Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ An Artist's Eye ❯ First Encounter ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: Naruto and its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto, not me. I do not profit off this fic, I am a poor college student.

Story: An Artist's Eye

Chapter One: First Encounter

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Bottom lip clenched between teeth in concentration, Naruto guided the tattooing needle over the latest customer's arm. She had the wildest pink hair the blonde had ever seen and he admired her spunk for getting it done. Naruto had also wanted to do something to his hair, but everyone he brought the topic up to told him vehemently not to ruin his natural sunny locks. Pfft, it wasn't like he'd get it all died. Probably some red streaks or frosting on the tips.

Blowing a few strands of said blonde hair from his eyes, he addressed the girl. “So, Haruno Sakura, was it? I guessing this is your first tat?”

“Mhm.” The girl smiled nervously. “I'm a little surprised I actually convinced myself to go through with this.” Sakura laughed softly, clearing her throat a little.

Naruto smirked knowingly. “Ah, you're one of those...” At the strange look he received, the outgoing boy chuckled. “You're skittish around needles, aren't you?”

The girl's green eyes widened. “How did you know?” The pinkette sheepishly laughed at herself. “Is it really that obvious?”

“Ha ha! Kinda.” Naruto smiled. “I'm used to seeing all sorts of different reactions, so yours was easy to guess. Plus, I doubted you'd be worried about what others had to say or something like that `cause I sorta got the impression you don't care what other people think.”

Sakura grinned, relaxing with the help of Naruto's conversation. “Hey, I like pink. Someone has a problem with it, they can go fart themselves.”

A splutter of surprised laughter bubbled out of Naruto's mouth. “What did you just say?! Fart themselves?!” He'd almost screwed up the tattoo at that one. Wow, what a weird girl.

Soft cheeks tinged red in embarrassment and Sakura lifted her nose in the air slightly. “Hmph. I don't like cursing, okay? It's vulgar.”

“Vulgar, huh?” Naruto smirked. “Shit.” He inwardly laughed at her wrinkled nose. “Fuck, I'm sorry. I promise not to fucking swear around you again, ma'am.” The blonde said sweetly. “Oh, damn. I did it again. Fuckburgers!”

That got a helpless giggle out of the girl. “Oh, stop! You're really something else, you know that?”

“Of course. There's only one Uzumaki Naruto and I highly doubt anyone could pull off being as uniquely cool and awesome as I am.”

“I highly doubt anyone else could handle having the same amount of hot air that's stored up in that swelled head of yours, brat.”

It was Naruto's turn to blush slightly as Sakura burst out laughing at the deep growly voice that sounded at the back. “Oi, old man! Try throwing around insults when you actually do some work around here.” A gravelly guffaw was the only response he got. The young man grumbled under his breath. “Stupid perverted old toad-fetishist. One day I'm going to murder you.” He chuckled and shook his head.

Sakura snorted as she giggled and brought a hand to her mouth. “You two get along pretty good, don't you?”

Naruto shrugged. “I guess. He's a crazy slave driver though! I do all the work while he just sits in his room and writes porn all day. Ass.”

A paperweight came hurtling out of the room at the blonde's head and he ducked in surprise, pulling the needle from the girl's arm quickly. “Oi, you senile bastard! You could have killed me with that thing, not to mention I could have messed up the tat! What kind of a business are you running?”

Strangely, Sakura hadn't been worried at all by the whole thing. “Wow, things sure never get boring around here.”

Chuckling, Naruto grinned largely. “Nope. This job keeps me young. Too bad it didn't do the same for you old man!” He called to the back. Seconds later he dodged a pencil, his grin widening.

“'Keeps me young.'” She repeated with a smile. “You can't be more than what, twenty, twenty-one years old?”

“Twenty-two, actually. Good guess, though.” Naruto started on the final details of the tattoo. “So, what do you do, Haruno-san?”

“I'm studying to be a surgeon.” Her answer caused Naruto's eyes to widen.

That sounded amazing! “Wow, that's intense!” He smirked slightly. “What about your problem with needles?”

