Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Innocent Illusions ❯ This Chance ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A/N: Here's the third chapter!







Disclaimer: I do not Naruto and Co.






Innocent Illusions


"He's back." Miyu told Naruto from the door way. "Again!"

"Crap!"

"Maybe he likes you." She muttered which furthered Naruto's irritation.

It shocked everyone that the man had returned after the first day. It shocked everyone even more when he returned again. And again. And again.

"Oh, come on! He's been here for like... what? Two weeks now? There has to be a reason for why he keeps on coming back here." Miyu said boredly.

"I lifted him up and dropped him on the ground! Not to gently either!" He retorted. She just shrugged her shoulders.

"Maybe he's into that slave and master stuff. You know, chains and whips." It was a second before she barked out a laugh. "Wow. That's a funny mental image. You over him with a whip while he's tied onto a bed. Funny yet disgusting at the same time."

"Don't talk about that! I'm already stressed as it is." He rub his head as he felt another headache come on. "Besides, I'm not that kinky."

"I don't want to find out how kinky you are, Sobame-chan."

Of course, she didn't want to know what he would do when it came to sex.

No! It wasn't because he had perverted urges in bed.

It probably would turn out weird if she realized that he wouldn't have sex the normal girl way. Because he wasn't a girl.

"Shut up. I don't wanna talk about the guy. Okay?"

The Sasuke-look-alike bothered him to no end. He looked, and acted like Sasuke. But Naruto didn't want him to be Sasuke.

It would just turn out like every mission that's goal was to obtain Sasuke. It would just bring his hopes up before it crashed into a big pile of disappointment.

Naruto didn't want the man to come back. But whatever he did, it wouldn't work.

After the first day, Naruto dropped all his manners flat when it came to the guy. The man still came.

Naruto made it obvious that he was suspicious and that he wouldn't hesitate to spit into the man's food. Sasuke-look-alike still came.

He then started acting like he normally would to someone like... Ero-sennin. The unwanted man still came.

He would come at the same time everyday. He would sit in the same place everyday. Even employees were calling it the Beautiful Stranger's spot!

He would order the same thing everyday. He would sit there for an hour everyday. He would do everything the same!

It was starting to become a routine now. People were becoming used to seeing him there.

The man wasn't being an ass like he was on the first day but he acted like... nothing!

He wouldn't be polite, and he wouldn't be rude. He'd barely talk at all!

Naruto tried to avoid the subject of the Sasuke-look-alike but it seemed he was now the center of the club's gossip.

Another plus, Naruto was the one who had to serve him every time he came!

"Sobame-chan! Give the man his tea." Like right now.

Kana didn't have to give him specific instructions anymore.

He would know who she was talking about when she said 'the man'. It became obvious now when he was becoming a regular customer.

Not many regular customers came often since the bar was located in a small village.

The club's name was more known the village's name. Even Naruto didn't take any time trying to get a hold of the village's name.

It was just useless information.

The small village was probably only a small rest stop for travelers on the road between the Leaf Village and the Sand Village. Only a measly amount of two-hundred people lived here.

Naruto grabbed the tray and walked the familiar path toward the table.

"Here's you order." The only acknowledgment the man gave him was a small nod.

Naruto put the tray down. He didn't even flinch as the tray made a loud clap noise when he practically dropped it onto the table.

The Sasuke-look-alike was unaffected by the noise and picked up his cup. He sipped it quietly while Naruto grinded his teeth in aggravation.

If you're not gonna leave me alone, at least show some emotion! Naruto thought.

He walked back to Kana and then went and served the other customers. When there was a moment of rest, Naruto would look over at the table where the Sasuke-look-alike sat.

Most times, the man would just sit there and stare into the cup. There were a few times that he would actually drink it.

He probably didn't like the food that much here. So the question kept running through Naruto's head. Why is he here?

The question came to his mind every time he looked at the man.

He only ordered tea whenever he came and he always took his damn time with it. Who spends an hour drinking one cup of tea?

Apparently the man did, since he did it everyday he came here.

Akane came over and smirked when she saw that Naruto was looking at the man. "Admiring from afar, Sobame-chan?"

Naruto walked away as the girl giggled at his behavior.

