Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Underneath it All ❯ Bet - Intro ( Chapter 3 )

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

so this was one of my I-erased-everything-I-had-thrice-before-I-posted chapters, sorry it took a while. I hope you like it all the same. Some chapters take a long time to write, others don‘t, happens to all of us writers. If you write, you know what I’m talking about. Go on, enjoy, let me know what you think, you know the drill.

Warning(s): fluff ahead…maybe?

Disclaimer: Don’t own!


“…ESPN SportsCenter we’re reporting live from San Francisco. I’m Dan Cookman and this is Mike Stageman here to give you the high school football halftime report. Amegakure versus Leaf.”
“And a surprising turn of events, Dan, at the official preseason scrimmage as Amegakure takes the first half 27 to 21. The Cougars are showing a stronger defensive line compared to what we’ve seen in the past years along with well-balanced teamwork. Senior quarterback Kabuto Yakushi is utilizing every resource on the field. He‘s got wide-receivers open near the sidelines on standby while he keeps running backs close and ready for the pass on the inside and has tight ends securing his position and making sure he can make the pass. What’s making things difficult for the Eagles? Alternation. As a quarterback, when everybody on the field is just as able to get the ball in the end zone, you can go back and forth between your offensive line for the pass with maybe too much ease. Right now Konoha has to think of a way to prevent Yakushi from making passes. They have to infiltrate the defense and at the same time hold them so they can get touchdowns in.”
“Definitely, Mike. Amegakure has been completely renewed this year with players able to match Konoha‘s caliber. They‘re not so helpless anymore. We see a guy like Jirobo Kimura, who is big and strong, stand against Kiba Inuzuka who is half his size. Jirobo is making it impossible for Kiba to fumble the play while at the same time Kiba is finding it really hard to make himself available in the offense. Sky’s the limit for Kabuto who’s got a whole number of possibilities for his passes while Sasuke is struggling with his options. All Americans Gaara Sabaku and Neji Hyuga have been completely shut down by Amegakure‘s defense forcing Sasuke to resort to secondary scorers in the team. Konoha has to put in double the effort to gain their yards while Amegakure moves in comfortably and it is here we can see the enormous difference between Amegakure‘s team last year and this year. You can’t underestimate these guys.”
“That‘s right. Coach Kakashi Hatake will have to brainstorm during halftime in order to come up with a different approach to breach Amegakure’s strong defensive line, Dan, and at the same time hold them up. We see Sasuke doing all he can to get the ball in the end zone and keep up with the Cougars. He’s been tackled a couple of times but he‘s still pushing. The kid’s got backbone.”
“You can’t but respect his sense of pride. When we asked him this morning who the winner of the game was going to be he simply said ‘we don’t lose at home.’”
“That is true, Dan. The Eagle’s turf has savored four championships in a row with an undefeated record each season.”
“Sasuke Uchiha pushing for the win but the system is collapsing on him.”
“Let’s see if Sasuke, famously known for pulling the Ws despite the circumstances, can achieve the goal this time. Winning is all that matters…”

“We need to score. Two touchdowns and we’re back in the game. We should get Neji near the end zone and draw back our defensive ends. Let‘s pull in our running backs--”
“The offense can’t follow a game plan they’ve never heard of, Obito. They’re killing us out there. It‘s like they‘ve been watching video on us for the past year. They even know our plays. We don‘t have time to fool around.” Obito hung his head dark spikes hanging from his forehead covering his trademark coal Uchiha eyes. It wasn’t their first disagreement as coach and assistant coach of the school’s football team. In fact, it was strange to find that they agreed on anything at all. Kakashi Hatake was born to a wealthy family. Though not as wealthy as the Uchihas, it was a family in which educational intelligence was considered above everything else and was usually very prominent. Kakashi had learned, or more like it had been implemented in kids within the Hatake household, that everything he did in life had to be done by the book.

This was the root of all their disagreements.

Though Obito was an Uchiha through and through he did many things unlike Uchihas having been born to a family of seven and being the one right at the middle no less. Middle kids had a tendency to grow up traumatized because of their place in the family. They were more prone to draw attention to themselves by doing reckless things because only this way did they find people gave worth to their sibling position. Everybody knew that. Because discipline, brains and looks came with the Uchiha trait, but not buffoonery and liveliness, Obito’s branch of the family had worried that the traditional might not apply to their middle child.

