Kyuubi the Bitch

A.N. Okay, so Sasuke spends a lot of time in his head in this one. Sorry for that, and Suigetsu makes an appearance! ^-^ Sadly he’s not very in character seeing as how I got to know him very little before going on with this, so if he is OOC I am sorry. This is how he wanted to be written and so… here he is.

Sorry for the delay, holiday’s didn’t go so well and I ended up upset for most of them and when I am upset I am like Naruto on Uzumaki-PMS and I sit down with Ramen and watch anime. ^-^ Sorry, but it is here.

 

Kyuubi the Bitch

Sasuke

Chapter 6: The Best Laid Plans Versus Spontaneous Word Vomit

 

            There was a snake.

            The small boy looked up from the door as the disfigured serpent slithered around the gates just outside. He blinked as a low sound of amusement drifted up from its head before it found its way into the yard.

            As though turning off a switch the sunlight was smothered by the clouds and the wind from outside blew harsh and chill. The silence that came with it was deafening.

            “What? This isn’t right… where…?” His sharp confusion made yellow eyes wide in a pasty face. The snake reared back as it saw the graves and the house before him.  An odd stillness passed over its form as shock replaced confusion. “Uchiha…”

            The child frowned and stood, anger fueling his actions. The snake had made the light fade from the sky, and the voice, that pleasant voice that echoed in the house had dimmed, and it was all because of this snake.

It did not belong here.

            A fog rolled in then, a deep thick mist that had the serpent shivering, his long tongue testing the air as it swayed back and forth, trying to figure out where, how, and why he was where he was at. It was the rap of the door opening that drew those yellow eyes to the boy, and the wary expression smoothed to a sneer.

            “Sasuke… why I never thought you’d have this at the center of your being.” The laughter was dark, rank, and foul. Nothing like the other one, and it tarnished the memory.

The child’s fists clenched.

            “… so this is the realm Madara spoke of. So simple. I believe my own rendition is far stronger, wouldn’t you agree Sasuke?” The snake sounded amused, relieved and victorious. It made him even more annoyed.

This was his place.

His and the voice.

            The blue stone necklace trembled in his grip and stirred up some of the low drifting moisture in its movements.

            “Get out.” The child said from behind the cover of bangs and again the snake just laughed.

            “Oh no Sasuke, you see, your usefulness has ended. It is time to pay for my lessons. This place is now…” His voice broke off and the jaw fell slack with shock as the mist grew heavy and twined about its body like a thick binding rope, and as the low-riding clouds parted it was easy to see the deep sludge that swelled up and over the pale body, dragging it down and into the black soil. “Wh—what? What is—“ a sharp hiss escaped as pale, rotting, bloodied hands lifted up to grasp at the scaled body, scraping open deep wounds and pulling him further into the soil.

            “No!” It was a howl of anger mixed with astonished fear and again those yellow eyes looked up and locked on cold unmerciful coal. The child now stood above him, towering over the serpent his eyes hard as polished cobalt as those hands, those dead, tormented hands dragged him to his own marked grave.

            “No! This is my jutsu! This is my world! You can’t—“ and soil filled the screaming mouth smothering the words and turning them to muffled shouts.

And then…

            There was nothing.

 

-2-

 

            The forest was quiet this time of night, almost eerily so, and Sasuke was uncertain if he’d spent too long underground with the echoing cries that he had lost his edge. The noises should be near deafening. The insects and the animals all vying for attention as the wind rushed through leaves still growing green, it all should have invaded into his mind and taken up residency pushing his concentration higher and making his nerves twang with sensitivity.

            Or perhaps that was just a childhood memory.

            “Why are we going back again?” The voice was grating and held a whining edge that almost made Sasuke wish he’d left the other trapped in the underbelly of Orochimaru’s lair. He blamed Naruto for this; his decision in picking this idiot to accompany him. If he couldn’t have Naruto by his side on his final journey, then he’d bring along someone who reminded him of the blonde.

God he was getting sappy.

