Path to Perdition (complete)

Chapter 11:

Sasuke reached out sleepily, his arm coming to rest on an empty space in the bed. His eyes snapped open, and he sat up in panic wondering if Naruto had run again. He wrapped a sheet around him and ran downstairs….and sighed with relief.

The blond was in the kitchen wearing only his boxers, making miso soup. Sasuke watched him for a while trying to steady his breath, before going up to. Naruto looked up.

“Good morning, Sasuke. Thought I’d make breakfast….” He noticed the look on Sasuke’s face. “I know what you’re thinking Sasuke, but I can’t go back to eating ramen full time….”

“I know…I was just wondering where you were.” But Sasuke knew it would ages to get used to the new Naruto. It had been ok when he’d been with Orochimaru. But now that Naruto was his, all the changes stood out like white on black.

Naruto just nodded. “I’m not running away again Sasuke… you need to stop panicking.”

“I know that! I think I’ll take a quick shower ok?” Sasuke started to walk back. He sighed, yes they loved each other, but this was so hard… they were both extremely insecure. He stripped once he got to the bathroom trying not to think of all the shit. Naruto and he were together at last and they’d get through this somehow, but it seemed so hard to just let go and be affectionate.

The hot water washed over him, calming his nerves and getting him to relax. A knock on the bathroom door sounded. Then Naruto’s voice came through the door, slightly muffled. “Sasuke, we need groceries…I’m going to get some all right?”

“All right.” Sasuke called back. It was not all right… he was supposed to be guarding Naruto…but he knew if he didn’t give the blond some space, he would combust.

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Naruto stepped out. He really needed to go out more, for the last few days he’d rarely left the house, Sasuke was being extremely jumpy. Well, it wasn’t his fault; he didn’t want to lose Naruto once more.

He walked to the grocery store a block away from the Uchiha complex… why did Sasuke have to live so far away from everyone? He couldn’t help wondering how they’d treat him now… the feared Kyuubi… of course the whispers began the moment he was seen, but no one dared say anything out loud like before.

The grocery store keeper had a huge fake smile plastered over his face. “What can I do for you Naruto-sama?”

Naruto wondered whether to grin like he used to before, but that wasn’t him anymore… he doubted he could grin sincerely at anyone, so he opted for a very tiny smile. “Well, I’ll just pick up a few things for Sasuke and me.”

He finished and the grocer waved him away quickly. He was about to make his way back home, when Kiba and Neji came up beside him. Kiba was the first to speak.

“Hey, Naruto…Tsunade sent us to look through Otogakure…. And we found this in your room. Don’t worry no one looked through it, Sasuke told us to search you’re room and bring the stuff back untouched.” Kiba handed Naruto a huge box of clothes and other things.

Naruto took a deep breath. “Thanks.”

“Yeah well, you wanna go have some ramen? My treat…?” Kiba asked. Neji was just quiet. Naruto glanced at him and then at Kiba.

“I don’t eat too much ramen anymore…but why not?” he shrugged.

Kiba looked a bit surprised. He decided to get straight to the point. “Naruto, I’m still your friend all right! And you can come to me anytime you want. I’m not saying what you did was right… running is ok, hating is ok, but not taking all those chances was stupid. But then you went through some hard shit…so I’m just saying I’ll be there for you ok?”

Naruto gave him a half smile… “Thanks man. Appreciate it. Why don’t you and Neji come over now? Sasuke wants to take me to Ichiraku’s so maybe if you guys came home, we could hang there…”

Kiba nodded and Neji followed. Naruto wished it wasn’t so awkward. He cleared his throat. “Look, Neji, I’m sorry about attacking you that badly last time….”

Neji shook his head. “Why didn’t you come back? We were willing to let you come back, but did it have to take a war to make you realize? We had a number of casualties…a part of my squad were killed! Your student was killed…I don’t know if I can forgive you Naruto.”

Naruto felt his throat constrict like it did every time Jassin was mentioned. He swallowed. “I know that!” his voice was harsh. “I know all that! I can’t bring them back, but I can try not making those mistakes again!”

“Easy to say that, when you’re alive and well isn’t it?” Neji couldn’t hold his anger back. He wished he hadn’t when he saw Naruto’s head snap up to look at him, hurt evident in his eyes.

“I didn’t mean to be alive… I don’t want to be alive, but Jassin gave up his life for me, after I avenge him I can die peacefu….”

“So this is where you are dobe? I was wondering if you’d run off again. I need to go train… you want to come?” Sasuke's voice interrupted.

Naruto turned to look at him. “I was talking to Neji about…”

“I don’t care…do you or do you not want to come?” Sasuke began to walk off.

“But Sasuke-teme! I have to put these in the house….”

“Then we’ll go by the house, hurry up.”

Naruto watched him for a while, before sprinting after him, leaving Kiba and Neji to look on.

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Training was extremely tiring. Sasuke suddenly seemed tireless and his blows were very fast, apart from being hard. Naruto panted as he tried to keep up, he was still a bit weak from the way he’d used himself up at the battle. He looked up to see Sasuke coming at him with a fast kick and tried to block, but it hit him squarely on the chest, pining him against a tree.

For a moment they just looked at each other. Then Sasuke bent forward, capturing Naruto’s lips in a kiss. Naruto’s eyes snapped open as Sasuke’s tongue ruthlessly invaded his mouth. Naruto placed his arms around Sasuke's shoulders trying to brace himself against its assault, but they ended up tumbling to the ground.

Sasuke pulled away, looking down at him, a fierce light in his eyes. “You’re mine! I am not letting you go ever! Do you understand dobe?” he kissed him again, sucking hard on Naruto’s tongue, making the blond whimper softly for more.

