Rivals Or More? A SasuNaru Story

Chapter 8: Painting Itachi's Face

Sasuke's POV

"Well that was unexpected." Naruto suddenly speaks up and I look at him.

"To say the least."

"This whole week is going to be full of fun." So the nitwit knows some sarcasm. Who knew?

"I hope you know at least some of the tasks properly." I say teasingly, even though I know he does.

"Look, I know all the tasks and you know it. Let's just call it quits for now and continue sometime later." He sighs.

"I may have to agree with you on this." I concede.

"Glad to know that." Naruto gives me his bright smile and I bask in it's warmth. My mouth betrays me by automatically responding with a smile.

Maybe this week won't be so bad after all. And I kinda like the last punishment. Spending the whole day with Naru sounds fun. And well, hunger doesn't bother me that much. Though I would ballet dance before I admit it all to him.

I observe Naruto while his expressions keep changing. It's really amusing to watch. His sapphire eyes keep looking from one spot to the other which lets me know that he is doing some serious thinking.

His face turns from serious to contemplating to grimacing to confused to naughty in a matter of a few seconds. I am oddly transfixed by him. Would he even know the word 'transfixed'? Maybe not. I imagine the confusion on his face when he hears the word and a little laugh slips out. Oh no. I hope he didn't hear me. Maybe I am starting to lose my sanity.

I put on my stoic face as Naruto's head zaps towards me with lightning speed. For a second there, I was worried he might have snapped his neck. Fool.

"Did you just laugh, Sasuke?" He asks with wonder and astonishment.

"You imagined it." I reply nonchalantly, a little uneasy from the inside.

"It's fine, Sasuke. It's not like you committed a crime. You just laughed. And..." He looks really hesitant. "I really like your laugh." He says quickly and turns away. But not before I saw his red face. Hm. I seem to like him like this and am now starting to doubt my sanity even more.

I feel a little embarrassed myself at his confession but it also makes me feel weirdly very happy. I almost giggle. Yeah right. As if giggling like a girl wouldn't make me lose my sanity. And then there is the fact that I will never become an Anbu if I keep behaving like this. Mom was also right. We were fighting childishly. We have never been this rash. And I am ashamed at myself for enjoying it. Only an insane person would enjoy a petty quarrel. Damn!

Suddenly Naruto grabs my hand and I feel a jolt, startled out of my reverie. "Come on," he says meaningfully, raising his eyebrows.

"Hn. Where, dobe?"

"Don't start with that 'dobe' shit again. Should I tell Auntie Mikoto?" He says in that Irritating tone.

I suppress a shudder hearing my mom's name. Wow. She really scared me huh? But I would dig my own grave before admitting that out loud. This idiot is really getting almost half as annoying as that pink haired and light blond duo.

"Oh, and saying the word 'shit' will save you, huh?" I say smugly, making elegant air quotes. "Should I tell about that to mom? I am sure that 'shit' is a stronger swear word than 'dobe'." More awesome air quotes.

He turns pale and his eyes slightly widen. "No, no Sasuke I was just kidding. I love to kid all the time, you know. Don't take it so seriously." His voice has now flipped to a sweet tone. Too sweet. Whoa my mom really did leave an impression.