Title: When in Venice
Author: SilverWyrm / Adi
Characters: Naruto, Sasuke
Genre: AU, Romance
Status: Multi-chapter, Complete
Word count: ~12K overall
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: All characters and settings are property of Masashi Kishimoto. I am in no way associated with the owner and no copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: Written for hina88 who works to me to the bone -__- Something a little different from my usual style, but I hope you enjoy all the same

Sasuke glanced around his dorm room. The walls were void of posters, the desk empty of textbooks and the bed bare. It didn't look all that different from when it had been occupied by the university student. He took the minimalist approach when it came to his personal surroundings. A suitcase stood by the door, key already in, but the owner stood a few feet away. His feet led him back to the bed, and Sasuke lay back down on the stripped mattress. Arms folded to support his head as his gaze traced the lines of the ceiling. Outside, as was typical of England, grey clouds hung in the sky giving neither sign of rain nor sunshine.

He felt dissatisfaction curl in his stomach. University had finished for his second year and he felt displaced. Flashes of the year floated through his mind, but no one memory stuck in his thoughts. It had all just seemed squashed and muddled together to add to the mundane that was the life of Uchiha Sasuke. He had felt excitement run through his blood, hot and intoxicating with the thoughts of a fresh start of doing what he wanted. But it hadn't happened. University had felt much like college and school had. Nothing that challenged him and brought sparks to dull eyes.

Sasuke twisted to lie on his stomach, one arm extended out so that a hand could trail the wooden floor. His fingertips brushed against something and he reached a little further to pull it out from beneath the bed. Bringing it out, he stared at the magazine. Pulling himself up into a sitting position he opened it. Lewd photos of nude men lay before him and still nothing stirred within him. He had known long ago that women and their frivolities were not for him. Their soft curves had never appealed. The idea that perhaps he was attracted to the other gender hadn't phased Sasuke, society and all its falseness rarely affected him. But as it turned out he only held a mild appreciation for the male anatomy. It still didn't seem enough.

In another part of the world, where the heat was barely bearable and sounds filled the streets of Venice, Naruto Uzumaki sat in a similar position on the lumpy bed of a youth hostel. The room wasn't as quiet though. It was filled with laughter and shouts. Along the rows of beds sat a group of backpackers he had joined a while back, their voices echoing in his ears. They were packing up to move on to a new place, Naruto however was returning home.

He flicked through all his photos, trying to recall the memories associated with each one. He smiled at the picture of him with his arm wrapped around a beautiful brunette whom he had insisted on taking a picture with because she had given him directions. He was surprised that stink marks couldn't be made out as Naruto had been wearing three day old clothes at the time. Naruto traced the lines of his birthmarks on the photo. Three symmetrical curves that were stretched across each cheek. It was as if the god that had created him had run fingers from cheek to jaw, marking him as he shaped the child's life even before it was born.

It would be his last night here in Venice, his last night before returning to a home he didn't know if he had anymore. Naruto's insides coiled in an unpleasant sensation at the reminder of his last face to face with his 'father'. This being the man who had taken Naruto in only for the child support and benefits he could scrounge out of the government. Money, which he had taken happily to gamble and piss away his life and just as much, if not more, Naruto's life.

Naruto shook his head as melancholy threatened to set upon him. Traveling for two years, doing odd jobs to pay his way had been like an endless adventure for him. He had shoved his past as far back into the deep recesses of his mind, intent upon doing better, showing everyone his worth.

Things had played out a little differently though.

Two years of fun and games until reality had been brought up short on him. The university he had applied to had deferred his entry too long and had queried if he was actually interested at all in attending. It hadn't actually meant to happen this way. All he had wanted was to get away for a little while, earn some cash and then go get his degree. Still, Naruto wasn't one to be left behind, he'd catch up to the world, and then some.

A knock sounded on the door causing Sasuke to jerk his head up and shove the magazine that had slipped out of his grip under his pillow. The knock came again and he felt apathetic-ness washed over him. He didn't want to go on this trip. If he just stayed here one more week. If he didn't answer the door. Could he honestly tell himself that he cared? His unemotional state wasn't an unusual aspect to Sasuke's personality but lately it had reached to the point where not much mattered anymore.

"Sasuke."

His eyes narrowed.

Neji stood in his room. Sasuke looked at the other man. They weren't so different but he couldn't see the same apathy in the white eyes, what was it that made Neji different from him?