Following the rules was just not Obito’s thing.

While he graduated both high school and college with honors and awards, as was expected of him, he also made for the class’ most memorable clown and the class‘s most popular. Looks had a lot to do with the latter, but that was a different story. What gave Obito his edge was the simple fact that he had tossed Kakashi’s rulebook out the window the day he was able to think for himself. Kakashi, of course, hated when his dark-haired counterpart came up with something off the top of his head. Usually it was something that they had never practiced before and whoever knew of football knew every play needed a number of repetitions before it was excelled right. Practice always made for perfection.

Then again, when making up football plays, Obito was like a Mathematical prodigy coming up with long and complicated equations that led to some type of world discovery. Every offensive and defensive computation he could do in his head though Kakashi made him write it down anyway because, c’mon, when you voice out a math exercise it’s hard to remember all the numbers once you’re adding here and taking there and multiplying by here and dividing between there. The plays were always good, risqué, but good though the coach would never say such thing to Obito. At least not out loud. Obito liked to boast about this particular ability and hell would freeze over before Kakashi would give him such a chance.

Obito let out a long sigh. “Fucking Orochimaru!” he cursed exasperated referring to their opposing team‘s coach. Kakashi looked up at him from behind the coach’s office desk.
“We expected something like this to happen,” the silver-haired man said. “And you know that he knows that we expected something like this to happen.” (A/n: flashback to Friends‘ but they don‘t know that we know that they know that we know!).
“How are we supposed to--”
“Let’s move Neji in for the offense, keep Tao and Ming out, add two men to stop Amegakure from tackling Sasuke down--”
“Two?” Obito asked surprised. If his calculations were correct that left their outfield unprotected and therefore gave Amegakure a better chance to score in case their pass was intercepted.
“Yes two,” Kakashi responded sternly. “If Sasuke gets sacked one more time his ribs might break. This isn’t an official game. Season starts two weeks from now and while I do care that we could lose I also care to have my team intact for opening day. We’re not going to risk it any more than we already have--”
“But--”
“Not buts.” Obito was sharply interrupted again. “Sasuke will get the ball to Neji and Neji will score the touchdowns we need. We just need to bring him close so their defense loosens up on him. Gaara and Kiba will intercept Jirobo on the defense and stop Kabuto. Rotate left and we’ll try hook and ladder.”
“Okay,” Obito uttered unconvinced and they both stood and headed down the hallway to go gather with and explain the new tactics to their team.
“Hn,” Obito let out in a low tone.
“What is it?” Kakashi turned to him his eyes peeking at the other’s eyes from above his shoulder.
“You look hot when you get all serious like that. Wonder what Iruka would say,” the younger of the two contemplated making the other blush. Kakashi hit him over the head.
“What the hell Kashi!?” Obito held the abused part protectively with both his hands.
“Blockhead.” Kakashi rolled his eyes as Obito sniffled faking to cry. He sighed. What a hopeless case…

A big shipment from Japan had arrived at the ‘Sanin/Uzumaki’ household early Saturday morning containing the rest of the things Naruto and his godparents had taken from Leaf to use here, clothes, valuables and such, thus preventing Naruto from going to the football game. By the time Jiraiya and Naruto were done, Tsunade already at work, it was already noon.

Naruto took a seat at the dining table letting out a long and tired breath while Jiraiya entered the kitchen to begin cooking their lunch. The blonde felt exhausted but the prospect of watching the guys play kept picking at his mind. Images of Sasuke in his broad-shouldered gear and tight silky spandex pants kept reeling through his mind like a slideshow put on play. He had a nice body…okay, he had a really, really nice body. How could someone be so damned perfect anyway? Usually when someone had looks they lacked talent and brains and if they had one of the others then they lacked the other two as well. But Sasuke was faultless, what was worse, he knew he was faultless and took advantage of it to the fullest. His current victim?

Naruto.

Naruto frowned. He had been stupid that day at the parking lot asking him stupid questions. There was no way someone like Sasuke would take someone like him seriously. Why would he when he could do so much better? He could find someone that matched him in wealth, in looks and in talent. What did he-Naruto have to offer?

