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
- 35
- 36
- 37
Sasuke was so sick of this. It took every particle of his willpower not to storm out of that room at this very instant, slamming the door shut behind him. The same lectures, over and over again, the same struggles… He had yet to get a B since the age of seven, was president of the student body, and had just made the varsity basketball team after a week of intense tryouts. He didn’t do drugs, didn’t sleep around, and his room was always immaculate. Any normal father would have been satisfied.
“Sasuke, you need to join a sport! It’s not just about grades anymore. You need to be well-rounded if you want to get in anywhere decent.”
“And that’s why I’m joining the basketball team.”
He’d gone over this with his father twice before. One would think that would be enough.
“This is high school, not middle school. You need a team with future. Konoha’s basketball team hasn’t made it to regionals even once in the past three years!”
Did it really matter how many games his team won? Most applications would only ask for his position on the team and the number of hours each week dedicated to the sport. But as his father had previously insisted, the topic could always come up, and not all applications were the same.
“If they suck as bad as you seem to think they do, I could easily become captain. And I like basketball.”
He loved the sport, loved the constant movements, the strategies, the techniques…He’d been the shooting guard for junior varsity in middle school. He knew how the game worked and could shoot a mean three-pointer. He hadn’t unbegrudgingly thrown a baseball since he was ten. He didn’t want anywhere near the sport.
It didn’t hurt any that Suigetsu was also on the basketball team this year, and Sakura cheered for many of their games. His friends would frequently come to the basketball games when they had nothing else to do with their spare time. In short, it just seemed fun and convenient. And even though he was already critically busy, his father was right on one count. He knew it would help him come admissions time.
“So being captain of the baseball team is too much work for you, huh? When your brother was your age, he was taking Konoha’s baseball team all the way up to state, practically riding on his back! And here you want to join this…joke of a team that can hardly even win a game, let alone a season!”
Sasuke rolled his eyes, his blood beginning to boil. Sasuke believed that if he did not work to the point of exhaustion, he was sabotaging himself. Even if others would stand for lackluster efforts, he demanded perfection from himself. Yet even this would never be enough for his father. How dare his father accuse him of being lazy? Sasuke worked even harder than he did!
But that wasn’t what had really bothered him. He was always being compared to Itachi. Itachi, the athlete, the prodigy, the role model son. His father sometimes showed so much favoritism towards Itachi that it made him want to vomit. To make matters worse, it seemed like the more time passed, the wider the wedge between Sasuke’s abilities and those of his older brother became. Was there nothing Sasuke could do to earn his father’s respect?
“Oh, trust me, I am well aware of all of Itachi’s accomplishments.”
His father scoffed, talking a long step towards Sasuke.
“Are you?”
Sasuke barely refrained from sneering. He couldn’t believe his father had seriously asked that. It was quite difficult for Sasuke to be unaware, given that it seemed to be all his father ever talked about.
“Itachi showed up at the house totally hammered the other week. Even now, he’s on that camping trip probably getting smashed with his friends in some cabin. But that’s okay, because it’s Itachi. Itachi never does anything wrong.”
Sasuke wasn’t telling his father anything new. He’d grown out of tattling at a very early age, and it was clear that Fugaku had noticed Itachi’s intoxication that night. His father had made it more than clear how he felt about “those crazy bums of college students who drink themselves stupid on weekends.” Yet his father never mentioned the fact that Itachi’s steps swayed as he walked up the stairs and to his bedroom.
Perhaps Itachi hadn’t gotten all the partying out of his system from his freshman year. Their parents had always been so strict. Sasuke couldn’t blame Itachi, at least somewhat, but it still infuriated him when he was constantly compared to his older brother. Their father always looked past Itachi’s mishaps, though he never extended the same courtesy to Sasuke. Itachi was the perfect son, not him.
“Stop trying to change the subject, Sasuke. This isn’t about Itachi.”
Of course he says this now. His father would compare Sasuke to Itachi whenever was most convenient for him.
“Then why do you keep bringing him up if it really has nothing to do with him?”
