Paper Dance

Sensei

"Is it wrong of me to seek their acknowledgment?" the blonde asked, I look at the ground trying to find some words that will help him feel better.

"No," I answered him, he chuckled so I look at him and he look back. His eyes were not dull anymore, they held more light, life, hope, and...... admiration?

"You only talk in one syllable now?" he tease so I frowned at him

"Do you remember that day when you dragged me here?" he ask and I look away, it was embarrassing to think that I mistook him for Shikamaru and then sulk in front of him.

"Don't you get déjà vu?" I look at him again and frown, huh? What's he talking about?

"We stayed here for about an hour and I saw your vulnerable side, then now we're here again the both of us and you saw me being in my vulnerable side. Don't you think it's kind of destiny or fate or something?" he smiled mischievously

"Are you trying to flirt with me?"

"Is it working?" he asked back and I just rolled my eyes

"No. You suck." I said and he pout looking at me as if I just denied his advances

"But. I'm serious. It's not wrong of you to seek everyone's acknowledgment. It's not wrong of you to work hard so that people will recognize you like Naruto and not your father's shadow." I said and sigh

Somehow, I know what it feels like. Me being recognized by other people as Itachi Uchiha's brother and his shadow, people put their expectations on me because I am Itachi Uchiha's baby brother. And because I am an Uchiha they were expecting me to follow my brother's path. And I hate that. I want to follow my path, I want them to recognize me as Sasuke Uchiha not just Itachi's shadow.

But I don't care about them, I just wanted my father to acknowledge me as his second son, not his firstborn's shadow. I am not Itachi Uchiha the second. I want him to know that, I want him to realize that. That's why I kept on working hard for that, always obeying his orders and getting high scores, being the number one in class, and doing the things he wanted me to even though I never wanted to.

"Thank you, Sasuke." I was pulled back to reality when Naruto spoke, I didn't look at him and just shook my head.

"What are you thanking at? Dumbass." I teased and I heard him laugh a little.

Why are you so familiar, Naruto?

I asked in my mind, why does he look so familiar? Why am I feeling so comfortable and warm when I'm with him? Just who is he?

"I better go to my class, have a good day," I said and stand up, he didn't say anything but I felt his gaze on my back.

Sasuke's day went smoothly, the teachers asked them to prepare for their incoming midterms even though it's just been a month since the school started, he went to Shikamaru's table at lunchtime and was also surprised that he saw Naruto he just nod at him and that made Naruto's smile got big, he also said hi to Ino and Choji and went to Neji. He also saw Suigetsu but he choose to ignore him of course, Suigetsu being Suigetsu, he tackled Sasuke and they nearly fall to the cafeteria's floor.

He glared at the white-haired shark man and went to the roof-top with Neji while the said man just laugh at him, Neji also offered to help him study for their midterms because Neji was one year ahead of him but Sasuke declined and said he can manage he'll just ask him some questions if doesn't understand.

Neji is in his second year of high school while Sasuke's at his first, and while Sasuke's just 14 Neji's at his 15th. They talked about different things and topics during lunchtime and when the bell rang they went to their respective classes. The University has a weird education system, even though the students have the same grade level, they don't have the same subjects and the same time. They have the same subjects of course but not at the same time in taking the lesson. If you know what he means.

Sasuke was walking his way to the university's gate when someone called his name. He doesn't want to stop but he knew that the dumbass will just annoy him if he did. So, he stopped and looked back at the ray of sunshine running toward him.

Wait—Ray of what? Why the hell did I say that?! That's so cheesy! So corny!

"Sasuke," Naruto panted his both hands were on his knees, catching his breath

"What?" he asks

"Um, can I ask a little favor? But of course, you can decline! I won't force you if you don't want to, but it's probably best if you'll agree, of course, wait what am I saying? It's not that I wanted to have alone time with you or something if you'll agree, but I know you won't  agree, we're not that close of course-"

"Naruto, What is it?" Sasuke cut him off, he's talking to himself, what a dumbass.

"Ah..haha..well,...you know...I was wondering if..." he trailed off

"What?"

"Um...I was wondering if it's okay to you if you'll gonna....tutor me?.....for the upcoming midterms...'ttebayo.."

