Author's Note: Okay, so I know I should be updating Nothing Left to Give, but this was a plot bunny I just couldn't get rid of. No, this is not another one shot. It's actually my first attempt at a Naruto fanfic. I hope I do okay!

Warnings: This story is rated Teen for the moment, but if I decide to include a lemon or two the rating will go up to Mature. If anyone has a problem with this, as always, let me know.

Disclaimers: Naruto and it's characters are not mine, never were mine, and will never be mine. There will be various songs included in this story, and they, likewise, are not mine. The song included at the end of this chapter is called "Had Enough" by "Breaking Benjamin".

And without further ado, here's the first chapter of The Guardian

The Guardian

Operation 01

R-2-F

The club's music blared as the bodies on the dance floor bumped and ground against each other to the beat pouring from the speakers. The club was packed to the brim with people. Most where college students out for a weekend of partying, though others were business men and women who had just gotten off of work and were looking for a reprieve from another grueling day in the office. The bar was lined with teenagers and scantily clad women looking for a free drink from an admiring customer and the smell of smoke hung heavily in the air, drifting from one of the many private rooms towards the back.

All in all, it was utterly chaotic.

And in the opinion of a certain Naruto Uzumaki, it was perfect.

"Come on, Kiba!" Naruto exclaimed as the bouncer allowed the two men to pass before repositioning himself between the anxious line outside and the club entrance. "What do you want to do first? Dance? Drink?" He looked over his shoulder at the brunette and his grin only widened at the apparent shock on his friend's face. Apparently Kiba hadn't believed him when Naruto had said that this club was the place to be on a Saturday night.

Kiba caught his friend's gloating look and glared back, ignoring the almost feral grin the look earned him. "I can't believe an idiot like you found a place like..." His eyes scanned the bodies on the dance floor where everyone was so tightly packed it was hard to hazard a guess as to how many people were really out there. "...like this." He finished weakly.

"Great, isn't it?"

Before Kiba had a chance to reply with yet another snide remark the blond man had taken hold of his arm and began to drag him towards the bar. Kiba followed behind Naruto with a sigh, shoving his free hand inside of his jacket to make sure that he had his wallet. He knew better than to think that the blond idiot would pay.

"How'd you find this place anyway?" Kiba growled as Naruto came to a stop at the counter.

"You'll see." Naruto replied with a foxy grin.

Only moments after Naruto had spoken the bartender appeared in front of them. "See what?" The man grinned, shifting the stick in his mouth with a flick of his tongue. He grinned at the two men before him. "Kiba! Haven't seen you in a while, dog-breath! What's up?"

Kiba nearly came unglued as he recognized the bartender. "Y-you!" He exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger in the much older man's face. His eyes widened in horror at the sight of the bartender. He rounded on Naruto accusingly. "You knew!" He gasped, his finger still pointed straight between the bartender's eyes though his attention had shifted to his friend.

Naruto laughed heartily and placed a hand on Kiba's arm, lowering his accusing finger. "Of course I knew-- I found out about this place from Genma, after all." The steadily increasing look of horror on Kiba's face caused Naruto to laugh even harder. "C'mon Kiba, it's just Genma!"

"Just Genma?!" Kiba exclaimed, his voice raising several octaves.. "Just Genma?!"

The man behind the counter arched an eyebrow, though it was clear the brunette's reaction was found highly amusing by someone other than Naruto. Genma chuckled softly as he reached under the bar for two glasses, retrieving a rag at the same time and wiping the glasses with swift efficiency. "'Just Genma'?" The older brunette pouted, his lower lip sticking out slightly. "That hurts, Uzumaki."

Naruto rolled his eyes at both of their antics. "Come on Kiba, you're being ridiculous."

"Ridiculous?!" Kiba nearly screamed, once again pointing at the man behind the counter. "Do you have any idea how many times I came home to find him and his-his--" Kiba fumbled for a word, turning bright red as a result.

"Boyfriend?" Genma supplied easily, filling the glasses half full of Tequila before filling them the rest of the way with coke.