            “Yes, because silence answers everything! Wow, what a great plan, I am so glad that you are the leader because… well damn, where would I be without my informative, and caring leader!” The obnoxious statement was followed by a large gulping, slurping sound that made every hair on Sasuke’s body rise and made his muscles shudder. That noise was almost worse than the perpetual screams.

Suddenly, he doubted his plan would work.

            “Sooooo, assuming we’re following the original plan, we’re stopping by Konoha…” The pale annoyance with the giant slurpie paused and glanced his way a moment, but continued when it became apparent that Sasuke was not going to comment so he may as well just amuse himself. “…right. Then we stop by the Land of Waves to get my sword, and then we go to get the other two, and finally after that we’re off to kill the weasel right?”

            Sasuke kept walking.

            “This is going to be so much fun, I can hardly wait.” Another annoying slurp and swallow. “I wonder if the news has already gotten around. I mean Orochimaru’s body isn’t even cold yet… then again, if he passed gas someone three lairs over knew about it within the hour…”

            Sasuke rolled his eyes and picked up the pace. He could already tell that this next step in his plan would be nothing short of hell on earth.

            “… then again, if word got out that he kicked the bucket then mass chaos would ensue. Hey, you think Kabuto will take over now that he isn’t playing Orochimaru’s ass-bitch?”

            “Suigetsu.”

            “Yeah?” The word implied amusement and mockery and Sasuke had to remind himself that he had chosen this imbecile for a reason not solely because he was a reminder of his Dobe.

            “Shut up.” The words implied pain on levels not yet known to man and for several seconds, blissful silence followed.

It was short lived.

            “Right-oh boss-man.” And the slurping continued.

            If Suigetsu wasn’t as useful to him as he was, Sasuke would have used his chidori on him and been done with it. But, sadly, the science experiment was useful, though he’d always assumed him to be less talkative than this.

Then again, he’d been in captivity.

            Until Sasuke had broken him out.

            He frowned. That had been almost too easy. Attacking Orochimaru forcing him to take on his true form, to leave the substitute body and face him, and then he had been in some weird form of a genjutsu.

That he had expected.

            The snake wasn’t the only one who knew how to glean information.

            Activating his sharingan had been instinctual and then…

What did happen? Sasuke inwardly shuddered at his lack of memory concerning the snake. He knew he had won, as he had felt the other’s presence inside of his mind. The cool slide of scales and he’d had a moment to ponder if Naruto felt something similar with Kyuubi, and then, it was snubbed out.

Gone.

As though it had never existed at all.

            Sasuke narrowed his eyes. An owl passed over head causing some small creature under the foliage to his left to still.

            He’d played it off well enough, and seeing Kabuto’s stricken gaze was by far worth the time he’d spent up to this point. Sasuke smirked slightly recalling the slack jawed expression that had passed over that spiteful face when he realized that he had miss calculated the situation, that he had not intervened, had not saved his precious Orochimaru because in his hubris he had assumed that Orochimaru would win.

            The fact that he hadn’t had left Kabuto frozen, and his wary fear was as sweet as he hoped his vengeance would be.

He just hoped his choice to leave Kabuto alive would not come back to bite him in the ass.

            It’s of no consequence either way. He’s lost his direction. Without Orochimaru he is useless. Sasuke thought. He almost pitied him.

Almost.

            He had little time to dwell on the pale-haired medic, and it was not worth the effort it took to regard him anymore. If he was stupid enough to come after him, Sasuke would send him to his beloved Orochimaru and he wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep over it.

            No, if he had his way, he’d be losing sleep in a far more interesting past time, with a far more compelling dobe.

Naruto.

            And there was the whole reason for his change in plans.

            He knew from the moment Sai had walked into the underground fortress that the mission was one of rescue. Had known that Tsunade had approved of said mission for his sake because his time was drawing to a quick close, and it was proven by the message his summon had brought a day before Orochimaru and Kabuto’s return.

 

            “We’re calling a retreat. Follow the fox to the fox hole little asp.”

 

Kakashi would eat those words when he got back.

            The fact that he could make a sexual innuendo while talking in code was simply disturbing and left Sasuke wondering how anyone had survived being on a team with him.

