Disclaimer:
I don't own Naruto and Only the Ring Finger Knows. I'm just using them for my personal indulgence.
You Have Been Warned!
This fanfic is based on the best yaoi manga (boy's love) in the planet, Only the Ring Finger Knows by Satoru Kannagi and Hotaru Odagiri. You can even call this Only the Ring Finger Knows- SasuNaru version. To those who have read this wonderful manga and novel (to those who still haven't read, grab one now! You wouldn't regret reading this!), you will find the first few scenes and some dialogues (that's because I love their dialogues!) taken from the manga. But I assure you, I will make this totally my own and sasunaru-ish in the next chapters.By the way, the thoughts are in bold letters and the italics are for emphasis.
Enjoy reading, minna-san.
Only Our Ring Finger Knows
Chapter One –
"UWAAAHH!"
The fifth floor of the all boy's dormitory shook violently.
"Come on, thick-eyebrows! You're better than that!"
Naruto flopped on one of the two beds. Grabbing a pillow near the headboard, he threw it playfully at Rock Lee. Shikamaru leaned toward Lee (wearing green over-alls) and caught the pillow before it slammed on his friend's excessively wet face.
"You're so troublesome Naruto…and this is my pillow" He threw it back to Naruto, who dodged it easily as if this routine was nothing new to them.
"Heh."
The door slammed open, revealing two newcomers, and almost hitting Shikamaru's stretched leg on the floor.
"That was fast." Naruto commented, grinning.
The five boys had decided to meet after class at the lobby of Konoha's All Boys Dormitory to hang out. Kiba and Chouji volunteered to buy snacks and drinks while Naruto and Shikamaru were left to heave Lee's lifeless body from the floor, drag him up to the fifth floor (the elevator was broken down) and into Naruto and Shikamaru's room.
"Owe it to Chouji here. Man, you surprised the cashier." Kiba patted Chouji's back good-naturedly and went over to sit on the other bed, all the while grinning mischievously.
Naruto tilted his head to the side, a confused look on his face.
"What do you mean?"
Stuffing more and more chips into his mouth, Chouji looked like he was not in the mood to talk, much less do anything else.
"So what did he do?" Naruto asked, this time looking at Kiba.
Kiba's face broke into another huge grin, his right thumb pointing to three large plastic bags of…
"What the hell! Are we going camping or what!" Naruto jumped from the bed and went over to the bags to rummage their contents.
"Chips…chips…chips again…chips…definitely chips!"
Naruto's face fell.
"They're all chips!" and added in a somewhat distressed voice. "You could have gotten me some ramen, you know. I'm not gonna let you buy the snacks again."
Kiba laid down on his stomach and grinned almost apologetically.
"Sorry Naruto. But the good thing is…" He smiled victoriously.
"…Chouji payed for everything. And that's something." Kiba finished followed by a chuckle.
Naruto dropped the bag he was holding and went back to the bed.
"Yeah, 'coz most of the time, he just eats without paying a cent." Naruto said, meaning Chouji.
"UWAAAHHH!"
Lee's loud shrill filled the room.
"Damn it Lee! Do you want us to get thrown out?" Naruto demanded, matching Lee's voice with his own. He grabbed a pillow and threatened to throw it again at him.
"Stop that Naruto. And please use your own pillow." Shikamaru said pointedly.
Naruto grinned and instead, hugged the pillow to him.
"Okay, what in the world happened to you?"
"…don't tell me you get dumped, thick-eyebrows?" And as if the idea was hilarious, Naruto let out a long, hearty laugh.
And the room went quiet. Even Chouji's chewing died down.
"What? Did I say something…" Naruto paused and swallowed the rest of his words when a tear (a particularly large one) trickled down Lee's face.
"Don't tell me you…" Naruto began.
"Naruto, do us all a favor. Shut up." Shikamaru said and rolled his eyes at him. Naruto scowled back but pursed his lips anyway.
Lee sniffed loudly and cleared his throat as if he wanted to say something. Shikamaru nodded, urging him to go on.
"Why?"
"Huh?" Naruto moved his head closer to hear what Lee was saying, his body leaning on the edge of the bed.
"WHY!" Lee repeated. At that, another tear slipped quietly down his face.
"Why am I so unlucky?"
The three guys (except Chouji, who seemed to be choking on his chips) exchanged bewildered glances.
And suddenly…
"Why in the world are there perfect beings like that UCHIHA SASUKE!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After nineteen minutes, twenty-three packs of chips (fifteen c/o Chouji) and twelve beers…
"So you mean to tell me thick-eyebrows…" Naruto started.
"…you were dumped today by Sakura-chan because she's madly…" His face contorted in disgust at his own choice of word.
"…in love with Uchiha Sasuke?" Naruto finished incredulously.
"Naruto-kun, that was the ninth time already. Do you mind not repeating it again?" Lee sniffed aloud and buried his nose into his green handkerchief.
Naruto scratched his head sheepishly.
"Uhh, sorry thick-eyebrows. I just can't believe it. That's all." He said, apologizing. And as if remembering something, he turned to Chouji, who immediately stuffed his head into the bag as if he didn't want to be part of the conversation at all.
