Chapter 7
Confuse
July 22th Wednesday
The second to the last day of the examination. Sasuke sighed as he closed his book, he finished reading his history coverage for the test, in front of him were Neji Hyuga and beside him is Suigetsu Hozuki and then Karin Uzumaki and Jugo, the five of them are in the cafeteria.
They are all burying their faces in their books when they heard Sasuke release a long sigh, they looked at the man and saw him put his face in his open palm.
"What, dude?" Suigetsu asks and Sasuke didn't answer him, he just rolled his eyes and looks at Karin.
"Is your cousin a loser?" he asks making Karin choke at her spit and making Neji widen his eyes a little bit and Suigetsu's eyes bulge, Jugo just stared at Sasuke.
"W-what?" Karin asks, massaging her throat
"Your cousin is an asshole," Sasuke said and frowns. He couldn't believe how Naruto ditched him and chooses to go with Hinata, he wanted to strangle to blond so badly. Hell, he didn't even text him for almost five days now, not that Sasuke's complaining.
Surely Not.
"Why? Did something happen?" Neji asks, closing his book to focus on Sasuke
"Not really." He answered but immediately rolled his eyes when he saw how Neji raises a brow at him
"Well, he invited me to go with him to the upcoming festival but when he saw Hinata Hyuga, your cousin, he chooses to ditch me. What a good guy." I said and I can see how Neji looked at me with more confusion.
"Moron, Naruto," I whispered, hoping I was the only one who had heard but unfortunately—
"Sasuke, are you sulking?" Karin ask,
"No more like Sasuke, are you jealous?" Suigetsu added while grinning
"Suigetsu. Do you want me to punch you?" But Suigetsu just giggled
"Don't be upset Sasuke, maybe Naruto is just busy." Neji reasoned out and hand me a water bottle
Why did he give me this stupid water bottle?
"Drink. Moron. Don't insult the innocent water bottle just because you're jealous and upset about my cousin and Naruto having the potential to date and get wed in the future." Neji said as he rolled his eyes and that made my brows arch in annoyance.
Naruto?! Getting married to Hinata?! What a joke!
"Sasuke, Neji's just joking." Karin said as her eyebrow twitch. She just doesn't get why his cousin Naruto has this much effect on Sasuke.
Joking?! To hell with that, do I look like I need some jokes?!
"Man, you're kinda annoying when you're in love, Sasuke." Suigetsu chirped and I glared at him.
Who's in love with whom?! Me? With that stupid blond?! No way!
"Sasuke, do you like Naruto?" Neji ask, I looked at him and rolled my eyes.
"What's there to like about that moron? Nothing!" I answered him and he just shook his head, not accepting my reply
"You didn't deny it," he said and before I could even answer Karin interrupt
"Considering you two have been hanging out for almost a month, It's hard to believe you don't find him attractive," she teased, leaning her face to her open palm, Suigetsu just laugh and Jugo---thankfully just minded his own business,
"No. That's ridiculous. I don't like him" I said and started to fetch my things as I saw Naruto enter the Cafeteria with the guy who has some triangle red marks on his cheeks and of course the Hyuuga Girl.
"Speaking of the devil," Sasuke breathed out, causing the four of his friends' heads to turn to where he was staring
"Oh."
"Oh,"
"Definitely Oh,"
"You goods, Sasuke?"
But Sasuke ignored them and went to the exit, he even saw Naruto looking in his direction but he didn't bother stopping in his tracks and greet the annoying, moron, stupid blond.
AFTER he finished the last subject of the day's examination, Sasuke hurried home and locked himself in his room, silently thanking the Gods, Buddhas, and Deities that none of his family is home yet. He busied himself studying for their last exams for tomorrow, keep telling himself that he doesn't have a lot of time to think about some stupid blond-haired moron.
After three hours of studying Sasuke went to their kitchen to fetch some water, it was already 7:27 in the evening but not surprisingly he was not hungry and was surprised to see his big brother Itachi cooking.
He didn't expect his Itachi to come home especially today, after all, they were all busy, including his mom. Itachi glanced at him and smiled a little, Sasuke fetch some cold water from the fridge and look at what Itachi is cooking.
