Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Hybrid Host Club ❯ Chapter 5

Hybrid Host Club

Part 5: Smile (14)

Sasuke scowled at the road ahead of him and then up at the dark cloud that was threatening rain. He'd watched the weather reports and had been glad to know it was supposed to be sunny with a light breeze today. He'd left his apartment without his coat and umbrella for that reason alone and now, on top of the threat of a mighty downpour, he was late. He hated being late for things, it had been ingrained in him since birth to be punctual and prepared.

Today - he was neither.

He pulled up in front of the club, cutting the deep rumble of the old engine of his black Camaro and slid out of the car, absently shutting the door and locking it behind him. His eyes were fixed on the large warehouse style building that housed the only Hybrid Host Club in the city, well, that he was aware of anyway.

Iruka had said that the staff entrance was to the side of the building and up the stairs, so he circled around to the right, admiring the silent grandeur of the old style warehouse. It was built using deep red bricks, something that hadn't been used since the previous century; with intense mining of natural resources in the twenty first century it meant that a lot of the once prevalently used stone of the time had become a rare resource. The warehouse doors at the front had been replaced, the once grand door's had been filled in around the edges to form a much smaller, but still imposing doorway made of solid oak.

The front of the building held his interest for a few moments, his eyes running across the detailed scrolling along the roof line and the large window that, at one time, would have been used for bringing up large loads from the ground to the top floor. The wooden winch was still attached to the front, lending it an air of utility, even though it hadn't been used in a good hundred years or more. It reminded him of the tall buildings in Amsterdam, mixed with the old red brick warehouses of London.

He felt himself slowly calming, his annoyance from the delays he'd had ebbing away. Sasuke sighed putting his hands into his pockets before leaning back so he could look all the way up to the top of the building. It was strange how his love of architecture always soothed him, just standing and admiring a well constructed and interesting building set his mind at ease and he wondered absently if the Dobe felt the same.

Sasuke drew his eyes from the frontage and moved around the side, running his fingers along the pitted bricks for a few minutes, drawing away when he found the wrought iron staircase traversing the side of the building. He made his way up the steps, hand running over every bump in the surface of the railing, feeling the chill of the metal underneath the slick black paint. He admired the fretwork and the subtle creak as he placed his weight on each step, the old staircase was still sturdy after all this time. It looked well worn, but it had been well maintained too. He wondered who they had gotten to take care of the old building, whoever it was had done a good job of it.

When Sasuke reached the top of the staircase, stepping onto three foot wide landing, he eyed up the much more modern door before him. The electronic keypad to the right hand side of the door at about shoulder height was the first real sign of modernisation on what had looked like a traditionally styled warehouse. He pressed his finger to the button denoting a bell and waited silently, there was no sound on this side of the door, though Sasuke was sure that it rang inside. Sasuke returned his hand to his pocket once more, his gaze wandering back to the thunderous looking cloud that was rolling steadily closer, scowling at the one thing that might ruin his day.

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Naruto had been waiting for whoever was supposed to be picking him up for the last half an hour, he'd been angry to start with but, as the time crept forward, that anger cooled and he had to wonder if maybe they'd chosen not to come. It wouldn't be the first time. He rolled over onto his belly, burrowing his face in the pillow, hand fisting in the black, red and orange patchwork quilt that covered his bed, "Che, whatever." He huffed quietly, so what if they didn't come.

But Naruto knew that it bothered him, not just because he was effectively being stood-up - again - but because he'd seen the strain around Iruka's eyes. Iruka had wanted this so badly for Naruto, and Naruto had to admit that he'd wanted it too. He'd been so disappointed when he'd found out he couldn't continue his education, his dream to grow up and design some of the biggest and best buildings in Konoha dashed at the age of six.

But over time that dream had fallen to the wayside, his heart a little darker for the loss. He hadn't let on to Iruka that he'd known that his favourite sensei was searching for a teacher for him, Naruto had been on the verge of telling Iruka to stop when he'd finally found one. Naruto could see the sadness in Iruka's eyes whenever he'd looked at him and Naruto didn't like it, not one bit. He was happy enough; he enjoyed working at the Club, though his heart ached for more, to do more.

