Disclaimer : Pour sugar, spices, and everything nice… and voila! I've made Naruto! –SMACK- …Ouch! Yeah, yeah, Naruto's not mine! Geez, you don't have to hit me so hard.

A/N : You may think 'Zahra, what the hell you've been doing, it's been three fucking weeks! You're late!' and wanted to smack my retarded head hard. Eheheh… you see, I've been having this extreme laziness and lack of mood to write again (since I've posted too many stories and ended up ditching them)… …poor excuse of a tardy authoress, I know. To the people who enjoyed my other stories as well, it's a pity, but I'll be honest. I want to concentrate only to some of them, and therefore, had to neglect the others 'till I finished my main targets (read my profile). Don't worry, 'coz this story is one of them, I'll keep updating.

…do you wanna kill me now?

Okay, reply for the anonymous reviews! Sorry that I didn't do it in the first place…TT-TT

Htrh6trhrh : Your welcome! Yay, prince Naruto! Gotta be interesting…

Chii : Thanks for your compliment! That made my day! But, if you do read fanfic while doing homework, won't you're not be able to concentrate?

SasunaruHolic : Dear, I'm sorry that I didn't do this thing much sooner. I want to say 'Thank you for always reviewing!' luv ya:D

Sha : Eheheh, thanks! That made my day!

Enjoy!!

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Chapter 7 : Enchanted Kiss

It was the most horrible day in Naruto's teaching history. (not that he had taught that long, but still…)

Today, was the day when he could show how well he was able to lead his students in the school activity. His qualification of teaching. And as a new guy in the said field, he had been anxious in the whole preparation, not to mention the brain-usage he tried to master (but obviously enough, failed). As a man of pride, of course he didn't want to fail, for that he agreed to do anything in order to prevent failure, not only for his own importance, but for all of his students' too. He promised to himself he will definitely do it.

All had been perfectly well, until…

In the most important day. Precisely hours before their theatrical performance, one of his students, who was supposed to play as the most vital character, had gone missing. And of course, as a good teacher he was, he grew very apprehensive, and gone in search for him with some help from his students. One of his students, who also joined the search, eventually found out about the missing student's whereabouts, and brought him back to the backstage…

…barely alive.

Okay, he was exaggerating. Of course his students were all still alive, but the one who found the missing boy, was injured badly for a reason Naruto could hardly believe. And the said missing boy had been acting completely odd, with an un-logical reason as the background story that wasn't well enough to satisfy the blonde's curiosity; "Nothing's wrong."

And fucking dammit, he was giddy!

He was never the expert if it came to solve this kind of suspense, not only because he couldn't do well in thinking department, but also because nobody could fill him about what the hell was going on, what the fuck was bothering his students, and why in the history of human technology that he suddenly had to replace his injured student's position, and got stuck in this frilly costume!?

Today was indeed his most horrible day in his teaching history.

-Confusion in the First Day of School Festival, a diary piece written in the Memoir of Naruto Uzumaki. (1)

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The twenty-three year old Naruto Uzumaki was recording the whole information of the recent unusual events occurred today into his brain, and had been trying to find the right answer of these disturbing occurrences. But for the umpteenth times already, he failed. His brain's skill had decreased by thirty percent, due to his jittery-state of mind of the next task that was coming soon, very soon.

To play as the prince on the stage.

Naruto groaned as he clutched the red stage curtain tightly, where he drown his frustrated face. Not that he doubted his stagecraft and skill as an actor, it was just…

Just…

"Sensei?"

With a low gasp, Naruto snapped back to reality, feeling a hand had tapped his shoulder to grab his attention. He tilted his head to find his pink haired student was staring at him with a look of bewilderment. Naruto realized that not only her, the other actors were staring at him, rather worried looks displayed on their faces.

"Oh…" the blonde muttered. "Sorry, I spaced out. What is it, Sakura?"

The girl forced a smile, obviously trying to hide her curiosity. "Well, sensei… it's almost the time for you to enter the stage…" she explained. Naruto's azure eyes widened slightly.

Oh crap, he had forgotten about that! "Oh, yes! Be ready in a jiffy!" he grinned sheepishly, and used his hands to straighten the sword strap around his waist and adjusted his feather hat.

(Being un-descriptive because I'm not in the mood, please imagine the prince costume in Touya's theatrical performance in CCS, thank you.)