"Hello, Sasuke. Mother and Father wouldn't be able to come home tonight until tomorrow evening. Father is busy with the police corps and Mother is in the Sand, buying something I don't know while taking care of some negotiations." Itachi said and flip the steak he was doing
"I know," Sasuke muttered and sat at the counter
"Kakashi's coming, is it okay?" he suddenly asks and Sasuke just raises his brow
"Sure," he simply answered thinking Itachi would stop talking
"Your birthday is tomorrow, what are planning to do?" Itachi suddenly ask
Eh? Birthday? Whom?
When he didn't answer Itachi look at him and place the steak in front of him
"You forgot?" Itachi asks softly
"Uh...." He trails off
"It's okay. I'm here to remind you of the things you forgot." His big brother said to him softly and ruffled his hair
"I'm sorry, Niisan," Sasuke whispered, it was always been like this, there are some parts in his life that he doesn't know, more like, doesn't remember.
"It's okay, little brother." Itachi smiled at him and sat beside him
"So, any plans for tomorrow?" Itachi ask again but before he could answer their doorbell rang
"That's Kakashi, I'll go get him," Itachi said with a small smile on his face and Sasuke just gave him a nod
His phone buzzed three times so he open it and check his messages.
Three from Karin.
From: Karin
Oi, Sasuke. Any plans for tomorrow?
No? Okay! I got u!
Meet me and the gang at the gate after the examinations! Don't tell me that you plan on just going home immediately and sleep, your life's so boring >_<
He was about to decline when he remembered what Karin is capable of, she can be annoying and pushy at times and Sasuke wants some peace in his life.
To Karin:
Fine.
He replied and turned his phone off when Kakashi and Itachi arrive, Itachi sat beside him and Kakashi ruffled his hair much to his annoyance, and sat beside his lover—Itachi.
"Yo, Sasuke. Any plans for tomorrow?" Kakashi asks and Itachi looks at Sasuke
"I have," he simply answered and the two older men didn't pry and just nodded, Itachi knew that despite their Father's warning and restrictions, Sasuke still has some friends like Suigetsu, and he was thankful and happy for that.
"Okay, just don't be late for family dinner at seven," Itachi said and Sasuke just nodded.
During their dinner with Kakashi, they just talk about random things, he even makes fun of Kakashi every chance he got, and his big brother Itachi just laughs, it wasn't even some expensive dinner yet Sasuke felt at ease, happy, and warm. Being with Kakashi and Itachi like this, Sasuke wishes that moments like this would last and will always be just like this. He wanted to experience this moment for the rest of his life.
After two hours of just eating, talking, and laughing Sasuke decided to went to his room to give the two lovers some privacy, Sasuke respects their relationship and silently hopes that maybe he too, in the future could have a love like that.
The way Kakashi took care of Itachi, the way he held Itachi, and the way he looked at Itachi. Sasuke wants that too, Sasuke also wants someone to do that to him. To love him and look at him as if he's the only thing that matter in this world.
But Sasuke knew that it was impossible. After all, how could someone bother loving a useless and worthless person like him? He is not perfect like Itachi, He is not good as Itachi. So how could he wish for something like that?
After he brushed his teeth, Sasuke went to sleep.
SASUKE woke up around four am to study again, and the time hits six am, he showered and fix his things, by the time he went down Itachi was already in the kitchen, preparing Sasuke's pancakes with a smile on his face and a hickey at his collarbone.
"Happy Birthday, Little Brother." Itachi greeted him, he just half hugged his brother and mumbled a Thank You, and sat in front of the counter and ate his pancakes. Itachi drank his tea and put on his work attire, he was topless when he was cooking earlier.
After they ate, Itachi drove Sasuke to his school, Sasuke even receive a happy birthday from his mother and his father, which surprises him and caused him to smile a little. His small blush didn't escape from Itachi's eyes, though.
"Thank you, Niisan." Sasuke smiled at his brother and Itachi beamed at him and drove away.