Iruka had arrived at his door yesterday to tell him that he would be getting the teaching he'd craved for so long and that someone, he wouldn't say whom, would be coming to take him out tomorrow on his day off. Naruto had leapt from his mattress and hugged Iruka to the point of cutting off his breathing, Iruka had turned a rather desperate shade of puce. He'd released the man and hadn't been able to restrain the grin that had spread across his face, his words tumbling out in an endless stream of thanks.

When Iruka had left he'd run around his room in circles, pumping his fist in the air, his tail waving back and forth like an orange and white flag. He had been so excited and happy. Naruto hadn't known how much he'd still wanted this, he appreciated it though - to get this opportunity was a gift that he would never refuse. But now, they were late, were they even coming? His ears sagged, his tail lying listless against the sheets as he clenched his hand in the soft fabric. "They're not coming are they..." he spoke into the sheets, voice thick with remembered pain. Naruto rolled onto his back, forearm resting over his eyes as he sighed, feeling a prickle at the back of his eyes that he refused to acknowledge.

The doorbell chimed through the top floor of the club.

Naruto's ears twitched at the sound, he turned to look at the door - waiting - but the sound didn't come again, had he imagined it? He shot up off the bed, grabbing his grey canvas shoulder bag and slinging it across his chest, moving out of his room to eye the door curiously; ears perked forward, tail standing straight out at attention - waiting.

It rang again.

Naruto marched down the corridor, calling back over his shoulder as he went, "See you guys later." A chorus of voices shouted various goodbyes as he walked down the hall towards the door and he smiled excitement fluttering in his stomach like a baby bird ready to fly. Naruto didn't think to check through the peephole before opening the door, in too much of a hurry to meet whoever was on the other side.

When he swung the door open, finally catching sight of the man on the other side of the three inch thick metal door he paused. He stared at Sasuke, his face tilted up to the sky, hands dug deep in his pockets. Naruto could see the scowl dipping dark eyebrows, his mouth set in a thin line as he glared darkly at the big, black cloud that was rolling in from the south. Naruto glanced at the cloud's overhead, breathing in the sweet smell of the impending storm, ozone and heat.

But his gaze was drawn back to the man before him, he caught the slightest whiff of something else, something dark and rich, enticing. Naruto shook his head, dislodging the scent from his nostrils but it lingered in his mind, tempting, tantalising. He eyed the Uchiha appreciatively; he couldn't really deny that the man looked good. His pale skin and inky black hair made him quite striking; Sasuke contrasted well against the dark roiling clouds overhead.

Naruto kept silent for a few minutes, absorbing the sight before him, unconsciously scenting the air, searching for that dark scent that had made something heat inside him. Naruto knew that as soon as Sasuke spoke he'd start to get irritated; it had been two days since he'd seen him, but the previous week had been filled with nothing but sneaky, underhanded words and snippy remarks. If he didn't know better he would have thought Sasuke was deliberately trying o goad him.

Naruto's bright blue eyes trailed down the Uchiha's slightly taller frame, taking in the tight black, long-sleeved top that clung to his clearly toned chest, dark trousers with pale grey pinstripes moulded to lean hips and strong legs. The clothes, though nice, didn't scream money to him as Itachi's suit's did, but when he caught sight of the soft, buttery black leather of Sasuke's loafer's he knew that this Uchiha was just as well off as the other. They did look damn good on him though, even though the thought of that much money rubbed Naruto the wrong way.

He berated Iruka in his head, thinking he'd set him up with a descent teacher at last, what was this idiot doing here? He sighed, a frown slipping onto his features, tail swishing back and forth in irritation as he spoke, "Teme! What do you want?"

Sasuke turned slowly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips, something he was trying to get used to - he hadn't smiled this much since he'd been a very young child. He had been aware of the door opening and the other man staring at him for long moments, the hairs on the back of his neck had risen as soon as the pressure seal on the door had broken and those eyes had focused him. "I'm here to take you out, Dobe."

"Why the hell should I go anywhere with you?" Naruto growled, disappointment settling in his stomach like a lead ball.

This was his one day off this week; he'd traded the other with Shikamaru so he could take Neji out somewhere. He didn't want to spend the day with this irritating, pompous ass! Itachi he could stand, the man was irritating, reserved and condescending but he was tolerable, he wondered if that was possibly Sai's influence. But this guy, there was just something about him that rubbed his skin and fur the wrong way, making him feel a little off-kilter. Naruto's tail was bushed out; he could feel the fur standing on end, his skin covered in goose-pimples from the moment he had laid eyes on the youngest Uchiha.

