"Excuse me, Ms. Kesshō?"
Startled by the deep thunderous voice the orchid harried woman turned around and immediately took an extended look up. "Y-yes?"
Naruto began to extend a hand to the woman. "Sorry to interrupt I just wanted-"
Naruto dropped his hand as he was cut off by a loud raspy voice that was strangely delicate. "Mom!"
Running towards them in a white and black tuxedo was a young teenage boy. The teen had long sandy hair with shaggy bangs that nearly obscured his vision. His eyes were a striking fuchsia that easily stood out against his fair complexion. There was a certain kindness that permeated from the teen that Naruto found himself smiling at under his mask.
"Yūkimaru stop shouting, you weren't raised in a barn," Guren half heartedly scolded the teen while sending apologetic glances to all who were disrupted by her son's antics. The classical music may have been loud but her sons voice far surpasses the beautiful melody.
"Sorry mom, I was just excited," the teen rubbed his neck and chuckled sheepishly before turning towards Naruto with a beaming smile. "You're Kurama! My friends and I love your music!"
Naruto chuckled at the teen rambunctious ramblings but Guren found the bombarding rude. "Yūki! I'm sure this man doesn't need you pestering him."
"But mom," Yūki began to whine as his posture slouched.
"It's fine really," Naruto's smile was reflected in his voice. He rather enjoyed the teens enthusiasm.
"Still, I'm sure you don't like getting bothered everywhere you go," Guren's voice was empathetic. She couldn't imagine the pester the man endure on the daily.
Naruto waves his hands slightly. "It's really not a bother." Looking from Guren to Yūkimaru he extended his hand and winked. "Nice to meet you Yūkimaru,"
The teen met his hand with an enthusiastic shake. "So cool. Totally worth coming."
"Yūki..." Guren began. They were now receiving some less than kind glares.
"Mom, come on!" the teen gave the typical "I'm too cool for parents" groan.
"These people may be..." the women tried to think of a polite label.
"Snobs?" Yūki deadpanned. A few more disgruntled looks were shot at them from some of the "snobs" in earshot. They had clearly taken offense, not that the teen cared.
"Ornate." Guren substituted a much kinder word as she glared at her son. "They may be different from us but they have raised a lot of money to help abuse victims. So be nice."
Naruto's voice came out hushed. "I mean, he's not wrong." All Naruto really wanted to do was laugh, because the kid was right. They may have put on a good show but the truth of the matter was most of the people who attended only cared about how many zeros their bank accounts held.
The woman turned her glare on the fox. "Doesn't that include you Mr. Famous?"
The blond released a light hearted chuckle. "Nah, truth be told, I only agreed to attend this gala for you...for Hope for Tomorrow."
"Oh?" Guren couldn't hide her surprise. She hadn't expected anyone to be interested in Hope for Tomorrow aside from the tax write off. Though that was something she kept to herself.
Yūkimaru was practically vibrating with amazement. "No way, you wanted to see my mom? So cool!"
Naruto looked at Guren and spoke softly. "I think what you're doing is amazing. I'd actually like to set up a meeting with you to have a discussion about it if you'd be up for it?"
The woman narrowed her eyes at the man skeptically. "You want to become a sponsor?"
"Maybe," Naruto shrugged.
She raised an unimpressed eyebrow at him. "Maybe?"
Naruto dug into his pocket and withdrew an obviously prepared card. "This is my personal number. If you want that meeting you can call or text me."
Guren took the card hesitantly and examined it carefully. She looked up at the fox man with furrowed brows. "Aren't you afraid I'm going to leak this?"
Yūkimaru was trying to keep his cool while he attempted to wrap his head around the fact that his idol wanted to have a meeting with his mom. Now his mom was getting Kurama's personal number, no fucking way! That shit just doesn't happen, he had to be dreaming.
Naruto's crimson eyes gleamed as he tilted his head to the side. "Call it a show of good faith."