Kiba turned even redder, if such a thing was possible at this point. "Do you have any idea how many times I came home to find them doing...things...in my house?!" He shook his head violently as if trying to rid himself of the memory. "The living room, the kitchen, the shower-- nowhere was sacred!"

Genma grinned wolfishly. "Not even your bed."

"Yeah, not even my b-" Kiba paused, his eyes going impossibly wide as Genma's words sank in. All color seemed to drain from his face. "You didn't."

"We did."

Naruto couldn't help it; he died laughing.

Kiba glared as his supposed 'friend' and 'partner'. "Shut it, fox-face! It's not funny!" Kiba's face contorted into a look of utter disgust. "Now I'm going to have to burn my bed."

Genma laughed as he pushed the two drinks towards the younger men. "Ten dollars even." He said lazily as he held out a hand for the money. As he waited Genma rolled the stick in his mouth with his tongue lazily, a habit he had picked up once he had given up smoking and traded his trademark cigarette for a stick. When asked Genma would say that he still toted the stick because he had to have something to occupy his mouth while his boyfriend was away, but in reality it was an old habit he found impossible to break.

Kiba scowled at the older man and snatched the drinks, offering no money in return. He couldn't help but allow a small smirk at the look of shock on the older brunette's face. "You just cost me a perfectly good bed; you owe me." As Kiba turned around he bumped into an utterly solid form that nearly caused him to spill both his and Naruto's drinks. "Hey, watch it asswipe!"

"Kiba?" The "asswipe" replied in surprise, looking down at the small man with widened brown eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Kiba looked up only to meet the eyes of one Raidou Namiashi- A.K.A, Genma's boyfriend.

"Raidou!" Genma squealed as he bounded over the bar and launched himself at the taller man, ignoring his customers in favor of his boyfriend.

Naruto laughed as Raidou caught Genma easily and drew him into his arms, wrapping both of his strong arms around Genma's waist and laying his chin on the slightly smaller man's shoulder. The look of utter horror on Kiba's face at seeing the missing part of the duo was priceless. Naruto seriously debated whether or not the Inuzuka was going to shit himself at the sight of Raidou. It certainly looked that way.

"You!" Kiba repeated, this time pointing his finger at Raidou instead of at the man in his arms and nearly spilling his drink in the process. Naruto sensed the immediate danger that his drink was in and quickly snatched the other glass from Kiba, taking a quick swig and sighing in content.

"Me?" Raidou repeated in confusion.

"You ruined my bed! And you didn't tell me!" Kiba ranted, waving his hand around and in doing so sloshing his drink all over the place. He didn't seem to care about his drink at the moment though; no, he was too concerned about his desecrated bed. "I sleep there!"

Raidou's eyes widened in realization and he looked at Genma with a look of horror that nearly mirrored Kiba's. "You told him!?" He squeaked, releasing his hold on the brunette as if his hands had caught fire.

"He made me!" Genma protested, launching himself once again at Raidou and attaching himself to his boyfriend's arm. "He threatened me! He said that if I didn't tell him he would kill me!!"

"I did not!" Kiba excalimed defensively. "He was bragging-!"

Raidou turned a suddenly dangerous glare to the man attached to his arm. "You were bragging...?" He repeated darkly, shaking the younger man off of his arm with some difficulty. He ignored Genma's indignant protests and began walking away, towards the crowd. "That's it, Genma. Consider yourself on the couch for the remainder of the week."

"B-but Raidou"

"And no sex."

The music mostly drowned out Genma's mortified scream, but Raidou did not have to look back to see the stricken look on his lover's face. Oh no, he knew that look well enough by now. Raidou chuckled evilly as he left the club, all the while imagining the look that was undoubtedly on Genma's face at the prospect of a week without sex.

"And then when that week is over," Raidou thought aloud as he unlocked his car, his lips twisting into a wicked grin. "Then comes the make-up sex."

No, Genma was not the only pervert in their relationship.