Sasuke spoke slowly, eyes turning to look out over the alleyway below, strangely clear of debris and the normal homeless people that seemed to cluster in these sheltered places. He spoke nonchalantly, not letting his own feeling's colour his tone. Sasuke wanted the fox to come with him after all, "Well Dobe, if you don't want to waste your day off or get that meal I owe you, then by all means go back inside. I had some interesting plans for the day - but I can go and find something else to do."

It was a calculated bet on Sasuke's behalf, he didn't want to turn around and go home, he'd spent what little time he'd had on sorting out things to do today and he hadn't quite finished. On top of that he'd had to do some hard negotiations to get today off after a big contract had come in the day after he'd seen Iruka and discussed teaching the fox. He wanted to spend the day with the Dobe, getting to know him as a person, finding out what knowledge he had of architecture and design and most important of all - getting his name.

But he really wanted to get the fox to cooperate of his own accord; it was the first of many building blocks' Sasuke needed to get in place to get the Dobe to trust him.

Though, if today didn't work out, then he'd just keep trying - Uchiha were not known for giving up.

Naruto eyed Sasuke suspiciously; ears trained forward as he listened to that velvety smooth voice, trying to discern what it was Sasuke was after. He could admit to himself that he was intrigued - who wouldn't be? But he didn't trust this Uchiha, he made his emotion's riot uncontrollably, that odd twisting in his gut had started at the first sight of the other man and Naruto didn't know quite what to make of it. His brow quirked upwards, hands holding the strap of his shoulder bag and twisting slowly, "Where were you going?"

Sasuke didn't betray his surprise, fisting his hands in his pockets were they couldn't be seen, "Hn, nowhere special. I wanted to visit the gallery. I haven't been since they put in the new exhibit." Sasuke watched with interest as the blond haired fox leant forward, ears perked and eyes wide open, though the fox quickly realised what he was doing, shaking his head and straightening up, eyelids lowering in an almost sultry look, slouching back and feigning indifference. He probably thought Sasuke hadn't noticed, but it seemed that the blond wasn't very good at this type of game - Sasuke had been an expert by the age of ten. Indifference was an art form all Uchiha learned at an early age.

Naruto's hands tightened on the strap of his bag, his tail swaying slowly as he looked away from Sasuke, speaking with as much indifference as he could manage, "I hear the exhibit's pretty good."

Sasuke nodded in affirmation, his pride in his brother's choice's showing through as he spoke, "It's to be expected, Itachi is a very good judge of talent."

Naruto heard the note of pride in Sasuke's tone, but didn't acknowledge it as he spoke, trying to think of a way to go to the gallery he'd not been in since he was at school, but not give away his interest in it. Hybrids weren't welcome inside the gallery after a certain age, most went as part of a school excursion, it was considered unnecessary once they'd finished their education. Naruto didn't understand the rule and railed against it often enough but it never changed. He knew only too well how people could twist things to their advantage, he spoke with a slightly more disgruntled tone than he'd meant to "Yes - I suppose he is."

Sasuke sighed, his hands clenching tight, he didn't like that the fox was so secretive, he wanted to see that face filled with intrigue once more, open - innocent in its curiosity. But he wasn't sure how to go about it. The Dobe had clear trust issues, Sasuke could understand that - he wasn't exactly the most trusting person, having people make attempts on your life from the age of five did that to you.

Sasuke looked at the fox, sighing audibly and deciding that perhaps the direct approach would be best. This wasn't a business meeting, this was two people in a social situation, there was no need for underhanded tactic's here, and maybe - just maybe - being honest would get him further than this stiff, stilted indifference they were trying to convince each other of. "Look - do you want to go or not?"

Naruto watched as the other man stood quietly, he was surprised by the blunt question that fell from soft looking lips, not expecting to have a human actually play it straight with him.

Naruto didn't think, just responded, "Yes - but you still owe me a meal."

Sasuke felt that small half smile slip onto his lips again, not the arrogant smirk that was a trademark among the Uchiha but something more genuine, warmer, he nodded, "Done."

