to break again

*CHIBI Sango is passed out from nikkie's cookies. unfortunately, sango was only able to salvage this chapter, not five as nikkie planned*



Sango: *flees from CHIBI Sango long enough to update this chapter*





*an hour later*





CHIBI Sango: get back here wench! *glares* so....nikkie tried to drug me!!! fine... i'll show you..i'll

show you all *cackles maniacally*



Audience: o.O oh god noooooooooooo...... sango....save us



Sango: *wrestles CHIBI Sango down from her tyrranical power* now listen you...you will give us this chapter and Onikage and nikkie will give you cookies that arent drugged.



CHIBI Sango: *keeps next three chapters under lock and key* fine....this extra long chapter will make you have longer time periods between updates....consider it payback for the drugged cookies.... *cackles evilly*



Sango and audience: noooooooooo



Sango: i truly apologize for this.... i'll get her back the only way i know how....its time to bring in a secret weapon...muahahahahahaha



Audience: *doesnt know which one is more demeted, Sango or CHIBI Sango*



Sango: *sheepish smile* anywhooo...





on with a fic









"His name is Rock Lee."







10





It took a few moments for the name to pair up with a face in their minds, but when it finally clicked, Gaara’s eyes widened comically. While Naruto had been trying to overcome his bloody trauma, the others were forced to continue on with life as though nothing had happened. Gaara had remembered going to school and then college in a daze, not really knowing how his grades kept him from flunking out. He never really noticed anyone until one day this loud, overly optimistic fool with an obsession for the color green, a bowl cut hair style ending in a long thick braid at the center of his back and very characteristics eyebrows barged into his classroom. Even if the guy looked a little weird, he was the top athlete at their school, and Gaara had seen this guy shirtless. Though his body was scarred, Lee had an incredible body. And Lee’s body was too muscled to be soft enough to carry a child.



“Impossible.” The redhead said after he found his voice and got over his shock.



“Who’s Lee?” Sasuke asked. The raven had had enough to worry about as it was to worry about unimportant people around him.



“Black hair in a bowl cut with a long braid. Huge eyebrows, over optimistic and happy go lucky attitude.” Gaara listed, his voce full of sarcasm and a little distaste towards the end, not understanding how something that huge could happen to someone and they could still be so happy and...‘full of life’ popped into his head.



Sasuke still didn’t remember, his mind blocking out everyone, only caring about the blonde in his arms.



“No way.” Neji whispered finally connecting name and face.



“What happened to him?” Shikamaru asked, once more the seemingly lucid one of the group.



“He got rich.” Kakashi said simply. Everyone’s eyes seemed to want to pop out of their heads.



“He...?” Neji began but was unable to finish the question, his mind unable to wrap itself around the thought of someone...a man...



“But he’s a guy.” Neji stated the obvious, yet it didn’t seem to register in his mind what Lee had done.



Kakashi looked perplexed, then a light flickered on.



“Oh! No, he didn’t do...no. Lee was an orphan and his guardians...it was the same thing that happened to Minato...Lee wasn’t anything special, they assumed his body would reject the serum just like everyone else. But when he did develop the womb, his guardians were given more money. They were given even more money as Lee was treated like a lab rat, constantly under surveillance, to see if his body would reject the womb at a later time. Lee’s guardians were being paid a hefty amount, and it turned out that they were smart with their money and with Lee. Though Lee was constantly under surveillance and being tested, his guardians didn’t let the scientists interfere too much in his life. They also didn’t let Lee give birth.”



“Wait. What?” Shikamaru asked in confusion when Kakashi paused to take a breath. “What do you mean ‘didn’t let Lee give birth’? He was pregnant?” the questions came in rapid succession, Shikamaru’s bewilderment rising.



“Well...yes. When Lee was 15 he was given artificial insemination. The womb had been fully developed for more than a few years and the body hadn’t rejected it even after all that time. The parents were given a quite few million dollars for this. When they saw that a fetus could be conceived, they wanted Lee to carry it out full term. It was then that Lee’s guardian decided to stop all the testing and forced the scientists to terminate the pregnancy. The scientists offered another million, raising the number a few more times until they realized that they couldn’t convince the Rocks to allow the birth of the baby.”