He kept his voice at a reasonable volume, but there wasn’t much he could do about the tone. Didn’t he have a right to be angry?
“Because you should be following his example! Look at how far he’s gone! He just got admitted to UCLA law school barely into his twenties. That’s unheard of!”
Whatever happened to “this isn’t about Itachi”? No, his father couldn’t possibly go more than a few sentences without bringing Itachi back into this and making Sasuke’s inadequacy perfectly clear. Just like always.
Sasuke stood up now, abruptly, shouting back at his father, “I’m not Itachi! When are you going to get that through your thick skull?!”
His father’s face went red now, that familiar vein bulging at his neck. He could even see it from here. He knew he’d gotten himself into trouble now. Still, he nearly laughed at how silly his father looked in his rage, practically a caricature.
“How can you be so disrespectful? I raised you better than this! You will join the baseball team, and that’s final!”
“I hate baseball. You can’t force me to play! If you sign me up for baseball, they’ll automatically drop me from the basketball team. Then I’ll have no sports at all!”
The man’s eyes widened, shocked by Sasuke’s defiance. Sasuke didn’t waver, glaring back at him, refusing to budge. He’d held his tongue for far too long. Now he’d really let his father know what he thought.
“I’m not in art this year because you thought that a psychology class would look better. I don’t play the guitar because you thought the violin was more impressive. When do I get to start making my own decisions?”
“I am your father! I feed you, I clothe you, and you will do exactly what I tell you to do!”
“Honey…” It was now his mother’s voice that interjected. She had been watching the entire argument silently while scrubbing the dishes. She said nothing else, her voice quiet and meek. She stared at her husband imploringly, silently asking him to reconsider.
“No, Mikoto. You are far too lenient with him. And now look at him!”
Oh, what a disappointment he was. How poor and unfortunate his father was to have been afflicted with such a lazy, stubborn, and disrespectful son.
“Yeah, now look at me!” Sasuke shouted. “I have the highest grades in my class! I’m the damned president of the student body freshman year! I study, eat, practice, and sleep. What more do you want from me?”
“I want respect from you! It’s been a long time now, you’ve been thinking you know better. You cuss, you constantly make these comments that…”
“Fugaku…” Mikoto interrupted.
“Stop interfering! I’ve been turning a blind eye for far too long. Sasuke, you make rude comments, you roll your eyes at me, you show disregard for everything I’ve sacrificed for you to…”
“Sacrificed for me, huh?! I think you just want someone new to brag about during your stupid work parties. This is about you!”
It was all about image with his dad. God forbid he raised a son who did not spend his entire early adulthood in school and earn a six figure income. Wouldn’t that be embarrassing to explain to all of his work friends? Yet his father was expecting things of Sasuke that he’d never even achieved himself.
“Do you see this, Mikoto? This is what happens when you coddle a child!” Fugaku shouted, pointing at Sasuke irefully.
“Don’t yell at her!”
Thank god he at least had his mother around, his only reasonable parent. He would not allow her to endure this on his behalf, however. She was a sensitive woman, and though she had accustomed herself to Fugaku’s abrasive mannerisms and excitable temper, Sasuke knew that she took far too much to heart.
“What happens between your mother and me is none of your business, Sasuke. Learn your place!”
“And what is my place? To obey your every command without a thought as to what I really want? God forbid I actually do something just because I enjoy it!”
Fugaku took another step towards Sasuke. He was a large man, and Sasuke’s body had barely reached fourteen years of age. His father towered at least half a foot above him, moving in so quickly and closely that Sasuke could even smell the chicken sandwich he’d had for lunch. He wondered, for just a second, if Fugaku would strike him.
“You listen to me right now, Sasuke. I’m doing what’s best for you, because I’m your father, and you will obey. I’m sick of your poor behavior and disrespect!
“Fugaku!” Mikoto interrupted yet again, but this time much more forcefully. There was now real anger in her voice. She would take a stand now. “Don’t say that to him! He’s…”
But Sasuke wouldn’t allow his mother to jump in and rescue him. He could fend for himself.
