Cardiac Arrest

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and I don't make any money by writing this.
A special thanks to my lovely Paul G (uchihasasukekun07). You know I hold you dearly


Cardiac Arrest
by electrostatic

Chapter 5: I don't think I'm allowed to tell you I'm lost without you

- - -

The past few weeks ran by very fast. Naruto barely had time to register what was going on. There were a lot of assignments to write and tests to study for. Unlike his old school, this school was serious. If you hadn't finished the assignments on the day they were due, you failed. Naruto wasn't used to this. Last year he finished assignments for a whole course in one weekend and got a good grade!

That wasn't half as upsetting as the fact that it had only been two weeks until their first math test. If they had gotten a heads up beforehand or even a hint, but no, she just had to give them an unprepared test. Their teacher, Anko, was brilliant at math but she simply didn't know how to teach.

Naruto took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He sat at a bench in the middle of the classroom, which was silent. He didn't dare to look around to see how the others were doing, since Kiba warned him. Apparently she had torn up a boy's test last year and failed him in the course because he tried to cheat.

Naruto wanted to cry. This was awful. He looked at the paper and sighed. He didn't know the answer to one. Not that he thought he would, he had yet to break the code to logical thinking. Or so he thought, since everyone that tried to help him would get frustrated and try to help him 'think logically'. 'Whenever you get stuck Naruto, think logically.' his old teacher used to say. That didn't help at all, since the longer he sat there looking at the numbers he got more and more frustrated and sad. Looking at the clock while sighing with a hand in his hair, he calculated seventy-five minutes to go.

He looked at the blank paper and started writing. In words he explained exactly what he didn't get. Naruto felt time go faster and couldn't stop writing. He had his way with words but numbers weren't his cup of tea, if one would ask. At least he wouldn't give her a blank paper.

“Ten minutes left.”

It had felt like half an hour when Anko's voice filled the silent classroom. He heard Sakura breathe out a deep breath and hoped that she was alright. She had almost cried when she was given the test sheet. Naruto suspected that she was heavily pushed to get good grades from her parents, he had never seen someone fight so reluctantly for A's.

Naruto was finished with his explanations when they were excused. He had befriended some of his classmates, but he mostly hung out with Kiba, Ino, Sakura and Choji, half the gang he met on his second day.

Said people stood now outside the school and talked about the test.

“Fucking Anko, hate her. I just knew that she would do something like this! I mean, come on, we practically just started school.” Ino's shouting could be heard over the park and several students look at her disapprovingly.

“Calm down Ino, it wasn't that bad.” Sakura said while she tried to still her hands.

“I am calm! I need a smoke, honestly. This is killing me, it was so tough. I mean question five, what kind of question was that?” Ino shook her head as she looked around for smokers to beg from.

“A question only smart people could answer.” Kiba said while nodding.

Ino didn't hear that, she had already run up to an economics student with a green tie and talked to him while they both smoked. The rest of the gang just sat there, calming down their nerves. Who could blame them? Anko said it was vital to their final grade.

Kiba, who sat next to him, took a deep breath and looked at the flowers in the middle. Sakura rested her head on Naruto's shoulder and started talking about everyday things. Naruto liked the distraction and it didn't take much time until Choji and Kiba joined the conversation.

It was a pleasant conversation, it got math and school out of their minds. Five minutes later Ino came and wanted to play a game. She claimed that the smoking boy was very, very boring. “Boring people shouldn't be allowed to smoke!” she had exclaimed and sat down beside Choji. They started playing 'guess the song', which Sakura won.

- - -

Four days later, loud voices could be heard if you walked by Naruto and Kiba's room. Not so pretty for the ears, but our boys don't care. They were too happy to even bother.

“'CAUSE YOU'RE HOT THEN YOU'RE COLD, YOU'RE YES THEN YOU'RE NO, YOU'RE IN AND YOU'RE OUT, YOU'RE UP THEN YOU'RE DOWN!”

Katy Perry's voice filled the room, almost as loud as Kiba. Naruto sat on his bed and looked at Kiba who was singing and dancing. It was four days since the test and Kiba thought he celebrated for them both for passing grades in math. That explained why he was all over the floor, holding a tube of hair gel to his mouth as a microphone and sang along.