He's hopeless

"Why me?" Sasuke asked

"Why not you?" Naruto asked him back and Sasuke was surprised.

"You're smart, you're amazing, and...I think you can tolerate me?" Naruto answered him, unsurely.

"Who said I can tolerate you?" Sasuke teased him and that made Naruto frown, taking the joke seriously.

I can teach him just fine, I guess. Besides I want to get to know you, Naruto—wait, what?!

"I understand if you won't, sorry for wasting your time," Naruto said, his eyes were dull, full of sadness and disappointment. He hates it. And he doesn't know why.

"Who said you're wasting my time?"

"Ugh, why are you always answering me with questions? Sasuke you dumbass!" He exclaimed and that made Sasuke smile a little but soon faltered when he remembered Naruto the dumbass called him "dumbass".

"Don't lump me in with you, dobe. You're more of a dumbass than me." He replied and Naruto growled

"Teme. Just say if you don't want to tutor me and stop calling me dumbass!" Naruto fought back, not realizing his and Sasuke's face was only an inch away.

"Who said I was about to say no? And I will keep calling you dumbass because you are."

"That again! You're always answering me with a question—wait what?"  Naruto's eyes went wide after Sasuke's words sink into his mind.

"You-You're gonna tutor me? For real?!" Naruto's face beamed and Sasuke felt his face warming a bit.

"Yeah," Sasuke simply answered with his brows raised

There's no harm with it, right? Sasuke asks himself

"Oi, if you two are planning to kiss just not in front of me. Please." I snapped my head to my right and frowned at Shikamaru and Naruto did the same.

Shikamaru's words haven't been processed yet into Sasuke's and Naruto's brains but when they did, both of the guys went red and Shikamaru raised his eyebrows.

"We are not!" they both exclaimed to the pineapple head guy

"Eh? But your faces are so close and Sasuke's face can be compared to tomato so...." Shikamaru said and Sasuke look at him angrily.

"He's just asking me if I can tutor him because he's a dumbass," Sasuke said pinching himself secretly to remove the warm feeling from his cheeks.

"Sasuke, you're an asshole." Naruto insult him back and Shikamaru just sigh

"What a drag," he said while yawning, he walked in between Naruto and Sasuke because their faces are once again close. He tapped Sasuke's shoulder and nod at Naruto.

"I'll leave first, Good Bye. Lovebirds."  He said and the two just blushed, again.

"We are not!" they both exclaimed

"Not yet," Shikamaru said while waving at them, and at the distance, he saw Choji eating his chips while waiting for him.

Back to the two boys, they just glared at each other after they saw Shikamaru walk away from them.

"We'll just study during weekdays, dobe. Meet me in the library after class tomorrow." Sasuke said and walked away from Naruto not waiting for the other to say anything.

"Sasuke," he stopped when Naruto called him, he looked back and was taken aback when he saw him smiling at him genuinely, so warm.

"Thank you. See you tomorrow." He said and walked away, opposite Sasuke's side.

Sasuke was stunned for a minute until he recovered, he walked to their home and was thankful that his family was still not at home, because if anyone from them are already home, they will be able to see Sasuke's reddened cheeks.

The next day Sasuke thanked his big brother for giving him a ride and was surprised when Itachi didn't go outside of his car to see Kakashi, he didn't even mention the pervert teacher the whole ride. Sasuke just kept his mouth shut and didn't utter any words. He went straight to his first class of the day and waited for his teacher to arrive.

His day went by, smoothly. He even had a chance to join Shikamaru and the others in eating lunch. Sasuke was sitting beside Ino when suddenly a loud gasp catch their attention.

"Ino-pig!" the four of them turned their heads to the pinknette-haired girl who yelled Ino's name with a 'pig' attached to it.

"Sakura?" Ino uttered and the said Sakura girl grabbed Ino by her collar, I looked at Choji and Shikamaru to see their reaction but they just shook their heads.

"How dare you sit beside MY Sasuke-Kun!" And with that Sasuke just rolled his eyes

"Another fangirl, huh,"    He said to himself and ate his lunch quickly

"MY? Sasuke-Kun is not yours Sakura and he will never be, so shut your mouth and let us finish our lunch!" Ino said and push Sakura lightly, she was about to fight back but suddenly she was grabbed by her forearm.

