Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Soup's On	By : OfFansAndFlames Category: Naruto AU/AR > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1793 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters mentioned. I make no money on this fiction.

Chapter List
- 25
- 26
- 27
Naruto cast Sasuke a concerned look at the sounds coming out of Itachi's bedroom. For the second time since Itachi had contracted the stomach flu two days prior, Itachi was violently sick. Of course it had to be a stomach bug. Sasuke ignored Naruto, tried to ignore the sounds of his brother's suffering. What could he do? Itachi's door was locked during such times, and Sasuke could never get him to open it. As much as it angered him, he had to admit that in Itachi's shoes, he would've done the same.
Still, just as he did every time, he would attempt it. He shut the door behind him and approached Itachi's door, knocking politely. As expected, Itachi didn't answer.
"Itachi, let me in."
No answer.
"Are you dehydrated? I can get you some ice chips."
Again, silence. Sasuke kicked the door, sounding vexed this time around and much closer to his age.
"Itachi, I know when you're not eating! Let me feed you!"
He waited for almost a full minute for a response, finally emitting a soft scoff and walking away. Of course Itachi was too proud to accept his help. Or perhaps Itachi hadn't wanted Sasuke to have to deal with this, to have him worry. He didn't realize that shutting Sasuke out was far worse, the youth's imagination given free reign.
This created a sense of urgency in Sasuke. He had been selling well. Phenomenally well, actually. It was nothing like his first day, since he was now paying for all of his inventory. But he was still making a pretty fat profit, and the wad of cash crammed in the back of his desk was steadily accumulating.
He'd made almost two thousand dollars. Of course, he couldn't make that sort of cash just at Konoha. Every now and again, someone would let him mow their lawn. He'd get a ten dollar bill at best, and he ran a paper route Sunday mornings. He wasn't making enough, and Itachi was getting sicker. So he'd had to branch out. He'd stop by Suna, the local community college, before he came home. He would sell to Deidara's old clients. At least Sasuke had reasonable assurance that they weren't snitches.
Even if they were, Sasuke had enough blackmail information on them to make them think twice. Kabuto saw to that much, and the penalties were much steeper for legal adults such as themselves than they were for Sasuke. Sasuke wondered how Kabuto could know so much about people. What did he know about him? What were Kabuto's sources?
It was fishy, but he wasn't in a position to demand much from Kabuto. If it weren't for him, Sasuke wouldn't have had even a penny tucked away at that desk beyond yard duty and papers. He still relied on Kabuto for his information and supplies, since he had no direct contacts with the county's suppliers. Thus, he couldn't afford to piss the guy off.
Tuesdays' lunch met him hungry and tired. He had brought an apple from home, which would serve as his entire meal. The school lunches were a solid four bucks a piece.
"Sasuke, you're eatin' like a bird," Suigetsu announced, diving into his pizza.
Karin frowned.
"I know! Sasuke, I think you're getting too thin!"
Juugo stopped eating immediately, grabbing Sasuke's shoulder and spine to assess the concern. Sasuke rolled his eyes at them, not appreciating being assessed as if he were cattle. Though Sasuke was trim, it was obvious that he wasn't underweight.
"He's not getting too thin. But Sasuke, you're eating enough at home, aren't you?"
Sasuke hadn't had a real meal at school for almost two weeks.
"Of course. The food here just sucks."
Suigetsu laughed, "Or you just want to keep your figure."
Karin shook her head, addressing the rest of their group.
"You should hear the stuff girls say about you, Sasuke. Because I eat with you, I'm threat number one. I have to deal with all of this craziness for your sake. I hope you're appreciative."
She ended her rant with a flirtatious wink.
"I wouldn't count on it," Sasuke replied.
Suigetsu snorted.
"What is it about you, anyway? Girls aren't all trippin' over themselves to get to me like that. Or even Juugo, and Juugo's the damned linebacker!"
Sasuke sighed, "You act astonished, yet you keep saying that if given the opportunity, you'd fuck me."
Suigetsu huffed.
"Well yeah, I did, but everyone?"
Karin rolled her eyes.
"Hey, not like there's a subject matter expert at the table or anything. You know, the only female connection between Sasuke and the rest of Sasuke's fan club," Karin quarreled sarcastically.
"Dammit, bitch... Fine. Why are the females at our school obsessed with Sasuke?"