"…and Chouji here was dumped, also today by none other than Ino who's also pinning for Uchiha Sasuke?"
"That's enough, Naruto." Shikamaru said with a stressed voice, as if uttering those few words to Naruto required him a lot of energy. Probably sensing this, Naruto fell quiet.
"Well, Uchiha Sasuke is kind of a celebrity at Konoha High." Kiba broke the silence after a while.
"I heard he even gets scouted as a model every week." Shikamaru said uninterestedly.
"S—Seriously!" Naruto was surprised. He knew Uchiha Sasuke was popular because of his handsome looks, extremely high grades and prominent family name. But to hear that coming from Kiba and Shikamaru gave him quite a shock.
"Hmp. But I heard he doesn't have any friends. A lone wolf they call him", said Kiba.
Before Naruto could ask more about Uchiha Sasuke, Lee suddenly croaked out.
"After I bought these matching rings…"
"Huh?" Naruto looked at Lee's now outstretched hand. Two gold rings with a white stone at the center were gleaming proudly on his palm.
"The Rings?" Naruto's eyes widened.
Lee nodded.
Kiba looked at the rings interestedly.
"The Rings…They're all the rage in our school…"
"…paired rings on the right ring finger means a sign of friendship. Ring on the right middle finger means single and currently seeking…" Kiba paused, eyed the rings meaningfully and continued.
"…and the greatest status of all…To wear matching rings on the left ring finger signifies a couple!"
Knowing this already, Naruto ignored Kiba's dramatic explanation of The Rings and turned to Chouji, who seemed to be choking on his chips again.
"Don't tell me—"
But Shikamaru interrupted just in time.
"Shut up Naruto. Stop saying the obvious."
Naruto stuck out his tongue at him and faced Lee again.
"But aren't you a little exaggerating thick-eyebrows? I mean…buying paired rings already?"
Lee's face fell and this time, Naruto decided to really shut his mouth.
Kiba sniggered and tossed a pack at Naruto.
"Hey, Naruto. I just remembered. You too have a crush on Haruno, right?"
Naruto caught Lee's eyes and saw in there a dangerous gleam he had never seen.
Eh?
Naruto sighed.
"That was a long time ago, dog-boy. I have more important things to think about now." He said simply.
"So why are you still wearing that?" Kiba pointed accusingly at Naruto's ring on his right middle finger.
Naruto touched his ring affectionately.
"I told you. This ring is not a match with Sakura-chan. Not with anyone…"
"…unlike you guys, I wear this ring not because I'm seeking for someone but because this ring means a lot to me…"
"And you still refused to tell us about it." Shikamaru said.
"Heh. That is…" Naruto grinned at him.
"…a secret between me and my ring."
Shimakaru rolled his eyes.
Then suddenly, Chouji stood up, surprising all four boys. With the empty bag of potato chips crumpled mercilessly into a ball in his right hand, he bellowed.
"SCREW YOU UCHIHA SASUKE!"
The whole floor of the all boy's dormitory shook again for the second time that evening.
Naruto shook his head, his ears stinging painfully at the sudden outburst…
…I've only seen Uchiha Sasuke from afar. Although he looks like the loner type like Kiba said, he doesn't seem like a bad person. Not at all…
He looked at Lee and Chouji who seemed to be so into their drinking binge it's kinda scary.
...I pity Lee and Chouji. But I kinda feel for Uchiha Sasuke too. Disliked just for existing…
And with a heavy heart, he joined his friends and grabbed a beer, all thoughts of Uchiha Sasuke forgotten.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next morning in class…
Damn it! Why am I the only one with a headache? It isn't fair…
Naruto placed one hand on his desk to steady himself as he stood up. It was the ten-minute break after their first class of the day and he was already feeling like hell. Shikamaru, who was sitting next to him, eyed him concernedly.
"Oi, Naruto. Not feeling well?"
"Nahh, just a headache. I'll go wash my face." He said, standing, and carefully made his way to the door and out of the room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taking off his ring and placing it on the counter, Naruto looked at his reflection on the mirror.
"Damn, why me?" He said to himself.
It irritated him to see Kiba and Chouji and even Shikamaru perfectly fine while he, who drank only three beers the whole night, was suffering with a headache.
Naruto turned the faucet on and closed his eyes, feeling dizzy again. Placing both hands under the faucet's mouth, he splashed water all over his face. Feeling a little better, he did this a couple more times. It might be because of his dizziness that his hands (full of water) bumped somewhere on the sink. At this, water splattered all over the counter and on the floor. That was when he noticed a presence beside him. Hearing an annoyed grunt, he opened his eyes and started to apologize.
"Sorry man. I…"
His eyes met dark, cold ones.
"Uchiha Sasuke!" Naruto blurted out.
Oooppps!
Clamping both hands over his mouth, his eyes widened at the slip.
"Sorry! I---"
"Hn…" Uchiha Sasuke grunted irritably.
"…are you really that stupid?"
His eyes widened even more.
Stu…stupid?
"Behaving like a child and splashing water carelessly…"He said, scowling.