Naruto stepped in on the stage, swayed in a sturdy manner, face straight and chest leaned up proudly. As the character he supposed to act, a strong and proud prince, he noted in his mind. Full concentration, he reminded himself in his mind, forgot about all other things. Now he wasn't Naruto Uzumaki, he was a proud prince of the neighboring land, came in order to defeat the evil witch and released the curse placed upon the beautiful princess, and the castle from the witch's captivation.

He kept thinking to concentrate and forgot about anything else, about Sasuke, Neji, and other strange occurrences happened before hand. Naruto inhaled deeply, and brought his head up to face the audiences. All the eyes in the room locked on him, and he felt a slight pang of nervousness in his chest. Though he had quiet used to this, he couldn't help but to feel the pressure of those observing eyes on him.

Unnerving, but undeniably exciting.

Naruto kept his fervent gaze on the audience, he moved his hand to grab the sword's handle. He held on the handle, then pulled it out of its sheath in feverishly, the friction of the sharp edges of the sword scraped against the sheath's inside, had created a unique sound that echoed all over the room, and brought the audience to full attention.

Naruto smiled triumphantly as he thrust the sword up to the air, eyes never averting from the audiences. "I am a prince of the neighboring Kingdom." He shouted rather loudly. "I had heard of terrible news that this Kingdom had fallen to an evil witch and is cursed by her dreaded black magic."

The blonde paused for a short moment, and the audience was silent. "Before she could spread her felony to my land, I swore to stop her! No matter what, I will not stop until I succeed, and bring her head to my homeland as prove of my victory!" with a smile, Naruto swung his sword around and pulled it back into the sheath fast, and expertly. He postured and bowed his body half-way in respective manner, one leg leaned back, while the other bent forward. A clipped hand placed on his chest and hidden by his bent body, the other outstretched to his side.

Silence lingered.

After a short moment, Naruto recovered his gesture. With one last smile, he began to walk away, back to the backstage. The moment his form vanished in the other side of the red curtain, a sound of clap could be heard. Followed by another, and another. Soon, all the people who were watching Naruto's short introduction, clapped their hands repeatedly in unison, the sounds echoed all over the room.

"Great introduction, sensei!" greeted his enthusiastic students, as the blonde returned to the backstage, removing his hat.

Naruto grinned joyfully. "Thanks!" he chirped. Naruto was sated by his recent performance, the audience's positive reaction, and the joy in his students' faces. This is exactly why he wanted to be a teacher so much, he loved to see the merry faces of the children. Too bad, he didn't have much time to chat, because the show must go on soon.

"Hey! It's time for the next scene! All the actors involved, please get ready!"

"Sorry, gotta go!" the blonde chimed, and waved his hand good bye. When he was about to walk, his azure eyes caught the sight of the princess a.k.a. Sasuke Uchiha, stood at the corner, back facing Naruto, one hand grasped the red curtain. Naruto blinked. It was strange, but he felt something was amiss, because Sasuke's back looked so… depressed, and…

Lonely.

Naruto shook his head. Why the hell did those ridiculous thoughts suddenly crossed his mind? Sure, Sasuke acted weird, but who was he to stick his nose into the matter he doesn't belong to? Though… he did wanted to know what was going on. Hesitant, but curiosity won over him, Naruto decided to ask about it to Sasuke, even if he had to force the words to come out of his lips, after all, it is a teacher's job to help his student find solution to whatever problems he had…

Right?

"Sasuke, what are you doing?" The blonde greeted casually, a hand tapped Sasuke's shoulder gently.

Naruto felt Sasuke stiffened as he touched the raven's shoulder, before he swirled his body to face his teacher, his usual calm and straight expression on his face. "Nothing. Just… just practicing my lines." He muttered noncommittally.

The blonde raised a fine brow. He knew Sasuke was lying, a faint hint of nervousness hidden in the tone of his voice, Naruto could tell because he was an actor after all, he knew the specific differences between a person who was acting, with the person who didn't. Sasuke may gazed straight to his eyes, but Naruto could see that Sasuke was hesitant, and wanted to throw his gazes away. What the blonde didn't understand was; why did he lied?

"Sasuke…" the blonde said, his expression morphed into a stern one. Upon seeing such a rare expression on the blonde, Sasuke grew slightly restless, and flinched away. Naruto's suspicion grew even more intense. Why?, he mused as he leaned his hand toward the younger boy.

If something is bothering you, why didn't you say anything?

Sasuke's onyx eyes flashed, and Naruto's hand stiffened in mid-motion. Was that anxiety he saw in those dark orbs? Sasuke was… scared of him?

