Uzumaki Triangle

Author: Ladelle

Rating: M

Comments: I know--it's been a month, and yes, I know that this chapter is very short. I'm trying to crank out Miz Biz though, and as soon as I'm finished there (about 8 chapters left) I will devote my attention to finishing off Uzu Tri. I promise!

But I didn't want you guys to think I gave up...it's just on a wee bit of a delay.

Anywho, here you go.

Chapter 14: Breather

Naruto hadn't spoken to Sasuke for an entire day.

He had gotten up early, trickled out to run errands, and generally jumped at any opportunity to avoid the raven-haired man who was most likely waiting with irritation at his apartment. While a part of him honestly wanted to work things out, and even greater part of him kept reminding him that their relationship was all a ploy.

Naruto grumbled to himself as he sifted through the supermarket aisle, knowing full well that he didn't have any money to spend. He examined the plethora of detergents that lined the wall and let his attention skim over a few stands of candles before he decided that he was completely bored. He contemplated as to why he had decided to distract himself in a supermarket anyway before shuffling to the front lobby and out into the blinding sun.

To add to his already mounting discomfort, it was another blatantly hot day, making his skin curl and bake under the dry and scathing rays. He glanced down at his tan, still dark from his constant outdoor activities from before Konoha Private, and he frowned.

What on earth was happening to him?

After he had broken up with Gaara, he had made a vow. He refused to be uke. He hated being used, he was ashamed to always be so clingy, and on top of those, whenever he was the soft one, it was always his emotions put on the line.

For the most part, he had been able to keep this vow. He had dated randomly, had a few one-nighters, did the whole 'young-and-wild- ordeal—but for some reason, with people he cared about, he always ended up on the bottom. Not just sexually, not metaphorically, but physically and mentally. And right now, as he climbed onto the bus, he knew that history was repeating itself.

He cared about Sasuke, for some reason unknown to him, and he was beginning to become the person that he hated. He was getting jealous and heated over things that didn't matter—at least, not in the long run. He knew that e and Sasuke were just temporary—just until Gaara lost interest and drifted out of town. But while a large portion of him wanted the relationship to be fun and without commitment, and even greater part of him realized that whether he accepted it or not, he was falling for the older boy.

Naruto took a seat near the window and gazed out, noting hw far he had traveled in the span of a day. It was nearing late afternoon and he was really hungry, looking forward to a hot bowl of ramen when he retuned home. His entire trip had brought him somewhat close to his apartment, nearly ten minutes, and he decided to focus on other things to preoccupy his mind.

For instance, the party tonight. He wanted to go. If he didn't, it would be like letting Neji win. Win what, he wasn't sure…But there was something competitive in the Hyuuga's nature and it was something that didn't sit well with him at all. It made him oddly aggressive.

And what he had said. 'They're both mental.'

Naruto secretly wondered if Neji knew. The exact circumstances of why he and Gaara had been separated went far behind a simple homosexual relationship, and aside from Gaara, Naruto, and Gai, few people knew much of anything about it. They had heard about Rock Lee's injury, sure. But how and why—Naruto wasn't even sure if Gai really knew. In fact, Naruto was positive he didn't.

Because if Gai had known what had really happened to that boy, there was no way Naruto would be out on his own, living a carefree life and preparing to inherit his parents trust fund. Gaara as well. It was a secret Naruto intended to never give away, and he prayed to god he would never encounter Rock Lee again and have to explain himself.

The bus swayed to an eager stop and Naruto popped up from him seat, sifting with an absent integrity to the door. He stepped out and followed the familiar two block trek to his home, twisting his keys in the lock with a dejected sigh. When he opened it, his mouth watered.

Food. He smelled food. Good food, too. Something sizzling and something baking, and heaven help the sweet smell of bread that seemed to devour the kitchen as a whole. His house had never smelled like this before and he stood, dumbstruck and jaw wide as he tried to process what was happening. From inside the kitchen Sasuke poked his head out, raising an eyebrow.

"Shut the door. You're letting bugs in."

Naruto snapped back to his senses and closed the front door, locking it out of habit behind him. He drifted forward towards the kitchen, taking a seat on a mismatched barstool that sat adjacent to the nook that Sasuke was bustling about in.

"You're…cooking." Naruto managed, eyeing the masterpiece his roommate had created. The counter was covered in evidence of chopped vegetables and mixed spices.

"You're hungry, right?" Sasuke's voice sounded dark.

Naruto paused before he answered, wondering if Sasuke was angry with him. He had been pretty distant and he had also disappeared all day. But then again, it was difficult to tell what Sasuke really did care about, if anything.

"I'm hungry. But you…I swear you're related to Martha Stewart."

Naruto extended a finger to the counter and located a sliver of carrot which he promptly placed in his mouth. Sasuke turned his back to him and fumbled with a skillet, drawing a few loud hisses and an even more pungent array of delicious and intoxicating smells.