R-2-F

Kiba shook his head as he watched a deflated Genma return to his bartending duties. The man looked as if he had just been denied Christmas or been told Santa Clause wasn't real, but then again the threat of no sex for a week probably held about the same amount of weight to a man like Genma. Kiba could only chuckle as he drank down what was left of his drink. "They haven't changed a bit." Kiba commented as he set the glass down on a random table, ignoring the protests that came from the people who sat there. "C'mon, let's dance."

Naruto laughed and followed suit, though he opted to keep his drink with him. "Wait up, dog breath!" He hollered, hoping to be heard over the roar of the music as he struggled to catch up with his friend. Kiba had already launched himself into the crowd and disappeared from sight, leaving Naruto to trail behind him.

Naruto pushed his way into the crowd, getting bumped and jostled as the people around him continued to dance without seeming to even notice him. He began to feel claustrophobic as the bodies around him continued to press against him from all side, leaving him feeling trapped amidst the chaos of the club. With a sudden surge of determination Naruto shoved against the barrier of people and stumbled through them, only to run into someone head on. The sudden stop caused all of Naruto's weight to be transferred onto this unsuspecting person...as well as his drink.

Naruto winced as he felt his drink slosh onto his hand and undoubtedly the other's clothes. He was almost afraid to look up. Knowing his luck he had run into an ex-sumo wrestler who was now going to kick his ass in the middle of the club, and judging by the people's reactions surrounding him they wouldn't do a damn thing to stop him. Now, it wasn't like Naruto couldn't handle his own or anything; en contrare, Naruto had...special training...of sorts. But he was loathe to make a scene, which is exactly what fighting back would cause.

However, luck was on Naruto's side today, because instead of looking up to find the bulky form of a professional wrestler looming over him he instead found himself face to face with what had to be the single most beautiful man Naruto had ever seen. The man was slightly shorter than Naruto in stature, and where as Naruto was built solid and muscular the other man was built small and lithe, though still possessing clearly defined muscles. In fact, upon closer inspection, the man was Naruto's opposite in every way; where Naruto's blond hair was short and spiky, this man wore his raven hair longer, the front of his hair framing his jaw line and the back cut shorter and spiked. Where Naruto's expressive eyes were bright blue, the other's were an emotionless onyx. Even their skin colors were polar opposites, with Naruto's a dark tan and the other's a milky white.

Naruto's stupefied spell was broken when the raven spoke. "Watch where you're going, dobe."

His voice was deep and somehow gentle, yet another opposite to Naruto's harsh tenor.

"Uh...I.." Naruto laughed, rubbing the back of his head self-consciously. "Sorry about-" Naruto's words trailed off as he watched the man pick at his drenched shirt...his ruined, drenched shirt. "Your...shirt." He finished lamely, his eyes widening at the damage he had done. He reached out instinctively and took the shirt in his hands, in doing so dragging the smaller man closer to him. "Shit." He said with mounting horror. "Was this fucking silk?"

The other glared in return, seeming unphased in the slightest that he had to tilt his chin up slightly to meet Naruto's eyes . "'Was' being the opportune word."

Naruto swore again under his breath, looking down at the other man. "Here, how much was it? I'll pay for it-" He released his hold on the other's shirt and began to dig for his wallet.

"More than you'll make in a year." He replied flatly as he began to move towards the bar. "Forget about it."

"No!" Naruto insisted, rushing after the guy. He grabbed the raven's wrist and spun him around. "I fucked up the shirt, the least I can do is pay for it-"

"I already told you to forget about it." The raven replied icily, taking his free hand and using it to pry Naruto's death grip from his wrist. Naruto let go out of surprise at the strength in the smaller man's grip but immediately regretted it as the raven once again began to walk off. "I have other shirts."

With those final words the raven managed to shake off Naruto and disappeared into the crowd without so much as a backwards glance. Naruto stood rooted to the spot, his hand hanging limp at his side for a moment. "Bastard," He growled, curling his hands into fists. "I was just trying to help."