Clones disgust me.

He knew what made him different made him appealing to Sasuke but was it enough? Judging by what Kiba had told him the first day of class Sasuke liked to collect his prizes. It wouldn’t be a surprise to Naruto if Sasuke was really only trying to lure him to get him to bed and then he’d get rid of him.
“Hey,” he heard Jiraiya call from the kitchen and decided to tune out his thoughts, which only seemed to circulate around Sasuke lately, for now. The more he thought about him the more he felt himself drift into the little fantasy world only Sasuke seemed able to create even when he was away. “Weren’t you going to that football game today?” the older, white-haired man entered the dining room now. “You can still make it. I‘ll take care of the rest of the stuff,” he encouraged and Naruto knew why. As godparents it was Jiraiya and Tsunade’s obligation to assume the role of his parents. They knew Naruto had had problems at his old school making friends and they had been elated when Naruto had come home not two days ago and announced he had been invited to the game by the new friends he had made here. He could still make it, at least to the second half, the game had only started an hour ago.
“You sure?” Naruto asked since they still had half the shipment left. Jiraiya grinned, a grin reminiscent to Naruto’s wholehearted grin, making it almost impossible to believe they weren’t blood related at all.
“Of course!” the old man reached into his pants pocket. “Here, take a hundred and keep the change.” Naruto widened his eyes seeing the bill placed before him on the table. A hundred? “Be back here for dinner. I’m making salmon in a rich lobster sauce with steamed veggies.” Before Naruto could respond Jiraiya had already returned to the kitchen. The blonde gulped. Looking at his wristwatch he knew he had no time to waste. Grabbing the money he back-pocketed it then peeked at Jiraiya from the doorway of the kitchen.
“Ne, ero-senin,” he called and Jiraiya looked up from the stove ready to bark at him for the surname. “Thank you,” he vowed. Jiraiya vowed shortly recognizing Naruto‘s gratitude.
“No problem…”

“Hook and ladder, left, on one,” Sasuke said in the team huddle. Halftime was over. This was the part of the game that mattered. They had limited time to come up with two plays that would guarantee their going ahead as well as good defensive plays to prevent the other team from catching up with them. “Hyuga pull in. We’ll do shorter range passes and you can gain the yards we’ll lose by drawing you in with defense at two o’clock and five o’clock. Tao, Ming--”
“On it,” both said at the same time. Sasuke nodded.
“Inuzuka, Sabaku you’re on the quarterback. Fumble the pass. If it gets through it’s over. We don’t have wide-range defense.” Gaara and Kiba nodded in understanding. “Hook and ladder, left, on one.” Sasuke repeated. “Ready, break!” the guys jogged to their respective posts ready to begin the second round. It was like this that Naruto found them once he walked up the ramp that led to the football dome. The cheering was unbelievable as the dome, looking like it was able to hold at least 6 thousand inside, was seemingly full to capacity. Cheerleaders encouraged Konoha players while the school band played music to which the public responded with the respective lyrics. How many people actually came to the game, Naruto found himself wondering, for atop basically the whole school that had assisted there were also fans of all ages.

He knew football was big in America but never this big. It was like a professional football game in a manner of speaking. Pro football had bigger stadiums and therefore they could fit even more people inside. But still, it was insane. The field looked infinite, bright in a lively and fresh green, from where he was standing. There were numerous cameras broadcasting, Fox Sports, ESPN, Comcast, Versus, MSAN, you name it, along with reporters on the turf waiting for the game to be over to report back to the studios and be the first with the news out hoping to also maybe interview the player of the game. Newspaper photographers had their own little arena from which they were taking nonstop pictures trying to capture the best still shot of the players in motion.
“Unreal,” Naruto muttered to himself. Among all the riot he heard his name being called and he looked up to find Iruka‘s cheerful face greeting him. He waved a hand in the air and made his way towards him only to be stopped by a security guard at the entrance of the reserved area.
“This area is for teachers,” the guard explained. Naruto nodded. Though there were empty seats within the boundaries, probably the only ones by now, he understood the restrictions. Just as he was about to leave Iruka came to the rescue.
“It’s ok, Nara,” he told the man. “He’s one of my new students. Came all the way from Japan and I invited him to watch the football game since he’s never seen the sport before.” The guard looked at Naruto with a suspecting face and Naruto shifted uncomfortably in place. Must people always think the worst of him? “Come along Naruto,” Iruka called and the guy opened up the gate that led to the teacher area. Naruto walked past the guard without a glance back. He suddenly understood why Temari had advised him to sit with them in the VIP area. The stadium couldn’t fit another soul.