Sasuke made contact with another pair of white eyes that belonged to the girl standing nervously by the door.

"S- Sasuke the others want to know if you're coming or not," Hinata spoke, eyes trained on the floor, but Sasuke's eyes remained on Neji. So much was Neji like him. Similar background, similar education, similar features, everything was similar. But not the same. Neji's eyes contained a certain softness.

He inclined his head in answer, indicating his small suitcase standing to the side, stamped with the Uchiha emblem.

"Naruto….Naruuutooo," a hand waved in front of his face as someone else bent to pick up the photo that had slipped from his grip.

Naruto glanced up with a bright grin plastered across his face. Usually he wasn't one to hide his emotions but he didn't see the need in burdening his friends with whatever was inside of him that had broken a long time ago and he had given up on fixing.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

Naruto blinked up into earnest brown eyes, trying not to convey the longing he had to take up his friend's offer. He wanted to see so much more of the world. Kiba stood before him with an easy smile, anticipation for their new destination apparent in his eyes. Naruto's mouth shifted into pout mode. He did want to go. So badly. He wanted to travel, always. Life should always be like this, one endless adventure. However Naruto understood that there was more to being alive than following his own desires.

"I can't," a dramatic sigh escaped his mouth as he grabbed back the photo, hugging the brief love of his life to his chest. "You know how it is…"

He received a nod, they did understand, but they weren't finished running away just yet.

"Will you come see us off?" Another friend joined them, running fingers lightly over Naruto's bare shoulder along his bicep. Naruto shivered at the touch, his spine straightening. At least there were some things he wouldn't miss. Sai blinked at him, while reaching over him to pluck another photo out of the pile. A pale abdomen fully contacted with his and he glared in the Sai's direction. Sai never knew when to give up. Naruto glared at the taut stomach now directly in his line of sight, the firm muscles seemed to flex and relax in a hypnotizing dance.

"Move out of the way Sai," Naruto growled, he could just feel another penis joke coming on.

He looked up the exposed abs, over the 'top' the other man wore into blank unreadable eyes. It was unusual for Naruto to dislike the attention of anyone despite their gender, but with Sai it was understandable. He held no emotion in his vacant black eyes that otherwise would have been striking. However Naruto couldn't see the person inside, if there was one, and so he had no care for Sai's exterior.

"I was hoping you would show me yours if I showed you mine," Sai's smile, as usual, failed to reach his eyes.

Naruto's outburst about just where Sai could shove 'his' was cut off as Kiba intervened at that point, shoving Sai out of the way, "Now now ladies, no cat fighting 'kay?" He bared his teeth in a wide grin. "Naruto, you'll come see us off right?

Naruto nodded while keeping a careful eye out for Sai's hands. It would take up the better part of his morning going to the airport with them, but he would because he wanted to give them proper goodbyes and if he were honest, he was a little reluctant to let them go and be alone once again.

Sasuke took a deep breath and exhaled. He was already regretting going on this trip and it had barely begun. They had managed to make the 9:15 train to Heathrow airport and were now seated. His arm was placed at an uncomfortable position on the armrest and his eyebrows were furrowed in a small frown. From his window seat, Sasuke could make out the rest of the world flashing by at a slight angle. The corner of his eye would pick out some random object before it was whisked away from his vision, too soon for his mind comprehend what it was. He wasn't particularly interested in the people seated around him; he was starting to get that butterfly feeling again. The strange sensation of starting something new and that maybe this time it would be different.

He closed his eyes to the world, letting the light dapple across his face before it was again swallowed up by the dim sun.

Sakura and Ino sat across from him, talking loudly in the way that girls often do. He felt no need to listen to what they were bickering about. He had noticed they were often like that. Constantly arguing but more often than not, it was light-hearted. They were together in the sense of best friends, but they shared a connection that was shown with the way they knew what the other was the thinking.

His shoulders rubbed uncomfortably on the rough cloth of his seat as dissatisfaction clawed at his insides. He could have had either of them. Ino had been throwing herself at him for the better part of the year, and she often still did in her irritating flirtatious way. Sakura was different. She was more subtle and had even managed to worm her way into his heart. Not in the way she had wanted of course. But he did care for her in his own Sasuke-way. They had been friends since they were in primary school after all. Sasuke knew that she still had residual feelings for him, and he wondered if they would ever go away. Not that he would do anything about them. Sakura had bought it on herself, and she would just have to deal with them herself.