“I don’t care what you think about me anymore!” Sasuke shouted. “You say this shit like it’s something I don’t already know! Like I don’t already know I’m not good enough for you! So you know what, fuck you!”
Both of his parents merely stared at him wide-eyed. The fact that he had slipped the word “damn” in his speech a few minutes ago had been bold enough. Sasuke said “please” and “thank you”, cleaned the entire house every Wednesday, and called his father “sir.” He rarely asked questions. He obeyed. This sort of defiance was unprecedented, but it had been a long time coming. Even the family cat had emerged, Ferret’s head tilted as she stared at the debacle in confusion.
Their shocked silence provided him an opportunity to exit.
“Bottom line: I’m joining the basketball team. I’m not playing by your rules anymore.”
The look on his father’s face screamed pure murder, at least before Sasuke slammed the front door and stormed out to the front yard. Fortunately, his cat had not followed.
Where would he go now? Juugo offered to pick Sasuke up today, but Sasuke had turned him down in the interest of studying. Whatever the case, it would certainly be better than storming around the neighborhood fuming.
Their friendship began last year. Sasuke stayed an hour after school every Wednesday to tutor the other students, which was one of the requirements of his position in the honors society. As always, Juugo was struggling academically and in danger of being ousted from the football team. Juugo claimed that no one could explain algebra like Sasuke, so he made it a point to find the then eighth grader whenever he was unoccupied.
Sasuke didn’t live very far from Juugo’s house, but it was an uncomfortable walk. Since Juugo bought a car over the summer, visiting Juugo became much easier. He seemed to love using it, finding just about any excuse to pick up his friends and roam the town. Sasuke and Juugo had been casual friends through most of the past year, but it was Juugo’s car that really catalyzed their friendship, since they now visited much more frequently. The two quickly grew closer, despite the age difference between them. What Sasuke lacked in age, he made up for in maturity and intelligence.
Sasuke fished for his cell phone in his pocket, pulling up a text message to Juugo’s number as he walked down the block.
“Does the offer to hang out still stand?”
He typed hurriedly and was forced to correct two typos, his hands still sweaty and trembling from rage and adrenaline. He hardly noticed the heat of the September sun, or the scent of newly cut grass on the surrounding lawns. The perfectly maintained hedges, identical houses, and the sight of his father’s meticulously clean Nissan made him want to retch. Another standard day in suburbia.
God, he wanted out of here. He needed someone to distract him from the thoughts crashing in his head, and Juugo was always such a soothing personality. Sasuke was angry. Angry because no matter what he did, it was never enough for his father. He was angry with his brother for always one upping him, for being the golden child. He was angry with himself for letting Itachi stand above him, for failing to catch up despite all of his best efforts. But a part of his psyche smarted when he remembered his father’s comment. It was a direct confirmation of what Sasuke had suspected all along.
“You’re disappointing me more and more each day!”
Fifteen minutes passed before Sasuke’s phone buzzed in his pocket. With relief, he noted that he had a new text message… From his mother, unfortunately.
“Sasuke, where are you?”
Sasuke sighed. He contemplated ignoring the text. What if she tried to force him to go home? He had to escape. He couldn’t be around that asshole of a father right now. Yet he couldn’t leave her to worry either.
“I’m a few blocks away. Probably going to hang out with Juugo.”
His mom responded in seconds. Considering how absent-minded and awkward she tended to be with technology, she must have been very concerned.
“Are you okay?”
Sasuke shifted to his other foot, his body steadily calming itself. His mother really was far too empathetic.
“I’m fine.”
This was a common lie for him anyhow. Usually, he really was fine. His life had never been all that painful, with the exception of the ridiculous amount of responsibilities and expectations that he had to manage. But he wasn’t one to spill the beans whenever he was anything but.
“Come home.”
Sasuke sighed.
“I need time to cool off. I’ll be back before it gets late.”
His phone buzzed again. The next text was from Juugo.
“definitly. whatsw/ the change of plans?”
“Had a fight with my dad. I’ll explain later.”