"I'm sorry, sensei." He heard him muttered. "But I have to go now." With that, Sasuke rotated on his feet, and walked away, his long wig flung as he swirled. Leaving the blonde alone, hand still outstretched.

Naruto slowly withdrew his hand back, but instead of let it flung to his side, he found himself staring at his own hand. The scene crossed his mind several of times. And thoughts ran inside his brain. How Sasuke's eyes looked as he stared back at him…

…what was Sasuke afraid of?

Naruto balled his fist.

A vice-like grip tightened inside his chest painfully.

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The last scene finally came, the one where after the prince had killed the evil witch, he entered the castle and by the guide of the three fairies, he found a beautiful princess, sleeping silently from the curse of the evil witch.

"Y-you have to kiss her a-and released her from t-the curse, if you truly l-love her, then it is the only w-way." Said one of the fairy (a.k.a. Hinata).

"Then I shall." The prince said.

Naruto closed his eyes, as he bent down his knees, kneeling beside the bed where Sasuke laid on. Slowly, he creaked open his eyes. Sasuke was closing his eyes, soft dark hair scattered around his serene face, framing a perfect face of his. The contrast of the dark of his hair, with the white complexion of his skin, had created an ethereal accent. While the red rosy lips, and the pink blush made his expression liven, not a single hint of coldness or stoic one remained. Complete serene and peaceful, beautiful.

At the time Naruto saw him, air seemed caught in his lungs.

Minutes had passed, but Naruto still remained motionless and soundless, azure eyes locked on Sasuke. The audience began to question, brief chatters filled the room. Hinata, Kiba, and Shikamaru exchanged glances at each other, why hadn't Naruto done anything? Hinata glanced worriedly to the blonde teacher, then to Kiba. Kiba, in the other hand, nudged Shikamaru with his elbow.

The said lazy boy sighed. "Troublesome." He muttered under his breath.

"Prince." He called a bit loud. Naruto seemed to finally aware, he stiffened and tilted his head toward Shikamaru. "The kiss." The said boy reminded lazily.

"Ah… y-yes! The kiss…" Naruto smiled sheepishly, while his mind cursed. He had made a fool out of himself in front of the whole audience! But he couldn't help it, because…

Because…

"Prince." Shikamaru reminded him again, louder and with much pressure. Naruto shook his head slightly, and he leaned over Sasuke's face. He gulped as he saw those tempting rosy lips parted a bit, as if inviting him. While in reality, Sasuke was just getting tired of waiting, and he parted his lips in a way to let out a silent protest, eyes still shut tight.

Naruto descended slowly, eyes locked on Sasuke's lips. He felt warmth began flooding in, from his face down to his neck, and heart rate accelerating. Of course this won't be an actual kiss, Naruto would stop in mid-way just a few inches apart from Sasuke's face, he would positioned his hand in a way that it'll conceal the lower part of their faces, and the audience would think they kissed. No, it wasn't a real kiss, their lips won't touch against the other even the slightest bit.

But somehow, Naruto dreaded the idea.

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"Oh, Iruka-sensei!" cried a cheery voice.

The said brunette turned his head over his shoulder, to see a silver-haired man was running toward him, and waving his hand in a greeting manner. Iruka stopped on his track and smiled brightly. "Hello, Hatake-sensei. What can I do for you?" he asked as the older man had approached him, and on his feet in front of him.

"Please, Iruka-sensei, call me 'Kakashi' like other teachers do." Kakashi said, his only visible eye curved upward.

Iruka frowned slightly. "It would be inappropriate, Hatake-sensei, knowing you're my senior. I can't do that." He replied, unknown to the effect of his refusal. Kakashi's face fell underneath his black mask, but tried to keep his appearance bright.

"Um, were you intended to watch the Uzumaki-sensei's class performance too?" he asked to shift the topic. Iruka merely nodded.

"Yes, he invited me to come, and even gave me the ticket." Iruka shoved his hand into his brown coat's pocket, and drew out a ticket to enter the auditorium hall. Kakashi smiled underneath the mask.

"Ah, such a coincidence! He'd given me one too, why don't we go together?" he offered gently, with a hidden meaning behind it.

"Sure, I'd love to." The brunette said in obliviousness.

Kakashi sneered gleefully.

He had to thank the blonde later.