The two took front row seats. “I thought you wouldn’t make it. We only have ten minutes left on the clock,” Iruka said as they sat side by side.
“I had to help my godfa--I mean father move a couple of things,” said Naruto nervously shifting on his chair as Iruka stared at him curiously.
“Naruto,” Iruka called gently and Naruto looked up at him. He didn’t know what it was but as soon as his bright azure eyes fell on the teacher’s dark and soft ones he knew his teacher knew he was lying. “It’s ok. I also grew up with my godparents. Or godmother to be exact.” he confessed. Naruto was stunned at the revelation before a small timid smile took form on his lips the feeling of closeness to someone because of similar hardships in their life overwhelming him. It never crossed his mind that there could be anyone like him, an orphan and yet here Iruka was. He couldn’t help the relief that washed over him at being able to openly confide in someone that surely would understand him.
“I never knew my parents,” Naruto confessed softly. Iruka placed a hand on his shoulder comfortingly.
“Mine died in a car accident when I was 7.” They stood silent for a couple of moments in which the game seemed to keep going in a muted sort of environment before Iruka spoke again. “We haven’t been fortunate in this life, eh?” he said and Naruto agreed with a nod. “But we find people that make it worth it.” The last of his words were drowned in acclamation and standing ovations as Neji rolled on the grass, the ball pressed tight against his chest and he had just scored a touchdown.

The game ended with a touchdown from Kiba who had fumbled Amegakure’s pass with a minute left on the clock and had taken off as if death was high on his heels. Amegakure was not able to score after that as the defense that Konoha hadn’t shown in the whole game was let free in the following 55 seconds. When the clock hit 0:00 the game was declared over. Players saluted each other though Amegakure’s players muttered threats to Konoha players unbeknownst to everybody else. Reporters hoarded Sasuke shortly afterwards declaring him the player of the game because of the pass he made to Neji with which Konoha tied the game. The rest of them returned to the locker room.

Sasuke took off his helmet his cheekbones sporting messy eye black paint. His dark locks were plastered to his face because of the sweat and his pale skin was flushed from the heat and the sun. He looked up as he listened to the first reporter’s question and his eyes fell upon the beautiful angelic figure of Naruto involved in some deep conversation with their History teacher. His whole body broke out in tingles despite him trying to control himself. Naruto was here. He had come to his game.
“…a difficult position?” Sasuke looked back at the reporter after enough silence went by to confirm that she was waiting for an answer.
“Hm?” he articulately asked and the woman gave him a funny look.
“The unresponsiveness of the defense at the beginning of the game…did it put you in a difficult position?” she repeated humorlessly holding the mike up for Sasuke to speak through. Sasuke seemed as if he was struggling for words when really all he was struggling with was the control of his emotions. Why was Naruto here? Had he come to watch him play?
“Yes,” he said with finality. The newswoman stared at him as if she expected him to elaborate more. And he did once he was back to his full football player mode. The thought of Naruto kept lurking at the back of his mind however. He hated things he couldn’t explain and wishing Naruto had come to watch him and him alone play, despite the fact that Naruto had said he’d come to watch all of them play, was one of those things. Why was it always like this with Naruto? He had this strange pull on him that he couldn’t escape, that even if he could escape, he wasn’t sure he wanted to…

After Kakashi’s very serious speech and Obito’s laid-back bordering humorous one at their team meeting, the guys hit the showers and dressed casually in jeans and solid color shirts ready to hang out at Shisui‘s as they were so accustomed to after games.