Buzz.
“Sasuke, you told me you’d answer my calls.”
Sakura now. God, this…devil’s contraption. His thumbs couldn’t move quickly enough. Ever since his mom bought his cell phone for him as a birthday present, his classmates seemed to have found it their god-given duty to make sure it never stayed silent for long. His popularity at school now followed him home. However, he found his conversation with his mother to be a more pressing priority.
“It’s a school night. I’ll pick you up, Juugo’s @ 8. You better be there.”
Despite the situation, Sasuke snickered, keenly imagining his mother’s hard stare and commanding voice. His mother actually could be menacing, which would come as a great shock to anyone who knew her only casually. He understood her well.
“I will. Thanks for being cool about it.”
“Your father and I love you very much. Be safe.”
Sasuke frowned as he peered down at the screen. He knew this, of course, but he couldn’t deny that it felt nice to hear at such a time. He wondered how his mother was faring right now. He hoped that his father had calmed down after he left instead of exacting his frustration upon his mother. He would have stayed if it meant protecting her, but he believed, in all honesty, that his presence would only make things worse.
Buzz.
“You never answer my texts anymore… :(“
Sakura, again.
Buzz.
This one was probably from Juugo? He didn’t open it. He’d answer Sakura first.
“I’m busy. Call you later.”
Sasuke didn’t know how much more of Sakura he could handle. The relationship wasn’t superficial. He really did care about her, and he enjoyed being around her. She was caring, smart, funny, and not so incidentally, hot as all hell. Still, she was so labor intensive… Sasuke didn’t know if he had the time or the patience to keep up.
He opened Juugo’s message now.
“need picked up?”
“Yeah, Cedar and Main. Thanks.”
“be there in 5”
Buzz.
“Okay…”
Sakura again. He didn’t know if he liked the sound of that “…”. He’d never been one to waste time over what lurked between the lines, but apparently this was something you need to learn when you start dating.
Although he supposed he couldn’t blame her. He had been rather distant lately. Some of this was in response to Sakura’s excess enthusiasm, but much of it just related to his demanding schedule, busy social life, and ever-expectant parents. This was his first real relationship. Of course he’d have some learning to do.
“I promise. We can hang on Saturday. We’ll have the house to ourselves.”
There was no secret between the two of them as to what that meant. There was little more burdensome to a teenager’s sex life than intruding parents.
“Okay ;)”
Sasuke messed around with his phone a while. It was hot out. Even Septembers don’t offer much of a respite in southern California. Sasuke sat against the fire hydrant by his feet, taking off his jacket and fanning himself as he waited in jeans and a tank top. He’d only played just over a minute of Tetris on his phone before Juugo’s pickup pulled up. Sasuke opened the door and plopped down, his phone taking yet another opportunity to alert him of its presence.
“sasuke can u hang out this weekend?”
Karin. He ignored it. He would have put the phone on silent, but he was listening closely for his mother should she need him.
“Popular as always, I see,” Juugo teased, his cigarette resting out his window with a mellow smile on his face.
“Remind me why I got a cell phone again? This is ridiculous.”
Over the summer, Sasuke had saved up enough money mowing lawns and delivering papers to afford almost six months of cell phone service. As a birthday present, his parents agreed to cover the rest. Juugo chuckled and shifted the car into drive, now waiting at the small intersection’s stoplight.
“Because you’re a masochist and secretly get off on the attention?”
Sasuke merely rolled his eyes, huffing off some of his frustration now that he’d gotten in the car. The boy was always quieter than most. He generally took a rather pragmatic view towards talking. If he didn’t have anything interesting to say, there was usually no point in saying it. However, he was now quiet even for himself, and his tense body language made his frustration evident. Juugo eyed Sasuke for a few seconds.
“Another fight with your old man?”
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
“Yup.”
“What’s the topic this time?”
“He threw a bitch fit about me joining the basketball team.”
Juugo arched a brow, surprised.
“Why? I’d think he’d be glad you’re joining a sport considering how busy you already are.”