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Hinata blushed darkly in anticipation, she had always liked the fairy tales since she was little. And now, she was about to witness the enchanted kiss (tough fake) between a prince and a princess (totally forgot that they're both male) of one of her favorite tales! And so, she was nervous. As Naruto began to descend slowly, Hinata grew more excited. But unfortunately, from her position, which was a little far behind the blonde, it was rather hard to see. The blonde's navy blue cape concealed her vision, then she did something unusual.

Hinata stepped forward to get a better look, but it still wasn't enough. She gulped hard, she was embarrassed, and a bit afraid. But her eagerness drove her to take another step forward, another, and another. Until Kiba and Shikamaru noticed the Hyuuga girl was being too close to the blonde, way too close. The befuddled boys exchanged glances, one of them had to tell the Hyuuga girl to not being too close, and go back to her previous position. Shikamaru moved his lips silently, signaling Kiba to approach Hinata, and warn her. Kiba nodded understandingly, then he slowly walked to approach the shy girl.

Though she had came so close to them, but her snowy eyes had yet to caught even the slightest glimpse of their lips. But the shy little Hinata didn't want to give up yet, she took another step again, her heels had stepped on the blonde's spreaded cape on the floor, but she didn't realize it, as she was too busy fixing her eyes on them.

Kiba had come close behind her. "Hinata." He whispered softly, but loud enough for the girl to hear. And the said girl stopped on her track, Kiba took this chance. "Hinata, go back, go back!" he whispered again, Hinata tilted her head toward the dog boy, then she finally came to realize her mistake.

"I'm s-sorry!" she squeaked as she swirled on her heels hastily. Too hasty.

The fast swirl of her heels on the cape had made her feet entangled on the folded fabric, lost her balance, she stumbled backwards right, behind, Naruto's back. As predicted, her back crashed to the blonde's hard. Naruto, unknown to what had happened, let out a loud yelp of pain, as Hinata crashed abruptly onto his back. Kiba yelled frantically, while Shikamaru's eyes grew wide awake for the second time in these past few weeks, and the audience gasped surprisedly. In the impact of the crash, Naruto's body involuntary leaned forward, and…

When he opened his eyes, he found his lips…

Firmly attached to Sasuke's.

He too found a pair of shocked onyx eye was staring at him widely, and the first time in their short lives, they couldn't breathe. While for the older one, it was the second time after the last few minutes.

Naruto couldn't hear the sounds of gasp in unison that came from the audience's mouths, he couldn't hear Hinata's gentle voice that kept apologizing endlessly, nor Kiba's yell of frustration. Nothing. Nothing but the sounds of his own heart rate beating violently in his ear, deafening him.

While Sasuke,

Feel or hear nothing but…

The warmth of Naruto's lips.

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Almost at the same time, Kakashi and Iruka had entered the auditorium hall, and soon witnessed the kiss between Naruto and Sasuke, with complete naked-eyes.

"Oh my." Was all Kakashi could choke out to describe his shock. It wasn't like he was that much shocked; he had seen them doing similar things after all. Even the hotter one.

While Iruka, gaped his mouth.

"Wh—" he stuttered. "What in the name of the Great King Arthur is going on here!?" he yelled hysterically, a finger pointed to the two accusingly, mind spinning in bewilderment. He, as a man and a teacher of moral and norms, was utterly shocked by the sight of another teacher kissed (he didn't know it's an accident) a student, and they were both male!

Upon seeing Iruka's behavior toward such deviant act, Kakashi couldn't help but to feel disappointed.

But his pity for the blonde was much more intense.

This could be trouble.

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To be continued.

(1) This is some sort of a record document stored in Naruto's brain.

A/N : Err… sorry for the shortness! Unfortunately, I am chosen to participate in a debate competition in my school (it's my school's anniversary), and therefore, can't write 'till the next two days for the preparation. I wanted to write more, actually, to add two pages more in MS Word, but can't. I updated now, 'coz I'm so late! –cough, cough- Don't worry, I'll write some yummy smuttiness in the next chap! 'coz I've noticed, that this story is lacking of smuts! O.O Nooo! I rated this fic M, and I don't joke with the rating!

For those who wants to have a good laugh and some full-blown smuts, I suggest read my story, 'Skirt Tragedy'. Those who liked a heart-rending drama, read 'A Price To Pay'. Yes, this is a shameless act of promotion. Okay, review, people! It didn't make any sense if you have this story in your fave or alert list and you don't review! I don't know what part do you like and what you don't if you don't tell me, so please review, and let me know your opinion.

Ja, Mata Ne!!