Karin, Suigetsu, Jugo, Neji, and Shikamaru greeted him with a Happy Birthday the morning they saw him, some girls and boys also wished him a happy birthday and he just nodded at him as a sign of thank you.
It was already lunchtime when Sasuke finished all of his subjects, he stretch a little when he walked out of the classroom and massage his neck, he was heading to the stairs when a black-haired boy blocked his way.
"Uh, Excuse me," Sasuke said but the boy just smiled at him
"Um, Sasuke. Do you already have a date coming with you to the festival tomorrow?" he shyly asked, Sasuke was quite surprised when he saw the small blush on the guy's cheeks
Date? Yes, but unfortunately he ditched me!
"Su—"
"Sorry pal, he's already taken by your great Naruto Uzumaki-Sama" Sasuke jumped a little and was cut off by Naruto, Sasuke wasn't expecting that, more importantly, he wasn't expecting the arms that drape on his shoulders!
Sasuke looked at Naruto, brows furrowed and ready to punch the whiskered-looking guy but stopped himself. Not yet.
"Oh...Sorry, I didn't know." The guy said and smiled at Naruto, slightly scratching his cheeks from embarrassment.
"Don't sweat it, I didn't either," Sasuke said and shoved Naruto off him and went downstairs at a hurried pace,
"Oi! Sasuke." He heard Naruto call him but he just quicken his pace, he's a hundred percent annoyed and mad right now.
"Sasuke—wait up," Naruto yelled trying to catch up with the raven, Sasuke didn't bother looking back at him and was shocked when he was suddenly spun around by Naruto
"Eh—"
"Listen." Naruto, looking directly at his eyes and had a strong grip on both his arms. Sasuke fought the urge to blush at the sudden close contact, their eyes are just one finger away, and if he moved they could kiss, for fuck sake!
"What's wrong with you?" Naruto ask him, annoyance in his voice and face didn't escape Sasuke
"Let go of me," Sasuke said but Naruto just gripped him a little bit tightly
"You were about to say yes to that guy's invitation, have you already forgotten that you're going with me?" Naruto ask, pain was visible in his eyes.
"Tell that to yourself after ditching me for that Hyuuga girl!" Sasuke spat and wriggle from Naruto's grip
"Eh?" Naruto loosen his grip on Sasuke and Sasuke took that as a chance to get away from him
"I didn't ditch you," Naruto said tilting his head to the side
"Oh, yeah? Weren't you about to say yes when she asked you to go to the festival as her date?" Sasuke deadpan mock Naruto, right hand on his hips and one brow arched up.
Naruto laugh.
Naruto fucking Uzumaki laughed.
Okay.
Sasuke frowned and was about to take a step when Naruto suddenly grab his wrist and spun him around. Again.
"Chill, Sas. I was about to introduce you to her as my date but you ditch me and said some nonsense things like me ditching you for her" Naruto said, smiling at Sasuke, Sasuke was about to ask why he didn't bother texting him when Naruto interrupted him again
"And before you could say anything about as to why I haven't texted you for a week, I was drowning myself to study to the point my Ma and Pa are surprised, seeing me studying hard for the exam. I didn't text you even though it was hard not to because I know that I wouldn't be able to focus on studying if I talk to you, you know you have that effect on me right? And I told you didn't I? That I would ace the exams or maybe just pass them for me to go with you to the festival? I want to make you proud of me. Though, I'm not confident in my math." Naruto said while scratching the back of his head with his other hand while his other is still holding Sasuke's wrist.
First, No, I don't know about the effect that I have on you, second, please let go of me already, and third, thank goodness you didn't ditch me for that Hyuuga girl. Sasuke thought but didn't voice out.
"Let go of me," Sasuke said instead and Naruto let go of him immediately
"Even if you don't do anything, I'm still proud of you, Usuratonkachi." Sasuke turn his back on Naruto, missing the part where Naruto turned red about it.
He walked towards the gate smiling slightly, aware of Naruto tailing him whose also grinning widely. Making the girls blush and look at him until he was out of their sight.