It was getting annoying when the girls tried to hook him up with men at the bar. He once told them he had a boyfriend but then they insisted on wanting to meet the nonexistent man. He once agreed to go on a date because of their persistent nagging. It was horrifying and embarrassing. It was a secret he would keep to the grave.

It made him question if he should work in the bar but he wanted to earn enough money so that next time there was a period of peace, he would be able to lay around doing nothing while being financially supported.

But then, he didn't know if he could stand the girls, the perverted men, and the Sasuke-look-alike. Maybe I should tell them I'm a lesbian?

That would solve the girls and the men but it wouldn't solve the other problem.

Naruto was spending his free time glaring at the man. Eventually, he was forced to see if the man was done. He secretly took the bill with him so the man could just pay and get out.

"Are you done?"

The man pushed the tray away. Naruto wordlessly picked it up and put the bill down.

"I don't know if I should bring you those anymore." Naruto said, signaling toward the paper. "You probably know how much you have to pay already."

"Hn."

Naruto's eyes widened as the tray slipped from his hand. Did he just-

The loud bangs of the tray and cup on the floor snapped Naruto out of his thoughts.

He bent down to pick them up when the raven haired man beat him to it and held it up to him.

Naruto looked at him and they both looked at each other before Naruto grabbed the tray and walked, almost ran, away. He put the things on the counter before turning back to look at the man.

The place was extremely crowded this night but Naruto was able to instantly find the man.

The Sasuke-look-alike turned his head and the two locked gazes. Suddenly, the man turned toward the exit.

Usually, Naruto felt a little pang of glee fill him about right now but instead, his instincts were yelling at him.

His instincts were always right.

In battle, his instinct usually helped him from being killed. It made him do things that usually ranged from a small turn to the left to making him cheat death and make him do something dangerous/stupid to win.

But his instincts were usually just small feelings that alerted him but now, they were so strong they left Naruto gasping for air. They made him want to go after the man that he didn't know a single thing about.

Naruto ran after the man out the door. He pushed through the crowd and reached for the man. But the Sasuke-look-alike just kept walking.

"Wait!" Naruto was so close.

The man turned back and looked at him before the door closed him off. Naruto ran out the door and looked around. "Where the hell are you?"

"Hey." The man said without looking at Naruto. "What do you want?"

Naruto turned at him with anger.

"Look! I don't know what you're planning but I know you're up to something. Before you get your revenge, tell me what's your name." The man looked at Naruto with interest. "So then I know who I have to kill when something happens."

"Heh." The man sounded almost... amused.

"So are you going to tell me or what?" Naruto was getting impatient. Now that the heat of the moment was gone, he suddenly felt really stupid.

The man leaned his head to left as if he were contemplating over something difficult.

"If you're not gonna tell-"

"I have a proposition for you." The man interrupted.

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"I might tell you my name if...," He paused as if he had to do more thinking. "...you have dinner with me."

If this was any normal situation, Naruto probably would've laughed his head off at the concept of Sasuke asking out a girl. He didn't know if the man was Sasuke but he looked enough like him to make any normal situation funny.

But this wasn't a normal situation because Sasuke-look-alike was asking Naruto out and the intensity of the man's gaze was simply suffocating.

The man's expression was so serious and haunting that Naruto couldn't help himself when he chocked out the answer...

"O-okay."


~*~*~*~*~*~


Wha t the hell did I get myself into? Naruto thought miserably.

After the man left yesterday, he smacked himself in the head when he realized he had agreed a date with the Sasuke-look-alike.

It didn't help when someone heard their conversation and then spread the gossip to everyone around the club. Akane and Miyu overheard and told Kana. Then, they told her how empty Naruto's love life was which made Kana pity him. Then, he received the happy news that Kana was going to let him off work early for his date. You can imagine his excitement.

The man didn't come at his usual time but it was probably because he was going to pick him up later. Or that's what his friends told him which brought him down from his moment of happiness.

It seemed every single person at the bar knew about his date. Men were asking him why he wouldn't date them, his two friends were giggling every time he came over, and Kana was giving him proud smiles whenever he looked at her. This was really weird.

How could one date change everything?

Naruto didn't even call it a date! The man had asked him to have dinner with him. Naruto did not hear a single word out of the man's mouth the resembled the word 'date'. Not one word. So why is everybody making a big deal out of it anyway?

