Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Tricks or Treats ❯ Tricks or Treats ( Chapter 1 )

Naruto adjusted his costume, smirking in the bathroom mirror at just how perfectly everything had come together. He'd waited until the last minute to pick his costume, torn between the one he wore and the classic vampire that he knew everyone would have chosen. He was delighted with his decision, adjusting his hat and slurring his speech to fit the part. He laughed. He'd worked on that voice for hours.

 

Naruto started and silently cursed when the clock in the dining room struck seven. He grabbed his jacket from the back of a chair, nearly sending the light-weight wicker piece flying across the room. He righted the chair and calmed himself down before strolling out of his apartment with exaggerated, practiced strides. Sakura and Sasuke would be waiting for him. He'd hoped that the high-and-mighty Sasuke would find Halloween too childish to participate, therefore leaving him to go to the party alone with Sakura, but Sasuke had surprised them both by expressing interest in the idea and immediately deciding on a costume. He frowned when he remembered that stupid Uchiha-teme hadn't told them what his costume was. Naruto snickered- there was no way that Sakura and Sasuke would guess what he'd chosen.

 

Lost in his musings, Naruto almost didn't realize it when he'd reached the street where he'd told his friends to meet him. He adjusted his shirt and tucked a shock of blonde hair underneath his hat, then started toward the Ramen shop. As he neared the restaurant, he could see the glitter on Sakura's cheeks catch the light and sparkle as she looked up and down the street for her tardy companions. Naruto stifled his laughter when she smoothed a few wrinkles out of her pink dress with one hand and reached up with the other to assure herself that her tiara was still on her head. He grinned and shook his head. Leave it to Sakura to dress as a princess at the age of eighteen.

 

He was about to call out to her when she suddenly smiled and rushed off in the opposite direction. Naruto sighed and cursed his luck. Sasuke. If the boy was within a one-mile radius, Sakura knew exactly where he was and just when he'd be close enough to attack. Naruto looked up and froze. Sasuke stood less than a foot away from him, looking him up and down with wide eyes. Sakura had a shocked and puzzled look on her face and she kept looking back and forth between them, opening and closing her mouth, not sure what to say. Naruto glared at his rival before looking him over. The bastard.

 

“So…” Sakura began, breaking the tense silence. “You guys…didn't plan this?” Naruto balked at the suggestion and Sasuke looked ready to break his chivalry rule and deck her.

 

“Of course not!” Naruto exploded. “I can't even stand to look at him! Why would I want us to wear the same costume?!”

 

Sakura glared. “Well, excuse me, Naruto! I just thought…you know…well, you're both Jack Sparrow, for God's sake!”

 

Sasuke and Naruto both grimaced, their expressions as identical as their costumes. Sakura rolled her eyes and took Sasuke's arm, not even realizing that he shied away from her touch and used the excuse of cracking his knuckles to divest himself of her grip. He glared at Naruto once more before extracting a small red and white box from the inside pocket of his coat.

 

Sakura's happy expression turned to one of disgust, Sasuke displaying one of her biggest turn-offs. Naruto snickered when Sasuke lit his cigarette and looked Sakura straight in the eye as he exhaled through his nose. Sakura mumbled something about lung cancer and bad breath and Naruto almost tripped when Sasuke looked at him and smiled evilly. Naruto couldn't remember the last time Sasuke had smiled, schoolyard fights aside. He looked more relaxed. Normal.

 

Naruto shocked himself by thinking how graceful that smile looked on his perfect face. His pale skin and dark hair caressed gently by cool moonlight, he looked ethereal and fey. His hips swung ever-so-slightly with every lithe step and he raised his right hand to his lips to draw from his cigarette. Long, pale fingers left the thin tube perched delicately between full lips and travelled upward to run through coal-black tresses. Naruto gasped when he felt butterflies take wing in his stomach. What in the world was he feeling? Watching Sasuke! Of all people! Sakura had never done this to him. She'd made him babble incoherently in his nervousness once or twice, but…

 

Sasuke chose that moment to turn dark eyes his direction. Naruto felt a deep blush rise to his cheeks, but he couldn't look away. Sasuke must have noticed his face turning red because his brow furrowed and his step faltered. He cocked an elegant eyebrow at him and Naruto gulped, his throat suddenly dry. Sasuke cleared his throat and turned slowly back to Sakura, who was prattling on endlessly about something that neither of them was paying attention to. She adjusted the bodice of her bubble-gum pink dress, probably trying to make herself look sexier. Naruto almost laughed- it wasn't working. Her dress was the same colour as her hair. She looked like a five-year-old. There was no sexiness there.

