As Long as it Feels OK

AN: Well here's the next installment. I don't really have much to say except for the obligatory begging for reviews. In the beginning I was getting a lot more reviews per chapter then I am now and I find that disheartening. Are less people reading? Do people like it less? Just leave a quick note letting me know what you think and I'll be a very happy writer. ^^

*DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters in Naruto. If you have a problem with male/male content then you probably shouldn't read this story as it will eventually be coming to that.*

/*Another note about when this was written. I wrote this before I found out that Garra was the new Kazekage and that Akatsuki was successful in removing the shukaku from him, so please ignore the discrepancy.*/

***************************************

Naruto sat in a small sterile room adjacent to the Hokage's office. He had actually been early for his appointment since he was eager to tell Tsunade about Akatsuki. Only he hadn't realized that she'd be out on other business until it was time for his appointment. So there he sat, glancing about the room trying to find something to occupy his thoughts until Baa-chan arrived.

Muffled voices in the hall on the other side of the wall had him attentive again, “...I know this could be dangerous, but until he figures it out for himself there's nothing we can do. We can't force him to do anything about it, we've never been able to force him to do anything.” It was Tsunade-Sama talking quietly with someone else. The Chuunin guards must not have informed her of his arrival yet.

“I know we can't force him, but we should at least warn him.” This time it was Kakashi's voice. Why was Kakashi here and who were they talking about? The blond strained forward to hear more carefully.

“No. He doesn't need to know yet, let him enjoy a bit of time before he has to begin worrying about the rest of the village. There's no need for everyone-” The Hokage was cut off as one of the Chuunin guards address her.

“Tsunade-sama, Naruto's waiting for you in your examination room.”

“Thank you.” The office door opened and shut, there was a puff which Naruto assumed was Kakashi leaving, then quiet foot steps that came closer. Naruto quickly relaxed back into the seat so as to not appear as though he'd been listening.

“Ohayo, Naruto-kun !” Tsunade walked in smiling happily. She pushed one of her pig-tails back over her shoulder where it belonged as she took the overstuffed seat across from the blond. “How are you feeling today? No upset stomach or anything?”

“Iie, I'm well. I told Sasuke and everything is good between us. I explained about the Kyuubi too.”

“Good. Your chakra seems healthy, you still have amazing stamina; because of the training you've done with Jiraiya, you still have more chakra then most ninja. I'm glad, I think that if this were anyone else they'd be bed ridden from having their energy so reduced.”

“Ne, I found something out last night that you should know about...” The subject change cause Tsunade's expression to change to that of grave seriousness, she knew this wasn't like Naruto, sounding so small and weak. “Kyuubi said the Akatsuki are coming for me. He said that there were five of them. I want to know if I should tell Sasuke that his brother is coming for me, and if Gaara is still in Fire Country, he should be warned too, as they also want Shukaku.”

Tsunade was quiet for a long time, “You're sure Kyuubi isn't lying to you?”

“Yes, I'm sure. He leads me on and makes me think things that are not appropriate, but since I am his container he watches out for my well being. If I were to die, so would he.”

The Hokage nodded, “If you wish to tell Sasuke do so. I will see to it that Gaara is warned. As for you, I'm going to post a detail to guard you so you don't have to exert your energy when they do come for you.”

“Please don't. Sasuke and I have been waiting for a long time now to defeat Itachi. Besides Kyuubi said we have some time before they arrive so wouldn't it better to pull back all Jounin and ANBU and have them defend the city instead of just me?"

Tsunade rolled this around in her mind for a few minutes, “No, they're only after you, there's not need to defend the whole city, that will only cause unnecessary panic. I'll send out for a group of ANBU but I'll let them know they don't have to rush, you can have the day to train with Sasuke and tell him that Itachi is coming but you will have ANBU escorts as soon as the arrive. Akatsuki is not going to get the Kyuubi.”

***************************************

Naruto walked towards Ichiraku with his jacket zipped tight, getting closer to the end of the year always made it a bit colder; it was cool enough in the end of November that they might get snow this season. He was deep in thought. Should he tell Sasuke and risk loosing the brunet again? Or does he keep it to himself and risk having Sasuke mad at him, or worse, feeling like Naruto betrayed him? He could always tell him later by way of explaining his escort. For now though, he needed a bit of food, then training.

He swung himself into a stool at the counter of the ramen shop. Ayame placed a steaming hot bowl of pork miso ramen in front of him. Having seen him coming she had his favorite ready for him when he arrived, “You gonna want anymore than the one today, Naruto-kun?”

“No thanks. I'm gonna go train after this so I wouldn't want to just throw it all back up again!” He grinned happily singing as he broke his chop sticks, “Itadakimasu!!” He drove into the bowl with his normal vigor, all worries forgotten in the bottom of the bowl and happily left there for the time being.

