Full Circle

Full Circle

chapter 7

Sasuke yawned into his hand as he made his way through the house at a casual stroll. He had been awake for awhile the night before mulling over his first impressions of his new fiance and what bearing these developments would have on the events of the near future.

He had been prepared for a struggle to get the other boy's focus off of himself, but he'd been surprised. Instead of having to fight a would-be lover off with a stick, the blond boy had freely offered... no, requested even, that they take the pressure off.

His unexpected attitude was refreshing, to say the least. Of course that didn't mean that Sasuke was willing to marry him now. The plan was still a necessity. While having to spend his life with a male who wanted to be 'friends' was certainly a step up from having to spend it with an obsessive female who would be desperate to consummate the marriage, a spouse was still a limitation that he had no interest in.

Hopefully this friends idea would make it easier for Sai to work his way into becoming 'more than friends' and in the mean-time, at least Sasuke didn't have to put up with an overly amorous male fiance. Naruto was going to be hanging around in Sasuke's own home for weeks. It really would have been hell to deal with if he had acted like a fangirl.

Actually, having a boy trying to get into his pants would likely be even more disturbing than the girls were. Naruto better not change his tune. Sasuke wasn't sure if his usual method of just igoring, along with the occasional rude comment, would work as well on a guy as it did on the girls. What would he do if a determined male was trying to have his way with him?

Sasuke's mind wandered vaguely over the previous evening, remembering that moment when Naruto had startled him with a sudden hug.

"Honestly," he sneered to himself. "Who would ever want that boy pressing himself up against them like that? Especially when he's all dripping wet and..."

He suddenly shook his mind free of the image of Naruto with his clothing clinging to his every curve and the shirt that was so transparent when wet that it might as well have been saran-wrap. Why did his face feel so warm? Oh God! Was he actually blushing?!

He swiftly composed himself as much as possible. The situation had merely been embarrassingly awkward. Of course he was blushing. It was perfectly natural. And if he'd maybe stared a little last night, well it was simply the shock. It certainly wasn't something one sees everyday.

His train of thought was broken by the sound of laughter coming from the dining room. Recognizing one of the voices as his mother's Sasuke moved silently toward the room and peaked in curiously. His mother may have always been the cheerful one in the family but to hear her laugh loudly like that was actually quite rare.

He stopped in the doorway catching just the tail-end of what had apparently been an interesting conversation.

"No, you think I'm kidding, but it's true," said a grinning Naruto. Mikoto was sitting close-by and smiling fondly at him.

"Naruto, you are positively priceless. I'm so glad that we'll be seeing a lot more of you."

Suddenly she noticed Sasuke standing at the entrance and her smile grew as she motioned for him forward. "Ah there you are darling. Come in, don't worry about intruding. I've actually finished my breakfast already and I was just about to go and join your father and Arashi."

She stood, placing her napkin back on the table and smoothed a hand through Naruto's hair, her expression softening even more as the boy happily leaned into the touch.

"I'll see you at lunch Naruto."

"Ok, see you later Mikoto."

Sasuke sat down robotically, his eyes blankly following the movements of the blond's tanned hands as they unfolded his napkin and spread it over his lap. His mother had never looked that way at anyone outside of her own family. What in God's name had he missed here?

The servant who set Naruto's breakfast before him, turned to Sasuke and asked what he would like, bringing the frozen young man back to life. Sasuke blinked and quietly made his request. When the servant turned to leave again, Naruto looked up from his pancakes and smiled.

"Good morning Sasuke! Did you sleep well?" The Uchiha gave a non-committal grunt at that.

"So, you and my mother seem to be hitting it off."

Naruto's mouth was full so he just nodded enthusiastically, his blue eye's twinkling.

"What exactly were you laughing about earlier?" asked Sasuke.

"Oh she was asking about what it was like for me, growing up without a mom. I said that it was my dad she should feel sorry for and then I told her about when I was little and I slathered myself in butter and went for a slip n' slide down the main hallway. He tried to catch me but of course, he couldn't get a good grip."

Naruto was grinning widely and Sasuke's lips began to twitch at the corners against his will. He found himself imagining Itachi's reaction if Takara did something like that.

"She's right in a way though, I suppose. I do sort of envy you a little."

"You do?" Sasuke's brows raised at this surprising statement. It seemed like Naruto was just full of surprises.

