Shades Of Grey

Chapter 6

Naruto awoke to his alarm clock. He stretched magnificently and jumped out of bed. He stifled a yawn as he grabbed his clothes and headed across the small hallway to his bathroom to start his morning routine. Upon exiting the bathroom twenty minutes later, fully groomed and dressed in his usual orange and blue jumpsuit, with black shirt showing beneath the jacket, he saw Sasuke still asleep on his couch. The previous night’s events flooded his mind. He rushed over to wake the sleeping boy.

"Sasuke-kun! Wake up we’ll be late," he all but yelled as he shook the boy relentlessly.

Sasuke woke slowly, lashing out with a fist to cease the shaking. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. He was clad only in his boxers and immediately pulled the blanket he had slept with up to cover himself.

"Dobe! Let me get up, damn," he muttered.

Naruto stood and started for the small kitchen connected to the living room to scrounge for a decent breakfast for them. Sasuke mumbled about a shower and gathered his clothes. He took half the time Naruto had and was waiting impatiently for Naruto to lead the way to school. Rushing out the door, Naruto was apologizing for the ruined morning. He pointed to the forest behind his apartment.

"Quickest way to school is to cut through there. We can take the small path that way and come out at the back edge of the campus or run all the way around."

"I’m not much in the mood for running," Sasuke commented as he started off in the direction Naruto pointed out.

They walked in silence, both boys still in the process of fully waking up. Sasuke felt strangely relaxed in the woods, despite the unnerving news from Naruto the night before. Sasuke had told no one he lived alone. He kept people under the pretense of his family living with him to escape pity and the potential of a foster family. He had therefore not told anyone that his brother and himself were the last of the Uchihas. And considering his brother still an Uchiha was an insult to the dying clan. Sasuke’s thoughts came to an end as Konoha Academy’s campus appeared in front of him. Naruto gave Sasuke a quick kiss on the cheek, followed by a toothy grin and a short wave. He was gone in a blur of orange. Sasuke smirked and started up the training fields. Taking his seat just as the bell rang, he could hear gossip surrounding him.

"Sasuke-kun must be training for something big," Sakura whispered.

Ino nodded her agreement as their teacher walked in and wasted no time in quieting the class. Naruto was sitting behind him, glaring at the back of his head as he had done so many times. A wad of paper landed on his desk halfway through class. Looking around nervously first, Naruto moved the paper to his lap quickly and smoothed it out.

‘Naru-chan! Ramen on me today, since you turned me down last night.’

Sai’s familiar scrawl lit up his face. He scribbled his consent and looked around. His teacher’s back was turned and Naruto chucked the ball of paper into Sai’s head. When Naruto dropped into his seat at lunch, he found a steaming bowl of ramen waiting for him. He wasted no time diving into the noodles. Naruto chatted happily with his friends. Shikamaru had decided to join them, and was playing Sai at Shogi. Kiba sat down, holding Hinata’s hand and pulling her down into his lap.

"Hinata-chan! Kiba! Look, I got my physics paper right and Sai bought me ramen!" he beamed.

"Then it’s a good day for everyone. I managed to convince Hinata-chan to ditch those girls and sit with me," Kiba grinned.

Hinata blushed and smiled at the boy. He licked her cheek playfully and she nearly passed out. They spent the last of lunch teasing the couple. Naruto stole glances to Sasuke, and noticed him looking as well. The Uchiha had decided to make it a habit to stop by Naruto’s locker for a moment after lunch. They slowly settled into a routine. Sasuke went home Tuesday, with Naruto waiting out front to see if it was safe. After getting the clear he had hurried off to work. Naruto had presented Sasuke with his schedule for work the next day, and they had planned their meetings around school, work, and Naruto’s friends. They snuck glances and smiles every now and then while in school, but mostly kept to the occasional after-school meeting, Sasuke’s sudden desire to increase his book collection, and every other weekend dedicated to studying and several make-out sessions. Naruto found his feelings for Sasuke growing. He cherished the secret meetings. Sasuke still had not declared anything official or even given Naruto the idea he fully trusted him, but Sasuke had softened considerably, going as far as to completely relax in the blonde’s company and even laughing around him. Two months had crept by with Hinata being the only one with any idea of what stood between the boys. The weather had cooled as they approached winter - and Christmas. Naruto had started saving every scrap of money, telling people he was on a diet when he skipped lunch. He was constantly searching for something as he passed shops. Iruka noticed the change as the second month came to an end.

"Naruto, would you like some ramen?" he asked.

"No thanks," he smiled.

"My treat. It’s the least I can do to make up for firing Yume last week and asking you to pick up extra shifts."

"Well, okay, if you insist."

Naruto took off running, clearly excited about the treat. Naruto’s clothes had started hanging a little too loosely as of late. Iruka’s probing had earned him no acceptable response. He watched with a kind of fondness as Naruto ate his way through three bowls of ramen before declaring himself full. He leaned back in his seat and rubbed his stomach.

"Is school going okay?"

"Yeah, my grades have started coming back up. I guess it all finally sunk in. And I’m second in Kakashi’s class now, thanks to the ninjutsu book!" Naruto declared happily.

Iruka had never seen the boy so happy, but at the same time, so sad. Naruto hid it well most of the time.

"Do you need another Friday? Its been what, two months now since you went to your friend’s party?"