Yūkimaru's eyes were dazed as he mumbled barely louder than a whisper. "No way..."
Naruto smirked under his mask at the teen. "If you don't bug your mom for that, you're invited too if she agrees."
The teens head whipped up faster than light speed. "Really? You mean it?"
Naruto nodded. "Of course."
Guren frowned. "Don't bribe my son."
The teen looked at his mom with pleading hands. "Come on mom! This is the coolest thing that's ever happened to me!"
The orchis haired women let out a suffering sigh. "I'll think about it."
The teen huffed. "Fine."
The mother rolled her eyes teasingly. "So glad I have your approval."
Yūki pursed his lips and looked at his idol in an equally teasing manner. "See what I have to deal with?"
Naruto shook his head fondly. "I think you could do worse."
"Really? That's the best you could do?" Guren feigned offence.
Naruto chuckled deeply. "I'll be sure to think of something better for next time."
Guren raised an eyebrow at him. "You're awfully confident for someone who hasn't been given a definitive answer."
"She's married," a gruff voice interrupted possessively as a thick arm from a tall stocky man wrapped around her waist.
"Gozu, we're just talking about Hope for Tomorrow," Guren smirked at her territorial husband.
"Didn't sound like it," the dark haired man grumbled petulantly.
"Kurama's telling the truth, dad. He even invited me!" The teen declared proudly.
Naruto was happy to see Guren had married a man that cared for her. "I can assure you I just wanted to speak with your wife about Hope for Tomorrow. Let's just say the cause hits close to home for me and I think what she's doing is amazing."
This caught their attention and Naruto only hoped he spoke quietly enough so that only these three heard him. It was Yūkimaru who spoke first, his voice quivered with uncertainty. "Y-you've been abused?"
When he was old enough his mother had explained to him what she'd gone through and the many others who suffer as well. It was hard to picture his idol being in such a situation. His mother always told him you can't always tell by looking at a person, and that was obviously true.
"I have," Naruto answered phlegmatically. He wasn't going to let his past affect him.
"I'm sorry," Gozu muttered, he felt like a dick now.
The fox shook his head dismissively. "You have nothing to be sorry for. It's nice to see Ms. Kesshō's found someone who truly cherishes her."
'And her son,' Naruto finished his statement internally.
"Still," Gozu looked at him apologetically, a slight blush dusting his cheeks.
Hearing the man was also a victim was all it took for Guren to make a decision. "I'll set up a meeting."
Naruto bowed his head slightly. He'd never admit it but the notion of actually sitting down with her set his nerves awry. "I'll look forward to your call."
Guren opened her clutch that was barely large enough for her lipstick and somehow made the card fit. "Do I have a time limit?"
"No," Naruto shook his head. "I'm sticking around Konoha for the foreseeable future."
"Alright. You'll be hearing from me then," she nodded, gracing Naruto with a kind smile.
"I'll look forward to it," Naruto returned the smile before extending his hand. "It's been a pleasure Ms. Kesshō. You have a beautiful family."
"Just Guren," She blushed at the constant formality, for some reason it felt wrong hearing this stranger speaking in such a manner. "And thank you."
Naruto let go of her hand and gave a curt nod. "You're welcome, Guren."
Naruto turned to the woman's husband with an extended hand. "It was nice to meet you Mister?" He left an open ended question.
"The brunette returned the tall man's gesture. "Just Gozu's fine. Mister?" The man mirrored the foxes question with joviality.
Naruto's head shook with amusement and he shook the man's hand firmly. "Just call me Kurama. It was nice to meet you as well, Gozu."
Gozu gave a toothy smile. "It was nice to meet you too, Kurama."
"Kurama?" The teen asked, sounding unsure of himself.
Letting go of the robust man's hand, Naruto tilted his head giving the boy his full attention. "Hn?"
"Well it's just I...I was wondering if...maybeIcouldgetapictureofyou?" The young male rushed as he firmly clenched his eyes shut. He didn't want to see his idol reject him. But the gentle ruffling of his sandy locks had him snapping his eyes open.