Sasuke gave a short, bitter laugh.
“Yeah, one would think. But he’s mad because the basketball team doesn’t win enough games. He wants me to join baseball instead.”
“Like your brother?”
Sasuke merely glared at Juugo. Juugo would get himself into trouble if he didn’t watch his mouth. He knew that the sibling rivalry had always been a touchy spot for Sasuke. Still, Sasuke couldn’t manage to look too intimidating, considering he’d just barely hit puberty, and Juugo’s bicep was twice as large as Sasuke’s. The idea was more amusing to Juugo than anything.
“Easy, easy,” he added, chuckling.
“I’m so sick of hearing about Itachi. You have no idea how many times teachers have asked me, ‘Oh, aren’t you Itachi’s brother?’”
Sasuke had just started high school weeks ago, and Itachi’s legacy was nothing he could ever hope to escape. He hated the way the teachers’ heads would perk, or their lips would upturn as they read over his family name. Juugo sighed.
“So I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that your father brought Itachi into this again.”
“As always.”
Buzz. No one important. How the hell had his number gotten around so quickly? He ignored it.
“So what did you say?”
Sasuke frowned, already starting to feel the slightest pang of regret for his words towards his father, despite how angry he still was.
“I said ‘fuck you’ and told him I was going to join the basketball team anyway.”
Juugo’s brows raised, the junior knowing that this sort of behavior was far beyond anything Sasuke had pulled in the past.
“I really said ‘fuck’ too,” Sasuke clarified.
Juugo barely refrained from laughing. Swearing in front of his no nonsense father was a big deal for Sasuke, but the way Sasuke viewed the word as the ultimate act of rebellion was rather endearing.
“I bet he loved that.”
“He looked like he was about to follow me out the door and strangle me,” Sasuke groaned.
Juugo couldn’t help but chuckle now, quietly. The image of Fugaku running after Sasuke, his face red and veins bulging, after Sasuke had dared to drop the infamous F bomb was too amusing to him. Juugo could have the mouth of a sailor and never get a word of reproach from his parents.
“You better be careful.”
Sasuke pouted, resting his elbow against the door and resting his head on his palm.
“I wish my dad was cool like yours. He never gets on your ass like that.”
Juugo was the one frowning now, his eyes wandering out the side window as they hit another light.
“I wish he’d get on my ass a little more, honestly.”
“Why would you ever want that? You have all the freedom you could ask for.”
“That’s not always a good thing.”
Juugo’s parents were present in his life, at the very least. Sasuke had met both of them many times, and they were always very pleasant and vibrant people. Still, they never helped him pick his classes, and he would have no help picking out a college and preparing his applications. Juugo was told to “follow his heart” at every turn, and his parents had always been lax when it came to enforcing rules and discipline. In terms of guidance, Juugo was basically on his own.
“Your dad’s a hippie, and mine’s a Nazi.”
The way Sasuke spoke made it more than obvious which situation he believed was more enviable.
“Sounds like a winning combination to me.”
Sasuke merely shook his head, snickering.
“My dad thinks your dad is crazy, you know.”
“My dad said that your dad needs to smoke some pot and do both you and his blood pressure a favor,” Juugo responded through another chuckle.
Sasuke could feel his mood picking up and his body relaxing as he laughed, and it was evident to Juugo as well. Juugo had this way of calming Sasuke, as his personality was very mellow and easygoing. Unbeknownst to Sasuke at the time, he had a similar effect on the red-headed junior.
“Your dad could be right.”
A very familiar melody began to fill the car. He thought he’d escaped it years ago.
“Oh god, not this song.”
Juugo smiled at Sasuke impishly and turned it up.
My baby don’t mess around, because she loves me so, and this I know ‘fo sho.
“Hey, Sasuke…”
“No.”
“What’s cooler than being cool?” Juugo asked Sasuke with a smile, intent on cheering him up.
“No.”
“Not gonna change the song until you give me the right answer.”
Sasuke sighed, eyeing radio in contempt.
“Ice cold.”
“I can’t hear you!”