 

Naruto started when Sasuke slowed his gait slightly, just enough to fall in step with him. Walking side by side, Naruto noticed Sasuke shooting him curious glances every now and then. Naruto became hyperaware of his companion and he tried his best to focus on the direction they were walking. When this proved futile, he decided instead to study his rival out of the corner of his eye. They really had chosen exactly the same clothes. Naruto hadn't bought his from a costume shop, but had purchased actual clothing from a department store. Sasuke, apparently, had done the same. Every aspect of their outfits was identical. Not for the first time, Naruto wondered if Fate was trying to tell him something.

 

The only different was the shirt. Naruto had left his white shirt unbuttoned to the middle of his chest, admiring the way it contrasted sharply with his tanned skin and delighting that it showed just enough defined pectoral muscle to tease the imagination of the wary admirer. Naruto knew he was attractive, but he didn't feel comfortable flaunting it. He'd smiled at the daring boy looking at him from the mirror before he'd left. This was as close as he'd ever get to showing off his appearance.

 

Sasuke, however, had left his shirt unbuttoned almost to his navel. Naruto turned his head now to look at the other boy. They had stopped walking so that Sakura could retie the laces of her high-heel sandal. She'd lifted her dress almost to her thigh to knot the strap at the back of her calf. She'd not only chosen to wear heels when they'd be walking several blocks, but she'd chosen heels with laces that wrapped around her legs, most likely for the seductiveness of the style. Sasuke wasn't charmed. He simply stood with one hand on his hip, crushing the butt of his cigarette with his heel. His shirt gaped and Naruto felt the butterflies wake again as the sight of Sasuke's toned stomach tortured him in ways that he didn't understand. Naruto tried to suppress the mental images that threatened to surface, but he finally gave up. Thoughts arose unbidden. Himself reaching out to touch the milky white skin of Sasuke's abs. Muscles like silk-covered steel quivering in apprehension beneath his questing fingers. Black eyes alight with lustful fire meeting his own. Naruto shook his head clear of the images before they overwhelmed him. Kami, what was wrong with him tonight?!

 

Naruto sighed audibly when Sakura finally finished tying her laces, getting him another suspicious look from Sasuke. Sakura grinned up at her taller companions and started walking again, a spring in her step. Naruto lagged behind, partially so that he could watch her failed attempts at seduction without being close enough for her to hear him snicker, but mostly so he could try to sort out his thoughts regarding his rival without the sight of him to distract from his task. He swallowed hard when Sasuke slowed again to walk beside him. Naruto almost lost his balance when Sasuke began to draw nearer.

 

“Hey, dobe,” Sasuke whispered huskily in his ear, making him shiver. “What in the seven hells is wrong with you? You're usually loud-mouthed and annoying, but your company is almost pleasant tonight. Are you sick?” Naruto turned, fully intending to glare menacingly and possibly add his own smart-assed comment, but he stopped when he saw genuine concern in Sasuke's eyes. So the teasing had been a show. Naruto sighed and smiled slightly at his sort-of-friend, feeling its falseness ooze from his pores.

 

“I'm fine, Uchiha. Just a little tired, I guess.” Sasuke hadn't believed him. He'd been pacified with the knowledge that Naruto didn't want to talk about what was bothering him, but he didn't think he'd be able to get through the night without the dark-haired boy cornering him and demanding the truth. Hopefully he'd be prepared to answer him…

 

********

 

 

Naruto was more than relieved when they turned the corner and he saw Shikamaru's house. He quickened his pace, anxious to get inside and surround himself with people to distract him from the disturbing thoughts swimming in his head. They reached the front door, Naruto in front of the little group and Sasuke following closely behind. Upon entry, Naruto immediately spotted his gang clustered around the fireplace of Shikamaru's enormous living room. He laughed as Chouji said something that Naruto couldn't quite hear and Ino hit him over the head with the nearest object…which just happened to be a large leather-bound volume on the coffee table. Chouji yelped and muttered something that made Ino even angrier. Shino was looking bored as usual, but Naruto could see mirth dancing in his eyes as Chouji's large frame shook under Ino's intense chastisement. Everyone else was laughing hysterically. Naruto touched Sakura's shoulder and pointed to their crowd. Sakura shrugged off his hand without even trying to hide it. Naruto frowned at her back when she left his side to stand with Ino and giggle about something. His brows knotted together and his stomach clenched in anger. He wasn't an idiot. He'd always known that the only reason that she was his friend was that she ran into Sasuke more often when she hung around him. He swallowed the lump of disappointment in his throat, not really surprised that the rejection of his friendship was more painful than her lack of romantic interest in him. At least something like that could be understood. If you aren't attracted to someone, there's nothing that can be done to change that. But she'd never even tried to be his friend. He'd allowed her to follow him around, knowing that when she talked to him, she was always looking over his shoulder trying to spot Sasuke. He unconsciously clenched his fists at his sides. It had never bothered him this much before. But then, she'd never been so obvious about her dislike toward him before.