He returned to the dance floor in hopes of having better luck of finding Kiba. This time he found the brunette with little mishap. Kiba was standing in front of what appeared to be a stage with a group of girls that appeared to be chattering excitedly about something. Kiba on the other hand just looked confused. Naruto couldn't help but laugh when he was spotted by his friend and given a pleading look by the dog lover. Unable to deny his friend's request Naruto headed over to the quartet with a smile fixed on his face. He refused to let the raven haired bastard ruin his night.

"Hey dog breath, who're your friends?" Naruto asked casually, ignoring the glare he received for the use of that nickname in front of the ladies. He flashed the rosette closest to him a charming smile. His actions received a shy blush from the girl, but a harsh glare from his friend. "What??" He demanded innocently of Kiba.

"Naruto, this is Sakura, Ino, and Hinata." He said, gesturing to each girl in turn. "Girls, this is my friend and partner, Naruto." He shot Naruto a no-nonsense look and waited for the blond to finish the introduction.

Naruto sighed heavily and shot Sakura an apologetic grin. "And I'm gay." He finished with a roll of his eyes. "Honestly, Kiba. Are you that afraid of a little friendly competition?"

Kiba squawked indignantly. "There is no competition-you're gay!" He crossed his arms, glaring at the other man without an ounce of animosity. "I just don't think it's right that you like to mess with girls' heads like that."

Naruto shrugged. "I don't do it on purpose."

The girls all laughed, including Hinata who, in her defense, tried unsuccessfully to hide her smile behind her cupped hand. Their laughter earned a defeated groan from Kiba and a triumphant grin from Naruto. "Thanks for the backup, girls." He sulked, leaning with his back against the stage.

"Oh get over yourself, Inuzuka." The blonde girl, Ino, snapped. She hit Kiba across the back of his head none too gently, though she was grinning. "Neither of you are my type."

Sakura laughed and nodded. "Mine either."

Naruto faked a sniffle and wiped at an imaginary tear. "Oh, I'm so heartbroken." He whimpered dramatically before throwing himself at Kiba. "How will I go on?!"

Kiba rolled his eyes and laughed, shoving his friend off of him. "Get off of me, you man-whore."

Naruto stumbled back a step or two, standing right between two of the girls. He sighed dramatically and draped an arm across either of their shoulders, earning a laugh from both Sakura and Ino. "He's just jealous that I get more action than he does." Naruto barely finished his words before he ducked a playful punch that was aimed for his head. "Hey now!" He exclaimed, ducking behind Hinata. "Save me!"

Hinata blushed bright red as Kiba's attention was turned towards her. "U-uhm...Naruto-kun." She stammered, trying her best to fight down her blush and at the same time sidestep so that she was no longer standing between the blond and Kiba.

"Hey, hands off Uzumaki!" Kiba growled as Naruto grabbed Hinata's knees to keep her still. "Leave Hinata alone."

Naruto noted the faint blush that graced Kiba's face as he said the girl's name and grinned wolfishly, releasing his hold on his captive and standing straight once again. "Aww, puppy love!" He cooed, earning a fierce hit over his head with Kiba's fist as the pair both blushed fiercely.

Sakura and Ino rolled their eyes at the two boys' antics, though they shared a secret smile as Hinata and Kiba both began to stammer out protests. Before any further words could be exchanged between the five of them the lights began to dim in the club and the music faded away. Nearly instantaneously, the club was filled with screams. Sakura and Ino were perhaps the loudest of all.

"The show's starting!" They squealed in unison, turning as one towards the stage as the curtains began to be drawn back.

"Show?" Both Naruto and Kiba repeated in confusion. They shared a bewildered look before they turned towards the girls for an explanation, one as clueless as the other. "What show?"

Ino sighed, taking it upon herself to explain. "How can you not know? Mortal Fatality's performing tonight!" She and Sakura looked at each other. "Sasuke-kun!" They squealed, jumping up and down excitedly.