Naruto was taken aback by the little smile that Sasuke gave him, it was new, something that looked odd, tentative on his lips and yet he liked it, it made something warm inside his chest. That smile felt fresh to him, something genuine that reflected in those velvety black eyes and it made him feel a little flutter in his chest. Naruto shoved those thoughts aside, not wanting to deal with the emotion's that kept trying to well up inside him. He grabbed his hat from inside the doorway he had yet to close, plunking the thing down over his ears as he turned to close the door behind him.

Sasuke eyed the tanned coloured excuse for a hat, not liking the fact that it hid the fox's expressive ears from his curious eyes. He didn't speak for a moment, eyes riveted downwards as Naruto's back turned to him, that thick, rusty orange coloured tail tipped with cream suddenly within his reach. He wasn't sure what urged this need inside him to touch, to stroke his hands through the silky fur, but he only just managed to not let his hands wander down to caress the soft fur. Instead, he drew his hands from his pocket's quietly, eyes flicking to Naruto's head and then back to his tail repeatedly, not wanting to get caught, he reached out and lightly brushed the fine hairs with his fingertips before shoving his hands back in his pockets, a scowl settling on his face as he felt a light warmth spread across his cheeks.

Why couldn't he control his need to touch this little fox?

Sasuke didn't really think before he spoke next, eyes staring out into the open lot in front of the building, "Why are you wearing that?"

Naruto had already started to turn at the feel of his tail being touched. It was such a light brush that he'd barely felt it, he knew that Sasuke had touched him from the way his fur stood on end and that sharp heat from before rolled up his spine. It was a pretty obvious reminder and a clear sign that the Uchiha had touched him again. Nobody else caused that type of reaction in him. The blunt question the Uchiha had asked, alongside the sharp heat that he felt at the light caress set him on edge, so he replied a little more bluntly than he had intended, "Because people find my ears offensive to their delicate sensibilities."

Sasuke stared at the quietly fuming blond and he sighed, eyes turning to look down at the floor, he felt like a Kami forsaken teenager all over again. His emotions free to react as they pleased, ignorant of the years of discipline he'd had to control them, plus the fact that no matter what he seemed to say, it offended or irritated the fox.

Naruto watched Sasuke turn his face away, he could scent the change in his emotions and he felt a little guilty for snapping at him, but he didn't let it bother him too much. Sasuke was human and, though Iruka was alright, there were far too many uncertainties and unknowns about the others. People, he knew, were unpredictable - nice one minute and raging the next.

Naruto wouldn't let it happen again.

"Let's just go."

Sasuke looked back at the blond, could see the slight flush on his tanned cheeks, the tips of his ears visible on either side of his head from underneath the floppy hat. And instead of commenting further he turned to the staircase and started making his way down, the foxes' footsteps close behind him.

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Sasuke scowled at the blond who hadn't stopped grinning since he'd seen Sasuke's car, pointing and laughing, "That thing is an old rust bucket, you're loaded - why the hell do you have that?"

Naruto couldn't help chuckling at Sasuke's expense; his car was ancient in comparison to a lot of cars on the market. He knew the Uchiha had money, hell the shoes he was wearing likely cost more than what this car was worth now. Those soft looking black leather loafer's, which were likely hand stitched, were worth over a week of his wages and yet Sasuke went around in this old banger? He found that infinitely amusing as well as a tad bit confusing.

Naruto watched Sasuke fume, smiling at the way the other man seemed to be getting so riled up by his amusement with his choice of vehicle. He was enjoying making the Uchiha react so intensely to anything. Sasuke had spent this last week alternately pissing him off and confusing the hell out of him. Finally being able to return the favour was a luxury Naruto wouldn't give up easily.

Sasuke all but growled at the fox who was clearly laughing at his expense with no effort of hiding it. There was nothing wrong with his car! Yes he admitted that it was an older model, but it still worked well and it had a lot of sentimental value attached to it. Itachi had been banging on at him to get rid of it, get something more suited to his station, but he just couldn't part with it. Sasuke glared rather scathingly at blond, hand running over the steering wheel almost affectionately, the worn leather comforting under his palm. "That as you so kindly put it, is the first car I ever owned. Just because I have money that doesn't mean I should spend it frivolously."

Naruto tried to protest, to voice an argument against the old machine to keep the upper hand he'd finally acquired, but he didn't get very far in his protests, "But…"

Sasuke put his foot down.