"What are you making?" Naruto asked, and Sasuke turned only slightly.

"Stir fry."

Naruto quipped. "Can I help with anything?" He felt a little useless sitting and staring. From in front of him, Sasuke nodded.

"Drain the rice." The Uchiha motioned towards a large ceramic rice cooker, and Naruto leapt up to accommodate it. He squeezed passed Sasuke and ended up near the sink, drained the grains and poked a wooden spoon into the concoction in an attempt to loosen the clumps. He heard Sasuke turn off the stove and the sizzling die down and he swallowed hard. If he was hungry before, now he was starving.

Sasuke ushered him out, Naruto's kitchen fairly crowded with two people. The raven set out some plates and served them, not once glancing up at the blonde. Naruto was positive that Sasuke was irritated with him, but he decided to eat before confronting that topic. Unfortunately, Sasuke had other intentions.

"Are you done being an idiot?" He said smoothly, as he handed a plate to Naruto. Naruto took it willingly, licking his lips at the scent further assaulted his nose. He followed Sasuke to the couch where they both sat, a scowl replacing the look of grateful wonder on his face.

"I'm not an idiot." He said before plucking a piece of chicken from his plate and into his mouth. "You were being a jerk."

Sasuke snorted and ate a few bites off of his dish before replying. "Neji has always been like that."

Naruto frowned. In his opinion, it was obvious that Neji had a crush on Sasuke. Was Sasuke really that blind?

"He likes you." Naruto stated before spooning another thick portion into his mouth. Sasuke didn't seem phased, which made Naruto roll his eyes.

"I want to go to the party tonight." Naruto said, and Sasuke shook his head.

"I don't think it's a good idea. Neji will be there."

Naruto groaned. "So now think I can't be around him?"

Sasuke nodded although he clarified Naruto's statement. "There will probably be games…and if you get jealous like yesterday…"

Naruto stood up, swallowed, and shook his empty plate for emphasis.

"I did not get jealous! He was a jerk!" He stalked to the kitchen and set his plate on the counter, breathing hard. Just what did Sasuke think of him anyway?

"Besides, "Sasuke said from the living room, "It's not Neji's fault he got a rise out of you. You let people do it…I'm assuming that's what happened with Gaara."

Naruto almost broke his plate into two before he stormed out into the living area.

"How dare you." He spat. "How dare you even act like you know anything about him and I!"

Sasuke looked slightly surprised, as if maybe a part of him regretted what he had said. But Naruto glared down at him, his eyes tight and narrowed. After a moment, his anger flexed and he relaxed.

"You shouldn't have said that." Naruto said, and Sasuke stood up to bring his plate to the kitchen.

"You're right. I'm sorry." There was a brief moment of quiet before Naruto wandered to his room.

"I'm going to the party." He stated with a forced enthusiasm. He didn't want to be pent up all night at home, even if it meant chancing an encounter with Neji. He changed into an ironed pair of jeans and an attractive and comfortable black shirt before wandering back out, surprised to see Sasuke had already managed to clean most of the dishes.

Sasuke seemed to glare at him momentarily and Naruto sighed. "What are you upset about?"

Sasuke turned off the water to the sink and dried his hands on a towel, setting it idly to the side of the refrigerator. He glanced at Naruto and licked his lips.

"You never apologized."

Naruto rasied an eyebrow. "For what?"

Sasuke looked irritated. "For being retarded and making me worry about you."

Naruto felt his chest tighten and he flushed, not able to maintain eye contact with the older boy.

"You weren't worried about me." He said, positive that what Sasuke was truly mad about was that Naruto had been distant.

"Yes," Sasuke said in a low voice, "I was." The Uchiha wandered closer to Naruto and the blonde found himself backed up against the kitchen counter. Sasuke pressed himself closer, until they were only inches apart, and Naruto peered up, fully aware that his bright blue eyes were wide and inquisitive. Sasuke's lips hovered over Naruto's and he bit back a needing gasp, feeling the heat of arousal escape from his parted lips. Sasuke stared down at him with half-lidded eyes, but only momentarily before pulling away and returning to his task of cleaning the kitchen. Naruto frowned.

"That was anti-climactic." He deadpanned.

Sasuke shrugged. "You said you wanted to go to the party. If I get started on you, we won't have time."

Naruto blushed, immediately realizing that he had almost, ina very subtle way, given himself up for Sasuke's favor in the bet. He frowned—could he really hold out against Sasuke?

"Besides, "Sasuke said, "I'm sure by the end of tonight we'll both have had our fair share of fun."

Sasuke ushered himself out of the kitchen and went to go change clothes, leaving Naruto wondering just what he had meant.

After all, just what kind of party was this anyway?

A/N--> So, yeah. Next chapter is party time. If I were to make a guess...I would say this chapter should be up in a couple weeks...maybe three.

Thank you for all of your reviews!