"Yeah, you're lucky to have had a mother like Mikoto. I really like her... She's almost as motherly as my dad."

"And what exactly are your intentions with my mother?" Sasuke asked with a completely serious expression.

Naruto burst out laughing.

"Oh my god! You can joke!" he exclaimed. "I was starting to wonder for awhile there."

Sasuke stared blankly at nothing for a moment. He'd actually surprised himself. It was somewhat rare for him to let his sense of humor show, and much more rare that anyone picked up on it, let alone laughed... It was kinda nice.

No wait! It wasn't nice. It was counter productive. Naruto wasn't supposed to like him. But then again, he had agreed to be friends. Damnit, he was starting to over think things again.

"Don't worry, your mom is safe with me. You don't mind sharing with me a little though do you? I actually think that gaining some new family is the best thing about this whole situation."

"Really? What would your father think if he found out you're looking to replace him?"

Man, what was up with him and this playful attitude? He usually reserved this kind of light teasing for his nephew.

"Oh I could never do without Dad. He's the best single parent a kid could ask for. I honestly haven't suffered for the lack of a mother at all really.

Maybe there've been a few moments here and there when I wondered about her and wished I could have known her, but Dad has never once let me down. Even when I told him I was gay, he didn't waver for a second. I knew I could count on his support one hundred percent."

"Well apparently your faith was well founded. According to Mother, I have you two to thank for upending the traditional views of our entire social circle," Sasuke commented wryly.

"Heheh, Yeah he really went all out. I understand you waited until just now to come out. Was it difficult for you?" Naruto questioned, big blue eyes gazing at him curiously.

Sasuke thought back to the moment of his spontaneous confession (or excuse rather) and how it had rolled off his tongue and been fully accepted almost instantly.

"No. I can't say that it was difficult at all."

"Yeah? So why did you wait so long? Are you just a natural worrier?"

"More like I'm just a natural recluse." There was a pause as Sasuke's food was served to him but then at Naruto's prompting look he explained. "I kept to myself a lot and I honestly didn't put any thought into who I was or wasn't attracted to. I can honestly say though, that I have never found any interest in women. I suppose my dear sister-in-law may have sealed the deal."

"Oh good, then it's not just me!" Naruto exclaimed in mock relief. "I was almost afraid for my life to be sitting so close to her last night. My God, that woman is one nasty creature!"

"Isn't she though?"

"My condolences to your brother." The blond was nodding with utmost solemnity and Sasuke caught his lips twitching again.

"Good morning my friends!" came an enthusiastic greeting from the door. Both boys looked up suddenly to see Sai entering the room. "No no, don't get up. It's early I know but you did tell me to come by in the morning Sasuke."

The Uchiha glanced over to Naruto to find him regarding the cheerful newcomer uncertainly. The previous mood was shattered of course and for a moment Sasuke felt a spark of irritation toward Sai.

"Not to worry. I've already eaten darling," Sai said to the maid as he waved her off. "I'm sorry to have interrupted your time alone." The apology was directed to Naruto and the smiling young man presented the blond with a small bouquet of violets. "Allow me to offer you these as consolation."

"Um... Thank you," came the somewhat delayed response.

"You knew that you were going to be interrupting then?" asked Sasuke as his very surprised fiance took the flowers.

"Well no. But it occurred to me that I had not given Naruto a proper welcoming gift yesterday and I think he deserves the warmest of receptions. I also felt that I should apologize for any embarrassment I may have caused with that initial mix-up. May I take a seat?"

Sasuke directed him to a chair and he brought his focus back to Naruto as he sat down. Naruto, having finished his meal, was almost awkwardly holding the flowers and glancing back and forth between the two brunets with eyes that still mildly showed his surprise.

"You can't blame me for being so eager to meet your very lovely fiance though, can you?" Sai asked Sasuke though he was still smiling at Naruto at the time. The blond was beginning to blush uncomfortably and Sai's smile widened.

Sasuke suddenly realized that he was scowling and instantly wiped his face clear of expression, wondering why he felt so irritated. It was probably just because Sai was being too forward again, he decided. If that guy wasn't more careful he was going to blow everything.

"So, it's nice to see that you two are getting to know each other. Please, don't let me stop you. What were you talking about before came in?"

"Oh. We were just negotiating a joint custody of Mrs. Uchiha," Naruto answered with a grin. "It's only fair that he share his wonderful mother with me, since I don't have one."