Sakura caught him watching them and offered a tentative smile before turning back to Ino.

This is a Great Western Train to Heathrow Airport, please have your tickets ready for inspection.

The robotic female voice greeted them from the speakers somewhere above as a ticket inspector walked down the aisle. Everyone began fumbling for their ticket. Sasuke could hear a loud woman arguing with the conductor over the validity of her ticket and imagined her to be plump and well dressed, a typical upper-class woman.

Moments later he was having the same problem.

"Scan it again." He was growing irritated now; this was the fifth time the man standing to this side of his seat was scanning the electronic blue travel card. The conductor wasn't exactly happy either.

"Look mate, it don't scan. You'll need to pay a fine." His northern accent did little to soothe Sasuke's nerves.

"I topped it up this morning. Scan it again." Sasuke gritted out.

A second conductor joined them and the Uchiha's eye twitched.

"Here." Neji handed across a crisp twenty, his face perpetually calm as he eyed the Uchiha.

Sasuke's dark eyes exchanged a look with Neji's white observant ones as he turned back to the window, to watch the world speed by again.

Naruto was eyeing the back of the water bus. He was trying to decide whether whisking one of the girls into his arms and holding them out Titanic style was a good idea. It was decided for him as the boat lurched slightly causing the contents of his stomach to lurch with it. Not the most pleasant of feelings. Naruto wasn't one to get seasick, however the way the water-bus driver was turning corners at alarming speeds, even the most iron strong stomachs were tested for their durability.

The weather remained hot, though the warm breeze would be whipped away as soon it touched his skin and the sky still held it strong bright blue. The suns near blinding rays were high in the centre of the vast blueness and Naruto's hand reached up towards it. It still fascinated him how it could be so far away and yet appear so close.

He bent over the side of the boat and watched with rapt attention at the mesmerising way the foam of the white water was created and then trickled away over the blue of the sea. Rough fingers held onto the railings as his body leaned further and further out, his nose inhaling the scent of salt. He breathed deep and closed his eyes to the world. The light danced on his eyelids, making what he could see an orange red mesh of colour.

He was disturbed from the emptiness of his thoughts by a finger tapping at his shoulder; he turned around to squint at the person, the sun making it difficult to get a good look. A disgruntled looking man stood there. Naruto took in his appearance, skin a dark leather colour and texture and the pathetic attempt at a comb over did little to block the reflection of light from his balding head. Naruto smiled broadly at the old man who was looking at him expectantly. The smile turned a little hesitant as the stranger held out a hand, the palm face up and spoke a sentence in barking Italian.

"Erm…" He looked uncertainly around for some form of help while his hand twitched, quite tempted to slap the other man's palm in the semblance of a high-five.

He scrunched up his face as the man spoke louder and slower, but still very much in Italian. He watched the mouth form shapes, leaning closer. The confused look remained on his face, eyebrows drawn together and lips turned down on one side.

The man spoke louder again, more demanding.

"I … uh…"

"He's just asking for your ticket, Naruto."

Sai had materialised at his side, standing a little too close, his unnaturally pale skin seeming sickly in the brightness.

"I knew that!" Naruto growled, hands fumbling to reach into his pockets, fingers moving deep into his loose cargo pants.

"Of course you did," Sai smiled agreeably before turning to the increasingly agitated ticket conductor and speaking in fluent Italian. Naruto's eye twitched in Sai's direction as his hands continued to grope all over his body. Another growl of irritation escaped past his lips as Sai turned his dark eyes back on him, smile steadily in place as he watched Naruto grow more uncomfortable.

Naruto grumbled about twisted perverts eye raping him as he continued to search his person. After a while of emptying out everything in his pockets and getting high strung about his missing ticket, he seriously contemplated jumping ship. But there was no escape route and so his mini fantasy of rowing away while giving the middle finger to the ticket conductor died a quick death.

Sai continued smiling as he reached around Naruto, bending to pick up the slip of paper lying innocently on the wooden floor. "So inattentive, Naruto." The side of his bared stomach brushed against the Naruto's leg.

Sai handed the ticket to the conductor, his eyes closed, and lips quirked in that odd smile of his. Naruto stared a little longer. He sighed and shook his head, spikes messily falling to frame suddenly tired eyes. Things that looked right on paper didn't always translate very well to real life.