Karin merely grinned.
"He's the stereotypical bad boy. He's got looks, talent, and a dark past, and he seems indifferent to other people. That's what girls want around here."
Suigetsu rolled his eyes.
"That goes for just about anywhere. There's a reason why it's a cliché."
Sasuke knew that most people at Konoha only knew his clichéd version. He knew that the obsessions were superficial and generic. Honestly, it was difficult to give a damn.
"Especially here," Karin clarified. "Konoha can get a little stuffy. A lot of these girls are sick of behaving. And now that Sasuke's dealing, who knows what will happen?"
The sohpmore growled. He had made it clear that he didn't want to speak about his new "hobby" any more than he absolutely had to. He hated thinking about it, he hated the way his friends made it sound, and worst of all, he hated getting praised for it. Even less appealing was having everyone else know about it.
"Karin..." Sasuke hesitated before asking, "How many people know what I'm doing?"
Karin arched a brow at Sasuke, surprised to hear uncertainty in his tone. This wasn't like Sasuke. It was even more unlike him to ask her a genuine question. But she would be the person to talk to, if anyone. She had all the latest gossip, after all.
"Only the people who would consider buying from you already. I know how to keep my mouth shut when it's called for."
Sasuke frowned, finding that statement questionable.
"So... Would Sakura know?"
Suigetsu stopped eating his food for an instant to catch Sasuke's facial expression, and Juugo tilted his head. Karin did not seem pleased to hear her name.
"Oh, that bitch?"
Sasuke deadpanned.
"Yes, Karin. 'That bitch.'"
Karin rolled her eyes, "You haven't mentioned her in forever. I'd thought you'd finally gotten some sense and realized that she's an obvious downgrade from me."
Sasuke's frustration was evident in his voice as he responded, "Does she know or not?"
It seemed that the whole table, minus Kabuto perhaps, was surprised that Sasuke was expressing concern over Sakura. Sasuke claimed to have shrugged off the breakup neatly, but his friends all had their doubts. Sasuke would go silent at the mention of her name, and so she was gradually regarded as a taboo subject.
Karin took the current reference poorly and with her expected dose of jealousy. She sighed before still giving her honest answer, "Ever since the chair incident, we haven't been on talking terms. But from what I know, I doubt you have anything to worry about."
Right, Sasuke couldn't forget the chair incident. Several months before dating Sasuke, Sakura had gotten into a brutal catfight with Karin over Sasuke's supposed affections. Karin had obviously started it, but Sasuke had mistakenly expected Sakura to back down. It became more than just a catfight as chairs were raised, and Sasuke had to talk some sense into the two.
"Thanks."
Thursday morning was frigid, and Sasuke bundled himself up to keep warm. His long black jacket extended to his tailbone, thick blue jeans keeping out the wind. Sasuke took his seat at the back of the bus, and fortunately no one else had tried to occupy it. That is, until Sakura sat down.
Sasuke couldn't help but stare with questioning eyes. Sakura's hands were clasped neatly in her lap, and her viridian eyes were staring downward. She'd cut her hair recently, and it suited her. They sat next to each other in silence.
"I know what you're doing."
Sasuke's stomach jumped. He hadn't wanted her, of all people, to know. He did his best impression of apathy.
"It's none of your business," Sasuke muttered, justly loudly enough for her to hear.
"It is my business, Sasuke. You're selling to my boyfriend."
And of course, this is how Sakura had to find out. Sasuke didn't even know she had a boyfriend. And she wasn't here to check up on Sasuke, scold him about his future, or offer any words of encouragement. She just wanted him to stop selling shit to her boyfriend, which he supposed was a valid enough desire. Still, the thought was a little depressing.
"You and Gaara are dating?"
He'd noticed the two of them getting closer lately. He saw them walking together in the halls sometimes, usually with others but sometimes alone. For him not to have heard the details, it must've been made official fairly recently. Sakura nodded, and Sasuke tried to ignore feelings of jealousy.
Gaara was a nice enough guy. In fact, when he first approached Sasuke, he had been skeptical. Why would a guy like Gaara want to do stuff like this? Even Sasuke didn't actually use the drugs he sold. Yet it wasn't Sasuke's place to pose questions, nor did he want to.