An unmistakable smile could be heard in Naruto's voice. "It would be my pleasure."
A huge ear to ear grin stretched across the youths face as he fumbled through the inner pocket of he white jacket for his phone. He unlocked it and prepared to take the fox's photo but the man was no longer in front of him. 'Where'd he-'
Naruto's deep rumbly voice was playful in Yūkimaru's ear as he leaned over, placing his arm around the teens shoulder. "Well, you taking the photo or what?"
The teen didn't need to be asked again. If Kurama was willing to take a picture with him, he wasn't going to be an idiot and question it. The phone was titled to get the best possible angle as the teen snapped the photo with quite possibly the toothiest smile he'd ever produced. Yūkimaru didn't even bother fixing the stray hairs from the man's previous ruffle, it just made the photo even more personable.
With photographers clueing in on the interaction they were quick to start snapping pictures. It was something Naruto had expected, but it didn't mean he enjoyed it. At least he had gotten to have the conversation he wanted to without being loomed over. He'll take it.
Anyways, it was probably as good a time as any to search for the raven he invited and ditched. "Alright, well I'll leave you guys be for now. I look forward to hearing from you," Naruto departed with a polite nod leaving nothing behind but a mother scolding her child for smuggling his phone in.
—------------------------
Sasuke was getting anxious. Naruto had been gone for over half an hour. He'd left Nara and Akimichi when Itachi came to find him. It would appear Sasuke wasn't the only brother worried about the blond's current mental state. No one else would be able to tell but Sasuke could. Sasuke could tell by the way Itachi's eyes lingered in the distance milliseconds longer than usual that he was keeping an eye out for the masked man.
By this time of the event Sasuke had expected the schmoozing to have died down but it was still in full force. All he wanted was the blond by his side again. Though he should be thankful that Both Hyuga and Hurano haven't come in search of him again. Of all times to run into them it would be when he was finally meeting Naruto.
Naruto didn't seem worried by it and he believed Sasuke without even needing an explanation. If he was being honest, it just made him feel guiltier with himself. Naruto just believed him, after all this time after what he'd done to him, he just believed him. In fact, he didn't even bat an eyelash. Sasuke wished he'd used his brain back then and gave the blond the same respect but it was a useless train of thought, he couldn't go back.
The brother's were finally given a breather when Shisui reappeared. Turns out he's great at making stuffy business men and women uncomfortable. Kisame was happy when the eccentric cousin came to their rescue. Kisame always stuck on Itachi's side at these things, listening to things that bored him half to death like a dutiful boyfriend. He may support his lover in everything but he personally had no interest in palm greasing or ass kissing. Nope, he'd take the filterless Uchiha bounding in spouting some obscene nonsense any day. Made these things bearable.
"Was it something I said?" Shisui had a shit eating grin plastered on his face, he knew what he did.
Sasuke looked at his cousin with a playful brow raised. "Not that I'm ungrateful or anything but wasn't that a bit...much?"
Kisame slapped his thigh with a full-on cackle. "No way, that was fucking perfect! Did you see their faces?"
Itachi was even having a hard time remaining stoic. "I mean...the demonstration was rather impressive."
"He got on the floor and used a chair...in a tux," Sasuke snorted. He probably should be embarrassed by the looks they were being sent from the onlookers who'd caught glimpses of Shisui's little show but he couldn't find it in himself to care at the moment.
"I thought it was perfect," Kisame heaved trying to catch his breath. Never had he seen such a mortified couple in his life.
Shisui's face held false innocence. "I just wanted to make sure they fully understood how to perform The Landslide."
With a hint of amusement, Sasuke folded his arms across his chest. "Well given their reaction, I'm gonna take a wild guess and say the kinkiest thing they've ever done is missionary with the lights on. I don't see them jumping to try your recommendation."
Shisui gave him a pointed look. "You never know."