“Why not?” Neji asked, his voice a little raw from not talking, his throat dry from all the information he had received. It took a while before Kakashi spoke again. With a sigh and a long breath he started again.



“They didn’t want to go though with it. They were afraid that the baby would be a monster. That the scientists had had enough playing God in Lee’s life. They also wanted Lee to have a normal life. Or as normal as it could be with a guy having a womb.” It was a while before anyone spoke. Gaara’s thoughts ran circles around the memory of a tightly toned chest and abs, unable to believe that it had held life in a male’s body.



Neji couldn’t think. He couldn’t process everything that he had heard. Didn’t want to. There was just no way that could happen. And then...then there was Kyuubi. This was why Kyuubi had tried to kill Naruto. He gasped silently as he tried to get his lungs fill with air. He would not break. He tried to control his tumbling stomach, not wanting to seem weak. He also didn’t want the others to think he was repulsed at Naruto, because he wasn’t. If he thought about it, it seemed almost miraculous that this could happen. This was why Kakashi said it was a breakthrough for homosexual couples.



But...everything that Naruto had gone through...the blonde had suffered so much. Always at someone else’s expense! His parents—his parents! those selfish bastards—had done this to their smallest son for money. He would have gladly given it to them if it would have saved Naruto from everything he had gone through.

And Kyuubi. That self righteous bastard. How dare he take his beliefs out on someone like that?!



Because Neji assumed that that’s why Kyuubi had done this. His religious beliefs had interfered and taken over him completely and he had taken it out on Naruto. Naruto had been just a child. Used for monetary gain. Neji tried to control his breathing, his stomach clenching as it tried to empty his dinner, maybe lunch and breakfast as well at the thought of such selfish people.



It was Sasuke who spoke first.



“How was that even possible?” Sasuke was confused. His arm was falling asleep and he moved to relieve some stress but the blonde in his arms whimpered and tried to bury himself deeper into Sasuke’s warmth. Sasuke looked down at Naruto and tightened his hold on the blonde, bringing him as close as he could without crushing him.



“Did they...are Lee and Naruto still...male?” Sasuke cautioned looking down at the blonde once more, holding him tighter, not able to process everything the blonde had gone through.



“We’re...not...sure.” Iruka said, looking relieved at Sasuke’s possessive hold on Naruto.



"You don't know?" Gaara asked dubiously.



"Naruto never let us touch him... like that... not even to bathe him while he was... recovering. After that, he never got sick. He still can't get sick. We think it has something to do with the serum, but..again, we're not sure."



"He can't get sick?" Shikamaru asked, his tone clearly stating his disbelief. Iruka shook his head and everyone was forced to believe him--Iruka wasnt the type of person to lie, especially not about something like this.



Sasuke was baffled. "You don't know if he's a guy?!" apparantly, that was the only thing that regisered with the raven.



“You can always check if you want.” Kakashi said his dark joke not appreciated by a certain brunette.



“Kakashi!” Iruka squeaked indignantly, looking scandalized at the comment.



“Oh, come on, ‘Ruka. If he’s asking its cuz’ he hasn’t gotten in Naruto’s pants.” It was actually very logical when said that way. But still—



“Not another word ‘Kashi.” Iruka threatened, his voice going dangerously low. Sasuke tried to hold back the fierce blush that threatened his pale features. But he became angry at the thought.



“It’s kind of hard to get into someone’s pants after they’ve been raped.” The raven spat venomously.



“Jesus Christ, kid. I was being facetious.” Kakashi defended.



“This isn’t the time to joke.” Sasuke all but yelled.



“Do you know where this guy lives? He can answer some of our questions.” Shikamaru asked, trying to clear the air of Kakashi’s bad joke and Sasuke’s murderous aura.