 

Choking back angry tears, he turned to go outside and found himself face to face with Sasuke, the concerned look back in his companion's eyes. Sasuke had seen what Sakura had done- and he'd seen Naruto's extreme reaction to the rejection. Naruto would have expected a cocky smirk or a snide comment, but the worry in the dark-haired boy's eyes took him completely by surprise. Sasuke was concerned for him. As much as he hated to do so, Naruto had to admit that as much as they fought, they really were friends. Naruto was insanely jealous of the other boy and he knew that he irritated Sasuke with his boisterous ways more often than not, but he also knew that Sasuke would defend him in a fight. Just looking at the other boy now caused him to lose control for just a moment. He felt his bottom lip quiver and knew that Sasuke was close enough to hear the whimper that escaped him. He avoided his eyes and walked back out the front door, intently studying the floor the whole way outside. He didn't dare look back.

 

He sat on the top porch step, grateful that no one else was outside, and sighed. He took his hat off and ran his fingers through his sunshine blonde hair. Setting the three-cornered hat on the step beside him, he tried once more to figure out why his brain was torturing him. Never before tonight had he ever looked at Sasuke and felt anything other than jealousy or irritation. Never before had he looked at anyone and felt what he'd felt tonight. He'd wanted to punch himself! How could he feel something so strong just by innocently looking at Sasuke? Another boy! Not that he was homophobic or anything… Naruto cursed his train of thought. Kami, what was wrong with him?!

 

He was still mentally berating himself when he heard the front door open and footsteps approach him. He decided to ignore it- it was probably Chouji or Kiba coming to ask him why he wasn't there to join in the fun- but he started when a dark figure sat on the step next to him. He looked over at Sasuke with wide eyes, wondering what he could possibly want. Sasuke simply looked straight ahead and pulled a cigarette and his lighter from his pocket. He lit the end of the tube and took a long drag before meeting Naruto's questioning sapphire eyes. He exhaled through his nose and smirked and Naruto's stomach clenched. How could something as simple as smoking be so sexy?

 

Sasuke's smile faded and he sighed. Taking another drag from his cigarette, he stood and beckoned for Naruto to follow him. Naruto stood numbly and followed Sasuke down the street and out of range of anyone's questioning eyes. Sasuke leaned against a lamppost, the bulb casting a cone of yellow light over him like a spotlight, and dropped his cigarette.

 

“What's up, dobe?” he asked as he ground out the cherry. “You're too quiet tonight. To be honest, I'm almost annoyed that you're not being annoying.” Sasuke met his eyes and smirked.

 

“Bite me, Uchiha,” Naruto spat. “The last thing I need tonight is your version of concern.” He folded his arms across his chest and started to turn back to the house. Sasuke's hand on his arm halted him. He jumped slightly at the unexpected contact and turned back to his companion. His blue eyes met Sasuke's coal black ones and he read genuine worry in their depths. His anger melted away and he felt his irritable expression soften. His mouth was suddenly very dry and he was having trouble finding words.

 

“You…you're…really worried…” he managed, his voice weak. Sasuke smiled softly and nodded.

 

“Of course I'm worried about you! You're always so happy and excited about everything. It's weird to see you like this- nothing's as much fun if you're not enthusiastic about it.” He shrugged. “I guess it makes the world a little less bright.”

 

Naruto's eyes widened and he choked back a gasp. He'd had no idea that Sasuke felt that way. Did he really mean what he'd said? Did Naruto's happiness really mean that much to the other boy? Sasuke lit another cigarette and shuffled his feet, looking a little embarrassed. The butterflies sprang back to life in Naruto's stomach and he suddenly found it hard to breathe. No one had ever expressed a feeling that deep for him. Ever.

 

Suddenly curious, Naruto decided to push his luck. “Ne, Sasuke…” he muttered. Sasuke looked up at him and quirked an eyebrow. Naruto cleared his throat and continued. “What…exactly do you…think of me?”

 

Sasuke stared at him for a moment, an unreadable expression on his face, before he looked away, focusing on a spot behind Naruto. “Why do you ask that?”

 

Naruto blanched. “I dunno. I guess…I've been kinda down lately. And Sakura certainly didn't help…” Sasuke flinched and Naruto caught the flash of pain in his eyes. Why had it bothered him so much?

 

Sasuke was quiet for a long moment. He finished his cigarette and flicked the butt across the road, smirking when it almost hit the leg of a woman walking by. She glared at him, then suddenly, realizing how handsome he was, gave him a flirtatious smile. Sasuke rolled his eyes and looked down, becoming pensive again. After another moment, he looked up at Naruto, a smile in his eyes but not on his face. When he spoke, his voice was so faint that Naruto had to strain to hear him.