Naruto could do nothing but take the mop from the corner and join Kiba on their newfound dance floor. After a minute of mindless moving and murmured lyrics the song they both ended up collapsing on their beds.

“Haha, that was weird.” Kiba puffed out between his heavy breathing.

“That was so random.” Naruto answered while sitting up.

“I'm gonna go catch a shower, wait for me and we'll head downstairs!” Kiba said on his way out.

Naruto almost felt bad for being relieved. He liked Kiba, don't misunderstand, but sometimes it was too much. Feeling a little hot, he took off his tie while he reached out for his bag, snatching out his paper. There wasn't a grade next to his name, but at the back there was an explanation:

'Naruto,
Thank you for doing something, that during my ten years of teaching, I've only heard of but never experienced. Instead of giving me a blank paper, you wrote down everything that you didn't understand. Not only what but also why you didn't understand.

Now, I've believe that students help student's best, so my advise to you would be that you to seek some of the economics students to help you. You are lacking a lot of basic knowledge that I don't know if I have the time to teach you.

I am very well aware that you are new here, but sometimes you have to bite the sour apple. If you can't find any student that will help you, come to me. I doubt that I will be needed since you are a bright person who doesn't seem to have it too difficult making friends. It's all entirely up to you.

Think about it,
Anko.'

Naruto sighed after reading and put the test under his pillow. He wasn't ashamed, he just didn't want to spoil Kiba's joy. What he didn't know he wouldn't hurt him, right?

Naruto got up from his chair and wondered, should he ask Sasuke for help? Or should he ask Shikamaru? He was also in economics and seemed like a bright boy, but lazy.

Naruto started getting restless and nervous. What if he failed math because he didn't have the guts to ask Sasuke for help? This would all have been easy if Sasuke actually had talked to him, or just said 'hi'. This pretending-not-to-know-him-thing Sasuke was doing was getting old. There were too many 'what ifs' and 'why nots' for Naruto. He wished he had someone to talk to, to get everything out of his system.

Before he managed to get all riled up Kiba came back with dripping hair and a huge smile on his face. Getting caught in the happy aura Kiba radiated they both left the room to meet up with their peers.

- - -

Sakura told them before class that they would meet up in the cafe behind the library. Naruto had argued since he didn't want to be inside on a Friday. He only had to walk outside for a few minutes to see Sakura's point. The rain stained them both and they walked fast in silence.

They arrived ten minutes later and saw Ino and Sakura sitting in a booth, laughing together. Sakura saw them as they entered and waved them over. Smiling, Naruto and Kiba ran over and sat down next to the two girls. The smell of freshly baked cookies made him crave some. Before he said something Sakura, who sat next to him, opened her mouth to talk.

“Okay, where is everyone?! I thought I told them to meet us here at seven p.m.!” she exclaimed loudly and hung her head down in disappointment.

“They are probably late or something...” Ino said slowly, looking at something through the window.

“Oh my, tell me that isn't...” she said as her jaw dropped. Sakura's head flew right up and soon there were two girls with their jaws open.

“Um... What's going on?” Naruto asked the party, or anyone that would listen. Kiba looked outside with open eyes himself and slowly whispered “unbelievable”. It would have been unheard just as Naruto's question was.

He looked around the room for the first time since they sat down. It was a really cosy, study café. At every little table or booth sat students from all four houses chatting away. Only, they weren't chatting now, they where also watching the motions outside.

Naruto didn't have a clue about what was going on. The atmosphere had changed to an uncomfortable vibe and even one of the waitresses stood watching.

All he could see was students talking together, walking together or just students alone walking with heads hung down. They were trying to get away from the rain as dry as possible, hurrying together under umbrellas. Not even a couple or something else that would draw such attention amongst the gossipers.

Now, it had only been seconds since Ino froze, causing everyone else to act like clones. It felt like hours.

And it wasn't Naruto that broke the thick tension, even though he felt like it. It was the sound of a camera taking a picture and just like that, all heads turned to the camera holder. It was a young girl, probably fourteen, blonde with big brown eyes that smiled a huge smile as she said “I'm sooo tipping this to Gossip Girl.”.