He refused to discuss it further, he loved this car and he would keep it. No matter what anyone else said about it! Sasuke turned his gaze to the blond once more, glaring in an attempt to make the fox listen to what he was saying, "No. That's it, end of discussion. We're here. Now behave for a little while, alright." He wasn't joking either, the gallery was a special place that he loved visiting and he wouldn't have the boisterous fox ruining it, he'd brought him here because it was special to him. It was his first real project as an architect, something he'd designed and overseen being built when he was fresh out of University, having graduated early at the age of nineteen.

At the time Sasuke couldn't believe the opportunity Itachi was giving him, already heading to be in charge of the company. Sasuke had asked Itachi why he would do it, Itachi's reply, “Because I have faith in you.” It was the only time, since he'd been a small child, that Itachi had expressed any real faith in Sasuke. And he hoped, because he still didn't know, that Itachi was proud of his creation.

"Che, whatever." Naruto shrugged of Sasuke's heated retort, looking out the car windshield pouting as they pulled up across from the newest art gallery in Konoha.

Though the fox feigned disinterest, Sasuke watched as those bright blue eyes took in every detail of the building they sat in front of, before he quickly slide out the door of the car to tilt his head back and take in the great glass dome at its apex.

Sasuke slid himself out of the car, closing the door with a slightly heavy thud, locking it with a press of the button on the key; the lock's sliding into place with an electronic thunk. He tucked his hands into his pocket's watching the fox on the other side of the car with open interest. He watched quietly for a few moments before speaking, hunting for a reaction, if not to change the subject to start getting some of the answers he would need to organise the fox's education, "It's a nice building."

Bright sky blue eyes were turned on Sasuke then and he almost took a step back at the intensity of them. "It's a fucking stunning building, it's visually eye catching, has tonnes of natural light because of the window's and it's run using solar panels - hell it's probably the most environmentally friendly building in the city!" Naruto took a deep breath, flushing slightly as he stared at the Uchiha's face that was now far closer to his own after he'd strode around the vehicle with purpose as he's gesticulated wildly.

Sasuke's lip twitched, his scowl disappearing, "You like it then?"

"Ah, yeah I guess." Naruto spoke sheepishly, hand running up and down the back of his neck, knocking his hat slightly askew. He straightened, drawing back from Sasuke, not realising until then that he'd gotten that close, practically pinning him back against the car as he ranted about the gallery. Naruto shifted his gaze back to the building, trying to look anywhere but into that discerning black gaze. But he couldn't help but take a few seruptious glances at the other man from under the shadow of his hat.

Sasuke nodded, "Good."

Naruto eyed the Uchiha then, suddenly not caring about looking him in the face, seeing some amusement hidden in those velvety black depth's that made him hold his breath for a moment. What was it about this guy that got to him?

Sasuke noted the fox's gaze but didn't say anything further about it, amused by the confused look that furrowed his bow and made him nibble on his lower lip. "Ready?"

"Huh?" Naruto looked at Sasuke with confusion, ready for what? He had been too busy looking at the man, trying to puzzle out to many things, to actually pay attention to what he was saying, even if he did like the tone of Sasuke's voice. There was something lilting about it.

Sasuke let a smug smile curl his lips, warmth whispering through his chest at the adorable look of abject confusion, "It's time to go in, Dobe."

Naruto felt his cheek's heat and he knew he was blushing furiously, but he wouldn't be cowed for long, coming out swinging, "Would you quit calling me that! I'm not an idiot."

Sasuke's brow rose as he went to turn, heading away from the blond and towards the entrance, "So you know Japanese?" That was rare; very few people spoke the language anymore, though his Father had insisted he and Itachi learn it for business.

He caught sight of the fox shrugging nonchalantly when he looked back over his shoulder, blue eyes focused on the building again, "Some."

"Hn."

Naruto didn't know what to make of that sound, though he was certain he'd heard Itachi make the same noise before, "What?"

"Nothing - come on, Dobe." Naruto glared at the Uchiha, but followed him anyway, not wanting to be left behind outside, excitement starting to build in his belly shoving out the irritation that Sasuke always seemed to produce. It had been a good five or so years since he'd been here last, the last year of his schooling when he'd been sixteen and he couldn't wait to go inside.

Naruto growled low at the use of Sasuke's apparently new favourite name for him, "Oi, Teme."

Sasuke didn't even twitch at the term, just turned his head to eye the blond with a single dark eye, "Hmmm… well what else should I call you? I have no name for you."