 

“I guess I'm…a little protective of you.” He chuckled at the shocked expression on Naruto's face, then continued. “You have a lot of friends, but you keep your distance from them. Almost like you're afraid of being hurt, I guess. If anyone every hurt you…I don't know if I could stand it.” Sasuke's dark eyes met Naruto's startled ones. Naruto was struck by the honesty in their depths and had to struggle not to get lost in them. “The truth is,” Sasuke continued, “you're kind of my inspiration. You're so happy. You genuinely enjoy life. I'm…well, I'm misanthropic.” He smiled softly at Naruto's confused expression. “It means that I hate people. Well, most of them, anyway. I don't hate you.” Sasuke shrugged and chuckled. “I don't usually use so many words to say something that small. I just feel…connected to you somehow. I'm content when you're around. Like I can be myself and you won't judge me.”

 

Naruto gulped and cursed the lump in his throat. “So…” he began. “What does that mean…exactly?”

 

Sasuke's smile faded and his eyes took on a sad light. He sighed and looked away, pensive again. “I don't know, Naruto.” Naruto's heart skipped at the sound of his name on the other's lips, the annoying nickname gone. “Does it have to mean something?”

 

Sasuke glanced back at Naruto, and in that brief moment, Naruto saw reflected in Sasuke's eyes the same emotion that he knew was dancing about in his own eyes. He smiled and began to walk toward the boy. “Yes, Sasuke. I think it does.”

 

Sasuke watched him approach, first a little apprehensive, then amused. Naruto stopped an inch in front of him and simply stared for a moment. He reached up and brushed a lock of hair from Sasuke's eyes and smiled when Sasuke shivered almost imperceptibly. Suddenly bold, Naruto leaned forward until his nose was almost touching the other boy's. He looked deep into Sasuke's dark eyes, looking for any sign of hesitation. He smirked and tilted his head, a silent question. Sasuke took the bait and leaned forward to press his lips to Naruto's. Naruto closed his eyes and melted into the contact. He stepped forward until his chest met Sasuke's. Naruto felt Sasuke smile against his lips and gasped softly when Sasuke's strong arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him close. Sasuke's tongue lapped at his lower lip and Naruto allowed the boy access, tilting his head further to deepen the kiss. His arms acted with a mind of their own and slid up Sasuke's arms to rest on his shoulders. There, under a streetlight, Naruto surrendered his complete soul to the other boy, feeling for the first time in his life that he was accepted and cherished by another. The sensation made him light-headed and he gripped Sasuke's shoulders for support. The other boy chuckled lightly into the kiss and held him tighter, holding him so close that Naruto wanted nothing but to melt completely into him so that he'd never have to let go.

 

Sasuke broke the kiss, panting for air and grinning from ear to ear. Naruto smiled and traced the other boy's lips with his thumb, delighting in the fact that he was the one to bring happiness to Sasuke's world. Sasuke kissed the tip of the finger nearest his lips and Naruto's spirit soared.

 

“Sasuke,” Naruto began. “You want to know the truth?” Naruto saw a flicker of disappointment in Sasuke's dark eyes. He smiled reassuringly before continuing. “You remember when you asked me what was wrong?” he asked. Sasuke nodded once. Naruto felt his face grow warm. “I was uncomfortable. I had just noticed how sexy you are.” Naruto chuckled lightly at Sasuke's shocked expression. Sasuke suddenly pulled Naruto to him and kissed him again, more fiercely this time, but just as sweet. Naruto returned the kiss with as much fervor, his tongue battling Sasuke's for dominance. It was a battle he didn't mind losing.

 

They broke the kiss slowly, Sasuke showering Naruto's face and neck with soft open-mouthed kisses that made Naruto shiver. Sasuke looked up at Naruto and winked devilishly, then gave him a smirk to match as he took the other boy's hand and tugged him back toward Shikamaru's house.

 

“Don't you think it's time to rejoin the party, koishii?” Sasuke asked with mirth in his voice. Naruto shivered at the affectionate name, but remained cautious, not sure what exhibitionistic stunt the dark-haired boy was up to. He opened his mouth to ask, but changed his mind and simply followed his companion back to the house.

 

Sasuke didn't relent his hold on Naruto's hand even when he stepped though the doorway into the living room and met Sakura's ever-present obsessive stare. He glared back at her coldly, then raised Naruto's hand to his lips and kissed the other boy's knuckles, gaining him a blush from Naruto and a startled gasp from Sakura. Sasuke pulled Naruto toward him and wrapped a protective arm around his waist, never looking away from Sakura, before pulling him out of the room. Naruto laughed and followed him willingly, almost bursting into hysterical laughter when he heard Ino and Sakura gasp together and point out the new plot development to the rest of the Uchiha Fan Club.

 

They shared many kisses that night, Sasuke making sure that everyone knew who Naruto belonged to. Walking back to Naruto's apartment hand in hand, Naruto couldn't help but marvel that the happiest night of his life had started with a costume.