"Ah, you grew up without a mother did you?" said Sai sympathetically. "It must have been hard sometimes."

"Well... sometimes," Naruto agreed.

"I'm an orphan myself so I know how tough it can be to lose a parent."

Sasuke shot the guy a suspicious look but Naruto was horrified.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I can't even imagine what that must be like. You know I really don't have anything to complain about at all. I hope I haven't given you the impression..."

His concerns were waved off gallantly.

"No no. It's quite alright. My life hasn't been terrible or anything. You needn't trouble yourself over it. Actually, I think the experience has made me stronger. I do volunteer work at the local orphanage now and I've really become a better person for it."

"Wow really?" The blond looked suitably impressed and Sai inwardly smirked at his own genius. This seduction thing was gonna be a cinch.

"Oh yes. I really enjoy it a lot. The kids are great and it feels really good to be able to see the difference you're making in their lives."

"That's amazing Sai. It's so thoughtful of you to use your experience to help other kids through their troubles. I'm sure they really appreciate it."

"Oh for God's sake," thought Sasuke, rolling his eyes at the shamelessness of his accomplice.

"Well, good morning boys!" The three of them looked up to find Arashi just coming in followed by Fugaku and Mikoto.

"Hi Dad!" said Naruto happily.

"Good morning Mr. Uzumaki," Sasuke greeted more sedately.

"Please, just call me Arashi," the man corrected with a warm smile. "We'll be family some day soon, after all."

Sasuke almost flinched. Did he have to sound so genuinely kind when he said that? Couldn't the guy have the decency to be a selfish bastard while Sasuke was in the middle of deceiving him?

"Fugaku and I have come to an agreement on the details fairly easily, so I'll be heading back home after lunch," the older blond informed his son.

"You should feel free to stay as long as you like of course," Mikoto offered. Arashi thanked her but declined, explaining that he had a great many things to do at the moment and the three adults fell into their own conversation again.

"That reminds me," said Naruto, turning to Sasuke. "I know that I mentioned it briefly before but I never did actually ask. Would it be alright if I have a friend of mine visit here sometime?"

"I can't see a problem with that. You can invite him over anytime I suppose."

"Thanks. That's great! I should go and email him about it. He's working with the family business this summer so he only gets weekends off. I guess I should give him lots of notice. I wouldn't want him to break any other plans he may have made. I'll ask him if he can make it up here not this coming weekend but the next."

"That sounds good. I'd be delighted to meet him," Sai put in. "Let's migrate over to the pool-house so you can use your laptop then, shall we?"

On the way to Naruto's room, they stopped at the pool-house's little kitchenette so Naruto could get something to put his flowers in. He carried the small vase to his room with them and set it gently on the desk beside the laptop before turning it on and opening his email.

"Wow, that's a lot of messages," Sai commented. "How long has it been since you last checked this?"

"I check it everyday," the bond sighed. "It's always like this."

"Really? Aren't you the popular one. (Not that I can blame them.) It must be nice," he replied. Sasuke scoffed quietly at the idea of cultivating such a ridiculous level of popularity.

"Actually it can be a lot of work getting back to people, especially when you count the phone messages too. It gets pretty tiresome sometimes."

Both brunets looked at him with interest as his cheerfulness wavered for the first time. For an outgoing guy like Naruto, they would have expected him to love that sort of thing.

"What's with the two separate in-boxes?" asked Sai.

"Oh, see that's a big part of the problem. A lot of these people aren't my friends. In fact I haven't even met them all. One of the folders is for messages from addresses that aren't on my list. Those ones can sometimes be... disturbing."

"Why do you bother to even read them?" asked Sasuke with a frown.

"I have someone else screen them for me now. Some of them have been known to have actual issues to address though. I don't want to just dismiss people off-hand.

Even if someone isn't a personal friend of mine, I suppose I feel that they should be given a chance. I block the really weird people so they only get the one shot and as for the ones I do know personally, well they've taken the time contact me so I feel obligated to acknowledge them. They deserve that much respect, even if it can be a bit difficult to keep up with."

Sasuke thoughtfully mulled over the blond's take on 'respect' while he typed out his invitation to Neji.

(A/N; Ok, two weeks is definitely better than two months but I'm gonna see if I can cut the time down even more.)