Sakura smiled. “It's fine when the needle is for someone else.”

“So, what made you decide to become a surgeon?”

The girl suddenly took on a far off look. “There was someone I really admired that wanted to attain that goal, too.” A soft smile played at her lips. “He's really amazing, a total genius. And I think he must be the most handsome man in existence.”

Naruto raised an eyebrow at her. “Wow, drool much? What is he, your boyfriend or something?”

She blushed, realizing that she'd been caught in daydream-worship. Sakura huffed in annoyance to cover her embarrassment. “He's not my boyfriend. His name is Uchiha Sasuke, and he's a prodigy! Every man in his family over the last three generations have all been world famous surgeons!”

“You wish he was your boyfriend.” Naruto teased with a grin. He'd heard of the Uchihas. Who hadn't? They were probably the richest family in all of Konohagakure. And known to be the prickiest.

Sakura blushed once more. “Well, maybe. Though he doesn't show interest at all in having a relationship.”

“Well, why don't you go out with me sometime?” Naruto blew a little on the tattoo, running his thumb over it.

Sakura shivered and looked down in surprise. “With you?” The young man peered up at her through his bangs, his clear blue eyes dancing. The girl was surprised yet again when it felt like her breath had been stolen away. Well, Naruto was very handsome, she had to admit. And easy to talk to and get along with... but...

“What, am I that repelling?” Naruto grinned in amusement.

“It's just... well...”

“I work in a tattoo parlour.”

Bingo. Sakura felt kind of ashamed, but it wasn't the most reputable of jobs or the most money-earning. It didn't really seem like boyfriend material.

“I actually have my Bachelor of Arts and do paintings, sketches, and photography. I've got a spot in an art gallery downtown, maybe you know it? It's attached to a coffee and ramen shop called Ichiraku's.”

This was a shocker. Sakura blinked down at this surprising young man. “Wait... you aren't that Uzumaki... are you?” At Naruto's smirk and nod, her eyes brightened. “I love your work! I visit that place in the mornings before I go to work often. I'm really surprised you haven't gotten more recognition yet. You really do have talent.” She felt bad that she had judged him by his job.

“Thanks! One day, I'm going to be famous!” The happy blonde gave a white toothy grin. “Though, it isn't easy. There are lots of dry spots where I don't get any commissions for weeks at a time. Plus, art materials are expensive. Which is why I've got a job here on the side. It pays decently and I have some friends who work here too.”

Naruto stood up. “Alright, you're done. That tat's one of my own designs too. You've got a good eye.” He grinned as she stood up and admired the cherry blossom design in the mirror.

He whistled at her. “Whoo, you're smokin'!” Sakura blushed and swatted him playfully.

“Hey, kid! Quit flirting with our customers. Haruno-san, don't trust this brat, he wants to fuck everything that he thinks is pretty. Doesn't matter if it's a girl or guy. He's a menace.” The white-haired owner of the tattoo parlour finally made an appearance out of his room at the back.

Naruto sent a glare to the owner, known as Jiraiya or Ero-sennin as Naruto liked to call him. He really was a perverted hermit, holed up in the back all the time writing porn. “Now, now. That's not fair. There's nothing wrong with a good healthy sex drive, unlike some perverted old men I know who spy on young girls to get inspiration for his dirty novels.” The blonde stuck out his tongue.

Sakura blushed at the conversation. So, Naruto was bisexual? The idea of him being with another guy was kind of... hot. Wow, she was getting as perverted as these two and she'd only met them today!

Heading over to the till, Sakura paid the amount she owed, Naruto giving her a discount. As he handed her the change, the blonde pressed a piece of paper in her hand. “There's my number. Actually, I'm not really looking for a relationship right now, but I'd like to keep in touch and talk with you if that's okay?”

The girl smiled and nodded her head. Naruto really was an interesting person and he seemed like someone who, over time, would be a good person to go to for problems or if you just wanted to get cheered up. “I'll call you later, Naruto-kun! It was nice meeting you!”

