A/N: Errr hehe been a while hasn’t it? Bet you’re wondering why the hell I’m posting a new fic and not finishing my current ones? Well—I did say I’d only post again when I had a completed fic. And this is it. The er—completed fic grins and dances. Will be updating it once a week until all the—already completed grins again chapters are posted hehe!!

Anyway—that aside, this won’t surprise you but sigh this fic is for coughAdicough . I owe her a lot of things and this was one of them (meant to be a oneshot but turned into a multi-chp ¬¬). And thank you Allys for having a look at the first couple of chapters and BK (aka BittenKitten) also for going through all of it for me 3

So... erm, enjoy? And let me know what you think?

Hina xXxx

“Naaa-ru-to!”

Naruto looked up from where he’d been preparing a masterpiece of an ice-cream and his eyes locked on the two girls that had just walked into the ice-cream shop. Blue eyes crinkled as a smile broke out at the familiar faces.

“Hey – I thought you two had classes today.” He said, quickly looking back down as he began decorating the ice cream with slices of strawberry and kiwi.

Sakura smiled broadly and, tugging Ino along, weaved her way through the tables that were set around the small ice-cream shop. “Yeah yeah, we thought so too, lecturer was sick though so class was cancelled.”

Reaching the counter, she hopped up on the bar stool as Ino took the one next to her.

“Is Iruka working today?” Sakura asked, straining her neck to look behind Naruto, trying to spot the man who owned the small but popular shop.

“Nah, he’s got the morning off but he’s coming in for closing.” Naruto grinned. “He’s taking me for ramen after ‘cause I covered for him this morning.”

“Yeah,” Sakura said dryly, “no wonder you’re oozing smiles.”

“Not true,” Ino muttered beside her, “he’s always like that.” Sighing, the young blond woman straightened in her seat and peered over at what Naruto was doing. “So... are you gonna offer us one of those?” She asked, looking up and smirking at the blond. “I want that one – you know the one I like so,” she patted the glass and her smile turned sweet, “get to it.”

Naruto dropped the smile and scowled, barely resisting the urge to stick his tongue out at her, but then turned to Sakura who was looking slightly apologetic, and mumbled. “Want one too?”

Sakura gave a small laugh. “Please.”

Shaking his head he muttered about supposed friends coming over just to abuse him and finishing the ice-cream he placed it carefully on a small plate, added the spoon and a smooth red paper napkin. Picking up the one he’d prepared just a second earlier, he made his way round the counter.

“I’ll be right back, just have to take these over.”

Sakura waved him off. “’Kay, ‘kay.”

Giving an aggravated sigh, he made his way towards the open door.

It was a rare thing for that door to be open. The weather was rarely good enough for it, but it had turned out quite nice. The sun was warm and there was a nice breeze so Naruto had left his clothes at a t-shirt and jeans and just wrapped his apron over it.

He worked at Iruka’s ice-cream shop part-time and since he didn’t have classes on a Wednesday, he’d work afternoons. But Iruka had needed to be elsewhere this morning so he’d had the rare task of opening shop. It wasn’t bad because they weren’t that busy on work days but because of the unexpected weather he’d been having at least a small steady stream of customers.

As he stepped outside, the sunlight hit him full in the face and he shut his eyes against it for a bit, trying to ease the sudden brightness that had blasted him. The squint of his eyes made the lines on his cheeks stretch up and gave him a funny feline look.

There was growl near him and the sound of steps. He felt someone brush against him and heard an irritated voice growling at someone else. “Stop clinging to him for fuck’s sake.”

“Hn.”

“Shut up, you’re just jealous.”

“Karin, perhaps you should calm –”

“You think? You’re supposed to be going out with me but you’re...”

The voices faded away as the people walked into the shop and Naruto moved on, smiling already as the bright spots faded from his vision and allowed him to spot his customers.

“Here you go. Enjoy.” He added pleasantly, not even noticing when one of the girls nodded. She blushed before ducking her dark head of hair and picking up the spoon that he’d brought along with the ice-cream.

There was a murmured ‘thank you’ from the two and Naruto straightened.