It was then that Naruto gave a loud wail and started crying, his body thrashing against Sasuke’s in fear.



“No...no...no...help.” Sasuke stared down at the blonde in his arms, trying to give the unconscious man some comfort.



“Help...no...Sasuke, help.” They all stared at the blonde in surprise, who whimpered in fear and called for a specific raven to save him.



“Naruto? Naruto, wake up.” The blonde in his arms seemed to calm down, but his thrashing resumed and he was almost dropped from Sasuke’s lap as he tried to run way from his nightmares.



“Naruto, wake up. It’s me.” Sasuke cupped Naruto’s cheek with his hand as he tried to still his movements by crushing the blonde’s body to his own, whispering calming words in his ear. He refused to acknowledge the other people in the room staring at him- witnesses to such a tender side to the Ice Prince.



Naruto whimpered again and his movements slowed and stilled until his body went lax in Sasuke’s arms. Slowly, ocean blue eyes opened, as though to ward away the demons that were surely after him. Seeing the raven stare worriedly down at him, the blonde relaxed further, but the dream kept flashing in his mind.



“Sasuke.” Was the hoarse whisper, as the blonde threw his arms around the raven, unaware of the other people in the room. The blonde cried as Sasuke patted his back, smoothed his unruly hair and whispered comforting words in his ear to calm him down.



After ten minutes, Naruto exhausted himself once more and just lay in Sasuke’s arms.



“Can I get some water?” Naruto asked after a while, his voice hoarse and almost gone. His eyes were puffy and his nose ran.



“And get him some tissue, too.” Naruto heard to his left.



“Just take him to the bathroom, have him wash his face.” He recognized Shikamaru’s voice. Naruto looked around the room and would have been embarrassed at having cried like a girl in Sasuke’s arms, but he was too tired to care as he saw Iruka staring at him anxiously as Shikaku got up to get the water and tissue. Gaara and Neji were looking away from him. Was that...jealousy he saw in their eyes?



He turned to look at Iruka, the man that had been more of a father than his own, a worried look in his eyes. Fear was written all over the man’s face. Naruto’s eyes widened and his breath quickened as he realized what was going on. He made eye contact with Kakashi, seeing the sad look on the older man’s face and knew that he’d been right.



“Oh, God. It’s true—he’s back. It wasn’t a dream.” Naruto was beginning to have a panic attack. Sasuke tightened his arms around Naruto’s body.



“We’re not going to let him near you, Naruto.” Sasuke assured but Naruto wasn’t listening to him. The blonde struggled harder against him.



“Let me go.” The blonde rasped as he tried to free himself. “I have to get away.” Naruto elbowed Sasuke as he tried to get the raven’s arms away from his body.



“Naruto, calm down.” Sasuke groaned as his ribs throbbed in discomfort.



“NO! You don’t understand. He’s back. He’s coming after me. If he sees me with you, he’ll kill you too.”



Tears were running down the blonde’s cheeks once again as fear for his friends over shadowed fear for his own life. He had resigned himself to know that Kyuubi would kill him. He was dead either way. He knew that and he didn’t care. He was prepared to go willingly if need be, as long as no one else got hurt in the process.



Sasuke wrapped his arms around the blonde’s upper body, effectively locking his arms to his sides, the blonde’s back to his chest as he firmly sat Naruto on his lap. Naruto began thrashing again but the commanding tone in Sasuke’s voice effectively froze him.



“Stop moving.” When Naruto complied, he continued.



“Nothing will happen to you. We’re all here to come up with a way to get you out.” Sasuke was whispering in his ear, the warm breath ghosting over his skin, but Naruto was shivering for all the wrong reasons. However, he had calmed enough to have a coherent conversation and was now thinking of how to escape.



“Can’t I just go to my house and pack my bag and leave?” he asked, looking at Kakashi almost pleadingly but saw that the silver haired man was avoiding his gaze. Something bigger was going on here. He didn’t need to be told to know that going home was not an option.