And then, the man came. It wasn't as if he showed up in a tux with a dozen roses or anything special like that. He just showed up, normally. Like he usually did.

But it still had the same effect on Akane and Miyu as the whisked him away and tried to primp him up. Although, they never got a chance to do anything after they pulled out their make up kit.

No way in hell was Naruto ever going to put on make up. So he shoved them out of the dressing room and slapped on a t-shirt and pants and went outside to greet the world with his plain outfit.

His two friends made a remark about how they never noticed how much of a tomboy Naruto was. Which then caused him to make an unlady-like snort and have some people stare at his. But at that very moment, he didn't care.

If people were going to give him special treatment, he was going to take advantage.

But then, worst part of the day came up. The actual date.

Sasuke-look-alike walked him to a outdoor cafe and they sat down. Then, they ordered the food.

The place was jaw-droppingly beautiful. The food was mouth-watering worthy. They were even playing a romantic song to try to get them into the mood. But how could Naruto get into the mood when the most important thing that was needed for the dinner-not-date was....

To put it simply, the conversation and communication between Naruto and the Sasuke-look-alike was absolutely, positively DEAD! It made the atmosphere turn into an awkward silence instead of a comfortable, relaxed one. Naruto had to choke down his food because the atmosphere was too tense. The scenery never even entered Naruto's mind.

The whole dinner-not-date was described in this cycle. Naruto would make a comment and wait for the man to speak. The man would stare at Naruto. Naruto would stare at the man. Naruto made another comment and started the cycle over again.

What the hell did I get myself into? Naruto thought as the man stared at him. He stared back in another futile effort to top the man. Naruto questioned if the man stayed home and practiced staring.

"So... uhh... the food's pretty good. Why didn't you order anything for yourself? I don't want to be the only one eating." Naruto looked up to meet a blank stare. "You know you're supposed to eat something at dinner. It's the normal thing to do." No emotions showed up on the man's face at all. "You're supposed to talk to someone you treat. It's called manners." Another blank stare. "You know, you could make a cow go upstairs but it's impossible for it to be able to go downstairs."

Naruto waited for some change in the man before he sighed and pushed his plate away. "Honestly, I don't even know why I'm here."

"Hn." The man grunted.

Naruto stared at him, surprised. I actually got him to do something!

The man looked at Naruto a few more seconds before opening his mouth. "I don't know what compelled me to bring you here anyway."

"Then... why..." Naruto said. The man was getting him confused.

"Try listening. I don't know. It's not as if you're that beautiful." Strike one. the transformation he was in was his best. Naruto didn't want to think of all the days he spent perfecting it. "You're not that intelligent." Strike two. Who the hell insults someone they're supposed to be treating?

Naruto's eyes narrowed and he fisted his hands. His breathing became erratic while the Sasuke-look-alike just kept on adding more fuel to the fire. "You're don't intrigue or interest me in any way possible. You're nothing special and just another dumb girl who thinks she can get everything by looks. I don't know why I even bothered ta-"

"That's it!" Naruto stood up quickly and lifted his fists into a fighting stance. "You wanna go?!"

Naruto and the man had another staring contest except this time, it was hard to choose whose eyes were scarier. The man's beady, cold eyes or Naruto's blazing, dangerous eyes. The staring contest lasted a few more minutes before the man smirked and look away.

"So that's why." He whispered before he looked back to Naruto. "Sit down. You're embarrassing us."

Naruto looked around the restaurant to find that everyone was staring at them. Or more specifically, him.

He put down his hands and bent down to pick up the chair... and the table that he conveniently flipped in haste.

Naruto plopped himself down on the chair and glared at Sasuke-look-alike before growling out the words. "This is all your fault."

He leaned back and continued glaring at the man.

"I was not the one who wanted that asked me if I wanted 'to go' in front of all these people."

"I wasn't the one who was insulting their dinner guest. You're a fucking idiot, you know? Why ask me to come here if you're just gonna insult me?"

"Hn." The action caused to aggravate Naruto even more.

"Damn you. Damn you to the deepest bowels of hell. You could at least say something to me." Naruto glared at the man again. Was the cycle starting over again? "If this is how you normally treat a person, I must say that your social skills suck. I mean, come on. Tell me. How many friends do you have? I bet not a lot if you treat them the same way you're treating me then I think maybe about... two. Two friends? Nope. Maybe you have no friends so then you're stalking me at the bar and-"

"Shut up." The man commanded.