"Wha- Naruto," Sakura said and Sasuke choke on his food, Shikamaru gave him a bottle of water, smirking of course.

"Let them eat their lunch, Sakura-chan. Let's go, let's not let Sai wait for us any longer." Before Sakura could even reply Naruto already pulled her toward their table.

"Naruto, huh," Shikamaru said lowly but the other three heard him anyway

"What is it, Shikamaru?" asked Choji, Sasuke just looked at him angrily and Ino just tilted her head looking so confused as well.

"Nothing," Shikamaru said and they began to eat again.

After their lunch, the three of them went to their PE class together. They share the same schedule for their PE class on Tuesday after all. Sasuke was busy changing his uniform into PE one when suddenly Shikamaru leaned against the near locker beside him.

"So, Sasuke. How was your second kiss with Naruto?"  Shikamaru teasingly asked and Sasuke just glared at him. Shikamaru knows that if looks could kill, he'd be dead right now, but he can't take Sasuke seriously because he's all red.

"Eh?" They both froze when they heard Choji, they slowly turned to their chubby friend and they saw the confusion in his eyes.

"You didn't hear anything, Choji." Sasuke sharply said and closed his locker harshly. Sasuke silently thanked God when he saw no one beside them at that time.

"So that's why you acted that way earlier during lunch," Choji continued and Shikamaru just snorted

"No, that didn't mean anything. And to answer your question Shikamaru, we did not kiss. There's no second time." He hissed and Shikamaru just shrugged

"Eh? so meaning there's a first?" Choji exclaimed and Shikamaru and Sasuke both covered Choji's mouth

"NO. JUST FUCKING FORGET ABOUT IT." He said and walked away but Choji chased him

"You like, Naruto?" that question made Sasuke trip to an invisible stone, Shikamaru sighed and said, "What a drag,"

"Leave him, Choji." He doesn't even realize his little crush for Naruto anyway

"But I want to know the tea," Choji said and Sasuke just had enough

"There's no tea, Choji. Quit it. I don't like that Usuratonkachi and don't mention this to anyone including Ino. Got it?" Sasuke said so seriously making Choji gulp and nod.

"Good," Sasuke said with a sigh and turned to the door, he was about to open it when suddenly another person open it before him making him stumbled and nearly fall to the ground if it wasn't for the guy who caught him by his arms.

"Oop, gotcha—eh, Sasuke?" Sasuke's eyes widen and his ears and neck immediately went red

Choji and Shikamaru noticed it and Choji just sneakered. Feeling too proud of himself because he guessed that Sasuke have a crush.

"Naruto," Sasuke said and immediately moved away from Naruto when he remembered that he was with Choji and Shikamaru

He rolled his eyes and walked passed Naruto with Shikamaru and Choji trailing after him. He forgot that Naruto and he shared the same schedule for their PE class too.

Their class went not smoothly for Sasuke because he has Choji teasing him and Shikamaru who's tolerating it. Every time he and Naruto made eye contact, Choji and Shikamaru would always catch it and teased him afterward.

After their two hours of PE class, Sasuke went to his last class, Mathematics. He listened to his teacher and took down some notes for him to study later, and for him to explain to Naruto, that he is sure that the moron is not quite a mathematician dobe.

After his class he went straight to the library, expecting that he would have to wait for Naruto but to his surprise, the dobe is already there.

"Yo, Sasuke," Naruto called him and he wasn't expecting that. He didn't expect Naruto to just know that he arrived already. Does this dobe have some sort of radar or something?

He walked up to Naruto and sat beside him, all of a sudden he felt warm, hot, and comfortable. He felt like he was....home.

He shook his head at the thought because he felt warm from his cheeks, he pulled his notebooks out of his bag and faced Naruto who was watching him intently. He pushed the butterflies and warm that he felt for he didn't know what that mean.

"You want to study math first? What subject are you having some hard time to, let me know about it first." He said and Naruto nodded

"Teach me about math first, I'm having a hard time understanding those formulas and numbers," Naruto said and pulled his math book in front of them.