            That aside, he’d planned to make his escape with Suigetsu, Karin, and Jyuugo. While both males would help out of spite for their tormentor, Karin would help out of lust. It was disturbing, and slightly degrading, but he needed her assistance if he were to make sure Orochimaru’s influence and hierarchy fell with him.

            This sudden change was not part of his plan. A rescue would leave his mission incomplete, a failure, and he could not let that happen. If he were to gain the trust he needed to hunt down Itachi, to prove his worth and his place in Konoha, to be able to return to Naruto, he had to complete this mission; the destruction of Orochimaru’s threat to Konoha.

            It was as simple as that, and he knew he would not be returning home with them. He had, in fact, sent his summon back with the very detailed, polite response of, “Go die.” So when Sai had appeared with Orochimaru, Sasuke had been more than ready to kick his ass.

For more reason than one.

 

            So this was Sai.

            Personally, Sasuke was unimpressed with the dark haired teen with the pasted on smile and the disturbingly placid aura. If this was someone who supposedly brought out Naruto’s more colorful side then the blonde must have had a permanent sex change, because there was no other way even with his monthly problem, that this guy could do anything aside from annoy Naruto with his insincerity.

Then again, Naruto was colorful when irritated.

            Still, he felt stupid for bothering to feel jealous over someone as blasé as this. The man simply continued to smile, that fake annoying look that made him feel unnerved. Was this what it meant to be free of the trappings of emotions? Was this what his brother had tired to tell him to become?

No.

            Itachi had wanted him to hate, this was… nothing. Just a blank sheet of parchment paper where not even the first etches of lead had even touched. It was mildly horrifying to look upon it, and at the same time pitiful. But he really had no time to ponder over the messed up man before him. He was neither going with him or against him at this point and he had to make a decisive plan of action before Naruto managed to barge in. Once the blonde had come in there would be nothing left behind, and no way to remedy the situation.

Naruto never did anything in halves.

            “You must be Sasuke Uchiha.”

            Sasuke didn’t even bother looking the man in the eye at his statement, he merely turned and made to leave the room.

            “Naruto said you would be like this. I believe his exact words were, “he has emotional constipation.” I am pleased to see his description was accurate.” Sai continued in that tone that conveyed nothing and Sasuke froze, his back still to the nuisance. This man was dangerous, not in the way that Orochimaru and Kabuto could be, and definitely not on the same level as Naruto, but none-the-less he was deadly, in much the same way that he himself was deadly, but far worse.

He felt nothing.

Sasuke’s mission just became three times harder.

            “I see that the fox-brat hasn’t lost his knack for colorful euphemism.” Orochimaru stated softly. The undercurrent of fear, and contempt made Sasuke’s heart seize slightly inside. Something had happened between the two, and from the careful way in which the snake walked it was obvious who had had the upper hand.

God he really hoped Kakashi kept his word. Otherwise, he could kiss his ass goodbye.

            “Somehow I assumed the great Sasuke he speaks of, to be more impressive.”

            It wasn’t hard to figure out who it was the annoyance was speaking of, and Sasuke’s mood soured further as the replacement reminded him of his previous reasons for disliking him. Kabuto tensed obviously sensing Sasuke’s sudden killing intent, but Sai simply continued to smile at him. That simplistic, vacant smile, and it made him dangerous and beyond annoying.

Anbu then. Sasuke thought with a sense of rightness. There was no other way someone as young as he was could be so adept at control. That and he was eerily like Itachi had been shortly after he had moved up in rank.

            And Sasuke hated him even more.

            “…as moody as he had implied you to be, I was expecting, what were his words again…” Sai asked himself, tilting his head as though remembering, but from the lack of feeling behind his actions it was clear that he was well aware of what he was looking for and knew what the response to it would be.

Dangerous.

            “Ah, yes, a cold-assed bastard with a baby elephant stuck up his rectum.”

            Sasuke stiffened further, though not from the insult, far from it actually, it was more the fact that the other had known Naruto well enough, or been close enough to the blonde to have him say such things in his presence.  That made him uneasy, and irritatingly enough, insecure.