"Yeah, they could have dashed off to the washroom," Kisame wiggled his eyebrows wildly. There was no way that couple was going to give the curly haired man's suggestion a shot, they were far too traumatised from observing the man treat the piece of furniture the way he did to even consider it. Kisame was thankful no photographers were around to witness Shi's demonstration, the brother's wouldn't have found it quite as amusing then.
Itachi shook his head with an amiable smirk on his face. "Don't encourage him."
"Sorry," Kisame snorted sarcastically. He wasn't fucking sorry in the least.
"No you're not," a booming voice startled them all from behind making Shisui and Kisame jump while Sasuke and Itachi only twitched slightly more animatedly. They definitely didn't jump, nope, definitely not.
"Jesus fuck!" Shisui panted, clenching his chest. "I may need to change my pants."
Kisame's reaction was almost identical. "Fuck, we need to get you a damn bell or something."
"I'm a fox not a cat," Naruto responded dryly before raising a hand in the direction of Shisui as a warning. "And don't even think about jumping on me again, Shi. I can see the cranks in there turning, it's not happening."
"I thought I smelt smoke," Sasuke smirked. In all honesty he was just stoked Naruto came back to find him. It wasn't that he thought he'd just leave him, but it's always nice to have it validated.
Shisui hit him on the shoulder with a pout. "Shut it mini-chi."
"Children, play nice," Itachi teased before turning his attention to the blond. "Wonderful to see you kitsune."
Naruto's eyes glimmered with amusement. "Likewise."
Itachi had seen Naruto as Kurama a couple times, but for some reason seeing him with his crimson contacts triggered something in him this time. Gold, crimson then cobalt flashed through his mind then it was gone, nothing left but a faint dizziness fogging his brain.
'What the fuck was that?' Itachi frowned inwardly.
Itachi suddenly felt the urge to clear his throat but he fought it back with a smirk. He had more pressing matters, like meddling. "So Kurama, you asked Sasuke to be your date?"
"Tachi-" Sasuke began to hiss. He didn't want his brother putting Naruto on the spot.
"I did," Naruto answered effortlessly before the raven had a chance to finish. He answered as if it was the simplest thing ever.
Itachi's smirk stretched wider when he saw a barely visible dusting of pink rise up Sasuke's neck extending to his face. "See, told you so, Sasuke."
"Mini-chi's blushing!" Shisui chirped as he squeezed his hands together excitedly.
"Oh man, this is great," Kisame threw his head back with a chortle.
Sasuke tried to level them both with a glare but apparently a blushing face rendered it useless. "Shut up," he grumbled, the only thing keeping him from walking away from them was Naruto standing next to him.
"But you're so cute," Shi said in a high pitched baby voice as he made a move to pinch his cheek.
"I swear to fucking god Shi, if you touch me you loose that fucking hand." Sasuke's words were icy as he grasped his cousin's wrist.
Shisui let out a huff and retracted his hand. "You're no fun."
Naruto saw the curly haired Uchiha's eyes glean mischievously as he flickered his gaze towards the blond. "Don't even think about it."
"I wasn't going to do anything," Shi denied, sounding extremely disingenuous. He couldn't even hold eye contact.
Itachi snorted. "Right, sure you weren't."
"You were definitely thinking of clobbering fox face," Kisame's voice shook with delight. Tonight turned out better than the blue hued attorney could have ever hoped for.
Shisui narrowed his eyes at the lawyer. "You can't prove that."
The group's good humoured boisterousness was broken up. "Sorry to interrupt."
—------------------
With constant interruptions, Sasuke hadn't been able to share more than a handful of words with the blond. After hearing Naruto admit to being his date, it stirred something warm, fuzzy and a little bit anxious deep inside. He knew it didn't mean they were dating, he wasn't that delusional but that didn't eb the euphoric feeling he got knowing Naruto intentionally asked him.