He glanced over at the road. It wasn’t a busy day for West End. Not much anyway, but still you could see people that had been around for a while and had come down from the shop filled streets. Some were heading straight for the Burger King only two roads down.

Then Ino’s voice filtered out through the door and he glanced away. “Oooooi Naruto! Hurry up!”

“Yeah yeah, coming.” He grumbled and turned to go back in, the warmth of the sun momentarily heating his back but then disappearing as he stepped fully into the shade of the shop.

The first thing he noticed was that the shop seemed louder. Whereas before there’d been a small murmur of conversation, now there was loud talking.

A glance at his friends showed the two of them whispering quickly and throwing continuous glances at the group of people now occupying the table by the shop window.

The biggest one of them all was looking resigned as the guy with blue hair – seriously, what the hell? – and kind of sharp teeth – argued with the black haired girl. They were bitching at each other, not seeming to care that the rest of the shop could hear what they were saying.

The only quiet one at the table was the one that made Naruto pause.

His arms were crossed and resting against the black t-shirt he wore, his denim covered legs stretched out beneath the table and his face turned towards the window that showed them the street outside. Naruto couldn’t see his face but his hair was a little on the unusual side – the back of it sticking up like a chicken’s ass really.

As he turned to go back behind the counter and get some menus for them, he wondered what kind of gel the guy used. He’d tried before to get his hair to spike up like those Garnier adverts, he’d have looked really cool with it too. But unfortunately, his hair would just divide up into its own style of spike’s – messy and falling all over his face.

He’d let it grow too long too, but he couldn’t be bothered to get it cut. And – the gel thing was just too much work for him too. So he shouldn’t be complaining.

“Stop gossiping.” He said to Sakura and Ino as he made it back behind the counter.

Ino instantly broke off and flipped her long ponytail over her shoulder before patting the glass once more. “Instead of telling us to stop gossiping you should focus on making us our ice-cream.”

Naruto leaned over it and grinned in her face. “Yeah? Well you’re getting them for free so don’t complain about it. Otherwise you don’t get anything unless I see money.”

Ino huffed and settled back on the stool. She sent another look at the table where the others continued to argue. The guy was still looking out the window.

He walked to the end of the glass that displayed the flavours of ice-cream and glared at them. He’d get in trouble if customers complained to Iruka about him bringing his friends around so they could whisper about other customers. “What’s so interesting about them anyway?”

Sakura blinked. “Naruto.”

“Hmm?” He looked at her and saw the incredulous look on her face. “What?” He asked, feeling defensive. She was looking at him like he was stupid. “Are they celebrities or something?”

“Naruto.” Ino said, deadpan. “They go to our Uni.”

It was Naruto’s turn to look stumped. “How the hell am I supposed to know that? Do you know how big our campus is? It’s not like it’s a small place where everyone knows everyone.”

“Yeah,” Sakura arched an eyebrow, “they’re in our department Naruto, which means half their classes are on the same day as ours not to mention in close enough classes.”

“Yeah but I’m combined –” but he wasn’t allowed to finish what he was saying.

“Okay okay – whatever, but that’s not the point.” Sakura said, her tone lowering. Ino drew closer and Naruto instinctively did the same. “They’re kind of really well known at Uni. Haven’t you heard about it? There’s loads of rumours going round about the one with black hair.”

Not even noticing now that he was doing what he’d just told Sakura and Ino not to do, Naruto leaned closer, curiosity etched all over his face. “No, what are the rumours about?” He flicked a nervous look at the guy who was still ignoring his friends and staring out.

Sakura cupped a hand over her mouth and whispered. “Apparently, they say that everyone he’s gone out with ‘till now, has ended up in hospital.”

Blue eyes widened. “What do you mean?” He asked. “Like – he beats them up or something?”

Beside them, Ino shook her head. “No, nothing like that. That’s the thing, no one knows what happens. It’s rare to see him with anyone but then – a month or two later, he’ll go out with someone – guy or girl. Next thing you know, that person ends up in hospital.”

Sakura nodded. “Yeah I heard a couple of them ended up in a coma.”

Naruto stared. “Comas?”

“But they woke up from it – like two or three weeks later. I don’t know it’s just really weird.” Sakura flicked another look over at the table. “I mean, I knew one of the girls so I know it’s true.”

