The Guardian

Chapter 9:

Naruto was nervous…he’d finally found a tutor who seemed qualified enough to teach Sasuke. He’d decided he’d teach the kid English and History. He rolled his shoulders a bit as he waited for the tutor. Finally he saw the tutor and waved. They walked to the house in silence, both thinking on what Sasuke would act like when they got in. Naruto opened the door and saw Sasuke sitting on the couch. He dark haired boy looked up with a raised eyebrow.

Naruto cleared his throat. “Uh…Sasuke…this is Kiba's older sister Hana…she’s going to be your tutor in science and math. She’s also good at computers, so she’ll help you there…I’ve decided I’ll be taking your history and English lessons…”

Sasuke frowned and bit his lip. The woman was beautiful…she had a long dark braid, red lips and two red tattoos like Kiba's. And to top it off, she was slim with what Sasuke felt were nice breasts. How am I supposed to get Naruto with a woman like this hanging around? He opened his mouth to say something sarcastic when he caught the half warning and half pleading look Naruto was giving him. He settles for “Hi…”

Hana smiled tugging her braid over her shoulder. “Hey. You must be pretty bummed about the way this blond lout won’t let you go to school huh? I told him that you probably would hate being cooped up at home, but he’s adamant about it…”

Sasuke wondered what to say t that. Fine if Naruto wanted him to be good then he would be good. “No, I trust Naruto. In fact I was a bit happy when he told me about it…” Sasuke lied through his teeth ignoring the surprised look on Naruto’s face. “He’ll do what’s good for me…”

Hana raised an eyebrow, before turning to Naruto. “Quite the good little boy you’ve raised huh? I wonder where the ‘emo-bastard’ side of him that Kiba described went…did you talk to him before I met him Naruto?” her eyes narrowed a bit…

Naruto grinned. “What can I say? People just change for the good when they see me walking down the street…I’d put it down to my angelic aura…”

“Yeah right they do dobe! It’s mostly because they’d rather obey you and have you out of their faces faster!”

“Sasuke!”

“He does seem o be a bastard after all. Good…I hate obedient little boys. Let’s set up some timings, I have to go soon.” Hana plonked herself down on an armchair and pulled out a little diary.

“Why? You have a date?” Naruto asked.

“No. and it’s none of your business whether I do or not…”

“Aww…don’t hide it from me! Beautiful vets like you would always be asked out.” Naruto’s face went into pout form with a touch of curiosity lingering.

“Is that a hint? Do you want to go out with me Naruto? I’m two years older than you!” Hana smirked.

“Who cares about age? I prefer older women… so how about it huh beautiful?”

“Well if you guys are done flirting, or in Naruto’s case a pathetic attempt at flirting, can we get those timings down?” Sasuke glared at the two of them, quelling the urge to punch Naruto. “I need o know how much free time I’m going to get…you know for girls, dating, making out and the works…”

Naruto looked up at him suddenly, a strange look flitting across his face for a second. Then he grinned. “Finally you’re growing up…I used to think you were asexual. And FYI I do now how to flirt…I’m extremely good at it!”

Sasuke just shrugged. “So says the man who practices talking to girls in front of the mirror all day…now Hana-san, where were we? Let’s just ignore the moron and get on with this all right? And by the way, you’re right, I hate being stuck home all the time, so please make this bearable for me.”

They got most of the timings done. Sasuke would study for about four hours in a day, beginning with Naruto taking two hours in the morning and Hana taking two hours in the afternoon with an extra hour for computers. Sasuke could do anything he wanted as long as he came home by ten every night.

The next few weeks were irritating for Sasuke. He couldn’t help but like Hana. She was fun and jovial; she made his lessons very interesting. She even gave him a job at her clinic so he could earn his own money and feel a bit freer. Unfortunately, all this appealed to Naruto as well, which made him persist in asking her out. Finally to Sasuke’s horror, Hana agreed to a date. Within the next week they were dating…it was obvious, how could anyone resist Naruto when he was at his best, not to mention he was gorgeous. It was at times like these Sasuke keenly felt his world breaking apart.

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“Careful there…hold it at this angle and gently…he’ll peck you otherwise.” Hana instructed as she tried to set the peregrine falcon’s leg. Someone had found it on the road and brought it to her.

Sasuke did as he was told. He loved working here, he’d learnt loads about animals and it had always been Sasuke wish to have a dog. This place had so many dogs he would have lived in the clinic forever. He waited for Hana to bind it up and then carried the falcon to a nice big cage.