Naruto and Kiba exchanged yet another look over the girls' heads. Kiba arched an eyebrow in silent question and Naruto merely shrugged in reply. How the hell was he suppose to know? Even Hinata looked as if she wanted to join Sakura and Ino in their crazed antics but stubbornly refrained from doing so.

Before Naruto could give the issue any more thought the curtains were drawn back and the lights were completely shut off, casting the entire club in darkness. Seconds later the sound of a guitar penetrated through the noise of the screaming fans, causing everyone to fall into complete and utter silence. Drums joined the guitar after only seconds, an angry sound that drew everyone's attention to the stage as the lights began to come on one by one, revealing those on stage

The first man to be revealed stood on the far right was known as Subaku Gaara. The red head stood completely still as his fingers glided across the strings of his bass guitar with an ease that was easily attributed to that of a professional guitarist. His face remained emotionless as he played, his aqua eyes fixed with blazing intensity on the bass in his hands though it didn't seem as if he was really seeing it. The redhead wore a pair of tight leather pants in black with a dark red long-sleeved button up shirt, though the shirt was only half buttoned and the sleeves were rolled up to Gaara's elbows. He completed his outfit with a pair of black combat boots that came up to mid-thigh and he wore over his leather pants, the shoelaces loosely tied.

A second light came on to reveal the other guitarist, Hyuuga Neiji. He wore a white button up shirt completely undone with the sleeves rolled up, similar to Gaara's, but unlike Gaara he wore a black tank top underneath the collared shirt. He completed the look with a pair of tight fitting jeans and a pair of black Converse. His hair was loose around his shoulders, leaving the black locks to fall freely across his back and shoulders. He played the guitar as well, though unlike his band mate was nodding his head in time with the music as he played his guitar solo.

The music grew even louder as the drummer was revealed with the third light, one Nara Shikamaru. The drummer wore his hair in a high ponytail drawn as tightly back as it would go. Unlike the others, Shikamaru wore no shirt. The lights seemed to highlight his chiseled muscles and enhanced his naturally handsome appearance. He seemed to be less inhibited than the others, for he played his drums with wild abandon that, if one knew him at all, was entirely uncharacteristic of the raven.

The lights went out completely for a second as the sound died down to a much softer tone. Seconds later light flooded the entire room as all of the spotlights scanned the crowd before they settled on the man who stood in the middle of the stage, his head bent with mic in hand as he nodded his head in time with the music. The man's raven hair was styled so that it hung neatly in the front but was a wild mess in the back, giving the singer a wild look that could not have fit him more perfectly. The raven was clad from head to toe in black leather. His pants fit as if he had been poured into them with an equally tight leather vest. The vest showed the slightest bit of stomach when he moved and showcased the raven's muscular arms wonderfully. He completed the ensemble with a fingerless leather glove on one hand and with a pair of boots quite similar to Gaara's, though his were tightly laced up. A choker was added to the outfit; a simple black cord with a small charm of a red and white fan hanging from it.

This man was Uchiha Sasuke.

Naruto gaped at the sight before him, doing nothing to stop himself from openly admiring the raven that stood on stage. He did nothing to stop his eyes from raking the singer's leather-clad body as the raven raised his head and began to sing, his voice as deliciously sinful as the rest of him.

Milk it for all it's worth

Make sure you get there first

The apple of your eye

A rotten core inside

Naruto leaned over towards Sakura, his eyes never leaving the singer's form. "Who the hell is that?" Naruto asked, having to near yell to be heard over the crowd. He did nothing to keep the awe from his voice as his eyes trailed the singer as he began to move around the stage.

Sakura smirked, noting the bewitched look on the blond man's face. "That," She replied, pointing to the raven as he raised the mic to his mouth once again, his entire body moving to the beat of the music. "Is Uchiha Sasuke."

We are the prisoners

Things couldn't get much worse

I've had it up to here

You know your end is near.

Sasuke backed up to where he was even with Neiji and Gaara, the two guitarists joining in with him as he sang the chorus. Sasuke held the mic against his mouth as he sang with reckless abandon, shaking his head as he sang with a passion that Naruto had never heard before.