The trance was broken by the girl who talked with a voice full of adoration towards GG. Naruto saw how the students of JHIB collected themselves and wore faces filled with shame. How could they have been acting like this in public? Was probably the thought everyone was pained with. Rich snobs, Naruto thought with a smile.

“Oh.. Heh... I'm sorry, it's just... Do you see those two girls?” Sakura pointed towards the opposite street and saw a blonde girl with her hair put up in four ponytails. Her hair was short but she was tall, wearing a black and yellow striped skirt. She talked to another girl, standing in front of her. Naruto had seen her before, in the common room. Brown haired and short, compared to the blonde giant standing next to her.

“Yeah. I don't get it, they are just talking?” Naruto was uncertain if he was looking at the right people.

“Are you looking at the right pair? A blonde and a brunette talking together?” Ino said as she continued to throw looks at the window. The facial expressions pupils wore when watching the two girls, Naruto just didn't get it.

“They are standing under the streetlight, can't you see?” Sakura said as she pointed towards the streetlight.

Looking outside at the now smiling pair he lost it.

“I don't get it. They are just standing there talking, now laughing!” Naruto's voice got louder than he originally wanted it to be, but nobody noticed.

“Well, they had this huge fight last year.”
“I heard it went on for like, the whole summer break too!”
“Yeah, like drunken calls and murderous threats, it got so bad that their parents got involved too!”
“I heard there was even a murder, right before school started!”
“No, that's ridiculous, if that happened, there's no way in friggin' hell that they would be laughing together!”

Too many rumors, too many voices arguing. Kiba, who sat in front of him, look apologetic and leaned forward.

“See that blonde girl? Yeah, well, her name is Temari and that brunette she's talking to, yeah she's a Bluebell too. Her name is Tenten. From what I've heard they used to be best friends, almost sisters. Tenten had a boyfriend. It was so serious that she even got engaged. During this time, Temari slept with the same boy, behind Tenten's back.” He said, in a quiet voice so that the girls wouldn't interfere.

“Ooh, she found out didn't she?” Naruto felt himself slowly getting sucked up in the gossip.

“Of course she found out. It was all over Gossip Girl. Man, I heard that they got in a cat-fight.”. Kiba ended his sentence with a laughter. Naruto surrendered, it was huge if one saw those two talk.

“So, what else do you do except gossip?” Naruto asked after listening for a while. It just blurted out, honestly. A thought said out loud.

Sakura, who was in deep discussion with Ino, stopped in her mid-sentence and turned her head towards Naruto. Ino looked at Naruto too and Kiba leaned back, not wanting to be in the way. All three of them wore the same facial expressions. Even though he could see three of the same expressions, he couldn't read them.

Did he insult them? Naruto started fidgeting under the intense looks and didn't know what to do.

Then Ino laughed and Sakura giggled. Kiba got up and before he went he asked if Naruto wanted anything, “Coffee, cookie?” Naruto, too confused, just nodded and Kiba was off.

“Well, yeah. So we talk about people behind their backs? It's their own fault, I mean, this IS a boarding school. We face each other every day. So when someone screws the wrong person, or just screw someone, it can't go unnoticed!” Ino said, waving her hand to and fro as she tried to explain. Her face was no longer a mask, it was showing how pleased she was with her choice of words.

“Yeah I mean, if I didn't talk about people that bother me, I would probably kill them! Kill Naruto! That means I would be going to jail and I'm too pretty to go to jail!” Sakura continued after seeing Naruto's disbelieving face.

“Oh, like you are pretty now? A guy has to be drunk to get in bed with you, isn't that true?” Ino looked smugly at Sakura for a reaction and was disappointed when all she got was a sigh.

“At least I got laid.” Sakura said with a puff, earning another confused look from Naruto and a displeased look from Ino.

“Okay.. I don't know what's going on here! You gossip and have sex with each other out of boredom? What else do you do? Get wasted and high as hell? Are people around here involved in gangs and knife fights too?” Naruto looked for hope in their eyes as he looked for a clue.

