know what surprised me? The fact that two years ago, Shikamaru called to say he didn’t care and that he’d like to keep in touch? I was too busy back then, but they were more friends than you were…”

“It was my father you were shagging, you jerk…” Naruto kept his voice low. “It concerned me directly.”

Sasuke stood. It wasn’t a good idea as Naruto was drawn to how tight that ass looked in the wet loin cloth. Sasuke glared at him no idea about what was actually going through his head. “I thought things were getting better, Naruto. I wish to god you hadn’t come!” he waded to where Kiba and Hinata were and began to talk to them.

Naruto hoisted himself out of the pool and made his way to the changing room. He changed quickly and sat down on one of the benches. Soon Lee found him and the rest of the day went pretty quickly.

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Sasuke opened the door to the house; Naruto had said he’d be back with Gaara later. He’d thought things were okay…what the fuck was wrong with Naruto. He’d seen that malicious calculating look in those blue eyes. Naruto had said those things deliberately. He’d deliberately wanted to start an argument…he’d deliberately wanted his comments to hurt.

Sasuke wandered into his bedroom and shut the door. He lay on the bed and picked up that picture on his bedside table. He smirked as he saw Arashi’s smiling face.

“I don’t know. You actually thought keeping us cooped up like this would work? I don’t know what’s bitten his ass again…but he’s trying to keep us fighting. I had thought we were starting to get our friendship back, but I guess I thought wrong. I still miss you…but it has become more bearable.” Sasuke put the frame back and changed into some pajamas.

He made his way out to his shed and decided to work on the landscape for Gaara’s bedroom. He tried concentrating but it wasn’t happening. He finally walked back to the house and into Naruto’s room to see if the workers had come in and fixed things up the way they had told them to. He penned down a note and left it by the thing. Then he went to bed. At least he could catch up on some sleep.

Two hours later Naruto unlocked the door. He waited to see if he could hear Sasuke anywhere, satisfied that he didn’t he moved to fall onto the couch. The day had been harrowing. For some reason the thought of being attracted to Sasuke scared the shit out of him. But you did crush on him…remember all those times you dreamed of him? The times that you kissed your girlfriends thinking of him? You know you wanted him…Naruto shook his head and clutched his hair.

He couldn’t deny that he’d always wanted Sasuke. He’d always brushed it off as the side effects of growing up. He’d had a beautiful girlfriend, an awesome father, lots of money and a best friend who would die for him…who he would die for. He’d never seen a point in giving into to stupid hormonal urges and jeopardizing all that. So everything had gone like clockwork. He’d done everything best friends were supposed to do with Sasuke…except for those times they’d slept in the same bed and Naruto had stayed awake all night for fear of what he might do. Then he’d proposed to Hinata when they were 19. They’d gotten married and he’d come back to find that Sasuke and his dad were lovers. He remembered that moment perfectly.

He’d just gotten back from his honeymoon. They’d all finished dinner and Hinata had retired to the bedroom. Naruto had gone looking for Sasuke and his dad to have some ‘man’ talk. He’d heard some whispering coming from his dad’s study.

“When are you going to tell him?”

“You mean when are we going tell him…?”

“Today…we should tell him today…” Naruto knew that was Sasuke’s voice. He wondered what would make his friend sound so unsure of himself.

“Sasuke…he’ll understand…its Naruto…”

“You don’t get it, Arashi…I’m no sure he knows why…” and then there’d been a slightly muffled noise.

Naruto had pushed open the door…and his eyes had widened in shock. His father’s arms were around Sasuke and the raven’s face was against his neck.

And then…something in Naruto’s stomach had bottomed out…and rage like never before had filled him. Something about seeing Sasuke of all people in his father’s arms pissed him off.

Naruto shut that memory out. He hated the taunting voice that came with it. Maybe you were angry with Arashi…not because you hated o see him with anyone…but because it was Sasuke…he sopped it right there.

This had been one of Naruto’s own demons…a demon that had persisted for five years, making him angry whenever he saw that smile or happy satisfied look in Sasuke face when he was with his dad. Dammit, he loved them both. Naruto stood up feeling sick. For the last five years he’d lived with this self disgust…

“Aaaaah!” he yelled a little. Then he got himself water and headed to his bedroom. He fumbled forth light witches in the ark and flicked one on. Suddenly his room lit up with dim light…coming from a huge stained glass painting of a fox with nine tails. Naruto switched on the proper lights and gaped. His far wall which had been bare for so long was covered with the painting with had been placed a little in front of the wall with space for a light at the back. It looked beautiful and provided enough light to see with. But with the brighter lights on, Naruto spotted the note on the bed. Unbidden a grin came onto his face. He laughed and fell onto his bed, his eyes tracing the lines of the painting. He’d definitely have to make it up to Sasuke.

Dobe,

Since you gazed so lustfully at it, I’ve decided it’s found a good home with you. But we’re still not even, so you owe me big.

S

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A/N: Finally one more chapter done. I can’t believe it took so long!! I hope you liked it though…Yeah Naruto has his own sick demons from the past and this is one twisted story. You see though he knew he would lose Sasuke to someone, he’d never thought it was to his dad…I hope you liked some of these truths being revealed. Please review I’ve put loads of effort into this chapter.

Taka

Again I have an exam and I am typing this chapter out!! I think my inspiration is my exams…