“He’s there isn’t he? He knows where I live?!” He shouted, fear gripping his throat and he began to wriggle in Sasuke’s arms, knowing that he could never run away from Kyuubi, but self preservation telling him to get far away.



“Naruto, calm down.” The raven commanded once again, pulling Naruto towards him. “Nothing is going to happen to you. Kakashi has connections in very high places. He’ll get you away safely. Iruka will go with you. Kakashi will go with you if that makes you feel safer. But we won’t let him touch you. You’re way too special for us to allow him to kill you.” Sasuke said firmly, ending with his head resting between the blonde’s shoulder blades, his voice low in the quiet room.



Shikaku came in a moment later with Naruto’s water and a lukewarm towel. Sasuke turned Naruto around in his lap, and began gently wiping the blonde’s tears away. He handed him the water and saw the blonde gulp it down as though he’d been in the Sahara.



“I’ll get in contact with a few people that owe me some favors and I’ll see if I can get you out of the city by tomorrow.” Kakashi said and began to walk away but Naruto’s voice stopped him. He wriggled in Sasuke’s arms showing the raven that he wasn’t fighting him until the Uchiha let him go. He ran to Kakashi, throwing his arms around he older man’s waist.



“‘Kashi-tousan, please. Promise me that none of you will get hurt. I can’t bear it if any of you get hurt because of me.” He mumbled into the silver haired man’s shirt. Kakashi placed his hand on top of the blonde mop of hair, the gesture comforting as Kakashi’s voice rumbled from deep in his chest to Naruto’s, the vibrations oddly calming.



“Hey, you’re worrying for nothing. Iruka will be with you. I’ll try to make arrangements from here, then I’ll go follow you.” The silver haired man said, patting the blonde head as Iruka came to pry Naruto from the detective. Naruto turned to hug Iruka, no longer crying but dry sobbing.



“Iruka-chichiu, I don’t want you guys to get hurt because of me.”



“Don’t worry, Naruto. We’ll be fine.” Iruka tried to assure him.



“No, you’re not listening!” Naruto said, pulling away sharply from Iruka. He turned and ran to Sasuke, the raven standing with open his arms, ready for the weight as the blonde threw himself at him.



“Sasuke, make them listen. Tell them it’s too dangerous. Kyuubi will come after them.”



“Naruto, they’re right. You’re worrying too much. We’ll get you out of here without Kyuubi finding out.” It was then that Naruto froze, what they were saying registering something deeper inside him.



“Wait.” He said pulling away from Sasuke. “What do you mean? I can’t go home, and you guys are sneaking me out of the city. Why do I have to sneak out of the city?” Naruto looked around the room and saw that no one made eye contact with him.



“Naruto...” He turned to look at Neji as the brunette stepped forward, looking apologetic. “Naruto, Kyuubi has the city wired. We believe he has connections to Orochimaru and that he knows about your life and who you associate with.”



“If he knows Orochimaru, then he knows about all of us, so you won’t be safe at any of our houses. He knows where you live.” Gaara continued. “He found out you were going to be at that club. He probably knows where we live and where you can hide.”



“You can’t assume that.” Naruto tried to argue, not wanting to let his fear overpower him again and cloud his judgment now that he was thinking clearly, though he knew that what they were saying was most likely true.



“We have to assume the worst, Naruto. He almost killed you last time. We’re not going to let him anywhere near you this time.” Sasuke promised.



“Too late.” The blonde lashed out, his arms crossed in indignant anger: how dare they try to control his life?!—though what he said didn’t register until he saw the look of pain on Sasuke’s face, the raven looking as though he’d been slapped. Even Gaara flinched at the comment, his reasons more personal, seeing as how he’d promised himself that he wouldn’t let any harm come to Naruto.



Naruto stepped towards the raven, hand out to touch him.



“I’m sorry, Sasuke.” The blonde apologized, looking hurt when the raven flinched away from his touch and set a blank look on his face, closing himself from everyone around him—but most importantly, Naruto. Kakashi sighed. He knew Naruto was acting this way because he was afraid and angry—as was his right.