            He had been gone for nearly three years.  What if Naruto had moved on? God did he sound pathetic, but it was how he felt. He hadn’t taken this mission with the expectation of losing Naruto completely.

Getting his ass handed to him upon his return?

            Yes, without a doubt.

Losing his Dobe to a plain, unemotional replacement?

            Not on his watch damn it!

            Sai, just smiled at his continued silence, seeming to enjoy the momentary standstill and Kabuto stepped in to divert the conversation.

            “Though I fail to see the disdended buldge.”

            “Sai is joining us for now.” From his tone it was apparent that Sai had more than one person here that disliked his sudden appearance. Well, for once it seemed Kabuto’s near manic obsession with Orochimaru would come in handy. His attention would be on Sai, and from Sasuke’s dislike it would give them an odd sense of camaraderie that would, in the end, serve Sasuke’s purpose very well. “Try not to kill each other. Sai, Sasuke likes his space and it best to give him his way.”

            It was not mentioned to be thoughtful or polite, and most assuredly not said in Sasuke’s interest.  No, Kabuto had said it to separate them. Sasuke almost wanted to smile. The Medic Nin was so predictable it almost hurt. He had stumbled upon the same conclusion that Sasuke had--though Kabuto was lacking the evidence to back up the claim--and was making certain that the two of them could not make any plans. Only problem was, Sasuke had no intention of following Sai, especially if he was apart of some rescue mission.

            “So I have heard.” Sai said as blandly as ever and fell into place behind Kabuto as he moved to leave. Sasuke remained on guard and un moving as they passed. When Sai was along side him he paused, his dark eyes open and staring at the back of Kabuto’s head as he spoke as though it was nothing of any real importance.

            “I am beginning to see why it is the council wants to be rid of him.” The smile returned, cold and harsh. “A fox in a henhouse is too much of a risk. Too bad so many jounin like him and a pity so many end up dead for him, and others assigned to him to keep him in line.”

            Sasuke’s heart nearly stopped as the words trailed off and Sai slipped by. He was stunned and chilled to the core at the blatant disregard displayed and couldn’t shake the feeling that the words weren’t just a passing of information that in fact he was being tested.

But for what purpose?

            Sasuke felt a cold shiver in his spine as he held perfectly still, his mind running frantically over the words and deciphering what could be used, what answered which questions, and what was unimportant.

            Sadly, it seemed Sai said only that which held some form of significance.

            He’d mentioned Naruto. He’d done so purposefully and knew that it would have some form of impact on him. He had specifically chosen those words to relate again, well aware that they held more meaning then what they implied. He’d also known that Kabuto and Orochimaru would not have picked up on any of it.

            And then he mentioned the council… and the jounins… Sasuke’s eyes widened as his muscles fell slack with an over whelming and sudden understanding, and a large piece of the puzzle fell into place. None of this was coincidence.

Not his mission.

Not this recovery team.

Not the new formation of Team Kakashi.

            It had all fallen into place just as it was set to be three years before when Kakashi had left them at the entrance to the Water Fall Village for a sudden and immediate jounin meeting. The same meeting that was later brought up after his mission had been assigned. One that must have been held many times before.

            He’d known the meeting had been about Naruto. He’d always known, but now, he had proof from Sai’s own mouth and a time to refer back to.

            He’d mentioned the fox. So the meetings were about Kyuubi and not only that but the danger that represented. So, the meetings must have been triggered by an event, one Sasuke was beginning to suspect he knew if only fragmented.

            He knew Naruto had awoken Kyuubi at some point. Naruto spoke of the Fox as though she was a relatively new problem. He knew Naruto was aware of the presence during the chuunin exams. The giant fox form was a dead give away, and the only other time he could think of was during the battle in the Land of Waves. Naruto had managed to defeat Haku and stay alive somehow long after he’d lost consciousness, and the first ‘meeting had interfered shortly after that.

