Chapter 12 Too much for the wait

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And they all say patience is a virtue.

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Naruto woke up feeling a slight pain in the stomach and a bit of dizziness. The blond disorientedly went to his bedroom only to be faced with the clock and how he's going to be late had he not woke up earlier.

"shit"

Wasting no time, Naruto rushed to get ready for school... in a bad mood.

...

The bell rang and still no Naruto can be found in the school grounds. Sasuke sat in his usual chair, the one beside him – empty. He half hoped Naruto would be absent for today, fuck, he doesn't know how to face his best friend after all the mess he did or they did... or HE did. Actually, he secretly thought that Naruto did not really do anything to mess things up he was the one constantly messing up things. Avoiding the issue and goin all moody and stuff. He felt kind of guilty... but hey it doesn't mean he's the only one to blame. Naruto started it all…

Sasuke's train of thoughts were distracted as he heard Naruto's chair being pulled back indicating that yes, the blond has arrived. Sasuke tilted his head a bit just to take a peek at Naruto. Naruto on the other hand is silently, as if on low profile, arranged his things and sat down quietly.

Once Naruto was settled on his chair, he glanced at Sasuke and was a bit surprised to see Sasuke looking back at him. Their gazes lock for a few seconds, emotionless – just innocent staring.

"Yo" Naruto said and smiled mechanically before looking in front and listen to the teacher. Sasuke then looked in front, not knowing what to think. He just knew something's up with the blond for him to act way too discreet, and he just knew that Naruto will have no intentions of bringing it up with him, AND he just knew that today Naruto will be unusually cold for his liking.

…

If there's one thing that Naruto was grateful for that day, it's the pile of unchecked papers in front of him. Mr. Iruka had a handful of things to do and Naruto is just so grateful to do his student teachers job and check students test papers. And besides it will be the best reason not to spend time with Sasuke. A valid reason at that – not that he's thinking Sasuke would invite him for lunch... just playing safe.

Naruto quietly checked the papers despite the fact thhat his thoughts are making a chaotic marching band tricks about leaving the country. He is still yet to call his mother to check whether she's alright and the story about his grandfather's death. Thinking about it makes him teary and sad.

He stopped writing for a moment and stared at the test paper in front of him. He massaged his temples cradled his head between his hands. His eyes are damp from unshed tears.

"oh god, I hate this"

Tears rolled on his cheeks and for a moment he allowed himself to grieve for his lost grandfather. Naruto felt emptiness in his heart as he recalled the times when he was with him. The old man was very supportive of him in everything he does. And Naruto loves him just as much as his late father.

"Take care, old man, be good to the angels you pervert."

Naruto whispered as he closed his eyes. He wiped his tears with the back of his hands and continued checking the papers.

...

The bell rang - lunch time's over.

Naruto gathered his things and left the library. He went to the faculty room to hand in half of the checked papers to Mr. Iruka, yet the teacher doesn't seem to be around so he left the papers, properly labeled on the table. As he was about to exit the faculty room, he saw Mr. Iruka coming.

"Mr. Iruka, I already finished half of the –" Naruto was cut short as the older man hugged him caringly.

"You can hand in the rest of the papers to me Naruto if you want... so you can go home early today..." Mr. Iruka smiled at his student as if he was his son.

"But..."

"Don't overwork yourself Uzumaki. I heard about your grandfather..." It was followed by silence from both of them.

Iruka heard from the principal about the death of Naruto's grandfather. Tsunade is also a bit touchy about the subject. Naruto's grandfather and Tsunade are really good friends.

"Can i bring the papers home? I'll give them to you tomorrow morning, I promise" Naruto said breaking the silence.

Knowing Naruto, he wants to keep himself busy to avoid thinking too much about the incident.

"Okay" Iruka said hugging the blond once again.

...

Sasuke observed Naruto in class. And if there's something that's off, it's definitely Naruto's smile. Something is bothering his best friend and somehow it's killing him not knowing the reason behind Naruto's behavior. Forget about his freakin' pride but he's going to approach the blond at dismissal.

The bell rang once again – dismissal time.

The only thing that Sasuke has to do is go to the blond and walk him home.

Easier said than done.

Just as Sasuke is about to approach Naruto – Naruto is nowhere to be found.

"Hey Naruto!" Someone called – It was Kiba. Sasuke let out a sigh of relief. Sure the blond can't get away that easily right?

Sasuke gathered his things and went straight to the door when –

"Sasuke" Their homeroom teacher called him.

He hesitantly went to the teacher's table.

"Yes sir?"

"Checking your class standing since your first year in high school, you are one of the candidates for being a valedictorian of your batch" Sasuke can't help but smile at that.

"Thank you Sir"

"Just keep track of your grades; your batch is quite competitive"

"Yes sir"

"Okay, you may go"

Sasuke breathed deeply and calmed himself as he took in what their teacher just said. Half of the students were gone from the classroom; the only one's left were the ones assigned to clean the room.

He better hurry up and tell Naruto this good news.

"Beat that Naruto" He said to himself as he makes his way to his locker.

On his way to the locker room he almost bumped into Hatake Kakashi.

"Hi there Sasuke, why in such a hurry?" Kakashi smiled at Sasuke.