“Did she say what happened?” Naruto asked, completely into the conversation now.

Pink strands shifted against her chin as Sakura shook her head. “No, she said she didn’t remember what happened.”

“I remember that conversation,” Ino added as she nodded at what Sakura had been saying, “she looked really freaked out as she was telling us. And she never went near Sasuke again.”

“Sasuke?” Naruto questioned, confused.

“Yeah, that’s the guy’s name.”

Both girls turned to look again.

“He’s really gorgeous too. It’s a shame. After hearing all those things I’ll never go near him.” Sakura lamented. Her shoulders even slumped a little as she stared and Naruto could swear there was a little drool at the corner of her mouth. But then she was straightening suddenly. “Ah well, they also say he’s an asshole and you know,” she brushed a strand behind her ear, “assholes have never been my thing. I prefer the types with loads of energy you know, who’ll treat you like you’re their world.” Her green eyes practically shone from whatever she was seeing in her own fantasy land.

Ino snickered. “Yeah, that’s why last week you ‘accidentally’ tripped and fell all over his lap in the canteen.”

The glazed look disappeared instantly from Sakura’s face and she snapped round, a fake smile plastered to her face. The saying ‘if looks could kill’ came to mind.

“What about you? You ‘tripped’ too. Only as I remember it, your hand tried to ask his ass for help on your way down.”

The two glared at each other for a while, before simultaneously turning away. And Naruto – who was already used to this – came to the conclusion that this guy could’ve been a serial killer when it came to these two, they still would’ve hit on him.

Shaking his head he got the menus. “I’ll get you your ice-cream’s in a second. Let me just go give them the menus.”

At this, Ino perked up. “I can give it to them if you like!”

Beside her Sakura looked at Naruto as he seemed to be considering it. Again – if looks could kill.

Naruto gave a nervous laugh and backed away. “No, no, it’s okay I’ll do it.” As she deflated, Sakura beamed with satisfaction next to her friend. Naruto not wanting to get caught up again, quickly went to hand the menus over.

Maybe it was better that he did it. Ino might have molested the poor coma-inducing guy.

Looking at the back of the guy’s head, Naruto concluded that it was probably a girl thing. He couldn’t really see anything really out of this world about the guy anyway. Not even an evil aura.

He’d have an evil aura right? If he puts people in comas?

Realising he’d let those two get to him, Naruto shook himself out of it and approached the table. Although as he paused there, it took a moment for the two arguing people to – well, stop arguing.

The first one who noticed his presence was the quiet huge guy who looked up at him and then away, an embarrassed expression on his face as he glanced at his two bickering friends.

“Karin – Suigetsu.” He said quietly.

The Suigetsu guy just seemed to bristle even more and transferred his irritation to the huge guy. “What?”

The girl – Karin – took a few deep breaths and seemed to calm herself. Adjusting her glasses, she half turned in her seat to look at Naruto who stood there looking a little lost with the menus in hand.

“Hi.” She said the tone short and quick.

“Err...” Naruto said uncertainly as three pairs of eyes seemed to focus on him, “I thought you’d like your menus.” He flashed them one of those instinctive smiles that he always had on hand to try and get out of awkward situations, then handed a menu to the Suigetsu guy and the huge nameless one, but as he went to hand just one to the girl she seemed to perk up.

“I’ll take the one for Sasuke too!” She said, and held out her hand with an expectant look on her face.

For the first time since they’d came into the shop, the guy near the window shifted.

It surprised Naruto how the small move caught his attention. Mainly because, it was graceful – arrogant even. Yes. That was what the movement was. Arrogance was clear in the way he moved. His head turned slowly as one hand unfolded from where he’d crossed his arms.

The legs that had been stretched beneath the table shifted and crossed as one pale white hand lifted in Naruto’s direction.

Naruto looked up from the expectant hand and realised with a peculiar shock that he could now see this guy’s face. And the first thing he saw was black.

Black, black eyes. And as they stared back at him, they too seemed to widen a little before settling back into a cool gaze.

The fingers on that expectant hand spread that little bit more.

“The menu.”