            So, he wakes up Kyuubi and the council freaks. They don’t want him here but they can’t do anything with out the approval of a trial of his peers. The jounin… Suddenly he wanted to know who the team captain was. In any case, at least now he knew his hunches had been correct. Somehow, this mission had protected Naruto, which is why Tsunade had approved of the mission in the first place. But, why and how?

            Shaking the thoughts from his mind Sasuke left to go train. He had to clear his head and the least he deviated from routine the easier it would be to convince Kabuto of his so called innocence.

 

            “You know, I may as well still be in that tank… I’m still talking to myself.” Suigetsu complained with another noisy swallow and Sasuke tried not to cringe as he was yanked from his inner musings. Perhaps he should have followed the rescue team back. It would have been far less painful.

Maybe.

No.

No it wouldn’t.

            Naruto had been pissed.

And Sai had shown emotion for him.

            Sasuke scowled again.

            It really wasn’t fair, and if anyone dared to question why he’d exploded he would continue to blame it on lack of sleep and irritation, but he would never feel contrite over blowing the room sky high and as far as he was concerned Sai had gotten off easy. He had after all interrupted one of Sasuke’s more enjoyable dreams, leaving him awake with yet another raging hard-on and had the misfortune of being there to become a target. The idiot had further dug his grave by foolishly throwing back his own words into his face.

            Bonds! What the hell would he know of bonds? Much less the ones between Naruto and I?! Sasuke wasn’t too surprised to find himself still irritated by the memory. Oh yes his blowing a hole in the hide out and leaving a crater large enough to possibly be seen from space, was modest and controlled.

Sai deserved much worse.

            It also still irked him that the bastard had escaped unscathed. But, then again he was Anbu. It would have been quite disappointing to have killed him so easily, not to mention that if Sai had been injured his usage as a plot device would have been useless.

            Sasuke sighed slightly.

            It had been such a nice dream too until Sai had stuck his stupid ink painting into the room. Sasuke felt his insides twist happily at the memory of the vivid dream filled with sweat, heat, and other pleasant bodily fluids. The fact that it had been interrupted was heartbreaking and made him twitchy as once again he’d been rock hard with nothing to solve the issue.

            Should have dragged the dobe off and shown him just what I want from him… The smirk was ironic. And then get a fist sized crater in my skull…  If Naruto had flipped over a little kiss, god only knew how he would take sex. Although, from his ease and obvious comfort that his closeness had provided it was almost worth hoping that maybe Naruto had grown passed his initial strike-out-at-anything-that-symbolizes-change stage.

Doubtful, but Sasuke could hope.

            “You know, you are really creepy when you do that inner grinning thing. It’s like you’re watching porno in your head or something.” Suigetsu stepped around him completely ignoring the glare aimed his way. “ If you pop a boner I’m outta here.”

            “Suigetsu…”

            “Wait, wait, let me guess!” The pale boy said with a sharp grin. “Shut up, right?”

            Sasuke wanted to say that he didn’t roll his eyes and strut passed the irritant like a spoiled child, he really did, but that was a lie, and lying to himself hadn’t worked since before the Valley of the End.

            “Wait!” Suigetsu said, stopping suddenly his eyes wide and mouth lifting into a grin that looked more menacing than joyful. “Is that why we’re heading to Konoha?”

            Sasuke lifted an eyebrow no following the other’s train of thought, and the pale man chuckled darkly.

            “You got a girl back there and you’re going there to get laid!”

Sasuke tripped.

            “Ha. Ha! I am right! Look at you bright red! Hell even your eyes are red!” Suigetsu laughed again before drowning the sound out with more liquid and hurried ahead of him, as though that would save him from being disemboweled. The idiot knew about the sharingan and was openly mocking him.

Oh yes, this mission was so not going to work.

            “Shit. Well that makes sense in a way. Take down a tyrant and go home for some nookie before offing your murdering bro—“

            This time, Sasuke let his sword speak for him.

            “Woah! I got it! Shut up, I get it, now put your pointy metal thing away.” Suigetsu muttered dancing around the tip of the sword. God, forbid this idiot ever meet Kakashi. The world would be doomed.