You had to have it all

Well have you had enough?

You greedy little bastard

You will get what you deserve

When all is said and done

I will be the one

To leave you in your misery

And hate what you've become.

Sasuke threw his hands back at the end of the chorus, his death hold on the mic the only thing keeping it in his hand. The guitars and drums continued to play as Sasuke nodded with the music. Shikamaru looked as if he were having a seizure as he played while Neiji's hair was beginning to stick to the sides of his face and neck from the sweat collecting there. Gaara hadn't changed during the performance, though if one looked close enough they would see the smallest of smirks playing on his lips as he played.

Intoxicated eyes

No longer live that life

You should have learned by now

I'll burn this whole world down

As Sasuke sang Naruto found himself as lost to the music as the crazed fans around him. A glance at Kiba would prove that the brunette was just as into the band's performance as he was. Together they jumped up and down with the rest of the crowd, pumping their fists into the air with wild abandon. Naruto's face split into the silliest of grins when he and Sakura locked eyes, both laughing as they continued to move with the music.

I need some peace of mind

No fear of what's behind

You think you've won this fight

You've only lost your mind!

Shikamaru hit the drums so hard it nearly deafened those closest to the speakers, but nobody cared. The music grew even louder as the quartet reached the chorus, all of them singing at once. Sasuke stepped towards the edge of the stage, moving so that he was only inches from Naruto. He reached out a hand to the crazy fans that had pressed themselves against the stage, pausing when he came face to face with Naruto.

Two sets of eyes narrowed in recognition.

"You!" Naruto gasped, pointing a finger at Sasuke in a similar manner to the way Kiba had with both Genma and Raidou. From this close of a viewpoint of view Naruto could clearly see the man's face, and it was only now that he recognized the man as the one from before.

Sasuke smirked as he reached out towards one of his screaming fans and took the girl's drink from her, studying it's contents for a moment before took a quick swig. His gaze once again fell on Naruto and he tilted his head to the side in a contemplative manner. "Nice shirt." He drawled before he poured the remains of the drink over Naruto's head. He smirked as Naruto gaped at him, tossing the now empty glass to the floor uncaringly. "Consider us even." He moved back towards the center of the stage, sharing a laugh with Neiji at his antics. The ravens both looked at Naruto and laughed at the dumbfounded look the blond still possessed. With a shake of Sasuke's head, they launched into the chorus.

You had to have it all

Well have you had enough?

You greedy little bastard

You'll get what you deserve

When all is said and done

I will be the one

To leave you in your misery

And hate what you've become

Naruto glared at the singer, his thoughts of the man becoming as cold as the drink that now soaked into his clothes. "Bastard!" He yelled, hoping to be heard over the music. He heard Kiba's laughter next to him and shot the brunette a death glare but received no apology from the dog lover. Naruto's scowl faded into a deviant smirk as a thought occurred to him. He turned to the stage, meeting the raven's eyes unflinchingly. "Hey bastard!" He repeated once he was sure he had Sasuke's attention. "If you wanted my shirt off all you had to do was ask!"

And with that Naruto reached down and grabbed the bottom of his orange t-shirt and pulled it over his head. He swung it around once dramatically before throwing it on the stage, next to Sasuke's feet.

Sasuke stared at the shirt, clearly not have expected such a comeback. His gaze shifted from the drenched shirt at his feet to the half naked blond leaning on the stage. As his eyes fell on Naruto's bare chest the slightest hint of a blush began to make it's way across Sasuke's cheeks before he stubbornly lifted his chin and flipped the bird at the blond before returning lifting the mic.

"Anytime." Naruto replied with a waggle of his eyebrows. He was semi-startled to find that he was only half joking.

The music had died down as the bridge began, so those up close to the stage had heard the duo's conversation. Neiji and Shikamaru shared and amused look before Neiji and Gaara began to sing the bridge, Sasuke echoing them instinctively. Even his anger was quickly forgotten as the music began to enshroud him once again, and by the second line Sasuke had lost himself once again.