Waving goodbye with a grin, Naruto looked back to his boss. “Can I leave my shift a little early? I want to see the reaction when my new pieces are put out today.”

“Yeah, I can handle things until Kiba gets here. But, you owe me one, bean sprout.”

Naruto rolled his eyes. Bean sprout? Ha. Jiraiya was a different one. It was easy to notice with the man's crazy long, white, and messy hair and the tattoos of various toads covering his arms and chest. “Thanks! See you tomorrow, you cuddly wrinkled old grapefruit, you!” He sing-songed as he ran out the door, grinning.

“Damn brat.” Jiraiya shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

^*^*^*^*^

A very angry young man stormed out of his family's large manor, his hand clenching around the handle of his backpack. Damn his family, they didn't understand him at all! He growled as he opened the garage to get his Jaguar.

“Sasuke.”

The dark-haired man's eyebrow twitched, and he turned to look at his elder brother. What did he want? Sasuke opened the door to his car and glared at the older Uchiha son impatiently.

“Foolish little brother. What are you trying to prove? You and I both know that this little venture of yours isn't going to work. Why don't you just stay home and finish what you started instead of acting like an idiot?”

Sasuke's handsome features twisted into a frown of distaste. His brother knew full well how unhappy he was. The youngest Uchiha couldn't stay here anymore, his family was smothering him, chaining him to their dreams and their lifestyle.

“I am not acting like an idiot. I am just acting on my own for once.” Sasuke moved to get into the vehicle.

His elder brother, Itachi, smirked. “Oh, and you can't take the Jag with you. You're totally cut off, remember?”

The younger brother paused and snarled; then he got out of the car, slamming the door behind him. Saying nothing, Sasuke hefted his large backpack over his shoulder. He'd take the damn bus.

^*^*^*^*^

Stepping off the bus, Sasuke shivered and dug out a bottle of hand sanitizer from his backpack. He made sure to rub it over his hands—twice—to get all the numerous germs that had most likely taken residence there. Damn public transportation. It was noisy, smelly, and downright disgusting. He wanted to take a shower.

The young man steeled himself and walked into the building, heading down the familiar corridors. Stopping at the office, he explained his situation and thanked the man for having him be an intern there. Sasuke then made his way to the class, to say goodbye to his teacher.

When Ebisu-sensei left the class to speak to Sasuke, a puzzled pinkette watched. What did that mean? They both looked really serious about something.

Needless to say, Haruno Sakura was shocked when it was announced that Uchiha Sasuke would no longer be training to be a surgeon.

^*^*^*^*^

Sasuke was glad that was over with. Now, he was hungry. Before he started to look for somewhere to live, he wanted food. Peering around, he spotted Ichiraku's. Ah, he hadn't been there in a while. It was a quaint, classy little gem downtown. Sasuke wondered why it wasn't more popular. Probably because of the lack of advertising, or something.

Anticipating the prospect of coffee and a good lunch, the Uchiha headed over, his hands in his pockets. Going inside, he found a table and opened a menu.

After deciding what he would have, his gaze slid over to the glass door that adjoined the art gallery. Sasuke wondered if there were any new ones in today. The raven-haired man was fond of the artists displayed, especially one in particular. The pale Sasuke had bought quite a few of that artist's works. Uzumaki N. ...

That was one thing he regretted about leaving home. Sasuke had to leave his art collection behind. Well, the stoic man would buy them back from his family one day when he had everything settled. Which he hoped would be soon.

He nodded politely and gave his order to a kind looking ponytailed man who had come up to his table. The man smiled, “Ah, yes, your regular. Haven't seen you here for a couple of weeks.”

Sasuke blinked at the man, feeling somewhat surprised. They really noticed whether he was here or not? That... felt kind of nice. Unless, it was just because he was part of the Uchiha family. He hated false sentiment or politeness. It made him want to vomit.

“I've been... busy, this last little while.” He replied, setting his elbows on the table and leaning forward onto his clasped hands.