He turned his back on Sai in favour of watching the vastness of the sea shift, form and lose shape.

The rest of the journey had been relatively trouble free. They had been a little pushed for time since Ino had so much luggage with her. It had taken a lot of talking from Ino at Sasuke and Neji to get them to help. Finding a trolley for her had saved time, though when she had decided to sit on top of it and expected to be pushed around, Sakura, Neji and Sasuke had just walked off, leaving Hinata to look around apprehensively.

During the flight, little of interest had occurred, seated next to Neji. The two had passed the time in silence. Neji with his book and Sasuke with his headphones. Sakura and Ino had tried to engage them in conversation but had eventually given up. Ino attracted Neji's attention by talking about the best way to increase Hinata's sex appeal.

It was only once they had reached their destination that problems had arisen. Ino couldn't find her passport, and then some of her suitcases hadn't turned up. Sasuke had been all but ready to strangle the girl, but his solution had to be to turn up the volume of his iPod and block out all sounds of the airport. He had read the signs printed in three languages and gone in search of coffee.

He was now standing a few yards away, coffee in hand, and the other raking his through his hair as he tried to figure out which direction he had come from. His eyes wandered from the screens hung above showing the destination and arrival times of the different flights. He scanned the area and his eyes settled on a group of young travelers. They laughed easily, and one young man seemed to be the centre of their attention.

Sasuke's eyes trailed the view of a blond man who held everyone's interest from behind, and his eyebrow quirked upwards as he felt a warm sensation in the pit of his stomach. Tanned skin suited the black wife beater well, and he could just make out the definition of muscle along the arms. Sasuke's grip on his coffee cup loosened slightly as the blond wrapped his arms around one person and then the next.

One of the girls stood on tip toe to kiss the blond on the cheek. The man then moved on to a tall pale-skinned guy, hesitantly moving into his personal space. Sasuke's eyes continued to stare, intruding on their moment.

As the blond stepped back Sasuke got a full view of his wide disconcerting blue eyes as he glanced in the Uchiha's direction.

It felt like the world had gone on mute.

Naruto slouched down in his chair, arms spreading out either side of the rests and his butt half off the chair. They were sitting at the airport now. The cheap flight that Kiba had supposedly scored at a 'really sweet deal' had been delayed by four hours.

Three of those hours had already been eaten up with various activities. The first had involved teaming up with Kiba to yell at a range of authorities. Once they had been threatened with the police, or what Kiba had insisted was the Italian Mafia they had quieted for a while.

He had spent a significant amount of time glaring at Sai. Sai hadn't done anything in particular, but for some irrational reason he pissed Naruto off. It could have been something to do with the constant digs at his supposed lack of penis, accompanied by drawing pictures of Naruto. Naked. Sans penis. Naruto didn't want to know how Sai managed to do such an accurate sketch of his anatomy.

The remainder of the time he had been whining about his empty belly. It didn't have to be ramen; it could have been anything just to stop his stomach chewing on his liver. The airport did have restaurants and fast food places but Naruto's cash was low and he needed most of it to get back to hostel that night.

Naruto was now people-watching. He found, that if people didn't think anyone was watching, they did the oddest things, even in public. Nose-pickers so far had totaled twelve. People got itches in weird places too. The airport was busy and no one noticed the blue-eyed observer drinking in the atmosphere.

"Naruto, it's getting late now, don't you wanna head back? It shouldn't be too long now." Kiba shook Naruto out of his thoughts by hitting him in the face with a packet of crisps.

Naruto slouched down even further in his seat and stared up at the ceiling high above.

"Do you guys have to go? You know Prague won't be any fun without me!" And their argument began once again. Why Naruto should go with them, who needed university anyway? Life was too short, etc, etc. Naruto shook his head. He needed to be better, he needed more. It wasn't worth it otherwise.

He said his goodbyes. Rounds of slapping him on the back, wishing him luck, and even a few kisses on the cheek had Naruto beaming. When it came to saying goodbye to Sai though he approached him with caution.

Sai smiled at him brightly and held his arms out open and Naruto gulped a little. He stepped into the embrace, his arms sliding across Sai's sides who pulled his pale limbs up over Naruto's shoulders. His fingers brushed against the warm skin of his lower back and he quickly pulled his hands upwards to a more danger-free zone. It didn't seem so bad.

He looked up as he released Sai and over his shoulder he looked into a pair of dark eyes he hadn't known were trained directly on him.