“No, no knife fights around here Naruto. We evolved to gunfights instead.” Sakura smiled sweetly at Naruto who had just lost all faith in the school.

“That's ridiculous, you have to be joking with me! Isn't everyone here from rich family's that kill to keep secrets?” Naruto shouted and raised his hands up in the air. A few of the students sitting in the booths around their tables looked at Naruto. Naruto himself looked after Kiba who waved from the line. Damn, it was a long line.

“Come on Naruto, I was just trying to joke. Lighten up a little.” Sakura said with a little smile before dropping it. She narrowed her eyes before looking critically at Naruto. “Why where you talking about our parents in such a negative manner? Aren't you parents just as rich to get you in here, senior year?”

Ino turned her head towards Naruto in a critical manner too, waiting for an answer.

“Um... No, my parents are dead.” Naruto said, his voice dropping some decibel. He knew from experience that people tended to shut up about his parents when they heard about it. Sakura gasped and Ino's eyes became sadder also.

“I'm sorry for your loss Naruto. I wouldn't have brought it up if I knew it was a sensitive topic.” She honestly was sad, Naruto could see it in her face and hear it in her voice.

“It's nothing. I just think this school is confusing with all the unwritten rules, I don't want to break them.” The confession escaped Naruto's mouth and he looked at the two girls with a blush and scratched his head.

“I totally understand. I would be scared too if a came to a school where everyone slept with each other and there even was a blog that documented it. Not to talk about the drinking.” Sakura said as she shook her head. Ino giggled when she saw how horrified Naruto looked. Kiba chose that moment to come back and put the coffee and cookie in front of Naruto.

“But only the economics students do those kind of things anyway.” Ino dismissively said and stole a bit from Naruto's cookie.

“What does economics students do Ino?” Kiba said, not understanding the conversation he just walked in on.

“Oh, you know, sleep with each other to blow up some tension... Have random alcohol parties... Get high after exams.. The usual, you know?” Ino said casually, as if they were talking about the weather. “But not everyone in the economics does that, sometimes there's even some social studies girls there. Rarely, however.”

“Isn't it interesting how their events never come up on Gossip Girl?” Sakura's critical voice caught Naruto's interest. Nobody knew who Gossip Girl was, right?

“Yeah Ino, how do we know that you're not Gossip Girl ha?” Kiba said mostly for fun, punching the girl in the process. He knew the blonde didn't have anything to do with Gossip Girl, she had morals.

“Watch your mouth Kiba, making random accusations like that could be dangerous.” Ino smiled, but her eyes betrayed her. She was deeply offended. “After all, I think that the concept of even starting up such a horrible blog is ... immature and tacky.”

“You don't have to defend yourself Ino, we know it's not you.” Sakura said, offering a little smile.

“Staying on topic, why do you drink so much and how do you get away with it?” Kiba tilted his head to the side as he gave Ino his full attention. Naruto and Sakura were listening with both eyes and ears.

“Because we have to study more than you do. You just write essays, just type away as your imagination does the work. We, however, would never get away with that. So, when we get too much homework or just finish one of our murderous tests we ... calm down, I guess?” She said with a shrug, looking at the three social studies students around her. “How we get away with it... That's a secret I'll never tell.” Ino added with a wink and a giggle.

“Ah, now you're just treading on thin ice Ino! Don't steal Gossip Girl's punch-line!” Sakura said warningly. Naruto could sense some hostility coming from her.

“Okay, stop talking about a stupid blog. It's not that interesting. Where are the others is a more interesting topic.” Naruto said, tired of talking about anything involving gossip.

“Ah, I don't know. I texted Hinata but she hasn't answered.” Sakura said, looking at her phone once again to confirm. “Still no answer.”

“Weird. Guess we got stood up.” Ino had an indifferent voice, as if she didn't care. Sakura noticed too and gave her a suspicious look.

Naruto was fed up with just sitting down, talking about things he didn't care about. He drank the last of his coffee, stood up and put on his jacket while avoiding eye contact.

“Where are you going?” Sakura asked, a little bit too loud.

“Away from here. I don't feel well.” Naruto said bitterly, making his way out of the cafe.