“ICE COLD. Now turn that off!”
Juugo looked rather proud that he managed to get that much out of the Uchiha, finally relenting and switching the station. Juugo pulled into the garage, and Sasuke waved to Juugo’s mother and addressed her by her first name as he greeted her. She’d insisted from the day she met Sasuke that he not call her “ma’am” or use the dreaded title of “Mrs.” She wasn’t an old woman, after all. This stood as a stark contrast to Sasuke’s father, who looked down on any friend of Sasuke’s who didn’t address him as “Mr. Uchiha.”
Soon enough, the two were up in Juugo’s bedroom playing Halo. Sasuke defended his kill streak stubbornly.
“Jesus, Sasuke! Again?”
Sasuke took a sip of the orange juice Juugo’s mother had given him.
“It’s way, way too easy to sneak up on you. C’mon, give me a challenge here.”
Sasuke tried not to think of all the homework that would be awaiting him once he got home. He wished he’d remembered to grab his biology textbook before he’d stormed out of his house, but his thoughts had been muddled at the time.
His phone’s ringtone sounded, the chorus of a Modest Mouse song that only a few of his classmates had heard of. Juugo paused their game, and Sasuke glanced at the call ID. Sakura’s home phone.
“I better take this,” Sasuke informed Juugo reluctantly.
“Good luck, man.”
He walked out to the office, where he hoped to have some privacy.
“Hey.”
“Hey, Sasuke. What are you up to?”
“I’m at Juugo’s.”
“Seriously? Your parents let you go to Juugo’s on a school night? Why?”
Sasuke sighed.
“No reason. I was just bored.”
“That’s strange for them.”
Sakura’s voice was skeptical, and Sasuke knew there was no deceiving her. And…well, she was his girlfriend, after all. Dishonesty was poor grounds for a relationship.
“Some drama at home. I’m keeping my distance.”
“What happened?” Sakura asked. Her voice was full of concern.
“Don’t worry about it,” Sasuke answered dismissively.
“Sasuke, stop pushing me away. Let me help!”
He tried to keep his frustration from showing in his voice, knitting the skin between his eyebrows. A few weeks ago, Sakura had this very long conversation with him about how he tended to push her away and keep information to himself. He told her he’d make an effort to change, and he supposed that now was as good of a time as any.
“My dad just freaked out because I’m joining the basketball team. He mentioned Itachi, I got pissed, and it was pretty hectic after that. My mom’s picking me up in about an hour though.”
“Ah, I see… Are you okay?”
“Yes?” Sasuke answered, as if the question were almost too stupid to humor.
“Sasuke…”
Sakura was always quite perceptive, and definitely not an easy person to trick. Sakura might be clingy at times, but she was sharp, and she was kind. He supposed he was lucky to have a girlfriend with those qualities. He certainly could have done worse…
“I’m frustrated, obviously.”
“You know your dad’s just trying to look out for you. He gets demanding, but I know he’s proud of you.”
Sasuke felt stupid, needing to be told these things. Yet he couldn’t allow himself to believe them. His father had been unhappy with him for years. Yes, maybe they’d been clashing more as Sasuke began his transition towards adulthood. He started questioning his father’s rules and demanded to think for himself. But even when he had worked with unflagging devotion just to gain a morsel of his father’s approval, he hadn’t been much more successful.
“Yeah… Well anyhow, wanna watch a movie on Saturday?”
A pause.
“We’ll have the house to ourselves you say?”
He smirked, silently grateful to Sakura for letting him get away with changing the subject.
“Completely.”
Sakura merely began to chuckle devilishly in response.
“It’s about time.”
“Tell me about it,” Sasuke groaned. God, if they could just get a few hours to themselves, it would be enough.
“Sasuke, I’ve been so horny lately. It’s horrible. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“I think I have an idea,” Sasuke snickered.
“You’re so full of yourself.” Sakura couldn’t manage to keep the giggle out of her voice. “You gonna go down on me too this time?”
Sasuke shuddered, his forehead quickly covered in a very light sweat.