"You won't be needing that book, you have me." Sasuke said and opened his Math notebook and gave it to Naruto, "Here, I wrote some notes, I hope you can understand them knowing that brain of yours." Sasuke teased him and Naruto just nudged at him

"I'm very sorry for not being a math genius like you, your highness." Sasuke just rolled his eyes and began to teach Naruto their first lesson, Naruto surprisingly can follow Sasuke's lead and Sasuke even doubt the fact that Naruto needed his help to study.

"Do you really need me? It looks like you're a mathematician." Sasuke said while watching Naruto copying his notes from his notebook. Naruto looked at him and grin sheepishly at him.

"Teme, you're notes are easy to study and understood because it's so detailed," Naruto said and Sasuke just nod. They continued to study for thirty minutes more and went to the University's gate afterward.

"See you tomorrow, Sasuke. Thanks for today." Naruto said and smiled warmly at Sasuke

"Hn," was the only reply Naruto got from the raven because Sasuke turned his ack immediately, hiding his blush from the blonde.

Their routine continued for two weeks, Naruto even asked for Sasuke's number. Sasuke gave him his number and they would text each other occasionally, Sasuke who doesn't use his phone was typing some text while laying and smiling was not what Itachi expected to see. Hell, he never even thought that his brother could smile like some teenage girls who got a text from their crush.

But the older Uchiha did not say anything about it, he just greeted Sasuke who jumped a little and acted as if nothing happened. That night the Uchiha family had a nice dinner because Fugaku was not there to piss Sasuke off.

"Okay. I think you're ready." Sasuke said to Naruto while stretching. They just finished studying history and Naruto was surprisingly good about it.

"Thanks, Sasuke." Naruto smiled at him and they went out of the library, they were expecting to have some peaceful walks on their way to the gates but suddenly a brunette-haired girl walked toward them—to Sasuke rather.

"Um...Sasuke-Kun..." the girl trailed off so Sasuke and Naruto stopped in their tracks.

"Who?" Sasuke asked making Naruto snort, the brunette blushed heavily but shook her head

"Mika...anyways...um Sasuke-kun. Um...do you have anyone..to go..." Sasuke was getting impatient with the girl already, he was itching to just go home and sleep.

"Sorry miss but Sasuke already has someone to accompany him during the festival," Naruto said and grabbed Sasuke's shoulders and pushed him towards the gate.

"Someone?...who? festival?" Sasuke asked, confused. Naruto stopped pushing him and went in front of Sasuke, brows furrowed.

"Eh? you didn't know?" Naruto asked

"About what?"

"The festival. It's  Hiruzen Sarutobi's birthday. " Naruto said and Sasuke just shrugged

Maybe that was the thing Niisan and Father were talking about earlier.

"I don't have someone to come with me, dobe. And I don't even intend to go next week." Sasuke said and Naruto just pouted at him

"You have no life. Poor you. And of course, you're coming with me, stupid Sasuke."

"WHA-" Sasuke was cut off

"Don't make any excuses okay? I'm gonna pass all of my exams and you're coming with me to the festival next week after exams, got it?" Naruto said and Sasuke was already starting to regret his life decisions.

"Fine." And with that, Naruto beamed at Sasuke.

They continued their little walk when suddenly a dark-haired girl went in front of them, making them both stop in their tracks.

Who?

"Hinata?" Sasuke turned to Naruto and next to the said Hinata girl who is now blushing heavily and looked like she was about to faint.

"Um..N-naruto-Kun.." she trailed off, who knew Naruto also has some fangirls? Sasuke thought while glancing at Naruto

"Um..do you have...um..can we..can we go to the festival together next week....N-naruto-Kun?" Hinata asked and Sasuke just scoffed and walked away from them but Naruto called him out

"Sasuke!" Sasuke stopped and look back at them

"What, Usuratonkachi? You're already coming with me next week, don't tell me you'll ditch me for her?" Sasuke didn't even try to mask the bitterness coming from his voice when he said those words.

He didn't know what's this uncomfortable feeling he feels, he just turned and walked away not giving Naruto any chance to reply.

If he's going to ditch me, then so be it. Hmpf.

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