- - -

Naruto and Kiba stood in the middle of the stairway. After Naruto's dramatic exit Kiba had caught up with him. Their walk back to the common room was quiet and Naruto felt tired, resulting in his social skills going down. This was why he was caught of guard when Kiba suddenly stopped in the middle of the stairs, looking angrily at the blonde.

“Why are you so distant?” He asked. The tone of his voice made Naruto feel like a thief, as if he'd been accused of stealing something worth more than his life. A shiver went down his spine and he closed his eyes.

“I... I don't know. I'm just tired.” Naruto looked away. This wasn't how he wanted to be confronted. What was his problem anyway? Except being engaged to a person that doesn't give a shit about you, failing math and being miles from home?

“Cut the crap Uzumaki, we both know that's not what I meant.” Kiba drew more attention to himself as his voice grew louder by each word spoken. Naruto sighed and looked pleadingly at Kiba.

“You don't have to raise your voice. I can hear you.” Naruto wasn't in the mood to be bothered, or to make a scene. How could Kiba not sense that?

“You know what?” Kiba more said then asked. “I think you need some time alone. I don't have the energy to deal with a moody roommate, so come back when you're not...”

Kiba left the sentence unfinished, giving Naruto an unreadable look. Before Naruto could speak Kiba turned away, walking fast.

What was he going to do now? He didn't want to look up Sakura and Ino. He wanted to be alone.

Sighing, he started walking around the school.

- - -

Sasuke wasn't a complicated person. That's why he had a problem with Naruto. Everything that boy looked at or even thought of became complicated.

That's why he didn't stop when he saw Naruto get yelled at by his roommate. He was used to see Naruto being treated that way.

What he was not used to was seeing said boy looking lost. Sasuke's walking pace didn't change, but his goal did. You see, even though Sasuke found Naruto very complicated, he also found him interesting. And even though this school was filled with pointless and meaningless activities and topics, Sasuke was never interested in those things.

No, Sasuke needed entertainment. He got schoolwork to do, cigarettes to smoke and yet, he also needed to accomplish Naruto. Sasuke still hadn't figured out the details, but he sure was going to do something.

He didn't know what something was either, but he knew that he couldn't ever fall in love with the blonde boy. But that blonde needed to be in love with him, otherwise their marriage would be troubled.

Standing two steps behind Naruto, making the otherwise shorter blonde shorter, he tried to come up with a smart ass comment. Something to make Naruto's insides twist.

Just as he was going to walk up, Naruto turned around and ran right into Sasuke. They tumbled down and it hurt. Sasuke would have smooched the boy, especially since he fell right in Sasuke's lap. It was the blushing of Naruto's face which ensured that Sasuke changed his mind.

Suddenly, everything made sense and unanswered questions were somewhat answered. The guy was already in love with him!

He pushed the blonde off him and smirked. “Naruto, I know that my body is very flattering, but with you on it, it is not.”

Naruto must have been the most predictable person he had ever met, because just that sentence alone made Naruto furious. Sasuke noticed that the lost look was gone and had to look away. Not to get emotionally involved, it made sense that Naruto felt home in his presence. That should not stand in the way for the plan.

Right, the plan. He remembered now.

“Let's go outside, I want to smoke.” He interrupted Naruto in the middle of a sentence, almost not noticing it. Hm, he would have to pay more attention to what the blonde said if the plan was going to work.

He started to walk away from Naruto who was yelling at him. Naruto should know better than to yell, Sasuke automatically tuned him out. Was he ever tuned in? Ah well, Sasuke would have to try and get better at listening.

And when they walked out of the school, Sasuke just couldn't help himself. He felt like a cliche, like the voice of the lead character in an overrated move. But he couldn't help himself.

“Let my plan begin.”, he thought with a smile.

- - -

Sasuke sat down on the steps and leaned on the banisters, motioning soundlessly for Naruto to sit down beside him. Naruto sat down next to him and remained silent. A light blush caressed his cheeks, his brows together and his eyes looking at everything but Sasuke.

The urge to smoke disappeared but he still lit one, out of habit. Naruto looked at his nails, searching for words. Sasuke didn't know whether he should help the blonde out or just stay silent. After a few surprised looks from passersby's walking up or down the steps, Naruto turned his head towards Sasuke.