(Hold me down) I will live again

(Hold me down) I will break it in

Hold me down) Better in the end

Hold me down!!

Sasuke fell to his knees as he sang the last line, holding the note until his voice gave way. He fisted his free hand in his hair as the band held out the notes, the club falling into utter silence at the intensity displayed by the singer. Just as quickly Sasuke was back on his feet with both hands on the mic, pacing like a caged animal as he sang the chorus the final time.

You had to have it all

Well have you had enough?

You greedy little bastard

You'll get what you deserve

When all is said and done

I will be the one

To leave you in your misery

And hate what you've become.

The music reached an impossibly high level as the song drew to an end, the guitars wailed as the drums crashed, repeating the same melody that had begun at the beginning of the song and lasted until the very end. Sasuke raised his mic for a final time, his chest heaving as he fought to catch his breath.

Heaven help you!

He screamed the last line, his voice nearly breaking from the intensity. The melody played once more and once again Sasuke screamed the line, until with the last drum strike the stage went black, the sound of Sasuke's mic hitting the floor echoing through the club.

Silence fell for a moment before the screams erupted, this time louder than ever before. Naruto couldn't help it; he joined the screaming fans. Even if the singer did happen to be a total bastard, even Naruto could not deny that the man had talent. And not just him-- the entire band. He had never seen a drummer like that man with the ponytail. And the guitarists? They were just...damn.

"That was fucking awesome!" Kiba hollered as he pumped his fist in the air, turning towards Naruto. His grin faded slightly. "But what was that with the drink?" He demanded, his hands going to his hips. When the blond avoided his gaze Kiba groaned. "What did you do?"

"It wasn't like I did it on purpose!" Naruto snapped defensively at the other's weary tone. "I just bumped into him and my drink spilled on him."

"You're kidding me."

Naruto shook his head. "It was an accident, alright? He said not to worry about it," Naruto frowned, nodding towards where his shirt now lay abandoned on the stage. "But apparently he changed his mind."

"I'll say."

Kiba received a none-too-gentle punch to his arm for that one. "Aw, fuck man! I was just kidding!" The brunette protested, rubbing his assaulted arm sulkily. The sound of laughter beside him drew his attention to the quiet girl that had taken up permanent residence beside him since the concert began. "You think this is funny, eh?" He demanded, though he softened his words with a small grin.

Hinata nodded. "I'm sorry, K-Kiba-san, it's just--" She cut off, covering her mouth with her hands. "Your face was so humorous!"

Kiba grinned. "Humorous? I was thinking more along the lines of handsome..."

Hinata turned a bright red but nodded. "Y-yes, that t-too."

Naruto laughed as the couple both turned matching shades of red, neither having expected Hinata to have said such a thing. It appeared her slip had surprised even herself.

"Awe!" Ino and Sakura cooed together. "Hinata's got a boyfriend!" The girls laughed when Hinata hid her face in embarrassment behind the closest thing she could get her hands on-- which just happened to be Kiba's shirt. Kiba laughed self-consciously and put an arm around Hinata's shoulders.

"C'mon, girls. I've only known her for a couple of hours!" He looked down at the top of Hinata's head, his blush returning full force. "But who knows? Maybe after a while..."

"After a while what?"

All heads turned towards the new voice to find Neiji standing behind the couple with his hands on his hips. "Hinata." He said lowly, causing the young girl to detach herself from Kiba immediately and move towards him. The raven sighed and shook his head. "That isn't what I meant, Hinata." He ammended. "I was merely going to ask who your friend was?" His eyes turned to Kiba, the protective gleam about them turning Kiba's blood to ice.

Hinata paused, dropping her gaze. "A-ano...this is...Kiba-san." She said softly, her eyes darting to the side to look at Kiba and blushing. "K-Kiba-san, this is Neiji-nii-san."

Kiba nodded in sudden understanding. "That would explain a lot." He held his hand out in a friendly gesture. "So you're the big brother she was talking about."