Naruto narrowed his eyes and daringly said, "No."

The man looked at him before turning his head to motion for the bill. The waiter nodded and walked away to get it.

The Sasuke-look-alike placed his intertwined hands in front of his mouth in a stance that meant he was thinking. The waiter came back and Naruto pulled out his money. He looked over and realized the Sasuke-look-alike took out his wallet, too.

"I'll pay." Naruto said as he counted out the bills. He reached over to place it down but the man beat him to it. Naruto glared at the man's hand. "I said I'll pay for it."

The man stared at Naruto and Naruto stared back. It continued on for a while until the waiter came back. He took the Sasuke-look-alike's money as Naruto tried to tell the man he was paying for it.

Of course, the man used his beady eyes to scare the waiter before he would take it. They walked out the cafe before the man turned left without pausing for Naruto.

"Damn it! Wait for me!" Naruto caught up and walked at a leisured pace beside the man.

"Dinner's over. Why are you still following me?" Naruto resisted the urge to puff out his cheeks and make a face at him.

"Our deal. I have dinner with you and you give me your name. Don't you remember? Besides, that was probably one of the worst dinners I've ever had so you better not think about leaving me without a name after all I went through." The man walked silently with his hands stuck in his pockets, still showing no emotions at all. "I still don't get you. You wouldn't tell me your name like any normal person but you make me have dinner with you for it. You don't even try to be a nice host like a normal person would. On top of that, you don't even talk. At all. You don't find me interesting at all yet you make me go through all this trouble. Is torturing people a hobby of yours?"

The man was silent as he continued walking while Naruto followed behind.

Naruto thought he saw something in the distance. A... pier?

The Sasuke-look-alike walked onto the dock as Naruto stood hesitantly behind.

"Hey! What are we doing here?" Naruto breathed in the fresh water before continuing. "You're not gonna drown me, are you?"

Maybe it was a trick of light or something but Naruto thought he saw the man carelessly shrug his shoulders.

Naruto sighed in aggravation before walking forward.

The full moon shined brightly as it brought some light to the dark, murky water of the small lake. Naruto looked around at his surroundings.

In the distance, lights were lit and then followed by the laughter of children and adults. Naruto could make it out as some sort of festival. Although, he was far from the joyous activities.

"How long are you gonna keep me out here? You know, you should've answered my one question earlier 'cuz now I have two."

The man looked at Naruto before he sneered. "What?"

"Oh, cool! I got you to say something." Naruto saw the man's jaw tense so he hurried to ask his next question. "It's one of the things I probably asked before. You know, why did you make me go to dinner with you, go through all this trouble if you don't find me interesting or any of the other things you listed?"

Naruto stood back and waited for the man to answer. The man spoke before so that meant he could speak again.

Eventually, Naruto furrowed his eye brows when the silence remained undisturbed.

Clenching his hands at his side, he growled out the phrase that came naturally to him.

"Stupid teme."

Naruto turned around and began to walk away. He didn't care about the man's name anymore. It was clear that this was just a big waste of his time. Naruto never saw the way the man's whole body tensed and never saw his mouth opening.

"It's because you..." The man started which caused Naruto's head to whip around to stare at the man.

Was there some trick to make him speak? A hidden button or something?

Everything seemed to suddenly become quiet as all Naruto's focus went to the man who was currently slowly turning around. They looked at each other before the man tilted his head to the side with an annoyed expression showing on his face.

"The reason I asked you to come out here is... because you remind me of a person who used to be my friend." The man looked up at Naruto's shocked face before slowly walking up to him. He stopped beside Naruto. "And you can call me..." He lowered his head toward Naruto's ear and whispered. "... Sasuke."

And he walked away, leaving a speechless Naruto behind.

Naruto stood there with fragments of thoughts flying through his mind. Of course, he couldn't have a complete thought after the shock.

Then finally, he realized what the whole situation meant.

He turned around to see the retreating figure of his old friend before running to catch up to him.

The man didn't seem so surprised when Naruto ran up to his side as they walked away from the pier.

Naruto walked with his head bowed down. What... what am I supposed to do now?

So the silent figures ventured out into the night. Each trapped in their own thoughts.