"You do know that if I stop selling to him, he'll just get it off of someone else, right? There are really two main dealers at this school, and I'm not one of them."
"I'm aware of that, Sasuke," Sakura's voice was harsh. "But I'm asking you not to sell to him, if I mean anything to you at all."
Sasuke sighed. Gaara had been a good customer, but he couldn't do this to Sakura.
"You got it, but I'm going to have to tell him why."
"No complaints there."
Sasuke wished that Sakura would get up and leave now, but she didn't. She just stayed next to him. It was obvious that she was unhappy with him, angry even. But she wouldn't speak.
"What are you doing, Sasuke? You were always such a good student. You used to have your head on straight."
Even Sasuke didn't know what he was doing sometimes. All he knew was that if his pace slacked, his brother might be at risk. So he had to keep going, by whatever means necessary.
"You do what you have to do."
Sakura's voice was angry now, but she tried to keep the volume down so as not to be overheard.
"Who's forcing you to do this? First the fights, now you're selling drugs? And look at the people you hang out with."
Sakura paused, shaking her head.
"Keep your voice down," Sasuke hissed.
When Sakura looked back at Sasuke, her eyes were full of disappointment.
"You've changed. You're not the same guy I fell for."
Her voice was strong and confident. She was looking down on him now, and it angered him. She had no idea what his situation was. But more than that, Sakura's disillusioned eyes plagued him. He wanted to tell her why, to explain himself. But he didn't like to make excuses or give sob stories.
"People change."
He hoped that his dismissiveness would save him from being coerced into explaining himself. Sakura frowned, torn between storming off and keeping her seat. She even braced her arm against the seat cushion, readying to stand.
"Stop this, Sasuke. I don't want you to ruin your life."
Sasuke sighed, leaning back.
"If it makes you feel any better, it's temporary. By spring, I'll be done."
Sakura's eyes returned to his face.
"Why now then?"
Sasuke furrowed his brows. Would he explain himself? Did he even owe her an explanation? Why did he even care what she thought? He didn't want to make excuses
"Itachi's sick, and he lost his insurance. He needs a surgery, so I'm raising money for all of the medical care and our living expenses."
Sakura stared back at the other in shock. She knew that Sasuke wasn't feeding her some cock and bull story to redeem himself. Even as far as he'd fell, it just wasn't in his personality.
"Is he going to be okay?"
Her concern was obvious. She had been fairly familiar with Itachi, and the two had always gotten along well. Sasuke frowned, pretending to notice something fleeting by the opposite window.
"Probably."
Sakura frowned, holding her books tightly to her chest as the bus hit a pothole.
"I'm sorry for not giving you the benefit of the doubt, Sasuke."
The other shrugged.
"It's irrelevant. I have changed."
He was observing a simple fact, not searching for reassurance. Why would she need to apologize for stating the obvious?
"I know."
Sakura was obviously upset, and oddly enough, that actually bothered Sasuke. Sasuke had disappointed quite a few people lately, it seemed. Still, he knew why he was doing the things he did. Whether or not other people understood, he wouldn't waver.
"After I've raised the money, things will be different. But until then, you should keep away from me."
Sakura nodded, her thumb and pointer fingers pinching the bridge of her nose. He heard a quiet sniff beside him. She was crying, softly, and only Sasuke could tell.
As there were many things about this situation that could potentially upset Sakura, Sasuke had no idea what, in particular, it was. Was it because of what he was doing? Was it concern over him? Or was it because he told her to keep away from him? Did she miss him? He had no idea how to reassure her, so he merely rested his hand on her shoulder.
"What if you don't stop?"
Sasuke's eyes caught hers.
"Trust me, I'm hating this. I don't intend to do it any longer than I have to."
Her hair fell out of place as she nodded.
"So keep it together, Sakura. You need to focus on Gaara, not me."
The girl finished drying off her cheeks, eliminating any signs that tears had fallen. Since she had hardly cried, this was easily achieved.
"Tell Itachi that I hope he feels better."
With no other announcement, she stood and walked towards the front of the bus. Sasuke plunked his backpack in the now empty chair, sighing off his frustration and looking out the window. He had business to attend to today, so he hoped that he could forget this conversation as soon as possible.
He met Kabuto in the men's restroom between second and third period. Two hundred bucks. He nonchalantly shuffled it into Kabuto's hand. This was Kabuto's cut: ten percent.