Hana looked at him for a minute. “Sasuke...you’ve been looking really down lately. Is anything the matter?”

Sasuke looked up, suddenly feeling horrible that he wanted to take Naruto away from her. “No, nothing…I’m just feeling down. It kind of happens sometimes…”

Hana smiled. “Come on, let’s go get you some nuggets and cheer you up…”

Sasuke suddenly felt mad. It wasn’t okay! It wouldn’t cheer him up. It was fucking horrible that Naruto was head over heels in love with Hana, when he knew that it would hurt Sasuke. Fuck it… “No. I want to be alone…I’m heading out. But thanks…”

Hana stared at him for a minute and then nodded. “Sure…will you be going home for dinner? Naruto said he might make pasta…”

Sasuke shook his head. “No…I won’t. I need to clear my head for a while. I’ll just hang out somewhere. So…you’re coming home for dinner?”

Hana ignored something that made her feel that Sasuke didn’t want her meeting Naruto for dinner. “Yeah I am…”

“Cool. See ya around then…” Sasuke walked out and took in deep bouts of fresh air. Nothing could go more wrong. Was it really difficult to just not love Naruto and move on?

He kept walking until he reached a park in some far away neighbourhood. Finding a swing he sat down and swung for a while. He didn’t want to go home. He didn’t want to see Naruto and Hana together. He didn’t want to hate the two people he respected the most just because one of them wouldn’t love him back. He just wanted to stay away…this was a time when he wished he actually had friends….people whose houses he could stay over at when things got like this.

If it wasn’t for bloody Kabuto, maybe he could have had friends. He phone buzzed; glancing at the caller-id he saw it was Naruto. He didn’t pick up, but just let it ring itself out. He went to sit under and tree and leaned back against it. He didn’t know when it had started to rain, maybe he’d fallen asleep? He checked his watch. Yeah well he’d definitely fallen asleep, it was half past nine and he’d gotten here at six.

He stood and stretched. Better get moving, Naruto would ground him if he didn’t get home on time. He stopped at a bakery and picked up a bagel. He didn’t care that it had started to pour now, he was already soaked, what did it matter? It was as he walked past the alley that he heard the whine. He stepped in and looked behind the trash can. He found two tiny brown eyes stare back at him. It was a puppy…about less than a month old, shivering in the rain. Its eyes hadn’t even opened properly yet.

“Hey little guy…” Sasuke gently picked the tiny thing up and cradled it. It was much too young to be out alone. Sasuke tucked it under his soaking jacket and began to run. Maybe if he made it in time Hana would still be there. He unlocked the door, not caring that it was half past ten and Naruto would be mad.

“Hana! Hana! Are you still here?” he burst into Naruto’s bedroom barely being attention to the fact that he’d walked in on them kissing. He just looked a little relieved. “Oh…good. Look I need your help…” he brought out the cold shivering little puppy and dropped it into Hana’s hands.

“Oh no, the poor baby. Sasuke, go get me some warm blankets and a box…Naruto heat up half a glass of milk and add quarter glass of water to it. Oh and bring a towel too Sasuke!” Hana wiped the little thing gently and wrapped it up in some blankets. Then she tipped spoonfuls of milk into its mouth gently, until it turned away and fell asleep.

Sasuke watched with bated breath. Hana smiled at him. “You’ll have to feed it every now and then. Make sure it’s warm, toilet train it…lots of stuff…will you be able to handle it?”

Sasuke nodded and lightly stroked its head. Suddenly hands grabbed him. He turned to see Naruto. “Sasuke, you’re soaking wet. Get into some warm clothes and dry your hair right now!”

Sasuke nodded and disappeared into his room. Hana watched him leave, a concerned frown on her face. “He doesn’t seem alright Naruto…he’s acting like he’s lost a girlfriend or something. Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

Naruto clamped down on the wave of guilt he felt. He had no right to feel guilty…he was Sasuke guardian….he wasn’t the one who tried to get into bed with him. “No, Hana. I have no idea…he’ll get over it though, it must have been a small crush…”

Hana glanced at him suspiciously. She’d known Naruto since high school and that was his I-know-something-but-I-won’t-tell voice. She sighed; she wished she could just get to the bottom of this whole situation. She smiled as Sasuke sauntered back in. “Here, take the pup to your room, so you can care for him more easily. What are you going to call him?”