“Naruto.” Said man turned sad eyes to mismatched ones. “Sasuke has been trying to help you. All this time, he’s been there for you. We know you’re afraid and angry, but don’t take it out on him.” That was his ‘father’ tone—the voice of reason one might say.



“I know.” He whispered. He went to Sasuke who continued to stare a hole at the wall, looking much like a sulking cat.



“I’m sorry Sasuke.” The blonde repeated. This time the raven looked at him.



“Yeah.” He sighed, receiving a relieved smile from the tanned man.



“Now that you’ve made up—” Kakashi was given a dirty from Iruka, while the four young men glared at him, —“you can go back to sleep, Naruto. I’ll go make those phone calls. With luck, I’ll have you out of here by noon.” He said looking at the clock on the wall: 4:50 AM.



‘Great.’ He thought wearily. ‘Kyuubi, you bastard.’ He cursed the older Uzumaki.



“I won't be able to go with you, Naruto. I'm sorry. I don't have any vacation time set up at school, so I won't be able to take time off to be with you." Iruka looked sorry and disappointed and everyone knew he wanted to be with Naruto, to protect him, no one doubted that. But if the teacher left with them it would be too suspicious. They had to keep a low profile, wherever they were going.



Since Iruka couldn't go with the blonde, he tried to think of a way to help. "I’ll go to your house and get you some clothes.” Iruka said, trying to find some way--anything to help Naruto.



“No.” Neji spoke. They all looked at him and he made eye contact with Shikamaru, the other brunette raising a brow.



“Don’t you get it? If Kyuubi knows where Naruto lives he’s either there or has people patrolling the place.”



Shikamaru’s eyes widened. He hadnt thought of that; knew it was a logical thing to think, but was too preoccupied with Kakashi's story about Naruto's past. He cursed softly as he caught on with what Neji was saying. Iruka gasped horrified. Naruto looked like he was on the verge of passing out again.



“This also means that none of you can go back home either.” Shikamaru said trying to formulate a plan. If they got someone else to go to their houses, it would look suspicious if all those people came to the police station.



“But Kyuubi probably got a look at you too.” Gaara told the brunette.



“Probably.” Shikamaru sighed.



“So what do we do?” Iruka asked, trying to come up with a way to get Naruto something to get cleaned.



“We can get our families to bring us each a duffel bag of clothing. If Kyuubi saw us, does it mean we have to

leave with Naruto?” Neji asked.



“Not necessarily.” Shikaku began, but Iruka cut him off.



“The more people there to protect Naruto, the better.” The teacher argued. Shikaku sighed, knowing that what Iruka said made sense.



“But won’t it look suspicious if all these people come to the police station?” Sasuke asked, thinking that Itachi’s car was anything but conspicuous.



“How ‘bout I go and pick it up?” Shikaku asked. They all looked towards Shikamaru, the man with his eyes closed and fingertips touching, a sign that he was thinking.



Shikamaru’s eyes flashed open and he landed his brown gaze on his father.



“Does mom know about what happened to Naruto?” Shikamaru asked and a look of sadness and fear passed over Naruto’s features, the blonde growing rigid as he thought about the implications of that statement.



'They know' He thought fearfully. 'oh, god. they must be so disgusted. But he was distracted by the plans they were making. If they were so willing to help him....they must not hate him....right?



“No. Besides, she wouldn’t understand. Why?” Shikaku asked, looking suspiciously at his son.



“Then that means you’re going to have to go to my apartment and get me my duffel with some clothes. The bag is under the bed. Ignore everything else and leave everything as it is.” He said the last with a narrowed look, not liking when other people touched or ‘organized’ his stuff.



“Everyone else, except Naruto of course, call someone and tell them to pack clothes, personal things, a toothbrush and money. A credit card works.” He said without any hint of amusement. Immediately, Gaara, Neji and Sasuke called their families, everyone knowing what had happened to Naruto. When they mentioned Kyuubi, their families almost jumped to help the cheerful blonde. Itachi had been irritated when Sasuke had called him, but at hearing that Kyuubi had returned, he seemed more alert.