"Holy fuck," he gaped, staring down at the cash.
Sasuke merely grunted in response. It was all business, and they had already achieved what they'd come there for. He took a pace towards the exit.
"So, two grand? How the hell did you manage that?"
"Expansion," Sasuke remarked vaguely.
Kabuto pushed up his glasses, his hand on his hip as he leaned towards Sasuke, analyzing him closely.
"Please explain. I hate to admit this, but you might teach me something."
Sasuke sighed, his reluctance readily apparent.
"Here, you have a few rich kids with too much of their parents' money and not enough options, but that's skimming the cream off the top, so to speak. The real bread and butter is at Suna and the community colleges. They're lower dollar sales, but they come by the dozen."
Kabuto stepped back, smiling at Sasuke. It made him feel like a child being congratulated for tying their shoes.
"Well, color me surprised. Aren't you the businessman now?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Don't patronize me, Kabuto."
He knew that Kabuto liked to manipulate through praise. It wouldn't get past him.
"I'm being serious, Sasuke. How much money did you say you wanted to raise?"
"Five grand. Why?"
Kabuto brought his hand to his chin, pausing for a moment to think.
"So, in just a few weeks, you've made two grand. How much time did you have again to raise the money?"
Kabuto knew there was a time pressure here. He had to know how important it was for Sasuke to raise this money. Was he just trying to get under Sasuke's skin or something?
"What are you getting at?"
Thin lips frowned.
"It's just that... At this rate, aren't things kind of risky for your brother?"
Another attempt at manipulation. Kabuto wasn't bad at it, but he wasn't good enough to fool Sasuke either. The senior had to know by now that fluffing Sasuke's ego wouldn't work, and this was an obvious target. It still didn't change the fact that Kabuto was right.
"Get to the point."
Kabuto seemed miffed by that, as his circuitous weedling was cut off.
"Sasuke, I'm trying to do you a favor."
He sighed.
"Let me hear it then."
"You're never going to raise the money going through other people. I'm in pretty tight with this county's main supplier. He's got three different grow rooms, and he cooks a lot of harder stuff that goes for even more. He has more shit than he knows what to do with, and he asked me if I could send anyone his way."
Sasuke paused for a moment. Couldn't this accelerate things? Still, Sasuke supposed he get all the money he needed overnight by robbing a bank. There was a limit to how far he would go.
"No, I'm not doing that."
Kabuto placed his hand on Sasuke's shoulder, and Sasuke didn't bother to push it off.
"Sasuke, do you want to help your brother or don't you?"
Sasuke frowned.
"That's not going to work on me."
The man rolled his eyes.
"Alright, Uchiha."
He grabbed Sasuke's hand and pushed the money into it, all two hundred bucks' worth.
"I'm setting up a deal with this guy, and I need someone to come with me. Someone with sharp eyes and a cool head. You can kind of feel the guy out, but no one's gonna make you work with him. Just in and out."
The Uchiha arched a brow.
"So, why did you give me the money back again?"
A sly smile.
"That's for coming with me. And there's another two hundred for you when it's over."
Bewildered, Sasuke stared back at the other. Four hundred bucks just for this? At this rate, he'd be well on his way to three grand.
"Why is it so important that I'm there?" Sasuke asked skeptically.
"Because you're the only one at this school I can trust worth a damn. You're honest, smart, and level-headed. I know enough people with one or two of those traits, but not so many with all of them."
The thing that frustrated Sasuke about Kabuto was that even though his words were manipulative, they were usually true. Most of the people they associated with weren't extremely honest, and the ones that were didn't have a lick of experience with this subject matter. Oddly enough, Sasuke had never caught Kabuto in a direct lie. Rather, he was a master of omission, so to speak.
"When?"
Kabuto grinned.
"Next Thursday, at 7. Eighth and C Street."
The other frowned, still not fully convinced. This situation was fishy. Sasuke still didn't understand why it was so important for Kabuto to have someone "trustworthy" there. Still, he didn't think he was in a position to look a four hundred dollar gift horse in the mouth.
"I'll think about it."
Kabuto tipped his head, taking the money back.
"Whenever you make up your mind, the offer's open."
The two walked towards the door.
"Understood."
- 25
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- 27
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Soup's On