Naruto hadn't mentioned Guren or anything she'd said, not like they had a moment to talk about it anyways. Sasuke couldn't help but worry though. Had come to terms and dealt with this already after all these years? Or had he simply suppressed it all? This is where his thoughts were when people began to pair off as dancing ensued.
"Wanna dance?" Naruto's booming voice vibrated through him, shaking him at his very core.
"I-I don't think that's a good idea." Sasuke's face was pensive, he didn't dance, never bothered to learn how. If he agreed it would give him some one on one time with the blond finally but he didn't want to make a fool of himself in front of everyone.
Naruto could read him so easily and couldn't help but impishly egg him on. "Oh come on teme, scared?"
"No dobe I'm not scared!" Sasuke scoffed.
"So what's the problem then?" You didn't have to see it to know the blond was smirking.
Sasuke looked away with pursed lips. "Idon'tknowhowtodance," he mutter under his breath quickly in embarrassment.
Naruto chuckled warmly. That was easier to get Sasuke to admit than he'd thought. "And you think I do? I thrash around on stage, I'd hardly call that elegant y'know?"
"Isn't that all the more reason not to?" Sasuke shot him a look that proved just how much he opposed the idea.
Naruto shook his head and grabbed the raven by the elbow, dragging him away. "Come on, stop being a spoilsport."
Sasuke tried to use his weight to pull back but quickly found himself being dragged effortlessly as if he were a mere rag doll. 'Shit this is kinda hot.'
Sasuke shook his head, now wasn't time for those thoughts. Sasuke sent a failed attempt at a glare at Naruto as they make their way to the dance floor where thralls of couples are dancing gracefully, his brother and future brother in-law included. Itachi sends him an infuriating smirk as Kisame spun him.
"So tell me dobe, still think this is a good idea?" The raven snarked off. The insecurity of being surrounded by people who could effortlessly do something he couldn't more than unnerved him. It was a huge blow to his pride. It didn't help that there would undoubtably be photos as proof of his incompetents.
"Oh come on, we can kick it junior high style. You know, you can hold my shoulders," Naruto's voice dipped lower as he spun in front of the raven to gently bring his arms up to his neck instead. "And I can hold your waist," he slid his hands down the sides of the raven torturously slowly, bypassing his trim waist until they found purchase on his hips instead. The shudder that ran through Sasuke didn't go unnoticed by the blond but he continued onwards. "Then we can sway side to side, rotating in a lame circle. It'll be great."
Naruto's voice held a certain sultriness to it that caused Sasuke's brain to short circuit. The electric charge that ran through him being in close contact with the man he'd spent every night dreaming about since finding out who he was, was too much to deny. Suddenly dancing didn't feel like such a big problem anymore. Hell, if Naruto asked him to dance around naked right now he'd do it.
Naruto may not show it, but he wasn't fairing well either. Or was fairing extremely well depending on how you look at it. As a current of lightning shot through him everything felt right. Even Kurama was softly purring in the recesses of his mind. He took a gamble on inviting Sasuke, he wanted to see if it still felt right and it did. Naruto knew what the raven was doing when he hadn't asked him out, he knew Sasuke didn't want him to feel pressured, it was stupid, but he understood. Sasuke may be unreadable to most, but he couldn't hide from the blond.
Sasuke sighed blissfully as he leaned his forehead against the strong board chest. He allowed the warmth to seep into him as he drew in long wafts of the soft vanilla scent that Naruto emitted, all while allowing the blond to lead him in the exact lame circle he was talking about. "Maybe this isn't so bad after all."
Naruto looked down at the man in his arms, under his mask his face softened. "Told you," he almost whispered.
Sasuke felt the burning gaze on him and looked up to meet it. They weren't his blues, but even his crimson contacts still held that soft gleam he'd missed seeing directed at him so fucking much. "I-I-"
"Sh, I already know Sasuke." Naruto wanted to bring his hand up and caress the man's soft alabaster cheek but held himself back. It was a thought that should have terrified him, but it didn't.