It wasn't until he was almost done and a body plunked down next to him that those worries bubbled to the surface again, “Ohayo, Dobe.” The grin could be heard in the Uchiha's voice.

The blond swallowed loudly, “Name's not Dobe, Teme!” He turned his grin on the other boy as well, their formal greeting out of the way they could down to business, “We gonna go train today?”

“Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way, can't have you getting all soft just because you were hurt now can we?”

“Nope, we sure can't!” Naruto stood and left his money on the table for Ayame to pick up. “Common, I'll race you there!” He was gone as soon as the words left his mouth, Sasuke was close on his heels.

They weaved in and out of the market crowds, businesses were getting into their lunch rushes so there were lots of obstacles in the boys' way. Cart vendors and children running home for lunch. Old women shouted at them for nearly knocking them over but they simply laughed it off. Naruto leapt to the roof tops hoping to gain an edge over the brunet, but by the time it took for him to get up that high: the other boy had already pulled ahead on the street below. He growled, as soon as they were out of the crowds Sasuke was dead meat.

Sasuke turned down an alley to avoid a heard of cows being moved to the slaughter house, he also heard Naruto take the turn with him. He burst out the far side into the sunlight and onto the grass of the training grounds, he was about to call his win when suddenly he was brought down and got a face full of grass and dirt instead. He spat it out and and looked up to see a smug looking blond sitting on the log in front of him.

“I win, Sasuke-teme.”

The brunet scowled and regained his feet, “You cheated Usuratonkatchi.”

The fox-grin displayed only helped to aggravate the Uchiha more, “All's fair in love and war, Sasuke-kuuuun.” He drawled out the girl's nickname for Sasuke knowing he was near the breaking point. “You always gonna let me be on top like this?”

A roar erupted from Sasuke as he launched himself at the cocky blond to flip their positions. Naruto found himself staring up at the sky, a dull ache in his back and his head with a very smug looking Sasuke sitting on his hips, “Now who wins?”

“I dunno, I'd almost say I do, I mean... Wow! How many people can say they've had THE Uchiha Sasuke riding them?” Victory was his once again.

“Dobe.” Sasuke conceded and climbed off the boy. He didn't want to simply play fight, they needed to train.

“Ne, Sasuke?” The blond pushed himself up onto his elbows and regarded the other boy with a very serious expression.

“Hai?” Sasuke was almost worried now, until a few days ago, this expression never crossed the blond's face, now it was a daily addition to his repertoire.

“I was debating on not telling you, but I've decided that would be very unfair. You need to know, same as Baa-chan needed to know.” He sat up completely now.

“What is it?”

“Itachi's coming.” Sasuke was silent so Naruto continued, “Kyuubi told me last night that Itachi is coming and with four other members from Akatsuki for me. They heard that I was injured and decided to take advantage of the situation.”

“Aa.” Sasuke stood and help his hand out to Naruto, “We have a lot of work to do then, don't we?”

Naruto took the offered hand. Sasuke was off in an instant, the spar had begun. He was right though, in order to be ready, they had a good amount of work ahead of them. They'd been waiting for this chance since Sasuke was released back to his duties, now they were finally going to get it.

Naruto sprung off into the trees after Sasuke, blindly following, trusting Kyuubi's senses to guide him to his prey. Normally this was definitely the case and when Naruto crashed into something hard and unmoving he thought for sure he'd run into a tree. That would have been odd on it's own, but then this tree moved, “Hello, Naruto-kun.” The chill voice sang across Naruto's ears.

He shuddered, and started to try to move away, but when he looked up he caught his attacker's eyes, he knew then that it was over, “Mangekyou Sharingan!” His training against the Sharingan down the drain, he resigned himself to his fate.

A water world with a red sun setting and endless telephone poles decorated his vision. Itachi appeared in front of him and he tried again to regain his feet, he couldn't move. “You're not supposed to be here yet! I'm supposed to have more time!”

“Pity. We were faster then you expected and now you're unprepared. You should know better then anyone not to underestimate your opponent. You're coming with us.” Outside the Genjutsu, Itachi hefted an unconscious blond onto his shoulder and made his way back towards his party.

***************************************

Sasuke began to worry when he didn't hear the blond anywhere near for a span of about ten minutes. Normally they would be fighting hand to hand on the ground by now, Sasuke was not supposed to still be running in the trees. He stopped and turned back towards the center of the grounds. Maybe Naruto had felt sick or something, he was pregnant after all.

The empty feeling in the pit of his stomach deepened when he reached the posts and there was still no sign of the blond. “Naruto come on, this isn't funny. Please come out.” Sasuke spun and activated his Sharingan to try and see Naruto's chakra flow. Nothing. He had to find Tsunade, now!

He ran off at break neck speed towards the Hokage tower, leaping onto the roofs to avoid the crowds he'd been running through not a half hour ago.

***************************************