Physically tired from the strenuous activity playing football required and mentally drained from analyzing the game with sports reporters even after their team meeting Sasuke entered the school’s parking lot to find, to his surprise, Naruto surrounded by the rest of his friends who were no doubt waiting for him. Naruto was the center of attention making Kiba clutch at his stomach from laughing so hard while the others looked on with amusement as the blonde frantically waved his hands around to make his laughable story more convincing. They were alive, they seemed to respond with the same enthusiasm Naruto willed into his storytelling, forgetting for once those masks they insisted on putting on when they were around each other. Why did they surrender to Naruto? Why did he?

Dark charcoal eyes did a quick but detailed checkout. Naruto was dressed in an orange v-neck tee with a dark blue corduroy jacket on top and long blue faded jeans. The clothes didn’t look as new as Sasuke was used to seeing his and friends’ clothes but they weren’t bad considering his pectorals were visible through the cotton material of the shirt and his jeans hugged his hips sort of low and tight giving an amazing shape to both his front and back areas.

Naruto had felt those hypnotizing eyes on him and he turned to fully face Sasuke as the football jock, very royalty-like, made his way towards them dressed in a red shirt with dark and silver letters fashionably written across, nothing on top despite the breezy weather and dark long jeans that embellished his tall and lean but muscular figure perfectly his football bag hanging off one of his shoulders and at the side of his body. The blonde, his thoughts momentarily put on hold, huffed when the only thought that could come out was something among the lines of he looks as hot as ever. Of course Sasuke would look much more attractive out of school and football clothes, why wouldn’t he when it would only turn Naruto‘s insides to mush on the spot?

The next move was decided by Sasuke’s fan girls who had been waiting for him by his silver Audi but decided to messily gather around him the moment he stepped out of the football stadium. Shikamaru pouted.
“Looks like Sasuke won’t be joining us anytime soon,” he let out a sigh indicating just how troublesome everything was. The rest agreed with a few nods. Naruto’s eyes dulled and dropped to the ground for a second before they lifted as a figure stopped in front of him. Emerald orbs were staring at him, seeing right through him, making him feel uncomfortable. Naruto got the distinctive feeling Gaara knew what was going on in his head even better than he himself did.
“Let’s go before they see us here. Sasuke will get to Shisui’s later,” said Neji and they simultaneously took off.
“Don’t mind it,” a voice came above Naruto’s shoulder before the blonde could move. He turned around and saw Gaara standing before him looking his serious emotionless self. “It happens all the time. They won‘t leave him alone.” Gaara didn’t know what made him say it. Perhaps the fact that he had gone through something similar with Neji? That and maybe because, besides Neji, Naruto was the only other person he genuinely liked? Naruto was real. Sasuke and Kiba and Shikamaru, even Neji had barriers he hadn’t been able to cross after all these years of knowing them. Yet Naruto put himself out there unarmed, unprotected, showing his true self, showing them that he trusted them despite just having met them. To be trusted wholeheartedly like that…Gaara had never had something like this before.