            “Shut. Up.”

            Suigetsu nodded quickly, grinning the whole time, sharp teeth seeming less frightening and far more mocking than should be possible. Sasuke let it slide, well aware that though Suigetsu was no match for him, and though he was a massive pain in the ass, the man was his own person and nothing was going to change him.

Hell, after Orochimaru, he doubted anything could scare the other. It was one of the reasons he’d chosen him. Nothing really seemed to startle him, and he was able to calculate and dissect a situation quickly and efficiently because of it.

Though, at times like this he wished he didn’t have that skill.

Pushing that aside, Sasuke returned to his previous thoughts, still consumed by the events that had lead him to this unexpected point, and attempted to both calm his mind and pass the time.

Yes, even knowing that the mission Team Kakashi had undertaken was a reconnaissance one had not prepared him for the reunion he would have, and it had, in the end, forced his hand.

 

            It wasn’t right, Sasuke felt, that the annoyance should be standing unharmed after having reduced his room to nothing more than debris. It was even worse that the smiling fool had interrupted something so sacred and fleeting and he’d come in at just the wrong moment. Sasuke scowled and tried to refrain from attacking Sai again. Explaining his emotional outburst to Orochimaru would be hard enough, then again, Sai had already given himself away as part of Team Kakashi. Perhaps this would work in his favor after all.

            This would blow their cover and would be grounds for a retreat, and when Orochimaru slithered up with a few well placed lies and a little bit of acting he could convince him of Sai’s betrayal. Since Kabuto didn’t trust the Anbu it would be all to simple and his refusal to go with the other’s would gain some acceptance from the medic ninja. Once that was accomplished, taking out the Snake would be far too simple.

But that really hinged on whether or not he could properly utilize Orochimaru’s mind and body transfer Juts, and damn if that didn’t bring up some questions about life and the possible afterlife.

            Just stay cool for now… Orochimaru will be—Sasuke felt his insides clench as a flash of pink flittered onto the scene. No… god no… Sasuke blinked slowly as Sakura ran up to Sai looking like she couldn’t decide whether to check on him or beat him senseless.

            She was taller, and walked with far more confidence than he recalled seeing in her before. She must have found her place within the village and Ninja ranks. It was surprisingly nice to see her, even as it made him waver inside.

If Sakura was here, Naruto was close behind.

            He couldn’t afford a confrontation with the blonde. It would take too much time and would be far too tempting to follow him back. Too tempting to just accept this offer to return, and he wasn’t certain he could control himself around the blonde right now. His pride wanted to say that he could, but he was well aware of the hormones flying through his system and his traitorous thoughts made him certain that too much bodily contact with Naruto right now would turn his brain to mush and then he’d really be sorry.

            No, it would be much better to get rid of them now, before Naruto had a chance to show up. Besides, Sakura knew about his feelings, and that made her far more dangerous than he wanted to admit to. The less time she had to speculate the better, there was no telling just how much more observant she had become over the years.

            That decided, Sasuke adopted a bored posture, schooled his features into a blank mask of indifference and spoke out in a voice filled with indifference, “Ah, So Sakura’s here as well.”

            Her reaction was instant.

            She turned to see him, her posture filled with shock, as though she had not actually expected to find him at all.

            “Sa… su… ke…” He didn’t so much as hear his name then saw her lips move. Her stunned reaction gave him hope and he prepared himself to strike out where it hurt, to push her away before anyone else made any unwanted appearances. Orochimaru couldn’t be far and close on his heels would be Kabuto.

            He’d just opened his mouth when a flash of gold and orange came out from the crumbling hall, and Sasuke felt his lungs seize and his entire body lock up. He knew it was his shock that kept him from gaping like an idiot and had never been so grateful for it. For a few precious moments he couldn’t move or think beyond the sensory invasion before him.