"You ruined my uniform", he added, glaring at him indifferently.
"Wh—What!" Naruto glared back, offended.
"I already said sorry! What the hell is your problem!"
Uchiha Sasuke stared at him with an unreadable expression.
"Well, your sorry's not going to dry my uniform." He replied coldly, straightening his damp white polo and tie.
What the hell?
Naruto was speechless.
"Next time…" Uchiha Sasuke said slowly.
Is this really that Uchiha Sasuke?
"…wash you face at home." And with another cold glare, he picked something from the counter and sauntered toward the door.
Nartuo clenched his fists.
"WAIT!" He yelled.
He was furious. He couldn't believe he was being talked down so much for a small mistake he did.
And it wasn't that soaked.
To his surprise, Uchiha Sasuke stopped and turned around.
What now?
"I…I…"
I can't lose to this asshole!
"Your attitude!"
"…Isn't your attitude worse than my careless splashing?"
The most popular guy in his school stared back at him with that same cold eyes and haughty attitude.
"And I…I have a name too! UZUMAKI NARUTO! Remember that asshole!"
At his last word, Uchiha Sasuke's eyes widened a bit.
Huh? Didn't expect that?
He resisted the urge to laugh at his face. But to Naruto's surprise, Sasuke's lips suddenly quirked up in a smirk.
"Well…This is for Uzumaki Naruto…"
Seriously?
"…Don't order me around." And before Naruto could retort back, he disappeared through the door.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?"
Snatching his ring from the counter, he glared at the spot Uchiha Sasuke was a moment ago.
"They're all fooled by his looks!"
"That BASTARD!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"RINNNGGGG!"
Naruto remained slumped on his desk.
"Still sick?" He heard Kiba asked.
Slowly lifting his head, he looked at Kiba and Shikamaru, a frown marring his usually cheerful face.
"I don't think I should eat." He said, his frown deepening.
"WHAT!" Kiba cried out, unbelieving.
Shikamaru on the other hand looked like he heard him wrong.
Naruto sighed aloud and buried his face in his arms again.
"I said I'm not eating lunch today…" and to explain himself, he added,
"…I think I'm getting fat."
At that, Shikamaru and Kiba looked like they were seriously going to laugh. Naruto snuck a peak on his friends and…scowled.
"I know now. Don't say it." He scratched the back of his head and grinned embarrassedly.
"Good thing the ring has noticed."
Since Kiba was not usually quiet, Naruto began to eye him a bit worriedly.
"Are you okay?"
"…you look like you're going to throw a fit."
"I might seriously do that…" Kiba mumbled to himself.
Being the genius one it struck Shikamaru that his friend was dead serious and that this was not some prank of his. Keeping a straight face, he swallowed whatever he initially intended to say and instead asked Naruto calmly.
"Who gave you that idea?"
Kiba couldn't take it anymore. He burst out laughing, earning him a glare from Naruto.
"But The Ring! It won't fit!"
Kiba stopped laughing and jerked his head toward Naruto's open palm. A gold ring with a silver center line was lying peacefully there.
"What happened? It looks perfectly fine to me."
"I always wear it on my right middle finger…"
"…but now, it won't fit."
Shikamaru looked at Naruto confusedly.
"But aren't you wearing that ring this morning?"
"Yeah..."
"But you can't get fat in less than a day!" Kiba blurted out.
"I know! But a ring can't shrink either!" Naruto looked sadly at his ring as if he was pleading it to answer him.
"It's strange though…" He mumbled to himself, scratching the back of his head unconsciously.
"…it fits my left ring finger just fine."
Suddenly, the trio became aware of the commotion inside the classroom. Excited giggles and gasps filled the entire room.
"No way!"
"For real!"
"What's happening?" Kiba asked the girls nearest to them.
"UCHIHA SASUKE IS HERE!"
Suddenly, Naruto felt extremely nervous. He could now feel the blood pumping through his veins, rather faster.
He's here… why?
The noise continued to get louder. Even the guys were not able to hide their interest at his sudden appearance. Naruto felt himself shrink lower…and lower into his seat.
"He—He's coming this way!" Kiba suddenly said.
That was the only warning Naruto received before a tall figure loomed over him.
What does he want from me?
"You."
Feeling irritated at being addressed so rudely again, Naruto forgot his initial nervousness and stood up to face him, slamming one hand on his desk brusquely.
"You know, you really piss—"
"Give me back my ring." Uchiha Sasuke interrupted, getting straight to the point.
"R—Ring?" Naruto stared back at him.
His confusion made him forget his anger.
"What are you talking about?"
Uchiha Sasuke lifted his arm and opened his palm before him.
"We switched rings." He said coldly.
Naruto's eyes widened.
"We switched rings?"
He peered at Sasuke's open palm and saw without mistake his precious ring – a gold ring with a silver center line.
Naruto removed his eyes from the ring and looked at the most popular being in Konoha High. For reason he didn't know, he felt his face heat up.
And then it hit him.
"We have the same ring?"
Author's Notes:
Thank you for reading minna-san. Please leave a review and tell me what you think. Just don't flame me, ok?
'Till the next chapter!