Naruto scratched the back of his head with a smile. “Thanks,” he responded chancing a short glance back at Sasuke who seemed to be drowning through so many people. Naruto perfectly understood what Gaara was trying to say but it still bothered him. They had ruined their moment, his and Sasuke’s moment. Why couldn’t they just leave him alone? Hadn’t Sasuke been enough of a prick that it was easy to understand he didn’t appreciate their obsessive admiration towards him? “I’m gonna go,” he talked to Gaara. “My father’s probably still not done with our stuff,” he added unmindful of his little white lie.
“You’re sure you don’t want to come with us?” asked Gaara and Naruto nodded quickly. “Alright. We’ll see you in class Monday then.” With a wave at each other they parted. Naruto reached his car in no time partly because he had walked as fast as he possibly could to get away from the scene before him. How had he ever thought Sasuke was possible? They came from entirely different worlds. He had endured the pain that came from being loathed and disrespected by everyone while Sasuke had endured the bliss of being admired and wanted by everyone. They didn’t fit together. It was one of those unspoken universal rules that stated people like him didn’t mesh well with people like Sasuke. Naruto inserted the key in the BMW’s lock and unlocked it pulling the door wide open.
“Where are you going?” a low and manly voice made him whirl around surprised. It took him a couple of seconds to pull himself together once he realized it was Sasuke standing right in front of him just as close as he had been standing last time.
“H-Home,” he cursed mentally when a small smirk tugged at the corners of the other’s lips to signal he hadn’t missed the stuttering.
“I see,” Sasuke said in a smooth tone ringing with a twinge of indifference though in reality he did care. A lot. A strong wind current blew through them causing both their shirts to ripple in the air also making their scents blend in pleasantly. Just perfect. Sasuke wanted to ask Naruto to come to Shisui‘s. At the same time he felt pride tie a knot on his tongue letting him know that if he did indeed went ahead and asked it would be a blur of words what would come out. He’d never asked anyone to join him at places. Ever. People usually invited themselves and he spent the whole time brooding wherever they accompanied him to because naturally he despised being in the company of those he didn’t want to be in the company of. Asking Naruto to come was like falling on his knees and declaring whatever feelings he had for him pretty much and he couldn’t do that. He was an Uchiha damn it!
“Good game,” commented Naruto unable to stand in silence any longer. “Nice pass at the end.” Sasuke smirked.
“That was for you.” Naruto snorted a ‘che’ at the absurdity of the statement though he couldn’t keep from blushing. He pushed the other away none-too-gently.
“Stop--” before he could finish the hand that had pushed Sasuke was pulled on and he didn’t have time to realize what was happening let alone stop it as soft cool lips descended on his timidly and probingly. They pulled away, or more like Naruto pulled away quickly out of bewilderment, a small smooching sound echoing in the sudden silence that settled. He had stolen a kiss, Sasuke had stolen a kiss and Naruto didn’t know whether to be angry or…pleased. He wanted to punch Sasuke square in the jaw but he also wanted to bask in the feeling of Sasuke’s lips on his. Everything around them suddenly became nonexistent. No sound was loud enough over their shaky tentative breathing. No other image held their eye captive but each other’s deepened eyes flickering with too many emotions to describe at the time and lips parted slightly not knowing what to say.
“Asshole,” Naruto had meant for his voice to sound serious and angry just to try and gain back what little control he’d have over the situation to begin with. His voice, however, decided to abandon him at the very same moment and what came out instead was a hoarse and inviting whisper. Sasuke kissed him again and this time he felt a blissful explosion erupt from within. Sasuke’s lips moved with innocent wonder, shy at the same time desperate wanting to take it slow but unable to control his raging desires and the kiss swayed back and forth between the contradicting emotions. They opened their mouths at the same time to allow admittance to their tongues and Naruto didn’t battle much. Sasuke‘s tongue moved with such gentleness and ease he felt like he was being physically swept off his feet. Together they floated indescribable heights, they drove each other to cloud nine, what felt like electricity waves rushed through them and they felt lightheaded and nervous and excited at the same time.

When they pulled away again, this time not wanting to but having to because of lack of oxygen, Sasuke gave him another quick kiss before the blonde could back away. Naruto wanted to give in, to submit to Sasuke’s very talented lips and be ravished by his eager wonderful tongue, but he really had to go. At this rate neither of them would make it to their pending appointments. He knew Sasuke wouldn’t care about his. But he-Naruto did. He felt guilty enough leaving his godfather to deal with all their cargo which was a lot. The least he could do to was help with him dinner.
“Come to Shisui’s with me,” Sasuke muttered before Naruto could speak. He felt awkward immediately but Naruto’s soft and childish chuckle eased his nerves down some.
“I can’t,” Naruto responded in a hushed tone. “I have to help my godfather cook.” Sasuke felt himself plunge from heaven into dark and cold nothingness. He turned him down. Naruto turned him down. He had done so twice. Like he was nothing. The only person he wanted to be in the company of. “Don‘t look so pitiful, bastard,” a tanned hand gently settled on his pale cheek. “I’ll take a rain check. How ‘bout it?”
“Pick you up at seven on Sunday,” Sasuke said.
“Deal,” Naruto nodded and Sasuke dipped his head to savor those rosy plump lips with his one more time.
“Sealed…”