Sasuke switched, latching on to Naruto’s neck, letting his tongue glide over the soft skin beneath his teeth. He swirled it over the throbbing vein, and sucked hard. Naruto moaned tearing Sasuke shirt off. “I know I’m yours..” he whispered into the dark haired man’s ears.

“Then why do you keep talking of death, dobe?” Sasuke slid his hands down the other’s back… “Every time you open your mouth you talk of leaving me…” he undid Naruto’s pants, his was not the time for too much foreplay, and then he searched for the lube in his pocket. Naruto said nothing, focusing on their love making.

Sasuke lubed his fingers and placed them against Naruto, he wanted to try being top again, if Naruto would let him. The blond nodded, and Sasuke slipped the finger in, searching for the bundle of nerves. But he needed to talk to Naruto too. “No answer for me, dobe?”

“You don’t understand…I would never leave, but I need to avenge Jassin, nnnnnnnnnhhhhh……if I die then,” Naruto let out another strangled moan, as Sasuke placed his lubed cock at his entrance.

Sasuke pushed in, groaning softly as he entered. “I will not let you go…every time you leave you come back completely different!” he panted softly before beginning to move, fast. “You don’t understand how much I love you…you’re just being so fucking selfish here. How long are you going to keep hurting me?”

“God, Sasuke! Uhhhh! I don’t want to hurt you… let’s forget about this…” Naruto groaned, as Sasuke stroked him. “I love you too… but Orochimaru comes first!”

“You’re just going to follow the same path I did? Live, your, fucking, life! Live it with me… please…” Sasuke let pleading fill his voice at the end. It was a miracle he hadn’t broken by now.

“I am living it with you, Sasuke…” Naruto clutched Sasuke’s shoulders, digging his nails as he was driven closer to the edge. Then Sasuke hit his prostrate hard, making scream as he came. He squeezed Sasuke, until the dark haired man followed him crying out his name.

They panted in silence for a while, and then Sasuke pulled out, getting up to pull his clothes on. He looked thoughtful like he had something on his mind. Naruto wondered what was going on…but let it go, pulling his own clothes on.

They made their way back home in silence, Naruto curious and Sasuke quiet. Naruto watched the way Sasuke got dirty looks. It was weird how everyone was giving him the fake smile now and Sasuke the dirty looks. Sasuke ignored them, not seeming to care.

They met the gang as they passed by the pub, Floating Leaf. “Naruto-kun! Uchiha-kun! Come join us! Let us celebrate the youthful pleasures of alcohol and food!”

The men looked over at Lee, before walking over to the group. Everyone shifted, making space for the other two. Sakura hugged both of them. Naruto glanced at Neji who looked away. Naruto sighed and filled his cup with the strongest sake.

Kiba smiled and hugged Hinata close. The dark haired girl smiled at Naruto, warmly. “I’m glad you’re back with us, Naruto-kun. It’s been a while since; Sasuke-kun was so sociable.”

Sasuke glared a little, but then returned to talking with Shino, about patrols and how to strengthen them. Naruto just stared at his sake cup, feeling awkward. Suddenly something was thrust under his nose. He looked down at an invitation.

“I’m sure you can make it to our wedding next week Naruto…I’ve been wanting to give you this for a long time, but then you were pretty busy these last few days.” Sakura beamed at him.

He smiled back. “So you’re getting married…the world sure is changing, ne? But then I always knew you and Lee would get together, you are a lucky bastard.” Naruto smiled at them both.

“Yes I know, Naruto-kun! My utter devotion has paid off! You were right when you told me not to give up, all those years ago. I’m eternally grateful to you and may your youth shine forever, how ever old you may get!” Lee pumped a fist in the air.

Naruto just shook his head. “Of course it will, Lee…I’m only twenty!” he took another gulp of sake…it was his tenth cup, because he was downing it, cup after cup. He started to feel a little light headed. “But then you were always like this! God I missed this…” he gave a heavy sigh. “You know something, I missed you all…I tried not to, but it didn’t work…”

The table had a one a little quiet, but Naruto didn’t seem to notice. He gave a weird grin and continued. “It hurt, but then it felt right to hate you…more sake…I’m glad you’re all ok…” he filled his cup once more. “Orochi-sama said that you were bad…he told me to believe him…but I love you all” he gave a happy grin at that.

Sasuke took the cup from his hand. “Let’s get you home…you’re blabbing dobe.” He picked Naruto up and nodded to the others. Naruto suddenly grabbed him, kissing him hard. Sasuke pulled away a little embarrassed.

“We’ll be going; he’s got a little too much on his mind.” Sasuke dragged the blond out. What the blond had said wasn’t wrong, but then it wasn’t the time to bring Orochimaru up. The way the Hyuuga’s face had gone, when the subject had been brought up, was indication enough. All of them had lost some men, to Orochimaru and it was only because Naruto was they’re friend that they had been silent.

Sasuke realized that he had to think of some way to keep Naruto by his side. Some way to make him forget, to make him realize how important he was to Sasuke. And then it hit him.

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Naruto woke up to find himself, cuddled up with Sasuke. The brunette was awake, looking at him. Naruto moaned a bit and snuggled a little more. Trying to soak up the yummy body heat. He looked at Sasuke, who was a little distant.

“Sasuke? What are you thinking of?” he blond asked, running a hand through the dark locks.

Sasuke caught his wrist and held it fast, he was breathing a little faster and then he looked into Naruto’s eyes. “Live your life with me, Naruto…”

Naruto frowned. “I told you, I am! What the hell do you mean by…?”

“I mean, marry me, Naruto…”

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A/N: hope that was ok? Everything was sleep-written, due to copious amounts of work and suck like hope you like it! Ja!

Taka