“Watson…it’s a fun name for a dog.” Sasuke smiled a bit. “Yeah, I’ll get to bed I think, I’m really tired. You guys have fun…”

Luckily for him he fell asleep fast enough. This time though dreams of the blond didn’t plague him as much and nor did the nightmares. He woke up around one a.m. He found Naruto standing by his bed. He blinked.

“Naruto…”

The blond sat down next to him. “Are you okay? You’re looking so down, even Hana noticed…” One could always hope that the problem was not related to him.

Sasuke frowned. “You know what it’s about! You told me not to talk about it, so why don’t you just get lost?”

Naruto looked a little hurt. “Why is it taking you this long to get over it? To get over the fact that you can’t have me…?”

“You can’t be that oblivious! You’re with Hana now! You asked her out right after I told you! You don’t even want to give me a chance, because you’ve got that bloody guardian-ward notion in your head.” He sprung up suddenly and pulled Naruto’s lips down onto his. The kiss came out a bit clumsier than he wanted, but he didn’t give up. But for Naruto it was a different experience. Somehow he didn’t want Sasuke to stop, just having Sasuke’s lips on his felt so good…so…right. He stopped that thought and shoved Sasuke away.

“Stop it!”

“You wanted it! You kissed back!” Sasuke glared at him. “You’re just in denial! Just get lost Naruto! I want to get back to bed. Go be with Hana!” He watched the blond leave without a word. Falling back onto his pillows he sighed. Naruto had come in to see if he was okay and he’d jumped him again. The dumb blond refused to give him a chance!

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One year later:

Sasuke was finally back at school. The home-schooling had gone on and on until Naruto’d finally found a school which he could attend properly. Matsumoto Private School was fun. There was a good mix of kids there and it seemed like they wouldn’t be hard to get along with. It was his second week there and he was beginning year twelve. He was almost seventeen now. When he’d met Naruto he’d been halfway through fifteen. He liked grade twelve, Hana and Naruto had taught him so well, the work load seemed very easy. But after all that time, he still loved Naruto. And Naruto was still dating Hana.

Sasuke made his way to the garden outside. Naruto had sent him chicken nuggets. He’d been thinking over the Naruto problem and trying to figure out how he could be sure of what Naruto wanted. He sat down on a nice shady spot and stared gloomily into the horizon…or the bit of horizon he could see between the buildings. If only he was older…

“Hey there…”

He looked up to see a dark haired girl smiling at him. He scowled. “What do you want?”

“Well nothing actually. I just saw you sitting here looking morose and wondered if I could help!” the girl sat down on the swing next to his. “I’m Karin by the way…those two guys over there are Suigetsu and Jiroubo. You’re new aren’t you? We’ve seen you brooding all week!”

“And I want you to leave and let me brood in peace.”

“No. I don’t think anyone should be allowed to brood in peace. Come on, tell me what’s wrong. It’s good to tell a stranger…I don’t know anyone you know and vice-versa…maybe a third person perspective will help?” Karin began to swing lightly.

“Go away!”

“Not till you tell me what’s wrong!” she continued to persist for the next twenty minutes making comments about idiots in love and such like until Sasuke finally lost it.

“Fine! I’m in love with my guardian okay? He’s four years older than me and refuses to give me chance though I can see he’s attracted to me! It’s not a bloody infatuation. I’ve felt this way for a year or so! He’s the only who’s treated me with any respect or real caring! I wish he’d bloody stop being in denial, the dobe! Are you happy? Now can you leave?” Sasuke bared his teeth.

“No I don’t want to leave. So you really love this dude but he doesn’t even want to give you a chance? For a year?” Karin shook her head. “No wonder…”

“What? What do you mean no wonder?”

“Well look at you? You’re a handsome boy, but when I see you outside of school and not in uniform, you’re always dressed so prissy, full sleeve shirts and pants and stuff….and even loose t-shirts once…tell me is this guy of yours mostly straight?”

Sasuke nodded. “And I like the way I dress…”

“Well I’m willing to help you get him. I know just the way you can…all you have to do is agree to it.” Karin held out her hand. “In return my friends and I would like it if you spent some time with us, maybe we’ll perk you up a bit?”

Sasuke contemplated it. “Fine. Deal. Now what do you have in mind?”