            He’s taller…Sasuke thought and then felt like slapping himself for it. It had been years of course he had grown, and the slight change to the clothes was only natural as he would have outgrown the old ones, all the same he noticed it and felt the profound loss of such things. Swallowing back the emotions that threatened to quell him, Sasuke slowly eased himself back into his indifferent pose and forced himself to speak. It was too late to run now, seemed he’d have to face everything. Guess this will test my resolve… if I can’t even pull this off, I’m not ready to face Itachi…

            The reminder of his brother helped him to gain the hardened edge his voice needed. “I see Naruto’s here too.”

            Naruto’s reaction was similar to Sakura’s though he seemed reluctant to look up, and then when he finally did, Sasuke felt as though he’d been punched in the gut.

Those blue eyes were lost.

Broken.

            Naruto looked so fragile it nearly undid him, and his reaction was instinctual and he’d made his move far before he’d realized he’d even done it. He needed to comfort him, he needed to touch him, and then, he simply was. In his haste he’d forgotten to check his speed, but it seemed to work in his favor as Sakura jumped and the two replacements stood warily in defensive stances. But that was really unimportant as the warmth seeped into his arm and side and the scent that belonged solely to Naruto wrapped around him.

            At least that had not changed about the blonde. He still smelled like the forest around Konoha; wild, untamed, and somehow dangerous. That and he still gave off enormous amounts of body heat. Inside he shook as a sharp sense of tense relief rushed through him at the simple contact. It was calming and at the same time stressing as he felt content and yet desperately needy for more.

But it was neither the time nor place for such things.

            “You should not have come.” Sasuke stated watching Naruto from the corner of his eye and the blonde winced at his words slightly. It was a slight narrowing of the eyes, nothing more, but it gave away enough on that devastated face. Those full lips pulled down slightly and captured his attention fully.

            He could still remember the feel of them pressed against his own and he had to force his eyes away to keep his mind from wandering to places it was best to avoid. The action was timed perfectly as blue eyes darted to his own, searching, and pleading, and Sasuke found he couldn’t push him away. He didn’t even want to try.

            “How could I not come? You need someone to kick your stupid ass.” His words were calm, quiet and far too controlled to belong to the blonde, and it would have concerned him had he not been staring into the turbulent emotions colored a light pathetic blue. Anger was there under all of the self pity and insecurity, just waiting for him to drag it out.

And he would.

He had to.

            Sasuke felt warmed by the challenge that Naruto always presented him. He was never bored when around him, it was always one fantastic thing or another with him, and Naruto always felt something. And he felt it to such extremes that it left Sasuke tired just thinking about it and yet, he wanted to feel it too.

If that meant getting the shit beaten out of him, then so be it.

            “You have never been capable of kicking my ass.” Sasuke began in a tone meant to provoke, but the words were spoken softly, meant for no one but the two of them. “You’ve only been able to chase after my shadow.”

            Sasuke looked up to the metal plate with the engraved symbol, taking odd satisfaction in seeing the scoured mark that proved it had once been his. The warmth in his chest spread further and for an absurd moment he almost smiled, but he retained it.

            “I keep my promises.”

            His eyes darted back down to meet blue and the hysterical edge to them had vanished. Good dobe, Sasuke thought patronizingly. That’s right; it’s time to wake up now. Seeing that spark in those eyes, the challenge, the promise, and knowing that it was all there for him, because of him, it made Sasuke want to grab Naruto and forget about everything else.

Forget Orochimaru.

Forget the council.

Forget Itachi.

            Just exist, to return to the way things had been, where he shared his meals with someone he cared about. Where a nightly ritual consisted of a pointless argument over who got to use the bathroom first, of warm sheets and quiet companionship.

…but he couldn’t have that.

            No, he had to push him away, now. The situation was already far too dangerous.

            “What happened to your dream of becoming Hokage? You cannot achieve that if you spend so much time chasing me.”

             “And what kind of Hokage would I be if I couldn’t even save my friend?”

            Damn that idiot. Sasuke was both irritated and pleased with his response. It was good to hear how much Naruto cared, but it was currently working against him and his goals. Stupid fool…

And then Sasuke felt it.

            Orochimaru. The presence was like an itch between his shoulder blades and he knew without turning, without attempting to sense it, that the other would not be visible. He was hiding, and he was watching.