“My dad is going to go pick up the bag. Make it look like a regular bag, too. Nothing too out there like your brother likes to do.” Shikamaru told Sasuke.



“I heard that.” Itachi said, and Sasuke knew his eyes narrowed though he wasn't there. Sasuke smirked.



“You heard him, aniki. And hurry up, we have to leave by noon.” Sasuke was about to hang up, but Itachi stopped him.



“Sasuke.”



“What?”



“Just...just be careful.”



“Hn.” He hummed, playing off his brother’s words of caution.



“Don’t ‘hn’ me. Kyuubi is dangerous and I know you love that blonde idiot and would give your life for his.” Itachi snapped. Sasuke’s eyes widened, his jaw going slack.



“How did you...”



“A blind man could see the way you salivate after Naruto. Apparently the only one not noticing is Naruto himself—the irony.” Itachi mocked.



“Fuck you, Itachi. I’ll call you later.” He said and hung up, his voice softening at the last, a blush staining his cheeks.



Ten minutes later all arrangements were made—Gaara had called Temari and she had made him promise to call as soon as they were out of the city while Neji called Hinata, the shy girl having cried herself to sleep countless nights thinking about Naruto and everything he’d gone through, his cousin agreeing the second he said ‘Naruto needs help’. Shikaku had left to Shikamaru’s apartment, waving away his son’s threats of ‘I’ll kill you if you mess up my house’.



It was then that Kakashi entered the room once again. Everyone looked at him expectantly, Iruka looking like he would throttle the man if he didn’t speak soon.



“I got my friend Asuma in the air force to bring his helicopter to the closest landing pad, which is 3 miles north. I’m thinking that the only way to get you guys out of here is through police cars. That or we could use S.W.A.T. vans. But I’m guessing you’re going for inconspicuous.” Naruto looked relieved and he almost sagged against the Hyuuga, the closest to him as his exhausted body couldn’t process any more information and he fainted, the brunette catching him just in time.



“Naruto.” Iruka panicked.



“It’s okay, he just fainted.” Neji explained.



“Isn’t there anywhere they can lie down?” Iruka turned to his husband. A sly smile turned the silver haired man’s eyes into an upside down U.



“Sure, but it would have to go on your permanent record.” They all looked at him perplexed.











*CHIBI Sango bound, gagged, and drugged Sango and put her in a corner* : Now...i demand cookies or the next chapter gets it....



Audience: *doesnt look too intimidated*...she ranted the same way before and yet we got an update



CHIBI Sango: *enraged* you think im playing.... fine....you'll see....you'll all see....



*a puff of smoke appears and clears and out steps GOD*



Hitsugi: CHIBI Sango, why are you so mad?



CHIBI Sango : O.O Hitsugi-sama?... oh my god its hitsugi-sama *bows low*



Hitsugi: CHIBI Sango don't be so mean. give these people what they want.



CHIBI Sango: *stops worshipping and stands* Sango put you up to this, didnt she?



Hitsugi: sango-san did call, yes. But I came on my own volition.



CHIBI Sango: *scoff* yea, right. she probably threatened to post another fic of you and ruka or somethin'



Hitsugi: O////O *blushes* n-n-no she d-didn't...



CHIBI Sango: *leers* riiiiight... *sigh* fine but they'd best give me LOTS of cookies *stare*



Hitsugi: *^_^* thank you CHIBI Sango....but...ano....you have to let go of Sango-san too...



CHIBI Sango: *balks at the thought* you know....im much safer with her bound and drugged... when she wakes

up...untie her...gotta go *jets*



Hitsugi: O.O *stares at dust CHIBI Sango left* um....*pokes at sango*



Audience: is Sango okay?



Hitsugi: um...yes *lies* but....um...please review and i'll let you know when Sango-san awakens...