"Sasuke," Naruto called out, stopping in his tracks as Sasuke did and looking back at him
"Hn,"
"Happy Birthday," Naruto said and smiled at him, eyes full of happiness and contentment and even—fond?
Sasuke slightly blushed at that, eyes slightly widen, hands sweating, and his heart was thumping so fast and loud.
Eh, What?
"Oh, Naruto!" Karin's voice made Sasuke jump a little, he turn to Karin and walked towards her, knowing Naruto was following him.
"Where are you all going?" Naruto ask his cousin, Sasuke just turn to look at Neji and avoided the looks that Suigetsu, Jugo, Karin, and even Neji were giving him.
"To celebrate Sasuke's birthday, wanna come?" Karin said while smirking, Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"If it's okay with you all, especially with Sasuke, why not?" he said looking at Sasuke with his innocent eyes, Sasuke noticed that the others are looking at him too, he just sigh and Karin took that as a Yes and drag them all at the nearby resto.
They ordered food for lunch, and sang Sasuke a happy birthday which embarrassed him to death, they talk, laughed, went to the mall, played some arcade games, and ate some ice cream, they even watched some action movies to which Sasuke offered to pay,
He was sitting in between Naruto and Neji, Naruto and he are both sharing popcorn and constantly talking about some scenes forgetting that Neji and the others were with them, but Neji didn't mind. He was even happy for Sasuke to be so open with other people aside from him.
"Are you having fun?" Naruto suddenly whispered at him, Sasuke looked at Naruto and was surprised when he saw how that deep blue was already focused on him, he gulped and nodded.
"Hn," he answered and Naruto smiled at him.
He didn't mind when Naruto moved a bit closer to him where their shoulders are touching, he also didn't mind when Naruto held his hand, he didn't pull away and just let Naruto do it, he also didn't mind the spark he felt when Naruto held his hands nor the butterflies he felt in his stomach when Naruto did it. He also didn't mind when he noticed the small smile of Neji who saw everything.
"NISSAN" Sasuke called out to his brother, they both volunteered to wash the dishes after their family dinner, and surprisingly, it went well, Sasuke already expected that they'll be having dinner outside but to his surprise, his mom cooked for them and they ate their dinner at home.
His father was even smiling slightly during their dinner, talking about random stuff aside from work and school stuff, Sasuke was happy during their family dinner, his father gifted him the books that he once mentioned that he wanted to buy but couldn't get because it was always out of stock, he was even surprised to see the author's signature—Jiraiya's signature.
His mother gifted him a customized keychain, the Uchiha fan with 'Sasuke U.' engraved on its back, it looks so beautiful. And with Itachi he received a pendant, a red-black pinwheels-shaped small pendant, he put it in his necklace together with Neji's. And now, they're here, washing the dishes.
"Hm?"
"How do you know if you like....you know....someone?" Sasuke hesitantly ask, Itachi stopped his movements for a while and took a great look at Sasuke, and smiled.
"Creepy," Sasuke muttered but Itachi paid him no mind.
"When you feel safe with him, you get jealous easily because you're afraid someone might steal him away from you, you constantly think about him, and hmm, you can't explain why you keep on thinking about him." Itachi said and Sasuke nodded, he thought about what he felt when Hinata asked Naruto to be her date, did he feel jealous of her? He indeed felt safe and calm when he is with Naruto, he felt safe when Naruto held him and even if it was just his presence, and he just constantly thought about Naruto after they got slightly close.
"And, you know you already like him when I said those things, you instantly thought about him,"
Itachi added, and Sasuke, being lost in thought just nodded absently.
"Why, are you confused about what you feel about Naruto?" Yes, Itachi knew, thanks to Kakashi who sometimes caught Naruto and Sasuke hanging out and caught how Sasuke smiled at Naruto.
"Maybe," Sasuke once again answered absently, and suddenly look at Itachi after he realize what he had just said, and Itachi just smiled at him, shaking his head a little in the process.
"And, you know you already like him when I said those things, you instantly thought about him,"
No, Sasuke's not thinking about the Uzumaki. And no, Sasuke doesn't like Naruto. No. He doesn't.
He definitely doesn't.
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