Neiji accepted the extended hand, his hands much colder than his words. "I'm afraid I can't say I've heard Hinata speak of you before."

Kiba laughed. "No, you wouldn't have. We just met, and if it's alright with you, I'd like to meet her again sometime."

Neiji raised an eyebrow at the brunette's forwardness. "Oh really?" He turned his gaze to Hinata only to meet the worst puppy dog eyes he had ever seen from the young Hyuuga. He allowed a small smile. "I guess that could be arranged."

"Thank you Neiji-nii!" Hinata squealed, bowing deeply. "Thank you!"

Neiji shook his head. "Don't thank me yet." He turned his gaze back to Kiba. "If you hurt her, if you look at her wrong, if you lie to her...if you do anything inappropriate to her...I myself will hunt you down." He growled, an almost carnal gleam lighting his eyes. There was no hint of fun nor jest about his voice. Clearly, the Hyuuga was serious.

Kiba gulped, though a glance at Hinata reaffirmed his decision. "Go ahead. If I hurt her I'd deserve every bit of what you'd give me." He said, raising his chin up indignantly in a manner very similar to Naruto. "And I'd gladly accept it."

The Hyuuga shook his head. "Then let's hope there will be no need." He looked up as he saw another member of the band coming. "Ah, Gaara! Where are the others?" He asked, scanning the crowd for Shikamaru and Sasuke.

"Shikamaru refused to leave backstage because "fangirls are too troublesome" and I lost Sasuke in a mob of fans on my way over here." Gaara replied flatly as he joined the group, seeming completely uninterested in the conversation that had been going on.

"You left him?" Neiji replied in utter horror.

"Yes, but luckily I'm use to it by now." A third voice piped up.

All eyes turned to find Sasuke moving towards them, looking fairly mussed and yet somehow cool and collected at the same time. He moved his bangs out of his eyes with an arrogant toss of his head before his eyes fell on the blond male who had remained silent throughout the talk between Kiba and Neiji. "Dobe." He acknowledged.

"Dobe?!" Naruto repeated, raising his fist threateningly. "I'm no 'dobe', TEME!"

The Uchiha arched an elegant eyebrow. "Could have fooled me, Usuratonkachi."

Naruto struggled for a comeback, yet only managed to repeat himself. "T-Teme!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Original." He muttered as he twisted the cap off of a bottle of Gem Clear, taking a swig and sighing as the alcohol slid down his already burning throat. He ignored the glares he got from his band mates for his actions and took another swig.

Gaara was the one to snatch the bottle from Sasuke, glaring daggers at the raven even as Sasuke glared right back. "Alcohol is not good for you." He stated in his monotonous voice. "You'll get alcohol poisoning and die."

Sasuke shrugged. "I'll die one way or another. What the hell." He made a grab for his drink but was surprised when a tanned hand grabbed his wrist, squeezing tightly enough to cause Sasuke to wince.

"How the hell can you talk like that?" Naruto demanded, his eyes shadowed by his bangs. "Like dying doesn't phase you in the least?" His grip tightened even further until Sasuke finally jerked his wrist away violently, nearly toppling the blond man over by the sudden movement.

"Because it doesn't." Sasuke replied flatly. "It hasn't for a long time."

The flippant tone in which the raven said such a thing floored Naruto and forced him to take a step back. He stared at the other, even as Sasuke retrieved his bottle of Gem Clear and took another swig before disappearing into the crowd, more than likely to go find some place where he could get drunk in solitude. Naruto was just about to go after the bastard and beat some sense into him when his cellphone began to vibrate. He withdrew his phone and stared at the number, seeing Kiba mirror his actions as he did so. That could only mean one thing.

"Boys, you've got an assignment."

R-2-F

Author's Note: And the journey with our favorite boys begins! If you have any questions feel free to leave a review or to message me, but chances are your questions will be answered in upcoming chapters. Thanks for your time, and as always thanks for reading!

Until next time,

R2F