Sasuke watched Naruto's shoulder's slump in defeat, his eyes flicking to the doorway to the gallery and away again. Sasuke stopped and turned to look at the blond haired man, leaning down far enough to look into those sky blue eyes that were hidden by the brim of his hat, "What's the matter?"

It was clear something was wrong with the fox, he looked rather nervous, his hands tightening around the strap of his satchel, head down, that tail that never seemed to stop moving held tight to his body. He reached out slowly, one curled finger coming to rest under the fox's chin and gently pressing upwards to raise his downcast head. There was something that really bothered Sasuke about seeing this man look at the floor, clearly unhappy and behaving like a chastised child.

Naruto didn't respond for a few minutes, gritting his teeth on the word's that wanted to spill out. But at the touch of Sasuke's fingers on his chin he looked up, seeing concern in those velvety black depths, "I..." He'd been thinking about it since Sasuke had said about coming here, and it made his throat tighten to think that this opportunity would be taken away. He'd wanted to explore the corridors and halls of this building since that day he'd visited on his final school trip, but they'd been restricted to certain areas, apparently for study purposes but Naruto had to wonder. Naruto turned his eyes down once more, dislodging Sasuke's cool finger's by moving his head up and back, "They won't let me in will they?"

Sasuke looked at the fox in confusion for a moment before realisation dawned, he reached out once more, his finger's curling under the blonds' chin again and turning his face up to his own. "Yes, they will." He watched his own thumb trace across those lush looking lips, his eyes lingering for long seconds on the swell of flesh, at the tongue that darted out to swipe across them, leaving a moist sheen behind.

"Teme."

Sasuke looked up into wide sky blue eyes and he withdrew quickly, hands burrowing back into his pockets, fingertips rubbing over his thumb in remembered sensation. Why was it that he couldn't resist touching this man? His thumb tingled were he'd brushed it along the Dobe's lip's and he wanted to press it to his own, to take in the taste of him. He felt heat stir inside him, pooling low and hot in his gut and he lifted his gaze to the blonds, shoving those feeling's aside. They would do him little good at this stage, only serving to frustrate him, "Come on Dobe - we have a whole gallery to explore."

Sasuke turned and started walking, a rush of hard thud's against the concrete and he felt the fox's body draw up beside him.

Naruto watched Sasuke with a wide open stare, his lip felt warm were his touch had been and he rolled it between his teeth, sucking the lip distractedly until he realised that Sasuke was moving away. He rushed to catch up, mind whirling through the sight and scent of such raw need, the aroma a rich and heady perfume in his nose, all to be blocked off completely, not a trace of it left behind.

How did Sasuke do that? And, more to the point, why did he do it?

Naruto rubbed at his forehead absently, feeling a headache stirring at his temples as he trailed behind the Uchiha. He stared at Sasuke's back, studying him closely. Sasuke was tall, lean and toned, encased in a sheath of black cotton that was like an impenetrable wall. Naruto frowned and sighed softly, yeah, he knew why Sasuke did that.

Someone of his calibre - his class - would never consort with a Hybrid.

But Itachi?

No, Itachi was different; he wasn't cowed by his family and it was clear to Naruto at least, that Sasuke still lived in the shadow of his family name. Itachi had stepped out and made it his own, despite his family's opinion's of him. And though a little voice inside his head protested the harsh thoughts, Naruto brushed them aside. Until he knew different, he didn't trust Sasuke - didn't know who he was, other than that Sasuke was someone who stirred emotion's inside him that he didn't know what to do.

When Sasuke looked back to see the fox following slowly behind him he could see the scowl turning down his lips and furrowing his brow. He reached out, hand dipping under the brim of that horrid camouflage coloured hat to flick his fingertips against that wrinkled brow, "Stop thinking so hard." He got a glare and a growl for his efforts, but the frown did ease a bit and they made their way to the queue to get into the gallery. It was surprisingly busy for the middle of the day, but that was likely because there was a new display on inside.

Naruto quickly slipped a bright orange jumper from in his bag, tying the garment around his waist, pinning his tail down against his legs. He saw Sasuke's dark look and glared back, daring him to say something. That Sasuke didn't surprised him, but he was glad of it. The hat had caused enough problems, he felt uncomfortably exposed without the jumper wrapped around his waist hiding his tail from view. It wasn't something that Sasuke needed to understand, it was necessary for him and that was that.