“I don't want to talk to you here.” His voice sounded empty, somewhat distant. “Let's go for a walk.”. Before Sasuke registered, Naruto had already walked down the remaining steps and started walking. Sasuke soon joined him and waited. He hated waiting, but he knew that he couldn't disturb the blonde. It was his plan, but not his rules. After a few minutes, not as uncomfortable as Sasuke imagined they would be Naruto finally spoke up.

“Who are you?” the same cold voice asked again, a hint of accusation could be heard. “I've been in your house every vacation since forever and I don't know you.”

Naruto's pace slowed down. When Sasuke didn't answer he continued. “I'm not talking about knowing you favorite book or movie, or knowing what you do every morning. I know those things, but I don't know why you like the things you like. I can't anticipate how you will react or say when things happen. I don't even know if you have a personality.”

Perhaps it was the surly tone that he was unused to hearing spoken by that voice or it was the truth that almost got Sasuke to drop his cigarette. He felt shivers and refused to look at Naruto, looking at the sky instead. He didn't really care about the sky but it was a nice distraction.

“I didn't want you to know me, I didn't want to know you.” Sasuke said, feeling that it was the only answer he could offer. Naruto probably wanted a more details but today wasn't the day. Next to him Naruto sighed, looking annoyed at Sasuke before speaking again. With more feeling.

“That's great Sasuke, I got it years ago. News flash, we're getting married. I think it's about time you started gaining interest in me, because I'm in no rush to die.” It came out quick and harshly, Naruto would've probably gotten embarrassed if he wasn't so angry.

Sasuke noticed how Naruto's mood grew darker. He threw away his cigarette in a trash-can and felt empty. Not having anything to do with his hands he put them in his blazer pockets, taking up the fast pace Naruto created. His words ran through his mind and he didn't feel like walking. It was ruining his concentration. The blue scarf swung as he walked faster and it annoyed him.

Neither of them knew where they were headed, both walking the same track as the other. Sasuke saw a bench and took hold of Naruto's arm and lead him towards it. After they both sat down, Sasuke still holding his arm rather hard, said to Naruto with an angry face,

“Why do you want to make this work? Why do you want to marry me when I haven't done a thing to make you want me?!” His voice was filled with anger. Naruto hadn't heard or seen Sasuke with such emotion. Even though he didn't feel anything positive right now, the response was everything he wanted.

“Because everything is not about you Sasuke, there are other people walking on this planet too you know, one of them is me.”Naruto pointed at himself while shaking away Sasuke's hand and looked angrily at Sasuke, before turning away. He didn't like being angry at anyone, it took too much negative energy. Somehow though, it felt that they needed that anger in order to progress.

“You're avoiding the question, Naruto.” Sasuke said warningly. Two could play the game Naruto was trying to win. Sasuke couldn't lose.

Naruto looked away and at tried to calm down. It was just too much, things were going too fast for Naruto's liking and he didn't know what to do, what to say. Tell the truth and feel the judgement all across his crushed face, or make up a lie barely credible? He felt Sasuke sensing that he was uneasy. Naruto decided to play it fair. After all, the recipe for a happy marriage is one not based on lies, right?

“If my parents wanted this so much, that they even decided it when I wasn't even born... I think I could do it then. My home right now is barely a home, I have nothing. At first, sure, I wanted to destroy everything I saw. Smash it all to pieces. Who are our parents to decided this for us? Who gave them the right to decide?” Naruto looked at Sasuke. It was a question that lingered in the air longer then either of them wanted. A question they both asked themselves and neither could answer. They looked each other in the eyes for the first time since they sat down and Naruto continued.

“When I calmed down I thought to myself, what do I have to lose? I like you, even if you are a bastard I like you. You aren't kind but you are loyal and I can do with that for now.” Naruto offered his signature smile, trying to easy the mood a little bit. It worked and he felt satisfied with himself.

Sasuke could feel the stare. It was one of those stares that wanted to speak without words. Damn that Naruto, for making him vocal. But he owed it, he guessed.