The voice was toneless but it slipped beneath Naruto’s skin and seemed to force him into shock all over again.

The guy – was stunning.

Not even aware that he was doing it, Naruto lifted the two remaining menus and placed them in the waiting hand.

“Naruto.”

He jerked and released the menus, then swallowing at the eyes that remained trained on him, Naruto turned away to see Iruka smiling brightly at him.

“How was the morning? Not too busy I hope!”

Sasuke watched as the guy turned away.

His hand dropped back to the table and he still continued to stare.

It wasn’t shaking. That was good. It was taking all he had to keep it from shaking.

Even as he watched the guy walk to the man who had called his name, he could see those startled eyes in his head. They had been the truest shade of blue he’d ever seen. But that wasn’t what had gotten to him. Those things rarely made a difference to him.

Of course he found people attractive just like everyone else. And the guy walking back behind the counter with the other man and pointing at the two girls on the stools, he was definitely... more than attractive.

No. What had him straining to keep his hands from trembling was hunger.

It had sprung out of nowhere. He’d been fine. Not for the last three months had he felt it. He’d thought it was okay, that he’d learnt to keep it under control now. That he could avoid more – incidents. But then with one small look –

It was as if he hadn’t satisfied the hunger for years, like he was starving. Like he was dying.

“Sasuke?”

He snapped out of his thoughts and glanced up at Karin’s face.

She pushed her glasses up on the bridge of her nose. “Are you okay? You’ve gone pale.” She leaned forward, not paying attention at all to the annoyed look that crossed Suigetsu’s face as she reached across the table for Sasuke’s hand.

He let go of the menus and pulled it back, the look on his face making her hand freeze halfway, and her smile too. Confusion entered her gaze.

“Don’t touch me.” Was the only thing he said.

Then he was standing up. His chair scraped loudly over the floor and drew the looks from the other people in the shop. Drew that gaze to him once more.

Don’t look at me. Don’t.

He needed air. He needed to calm down. But – he didn’t think it would work.

What he’d thought he’d managed to subdue in himself wasn’t going to lie low because he wanted it to. He’d just been given a while to think he was free. That was all. He should’ve never expected it to go away.

“Sasuke?” Karin asked again.

“I’m going.”

It’d never go away.

It was a bit later than he planned when Naruto got home.

The first thing he felt was a soft warm body weave itself between his feet, rubbing against him with the sensuality that usually came with being a cat.

Stepping into the quiet place, Naruto flipped on the switch. The light was quick to illuminate his small living room and Naruto glanced down at the orange furred cat that was now staring up at him with bright green eyes.

Bending down, he scooped the little cat up and rubbed his cheek over its soft head.

“Haha, missed me Kyu?”

The cat purred, its tail tensing and brushing against Naruto’s arm as the cat rubbed against him in return.

“Sorry I was late, guys dragged me out. But you had food right?”

Giving the cat one last peck, he set Kyu down on the floor again and closed the door.

One sofa that could seat about three people, and it was a very ugly green colour – he’d wanted the orange one but Sakura and Ino had persuaded him not to get it. Kiba had just pointed out that one was as ugly as the other and the orange was cheaper. That was the reason why Kiba had gone home with a bump on his head that time.

The carpet had been Ino’s choice. It was nice though and when he took off his shoes it was really soft. TV, DVD, an ancient stereo and a PS3 – plus a huge collection of DVD’s – were the only things he kept out here.

He’d managed to save up to buy stuff after he’d started working for Iruka during his second year in college and the allowance he got from his godfather had helped. He was the one who had helped him get this place. Well him and Kakashi.

Kakashi had been one of his dad’s students and he liked to keep an eye on Naruto. It helped that he taught at the same University that Naruto went to.

With a tired sigh, Naruto headed over to the windows to pull the curtains closed with Kyu following him all the way.

They’d had a big rush at the shop during the last hour, and then after, when Iruka had taken him for ramen, Kiba, Choji and Shikamaru had found him and dragged him off to a party he hadn’t known was happening at Sai’s house.

It was now three something AM.

Usually he’d be making some cup ramen and seeing what new films were on which he’d then watch with Kyu. But, as he stood in his bedroom pulling off his clothes, his mind kept going back to the encounter with that coma guy.