~*~*~*~*~*~


Sunlight streamed through the window onto a disheveled blonde who was up probably for half the night. Lines circled Naruto's eyes as he looked at a speck of dust on the ground.

This was another cycle he was dealing with.

He would blank out and then realize he would blank out. He would think of something else before blanking out again.

But some of that time was useful, it helped him devise a plan for trapping the infamous Sasuke.

He thought it over and over before he came to a conclusion.

If he told the village about Sasuke, they would most likely bring Sasuke back and lock him up until he agreed to come back to the village. He would probably be strapped down in an isolated cell while Jounin level ninjas took care of him. They would probably pick Naruto because he knew Sasuke best. Which brought him to another thought.

Could Naruto stand the hate in Sasuke's eyes as Naruto fed him or did something else to him while he was trapped?

Or... the other option was that Sasuke could continue resisting and then eventually get killed for being too dangerous.

And even if Sasuke did come out alive, there was no telling of the consequences that would come. Just because he was back didn't mean he would get along with Naruto after Naruto ratted him out. And what if Sasuke tried to escape again?

He could've gotten smarter or stronger than all of us. Naruto stressed.

Telling the village was out of the option. It had too many faults.

He thought of telling one of his friends but then it would either leak out into the village or Sasuke would be on to Naruto and be gone without a trace again.

He thought he should've at least told Sakura but then she would've wanted to see Sasuke. And Naruto didn't want the chance of Sasuke catching them.

So that was the plan. Somehow, Naruto had to convince Sasuke to come back to the village of his own free will.

And he would do it. Alone.

But there was one important thing that would ruin all of his planning.

What if Sasuke doesn't show up at the bar today? Naruto bit his lip as he thought about that major problem.

He leaned back onto the bed and let another thought drift into his mind. And what did Sasuke mean when he said 'a person who used to be his friend'?

The question ran through his mind and each time, it would bring another sinking feeling for Naruto. Does that mean I'm not his friend anymore?

Finally, he forced himself to start dressing before going off immediately for work. He didn't even go for his morning walk around the village.

As soon as he got to the bar, Naruto looked at the clock. He worked and served with his eyes glued to the contraption, waiting for it to strike the hour where Sasuke came in.

He didn't talk to his co-workers or boss. His mind was buried in his thoughts of failure, disappointment, and... hope.

Even if someone did say something to him, he was too absorbed to have small chat.

Everything revolved around the time. If Sasuke didn't show up on his regular time, all Naruto's planning would be wasted and he would feel the familiar bitter regret and resentment towards himself.

If Sasuke doesn't show, then I ruined my chance. I had a chance to take him back and I wasted it. Naruto hoped that wouldn't happen.

A few customers called him and took away his attention, asking him ridiculous questions about combining meals.

"So you see, if you order the combo meal, you save a lot more money."

"Oh." The people murmured in agreement.

"Well, I'll come back later. Call me when you finished thinking." Naruto chirped in a giddy voice.

But as soon as his back was turned toward the customers, the smile was wiped off his face as his eyes traveled to the clock.

It was two minutes after the intended time. Naruto's eyes darted toward the entrance.

His breathing became short pants as he started to panic. His head whipped dangerously to the side as he looked for the man.

It was after a while before it occurred to him that he should look at the usual spot Sasuke sat at.

He let out a sigh of relief when he saw Sasuke sitting there. Who knew relief was such a good feeling?

Of course, Sasuke's never late.

Naruto went back and swiped a menu before going back to visit his old friend.

He gave a small smile (which Sasuke didn't return) and put down the menu. "What would you like?"

This time, Sasuke actually answered with some words.

Well, actually, he answered with only one word and nothing more. But still, it meant one thing. Progress.

He had at least gotten him to start speaking to him.

Naruto had to resist the temptation to skip back. He didn't know it before but his plan was already in motion before he planned it.

I'm gonna bring you back, Sasuke. Naruto vowed. I'm not gonna waste this chance.


~*~*~*~*~*~


A/N: Meh. I'm not that satisfied. I wanted it to be longer.

Sango Tajiya: Sasuke was just going to the bar. He didn't know Naruto would be there. Sorry it didn't have a deeper meaning. Yes, it was Kyuubi who almost killed Sakura. I don't know if it's true in the Manga/Anime though.