"I'm sorry sir" Sasuke apologized and both started to walk.

"Naruto's grandfather died, maybe you need to cheer him up a little, he seems sad…" Kakashi said as he walked away.

Sasuke stopped walking and turned to Kakashi, who is walking away. As realization struck him he wasted no time and made his way to Naruto's condo while silently cursing his best friend for not telling it to him.

…

Naruto ended the call and went straight to the bathroom. Just right now, he was talking to his mother about the old man's death. It was because of cardiac arrest. He smiled sadly

"Your hobbies led you to your death pervert"

The water from the shower calmed his nerves and eased his tensed body. Closing his eyes, he recalled everything that his mother said on the phone, and the things he promised her.

"It's time to grow up Naruto, hope I won't regret this…"

Sasuke's smile flashed amidst Naruto's thoughts randomly.

"Aww man… don't you ever leave my thoughts?" Naruto said as he increased the water pressure from the shower.

Sasuke made his way to Naruto's condo building and hopped in the elevator – 15th floor. He slowly walked through the floor and looked at the numbers on each doors even though he knows, even when blindfolded, where Naruto's unit is. It's like his second home. Sasuke stood in front of the door numbered 1510. And anxiously opened the door – old habits don't die easily, so as Naruto's habit of leaving the door unlocked signaling that he's home.

The moment Sasuke entered the room; Naruto went out the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist.

OH MY GOD went Sasuke's mind – OH SHIT went Naruto's.

And this is where you picture both of them with shocked facial expressions and wide eyes.

Perfect timing isn't it?

"I told you to lock your door" Sasuke closed the door and locked it, making his way to Naruto's couch.

"Well, ever heard of this one new thing called KNOCKING? You should try it" Naruto dried his hair with a smaller towel and went to his room to get dressed.

Sasuke looked at Naruto's open bedroom door and silently watched his best friend put on some clothes. Call him a pervert but that's the way it is with them. Habits don't die easily. At least they get a chance to compare who has a better body.

Once dressed, Naruto went to the kitchen to prepare something to eat – he's starving.

"You ate already?" Naruto asked awkwardly.

"You never ask me that…BUT go ahead I already ate…" Sasuke continued to stare.

Naruto started to get awkward with Sasuke, he never stares that long… it's just kinda freaky…

Naruto ate his dinner silently, no one is talking and the air has a heavy feel in it.

Sasuke stood up from the couch and went behind Naruto. The dark haired boy picked up the small towel on the small side table and started drying Naruto's hair.

"What are you doing Sasuke." Naruto emphasized every word, for he is supposed to be mad at Sasuke right now.

"Drying your hair, obviously" Sasuke smirked at that.

"You're impossible" Naruto stopped eating; he just stared into the space in front of him.

"I heard about your grandfather…" Sasuke continued to massage Naruto's scalp.

"That's expected, he's old, and his heart can't keep up with his pervy hobbies…" The blond bowed his head and closed his eyes feeling the calming sensation in his head.

"You called last night" Sasuke started.

Naruto's blood boiled at that.

"And you didn't answer bastard" Naruto almost shouted. Sasuke remained silent.

The blond sighed "I'm just frustrated, I'm sorry"

"I called you back" Sasuke said and covered Naruto's face with the damp towel making Naruto struggle.

"MWHAWT MAWR NYU NOIN NANUKEE!" Naruto said through the damp towel, and Sasuke laughed.

The dark haired boy let go of the towel and he continued to laugh heartily; Sasuke felt so at ease at that moment, he missed laughing like this, god, it even makes him want to tickle Naruto or mock him more and tease him more.

Naruto glared at his laughing best friend. Sasuke. Sasuke and how he laughs beautifully, and all he did was to talk through a damned damp towel. Naruto grabbed Sasuke's wrist and pulled him close.

"Why are you glaring at me Naruto-kun?"

"God, Sasuke you're making me crazy"

"Well, I better tie you up in a straight ja-" Sasuke stopped talking as he felt warm air from Naruto's nose…or how close they actually are, or how he's almost straddling his best friend and how he wanted to lean in... Sasuke slowly leaned into Naruto…

"GOTCHA!" Naruto laughed and Sasuke furiously turned his head away.

"I knew it you wanted to kiss me! HAHAHA! One point UCHIHA!" Naruto laughed hard and it makes Sasuke want to burry the IDIOT alive!

Sasuke hastily went to the couch and picked up his bag, ready to leave.

"HEY! Sasuke wait! Sasuke!" Naruto stopped Sasuke by hugging him from behind.

DAMN everything I like him so much Naruto's mind chanted over and over again.

"Don't leave so soon…"

Naruto turned Sasuke around and looked into his eyes.

"You want one right?"

Sasuke looked at Naruto puzzled. Naruto just smiled and kissed him on his cheeks.

"Satisfied?" Naruto asked, Sasuke raised his brow.

Naruto laughed and kissed him on his nose…

"That's goin' to be the last one, I promise" Naruto said and Sasuke smirked.

Naruto's face became serious as he came closer to Sasuke…

"You're making me fucking crazy…"

Naruto kissed Sasuke.

Forget the unchecked papers – Naruto's going to cram it tomorrow morning.

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