“Don’t say that,” Sasuke replied quietly. “For Christ’s sake, I’m in Juugo’s office.”
“Oh, am I gonna give you a boner or something?”
“Of course not,” Sasuke lied. Why was he like this? It wasn’t like any other girl could do this to him. Cursing his overactive imagination, he hoped he’d be more difficult to arouse when he got older. He willed Sasuke Jr. to curb his enthusiasm. Sakura merely laughed, and Sasuke knew she saw through him.
“You’re such a bitch, Sakura,” Sasuke added, his exasperation hiding the ghost of a chuckle.
Sakura burst into laughter, and Sasuke rolled his eyes. He could swear he felt himself blushing, but he couldn’t help but laugh with her, if only a little bit.
“I won’t hold you up any longer. See you at school tomorrow.”
Sakura’s voice was laced with flirtation, and Sasuke enjoyed it as much as it made him curse her. He’d get her back for this though, without a doubt. It was a game they loved to play. He hung up the phone and walked back into Juugo’s room.
They could only play video games for another half hour or so until they both caved to hunger. Juugo’s mom ordered them a pizza, which the boys did not allow to go unappreciated. By the time the delivery arrived, it was nearing eight. At 7:50, Sasuke was chowing down on greasy pepperoni pizza. Sure, this wasn’t exactly health food, but he’d had a stressful day, he reasoned. He could stuff his arteries with a few dozen grams of grease guiltlessly.
He was thankful for how his day had improved. Juugo and Sakura lifted his spirits significantly, and he could now actually say he was having fun. Juugo and Sasuke teased each other and joked as they ate, laughter from both of them filling the kitchen. When eight came around, and his mom still hadn’t arrived, Sasuke wasn’t complaining. Besides, he’d only had one slice of pizza.
8:30. Sasuke didn’t want to remind his mom to pick him up if she’d lost track of the time. She was sure to remember sooner or later.
9:00. Sasuke and Juugo started watching TV, and Sasuke obligatorily took his cell phone out of his pocket and texted his mom. As much as he wanted to avoid going home, it was probably the right thing to do.
“Hey, where are you?”
He waited another ten minutes before calling her. The call went straight to voicemail.
“She’s not answering,” Sasuke stated, turning to Juugo.
Juugo shrugged, leaving to grab a bag of Cheetos out of the kitchen. Juugo’s pipe had been set on the table in the living room since they’d arrived. He picked up his grinder and a small baggie of weed nestled under an open magazine.
“Wait ‘til I’m gone, Juugo. If my mom smells weed on me, she’ll murder us both.”
He actually wondered if she even knew what weed smelled like. However, Itachi had told him many stories of their mother’s college days, once Sasuke was old enough to hear them. Apparently, Itachi had weedled them out of a highly intoxicated great uncle at a family reunion.
Juugo laughed, shaking his head.
“Good point. Sorry, habit.”
9:30. His mom still wasn’t answering. It was getting late. He… God, he didn’t want to do this. He didn’t want to be the one to break the silence. He texted his father’s cell phone now. After all, wasn’t this the responsible thing to do?
“Hi Dad. Mom said she was going to pick me up, and I can’t reach her.”
Again, no response. He was probably just angry with Sasuke. Yet when he called, again, it went to voicemail. Why would both of his parents have their cell phones off?
“Juugo, would you mind driving me home? If my mom’s not here by 10, I think we should just go ourselves.”
“Yeah, don’t worry about it.”
And sure enough, it was ten. He tried both of his parents one last time, again unsuccessful. They got in Juugo’s pickup and drove a couple minutes uneventfully. However, the streets grew increasingly trafficked. Car horns punctuated the night, and suddenly they were at a standstill.
“I wonder what’s going on,” Juugo remarked absentmindedly.
Sasuke believed he picked up on a peculiar smell, taking another whiff. It seemed to hit so suddenly that it struck him in the face, and now he couldn’t ignore it if he tried. It was strong, irritating his throat, eyes, and nose. The heavy, toxic scent of smoke.
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Soup's On