Ino and Sakura had asked him every kind of question imaginable after he’d gone back to their side. God knows why, it’s not like they’d actually talked. He’d just handed the guy the menus. And... stared a little bit. Although, he couldn’t be blamed for that. The guy had really been – something.

The guys’ friends had looked worried though, when he’d stood up and just left. Naruto had been surprised too actually. He had no idea why, it’s not like he knew the guy. All he’d done – like he’d explained to Sakura and Ino – was hand him some menus.

Still. After he’d showered, changed and refilled Kyu’s water bowl, Naruto slid himself into bed, thoughts still on the other guy. Kyu hopped onto the bed and curled up next to him. He purred from a few soft strokes of Naruto’s hand and closed his eyes.

Naruto wondered what had made the stunning guy leave in that way.

Oh well. I doubt I’ll ever find out.

The door slammed shut behind him.

The clock started announcing that it was four am. But Sasuke didn’t pay any attention as he kept his eyes on the floor and shrugged off his jacket. The leather was heavy in his hand. He didn’t bother to hang it up, just tossed it in the general direction of the coat hangers before walking on.

His feet echoed in the tiles, the darkness just seemed to make the sound louder. It didn’t bother him.

His mouth was twisted in disgust.

His clothes smelled of a sweet scent that wasn’t his. It was all over his skin. Her taste was still in his 

mouth. It felt disgusting. And when it had ended – it had been another one. He’d had to call emergencies again. He hadn’t been able to control it.

He never had been.

If his family didn’t have the money and the reputation it did, he probably wouldn’t have been in this house right now. Prison probably. But as long as they kept seeing money and the name, they wouldn’t say anything. Especially not when the patients woke up two or three weeks later.

Still. He hated it.

Hands in his pockets, Sasuke tried his best to ignore the smell and headed towards the grand stair case.

His feet thudded on the carpeted stairs. The clock had finally stopped announcing the hour. Not that there had been anyone awake to hear it. His parents were asleep. And his brother. His brother –

“Sasuke.”

His stopped mid step, his head snapped up and his spine stiffened. In his pockets his hands clenched. And then he turned his head, glancing over his shoulder to the man who stood at the foot of the stairs.

His brother wasn’t alone.

His hair was loose and mussed, spilling over the chest exposed by the open white shirt. The black trousers were low and undone on the slim hips. There was a blond clinging to him. His arms were wrapped around Itachi’s waist and his naked torso was plastered to Itachi’s back.

Blue eyes glittered in the low light up at him as the guy peered at him from over Itachi’s shoulders.

They made him tense. They reminded him of a brighter shade that he’d seen that day. The reason why he was in the state he was in now.

He disliked the guy on the spot.

“Is that your little brother Itachi?” The guy murmured, turning his face into Itachi’s hair.

Sasuke didn’t say anything, just staring at them; his face expressionless as his brother lifted a hand and threaded it through the blond hair, forcing it to tip down in a way that encouraged the other one to stay quiet.

“It’s late Sasuke.” He said, turning to address his younger brother once more.

“What’s your point?” He asked. Again, that toneless voice spoke for him.

“Did they end up in hospital again?”

This time Sasuke turned fully, straightening as he looked down his nose at his brother. “Again – your point is?”

For a moment his brother didn’t respond, he just stood there and stared at him. And then he was turning away, his hand curling around the blonds’.

“Until you learn to control it, it’s going to keep on happening. And if you try to avoid the problem then you’ll go crazy. It’d be a shame if that happened, little brother.” Itachi didn’t look back as he dragged the half dressed blond behind him.

The blond gave Sasuke a small smirk.

Then they both disappeared as fast as they’d arrived. Sasuke was left alone. With that smell still surrounding him.

After a moment in which he watched them disappear back in the direction of the living room, he stood there for a few seconds more before finally turning and continuing on his way up.

After he’d scrubbed the scent off of his skin to the point of rubbing it raw, he lay down on his bed, staring up at the dark ceiling.

His hair dampened the pillow. He’d forgotten to dry it properly. He couldn’t think of anything else.

The hunger hadn’t gone away.