The brunette man smiled. “It looks like you've been making some big decisions.”

Sasuke let out a puff of air and smiled faintly. “You could say that.”

Nodding as he left, the man went to get Sasuke's order together. “Chouji, vegetable and noodle bowl with a side of coffee.” He set the order with the others.

“Got it, Iruka.” Chouji smiled and tossed the stir fry he was working on. “Hey, Naruto should be here soon, right?”

The scarred man laughed. “If I know Naruto, he will be.”

Right on cue, one bouncing hyper-active blonde walked into the cafe and ramen shop. Naruto grinned, waving at Iruka and Chouji. “Yo, guys! What's cooking? Like, literally. I'm starving!” His blue eyes danced as he sat at one of the bar stools at the front.

“Hey, Naruto! You gotta try my new blend of ramen, I won't release it to the public unless you do.” Chouji beamed, smiling.

The blonde lit up. “You are seriously awesome, Cho!” Naruto smirked and looked at Iruka. “So, did you say yes to him yet?” The brunette man was like a father to Naruto, however, that didn't mean the tanned youth didn't like to tease him once in a while.

Some obvious pink showed up on the man's cheeks. “No! He has no self-control, that man! And I won't say yes unless he calms down one of these days!”

Naruto guffawed, holding his stomach. “Man, seriously. You two are meant to be.”

Iruka put a hand on his hip and clouted Naruto with a spatula. “Owww! What did I do to deserve that?!”

Sasuke had been reading the business section of the newspaper when he lost his concentration. Irritated, he'd looked up to see an outrageous blonde guy come in. Seriously, the young man was loud, both inside and out. He was wearing an orange and black tie dyed shirt, for heaven sakes! And such low tight black scraggly jeans that he wondered how they could stay on in the first place. And... what the hell? Rainbow suspenders? No class at all.

Finding it very difficult to concentrate with that loudmouth in the cafe, Sasuke stood up, folded his paper, and walked over to the three at the counter.

Naruto was about to grab a spatula of his own to counter-attack, when he looked up in surprise to see an ebony-haired guy had approached them. A really sexy one at that. Wow. Naruto's gaze flicked over the man's perfect face structure and ivory-like skin. He could seriously be a model. Those intense dark eyes would be great in a photo shoot. And did the guy know how to dress! Was that an Armani suit? The guy was wearing a suit to a cafe, but the raven haired beauty made it seem the most natural thing in the world. The blonde smirked casually at the man, giving the other a friendly nod. “Yo, good lookin'. What can I do for you?”

The `raven haired beauty' in question had been surprised when the blonde idiot looked up at him. Sasuke felt nearly stunned by the shocking brightness of the guy's blue eyes. And not to mention, this lower class guy was pretty decent in the looks department. Full, pouty lips, and unique whisker-like marks on his cheeks. Pulling himself together, Sasuke glared. This guy was an insolent brat, first causing a ruckus in the cafe, and now the guy had the audacity to flirt with him with such cheesy lines!

“Your obnoxious voice is disturbing my reading. Can you keep it down, if you please?”

Naruto's mouth dropped open as he watched the guy turn and stalk back to his table. What a complete asshole! The blonde fumed and glared at the rude pale man.

Chouji snorted, laughing. “Ha, he sure told you off! Re-ject-ed!”

The blonde clenched his teeth, then smirked. “I'm sorry Chouji, what was that you said?!!” His voice boomed through the cafe. Sasuke jolted upward and he turned to glare daggers at the impossible foghorn. Damn uncivilized blondes.

“MAN, I would LOVE some of that ramen right about now!! I'm sorry, can you hear me?? I MIGHT HAVE TO SPEAK LOUDER--!!” Naruto was cut off as Iruka smacked him a second time with the spatula.

“Naruto, if you start chasing out my customers, I'm going to have to ban you.”

Sasuke smirked from where he was sitting.

The blonde clutched his head and sniffled up at the brunette. “Aww... but, `Ruka-chaaan...” He whined, pouting. That jerk. Well, he'd swallow his pride for ramen.