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The next few months Karin had taken him to the gym and worked him hard. Sasuke never knew anyone could have six packs in two months, but maybe if the gym instructors pushed like Karin had, they would. Hana still lived at her own place…she’d refused Naruto’s offer to move into their bachelor pad. She proffered her own place. She usually talked Naruto around to his disappearances. (the times he went to the gym with Karin in secret.) The secret was to work out without Naruto realising.

Suigetsu and Karin went out shopping with him and picked up good clothes. Finally Karin deemed he was ready, even though she still insisted he went to the gym.

Sasuke looked at himself in the mirror and adjusted his clothes…he still wasn’t as comfortable as he used to be in them. Then he added just a line of eyeliner to accent his eyes and walked out. Karin said she’d be his date for the night. He checked that he looked okay and then went down the stairs. Naruto and Hana were in the living room watching a movie together.

Naruto heard Sasuke come down the stairs and wondered where Sasuke was going at seven in the evening. He looked up and his jaw dropped. Sasuke was wearing a sleeveless maroon v-neck t-shirt and tight black leather pants. The dark colours showed off his pale skin perfectly. And were those biceps? When had Sasuke shaped up so well, the t-shirt clung to him showing off his abs. When Sasuke walked towards him and flopped onto the couch, Naruto couldn’t help but look at the hard abs that showed when the t-shit rode up.

“Dobe… ?” Sasuke smirked sexily.

Naruto met his eyes quickly. “Where are you going?”

“Party at Kisaka’s house. Karin said she’d be my date for the night. I might be back really late…” Sasuke stood as the doorbell rang. Great timing Karin! “Yeah so I guess I’ll leave now…how do I look?”

Hana smiled. “Gosh who’d have thought you could be this hot Sasuke? You’re going to break a few hearts tonight…” Sasuke smiled and went to get Karin.

Karin looked really pretty in her spaghetti top and fishnets with a mini skirt. She looked at Sasuke’s ass appreciatively as she walked in. “You look sexy…”

Naruto tried to smile as Karin wrapped her arms around Sasuke from behind. He failed miserably at achieving the perfect smile….he fell a few million yards short. “Yeah…”

Karin grinned mischievously. “Aren’t I lucky to have him as a date? Everyone, even the guys will want him….maybe you should go with Suigetsu at the next party…if I don’t claim you tonight…”

Sasuke turned and led her out. He stopped and smirked at Naruto. “Ja, I’m taking the house keys so go ahead and get to bed.”

Naruto watched him leave….a weird feeling in his gut. A wave of something…maybe jealousy rose in his gut, but he squished it down instantly. He forced a smile at Hana who cuddled up to him, still thinking about how good Sasuke looked in that maroon v-neck. No one had ever looked so jumpable in Naruto’s eye. He wished Sasuke had never gotten back to school…it was just so much easier when the boy stuck to formal or baggy clothes.

The rest of the night passed with Naruto wondering what his ward was up to. If Hana noticed anything, she didn’t’ mention it. Naruto was unusually quiet, he did everything mechanically, he bade goodbye to Hana and finally went up to bed at midnight. Sasuke hadn’t returned yet. Sleep didn’t come easily, but it did finally slip in. It was an uneasy sleep.

He heard something a sudden thudding. He leaped out of bed and opened his door listening. It was coming from the vicinity of the living room. He wondered if Sasuke was back and went down quickly, silently. He was about to greet Sasuke when he stopped short. Sasuke was half lying on the couch with Karin leaning over him; their mouths were locked in a sensual kiss. He absorbed every minor detail or the way Sasuke tongue was trailing over Karin’s lips as they broke apart and how Sasuke’s tongue entered her mouth. It was nothing like the way Sasuke had kissed him; it was a smooth practiced kiss. This meant Sasuke had had lots of practice…which meant Sasuke was finally moving on. Something thudded painfully in Naruto. His mouth clicked shut hard, bringing the two on the couch back to reality.

“Naruto?” Sasuke mumbled. Naruto could see his perfect lips a little swollen and his dark eyes still had a slightly dazed look in them. Sasuke looked so perfect and molestable…Karin was doing just that.

Naruto stared at them and then turned away, walking back to his room. This time he did nothing to quell the tsunami of jealousy that threatened to overcome him.

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A/N: yeah I known sudden time skip but I didn’t see the need to keep writing that year when nothing was going to happen. And well people...life has caught up with me and I don't think I'll be able to update as fast as I used to...some of my stories will be going on a hiatus to give me a break, ok? The Guardian and Irreplaceable might be kept going...I don't know. Please support me in this because I am trying hard but I really don't have time!!

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