Naruto entered the huge mansion he called home still unfamiliar to him to this day.
“I’m home!” he called and jumped in the kitchen where he found Jiraiya moving about, stainless steel pots on the stove gurgling with boiling water and species, while the man read recipes from a small book beside the sink.
“Hey kid,” he greeted without looking over too busy with the ingredients for the sauce he was currently working on.
“Mind if I help?” asked Naruto and Jiraiya did look up this time.
“Get the apron from closet.” Naruto grinned wide. He wasn’t an expert cook like his godfather was but he was good and he liked to do it much like Jiraiya himself did. Not wasting a minute Naruto reached inside the closet within the kitchen and pulled out a plastic apron this one bearing different recipes in the middle part of it. He swung it over his neck and tied it securely around his waist.
“When’s Obaa-chan getting home?” he asked washing his hands in the sink following the first rule of cooking. His question made Jiraiya stop momentarily.
“She’s…busy at the hospital,” the white-haired man responded lowly. Naruto locked his big cerulean eyes on him.
“I never see her anymore. She leaves really early and comes back really late,” he pointed out with a pout. Jiraiya sighed miserably.
“Yep. Occupational hazards,” he commented and Naruto tilted his head to the side noticing the gloom coming off in waves from the usually merry man. “How was the game?” the change of topics was sudden and just as suddenly the image of Sasuke came to mind, the feel of Sasuke’s lips on his overpowered him and a dreamy smiled threatened to decorate his lips.
“It was okay,” the blonde looked away to hide the rosy contour reflecting on his cheekbones. “Nothing interesting ya’ know,” except for Sasuke kissing me. Jiraiya nodded.
“Oh well. Better games will come along, ne?” Baka, you can’t hide from me. Both smiled at each other, Naruto looking apologetic while Jiraiya looked like he had hit the jackpot.
“Sure…”

Shisui’s was a sports bar and the place to go to after football games. People gathered to discuss the predominant sport in town while downing freshly brewed ice-cold beer as well as the mouthwatering burgers for which the place was famously known among other things. Sasuke saw it as an escape, a petty excuse to hang out with his friends without being bothered, because Shisui had offered above anything else to protect his privacy. Any person that went about in fanatic-like business within the restaurant, taking pictures or asking for autographs for example, was asked to wait outside while they continued to enjoy themselves without having to mind them.

When the second-born Uchiha entered Shisui’s he was greeted with the full face of the owner, Shisui himself, clipboard on one hand, a headphone speaker holding the lazy, short and spiked black hair that would otherwise frame his gentle ethereal face like a barrette would around his head.
“Hey beautiful,” Shisui called in a deadpanned solid voice. His words were followed with a mischievous smirk and received with a death-glare. Sasuke was used to this taunting. The former was a mocking gesture from when the Uchihas had held a family gathering at the manor once and Sasuke had been complimented one too many times by people who were supposed to be his relatives only he only saw them maybe once every six years. Shisui, being Itachi’s best friend back then, had unfortunately been there too. He had bore witness to the fact that unlike Itachi, who had received praise such as smart, strong and he‘s definitely an Uchiha, Sasuke had been called beautiful, beautiful and beautiful any other qualities willingly forgotten. Even when he was a child people failed to see past his looks.
“Itachi’s not around,” Sasuke pointed out the obvious. “Loosening the leash on you?” he arched a brow in amusement.
“Arrogant as always,” said Shisui rolling his eyes and he smirked. “Your little friends are inside. How’s the bet going this year? Don‘t you usually bring him over by now?” Sasuke stiffened a little before he snorted with airs of superiority.
“We‘re going out Sunday.” His early actions however did not go by unnoticed. If there was one thing both Itachi and Shisui were similar with was their perceptiveness. The youngest Uchiha was very aware of that. “Hm,” Shisui rounded up on him and he knew his mask was breaking. “So someone’s finally got an effect on you?”
“He doesn’t,” Sasuke stated firmly but Shisui didn’t buy it for a second.
“Really?” the older man sneered and Sasuke was forced to think Itachi was rubbing off on him way too much. “Looks like you’ll be losing this year, beautiful,” with that said he left to continue with his work. Sasuke growled to himself. He entered the bar nonetheless willing the warmth in his body to go away, the warmth Naruto’s kiss had ignited within him, at the same time not wanting to forget it…

End of Chapter 3. The bet will be better explained as we move on so no questions about it or you’ll ruin it! Not much interaction between Naruto and the guys, sigh, there will be next chapter. Your opinion will be greatly appreciated. You’ll read from me again soon!