“I'm used to my father making my decisions for me. First, it felt like every other thing he decided. It still does. I guess it hasn't sinked in yet.” Sasuke said as casually as he could. It wasn't the truth but for now he wanted to keep his reasons to himself. They still had eye contact letting Sasuke know that Naruto believed him.

Naruto took a deep breath, feeling relieved. This had went worse and better than he had expected. When he heard Sasuke light another cigarette he yawned and suddenly remembered.

“Hey Sasuke, could you help with something?” All the strong, cynical feelings that only made his head hurt had disappeared and left... Naruto. Something he liked. So he put on his best smile because hey, it's his grade they are talking about.

“What?” Sasuke's monotone voice came out, calmer than before.

“I'm failing math and I reeeaaalllyy need professional help, even my teacher said so. And the only near enough professional I know is... You!” Naruto felt really good again, back to normal. After his talk with Sasuke he would find Kiba and apologize and ask if they could watch a movie together again. Yeah he should do that.

Sasuke on the other hand was too absorbed with the question Naruto asked. Tutoring Naruto in math wouldn't be an easy task. Did he have the time? The energy? Blowing out smoke he looked at Naruto from the corner of his eye. He really cheered up in no time.

Sasuke supposed he could. Why not? Interesting to see just how dumb this blond could be.

“Why not?” He said with a small smirk.

- - -

After Naruto's non-silent departure, Sasuke got restless. Not knowing what to do with his spare time, he continued smoking. He wasn't in deep thought or staring away when he felt someone sit down on the other end of the bench. After a few silent minutes Sasuke understood that the person sitting next to him wouldn't bother him. Pleased, he sat back a little.

He noticed to his dismay that it started to get colder as the time went. Breathing in the cold fresh air he closed his eyes. Sasuke heard how the streetlight behind him made noises, it was time to change the lightbulb. He tried not to yawn and noted that it soon was time to take out the large winter coat if he wanted to continue smoking outside.

When he heard that he or she pulled out a new package of cigarettes he allowed himself to relax a little bit. He still hadn't bothered to turn his eyes or head to his left and find out who it was. But if someone just wanted to smoke on the same bench as him, why should he look?

He heard coughing and turned to look at his 'guest'. Shikamaru. How boring. They continued to sit in silence for a while until Shikamaru finally spoke.

“Do you think it's so clever?”

Watching the clouds of smoke coming from his mouth he didn't know what to do. Did he have the time or the patience?

“I don't see a problem.”

Shikamaru threw away his cigarette and looked at Sasuke. “You do. I know it.”

“It's my life Shikamaru. Don't worry, I won't mess things up.” Sasuke looked at his friend and loosened his tie. Even if he should start prepairing himself for the winter air that was soon to come, he opened his coat.

“I know you won't. But you don't seem to familiar to Naruto... Are you sure he won't bother you?” Shikamaru tried to hide his grin as Sasuke's brow's formed a line together.

“He is nothing I can't take care of.” Sasuke's voice was a little louder this time, obviously not comfortable talking about the new student. To emphasize this a little bit more, he put his coat back on and left without another word.

- - -

A/N: Oh my I could go on and on and write for age's! This chapter just didn't want to finish but I had to stop somewhere?! Good news? I have written almost half chapter six!

Haha, I have no intensions at all on making Naruto drunk, not yet anyway. Naruto may be Konoha's nr 1 ninja, but he is smart too (not always, but at least something) and no.... It's just not Naruto's style and we've all read that in other fictions. So don't worry ;)

I know it's late but Marry Christmas and Happy New Year * hint check out my oneshot hint * Let's make -09 the best year ever! I'm going to see Liam and Noel Gallagher + band, so looking forward to it. So my start is going to be the greatest!

I don't know when I'll update again. It won't be a long 6-12 months wait, but we'll see. I can't make any promises, other than that I'll update as soon as I'm finished (Review's are always appreciated!)!

Oh, I almost forgot. I loved the reviews you gave me for ch 4, and I decided to take my dear friend Mashiro's advice and start an livejournal where I answer your reviews! Since I'm new on lj and I don't really know much I'll post the link along with the next chapter.

Love,
Electrostatic!