Sasuke's eyes softly darted back and forth from Naruto's, searching for anything that could prove he was just trying to appease him but he found nothing. All he found was honesty and dare he say adoration as they gently swayed to the gentle music. Not even camera flashes or song changes could break them of their trance. As they stared into each others eyes dancing like novices in comparison to the others they couldn't care less, it was as if they were the only two in the world. It was how it was supposed to be.
"So, I'm really your date?" Sasuke finally gained the never to ask.
"Yes. It's not like you were ever going to ask," Narutos voice was coloured with fondness.
"I didn't want you to feel forced," Sasuke mumbled. He still felt appalled with himself after Itachi pointed out all the steps the blond had already made that he was oblivious too. Something about Naruto always had his Uchiha genetics abandoning him.
Naruto scoffed but there was no malice behind it. "If I didn't want to see you Sasuke, you wouldn't have seen me."
The look of disconcert pulled at Sasuke's face. "I'm still trying to get over my stupidity. Everything was there slapping me in the face, how the hell didn't I know it was you?"
"You're not quite to blame for that," Naruto muttered under his breath as he swayed them side to side. Naruto would have to tell him what he was one day, but today wasn't that day.
A frown marred Sasuke's brow. "What does that mean?"
Naruto shook his head lightly. "Nothing to worry about right now."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the man. "Why not now?"
"Still impatient as ever I see," Naruto couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at the man's feistiness. This was definitely preferred over the mumbling unsure version of the man, regardless of how adorable it may be.
"I'm not impatient," Sasuke turned his perfect sharp nose up. If anyone ever said he was pouting he'd deny it till his dying breath.
Never did Naruto curse his mask more, all he wanted to do was lean forward and rest his forehead against the ravens. Naruto chose the next best thing, photo's be damned. He raised his hand up and gently cupped Sasukes left cheek. A soft gasp escaped the raven's mouth but his eye shut blissfully as his face nuzzled into the touch of its own accord.
When Sasuke finally opened his eyes he vaguely remembered seeing lights flash as his galactic orbs met perfect crimson. There was a gentle amazement in those crimson orbs that gave Sasuke goosebumps. "What was I saying?" Sasuke asked breathlessly.
"You were saying you weren't impatient," Naruto's voice sounded every bit as affected as his. The intimate contact was setting his nerves on fire.
"Oh," was all Sasuke breathed out.
Both were oblivious to the fact that the music had ended and they had amassed quite the audience. One final flash brings the men back to reality. Naruto reluctantly drops his hand from Sasuke's face and forces himself to let go of the man's sharp hip, allowing Sasuke to release his grip on the blond's neck. Without breaking eye contact Naruto softly murmurs, "thank you for the dance."
Sasuke swallows harshly before responding equally low. "It was my pleasure."
—-----------------------
By the time Sasuke got home he couldn't suppress the grin on his face. Tonight wasn't such a shit show after all. And holy fuck that touch. Sasuke wanted to tear the blond mask off and devour him right then and there. The charge between them was so intense it was practically visible. God they hadn't even talked much yet and their connection seemed to have only grown. Sasuke hadn't felt this optimistic in a long time, if ever.
The raven drifted through his after event routine effortlessly, making quick work of undressing and cleaning up before climbing into his huge comfy bed. He couldn't wait to see Naruto again, he didn't even worry about the million pictures that would be circulating by tomorrow. Images of him with Kurama filled him with a strange sense of pride. Unlike himself, Naruto had never been photographed with anyone before. It was a thought that warmed his very soul, made him feel special.
Just as he shut his eyes his phone buzzed. Normally he'd ignore it until the morning but curiosity got the better of him, and boy was he glad it did.
Dobe:
Sleep well teme.
The grin that had made itself permanent turned into a full blown smile. Sasuke felt like a teenage girl with his first cell phone.
Sasuke:
Sweet dreams dobe.
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Word Count: 4459