"Nah, not this month. Sai’s saving it for a Christmas party. He said he wanted to make that one extra special so he’s skipping this month."

Iruka nodded. Naruto’s face fell, and announced he needed to go home and rest for school the next day. Iruka walked him to the apartment complex’s entrance, and then proceeded home. Naruto opened his door a few minutes later, dropping his things and heading straight for bed. He would need his rest for Sasuke’s study session the next day.

He awoke early the next morning. He smiled as he stretched languidly. He had found Wednesdays much more appealing since they had decided on a schedule. Naruto had told his friends he was being tutored by Iruka to avoid someone interrupting again. Naruto breezed through his day and found himself in Sasuke’s room in what felt like no time at all.

"Naruto, can I ask you something?" Sasuke asked, setting a soda on his night stand and handing one to Naruto.

"Sure," the other grinned.

"Would you mind if I put on a show and asked out a girl?"

Naruto had taken a sip of soda. It went spraying across Sasuke as he started coughing and choking. Naruto turned red with anger. He opened his mouth to yell, but was hit with the reality of their relationship. Namely the lack of one. He sighed. His good day crashed hard.

"Why you asking me? Not like I’m your boyfriend, ne?"

Sasuke caught the anger and sadness in Naruto’s voice.

"I told you upfront this wasn’t anything like that. I have to keep up an appearance at school. You understand."

It was not a question. It was a threat. Naruto understood completely. Play by Sasuke’s rules or don’t play at all.

"Just for show. Maybe take her out once or twice and dump her."

"Ne, pick an annoying one! That’s more believable," Naruto helped.

"I was thinking Ino. I know how much you like Sakura…."

"Correction. Liked. Not anymore."

Sasuke nodded. He kissed Naruto deeply, licking a missed spot of soda off his cheek after. Naruto blushed. Sasuke stayed in his face.

"I won’t kiss her, dobe. That’s for you."

Naruto’s face lit up. Sasuke leaned back and got comfortable. They dove into the writing assignment they had been given. Naruto’s horrible grammar caused them to use their entire night on the paper. Naruto went home when the night had fully set in. He found an envelope laying inside his doorway and picked it up. Opening it, he found his paycheck from Iruka. He had planned on getting it at work the next day, but appreciated it nonetheless. He counted out the money for his bills, and added up the leftovers. He almost had enough money to get Sasuke a good present. His friends were not used to getting presents, so the lack of them would not surprise them in the least. Naruto showered and slipped into his bed, planning to sleep in a little the next morning.


~Thursday~

Sakura was squealing loudly as Naruto entered class. He stuck a finger in his ears.

"Sakura-chan, Ohayo!" He called.

She calmed long enough to glare at him, then turned back to the black haired boy in front of her. His cold face had not changed, but when she attached herself to his arm, he did not pull back. Naruto felt the color drain from his face. Sasuke sent a meaningful look to him. Naruto threw his stuff on the ground and slammed into his seat. He was only half acting. He knew in his heart he did not care that it was Sakura, but Sasuke had said it would be Ino. He was furious with the boy for changing his mind. And it killed him to see someone else on his Sasuke’s arm. He punched his desk, cracking the wood. Sai sat on the edge.

"Sucks, Naru-chan. But you knew she didn’t like you."

"Yes he did!" Naruto snapped.

Sai raised an eyebrow.

"’He’?"

"She. I meant she. I don’t know, I’m just so pissed," he snarled.

"Yeah, understandable. But maybe next time you should fight a little harder for him. Oops, I meant ‘her’," Sai chuckled, standing to take his seat.

Naruto’s long day started with the bell. He passed the day in a daze, only slightly aware of the things around him. Word spread quickly that Sasuke had asked Sakura out. Naruto’s friends dismissed his reaction as being due to the loss of Sakura. Hinata muttered an attempt at comfort to him at lunch. Naruto entered the shop in a worse mood. He swallowed his problems and pulled his shirt on. Iruka put him on stocking, as he started training a new employee. The bell announced a customer thirty minutes into his shift. Naruto had lost himself in his work and did not notice the couple enter. He vaguely heard chatting come closer.

"Naruto?!"

Naruto let out a yelp and toppled off the ladder he was on, falling to the ground. Looking up he saw Sakura latched onto Sasuke, glaring down at him. Sasuke looked apologetic.

"Let’s go, Sasuke-kun," she tugged on him.

"You can wait outside. I told you, I needed a book."

Sakura frowned, but found the thought of being near Naruto too appalling to stay. She smiled and left Sasuke to wait outside. When he was sure no one was looking, Sasuke extended his hand. Naruto ignored it and stood. He started up the ladder again.

"I knew it, dobe. You still like her, don’t you?" Sasuke whispered.

Naruto stayed silent and kept stocking the top shelf. Sasuke leaned on the ladder. He waited until Naruto was climbing down and spun the boy around. He let go a second later in shock. Tears were pouring silently down Naruto’s face.

"I hate her. She gets to hang all over you while I watch. It’s bull! It could be anyone. But it’s still not me," Naruto hissed.

He turned away and picked up another box.

"It should be me," he continued. "You should be mine."

Sasuke stepped in front of him. He kissed Naruto quickly.

"Maybe one day. Just wait this out."

Sasuke grabbed a book from Naruto’s box and headed off to buy it and leave.