Crossing his arms, Naruto sighed dramatically. “Ne, where's Kakashi, anyway? The gallery is supposed to be open!” He'd just submitted his new works last night, he wanted to see them on display! Stupid perverted guy, Kakashi was always late. If he wasn't so cool otherwise, Naruto might have punched him good and hard a couple of times.

Iruka came around the corner with Sasuke's order. Hiding a devious smirk, Naruto grabbed the tray. “Here, I'll take that to him. I can apologize that way.”

The brunette gave him a look. “Well... that's nice of you, Naruto...” He hoped that was the blonde's true intent.

Smiling sweetly, Naruto walked over to Sasuke's table with the order. The Uchiha looked up at him with raised eyebrows. Okay, why was he getting his meal from the last person he wanted to see at the moment? Suspicion glimmered in the man's onyx eyes.

“Here's your food, bastard.” Naruto grinned and set the dishes down while Sasuke glared. “Sorry about my obnoxious voice earlier; I guess people with poles shoved up their asses have sensitive ears?”

“Excuse me?” The raven grit his teeth. “At least I don't act like a Neanderthal. Plus, you look like a damn candy store. Don't you know how to dress?”

Naruto's grin faltered and he frowned, irritated. “I'll dress however I damn like!” Then he smirked. “Maybe you secretly want to taste me, since you are associating me with candy and all. My, my, my, how extremely forward of you!”

Sasuke flushed at the sexual innuendo, indignant. “I'm sorry, but your deluded thoughts of me wanting you are only going to come true in your dreams, urastoncatchi.”

“Like I'd ever dream about a complete asshole!”

“Idiot.”

“Bastard.”

Why the hell was Sasuke still arguing with this loser? Picking up his paper, he pretended to read, ignoring the boiling Naruto currently glaring at him.

Naruto smiled slyly. “Here, let me get the soy sauce for you.” He picked it up and started spritzing it all over Sasuke's noodles. “Oops!” The blonde's hand `slipped' and the bottle fell into Sasuke's lap, soy sauce spilling into the fabric of his pants. The Uchiha looked down in shock.

“My... suit...” If the guy could get any paler, he would have right there.

The blonde started to gloat, but froze, realizing that must be one heck of an expensive suit for that kind of a reaction. Oh great. Without thinking, Naruto grabbed nearby napkins, kneeling and frantically wiping at the sauce. However, he was only making it worse by rubbing it into the material. “God, I'm really sorry. I got carried away. Damn it, I am an idiot—”

Coming out of shock, Sasuke started to simmer, feeling anger well up. Damn, he couldn't afford dry cleaning right now! And he was planning on selling this suit if he needed some extra money! This thing was expensive! Like sell-your-grandmother's-house-to-buy-it expensive! He looked down in surprise as Naruto started to try and get the stains off but made it even worse. He stood up, knocking Naruto away, ice cold anger flashing in his eyes. “I'm leaving.”

Sasuke picked up his backpack and stalked out of the cafe, fuming. Today had royally stunk. No Jaguar, public transport, and now his suit was ruined. And he was still hungry! The disgruntled male sighed and headed for a nearby hotel. He'd stay there a couple nights until he could find a job and a place to stay. The Uchiha just hoped his money wouldn't run out before then. He stopped suddenly. Sasuke had missed out on the gallery opening. He'd wanted to see if there was anything new. He growled and continued to stomp towards the hotel. Like he'd go back there while that idiot was still around. He'd check out the gallery later.

^*^*^*^*^

Standing up, Naruto turned to see a very frightening Iruka glaring death at him. The blonde shrank back. “Ahh... sorry, I didn't mean to go that far— ”

The brunette cracked his knuckles ominously.

“Um... Iruka? Remember who's your favourite blonde customer...”

“NA-RU-TO!!!!!!!”

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First fanfic ever~ whoo, go me. Review or I'll sick Kyuubi on you. Hehe. Just kidding, but reviews are nice! XDD

Ja ne.

-Naru