Sasuke had to move now.

            Raising his voice so he could be certain the other’s heard him, he averted his eyes from curious blue. If he was going to pull this off, he couldn’t look the blond in the eyes. He’d stumble.

Again.

            Naruto may have been a fool, but he was still Sasuke’s greatest weakness. And that had to be protected at all costs.

            “I left you alive when I left Konoha. It was merely a whim that I left you breathing and now…” Drawing the sword slowly, Sasuke prayed he’d guessed right, and put his faith in his idiot’s ability to endear people to him and his cause.“… by my whim, I will end you.”

            Naruto held utterly still beside him, and where at first he’d tensed at the words, and shuddered at the sound of his weapon being unsheathed, he was now quite relaxed in his hold. Either he knew Sasuke was playing, or the idiot was willing to die to prove a point.

Sasuke really hoped it was the former.

            And then he dropped his katana for a killing blow.

            The scream of metal echoed in the open air as Sai used the well timed movement to his advantage and blocked the oncoming attack.

Sasuke smirked, pleased that he had been correct.

            “That… was the correct move.”

            For a brief moment, Sai met his gaze from over a shoulder, and the look made it clear that Sai had known what Sasuke was up to, and had willingly chosen to act the part laid before him. It was irritating, but still it served his purpose and Sasuke let it slide.

            He fell into the controlled dance of battle easily, shoving Naruto to the side and avoiding attacks without actually having to try and returning them without any real bite. He had to be certain it looked real enough, he was being observed after all, so he made sure it was convincing. It wasn’t so different from his training session with Orochimaru.

            The rhythm of it was almost tedious and it wasn’t until he realized how quite Naruto was being that he realized his miscalculation. His heart clenched slightly when he saw the blank expression on the blonde and he knew, he knew what that meant.

            Damn it! Why didn’t I think… why…Sasuke casually blocked and attacked the others while he desperately tried to find a solution to the current problem, while the snarled promise from a demon rang in his ears.

 

            “I will rip him apart and bathe in his cooling blood.”

 

Kyuubi.

            He’d pushed Naruto right into her clutches. He was almost disgusted with himself in that moment. Why hadn’t he thought—known—that his leaving would have caused this. It had caused it before, and now, now it was far worse because Naruto wasn’t relying on her because he’d been half dead and she’d taken over when he was weak, no, this time, he’d gone of his own free will. Damn it…

            He was running out of time to act, and in the split second between throwing the others to the ground and turning to the blonde he made a hasty decision.

He’d have to try it.

            Apprehension was fleeting as he came to terms with the chance that he might lose himself inside of Naruto’s mind, but there were worse consequences, and he had to test it sometime. With a kind of resignation, Sasuke focused on Naruto and enacted the Jutsu.

 

            Sasuke shook his head briskly. He’d inadvertently discovered something that was both interesting and concerning. His sharingan could control Kyuubi. He hadn’t done it on purpose, not really. He’d merely attempted to do what Orochimaru’s Body transfer jutsu was supposed to be like.

            He’d stumbled upon the method sometime back and it had served him well. He’d merely wanted to see if he could get a message to Naruto, and instead had done so much more.

 

            Sewers.

He had not expected that.

            Naruto’s mind was different than Sasuke had imagined, not that he had ever done this before, for all he knew the mental plain always looked like this, but he had a feeling that that was incorrect. The water dripped incessantly from the piping that ran the length of the hall and pooled upon the ground, lapping around his ankles as though trying to draw him in and push him away all that once.

            His tears… these are… the tears he won’t cry… The thought was fleeting, disgustingly sentimental and cliché yet, Sasuke knew it was true. The water was the emotions Naruto kept locked inside, and Sasuke wondered what would happen when it overflowed.

Did it?

            Did this corridor flood with salty water? Did it echo with his thoughts? Memories? And what happened when that happened?

 

            Red chakra engulfed the child in a haze of sizzling power as though protecting him from the outside world.

 

            Sasuke suddenly didn’t want to know the answers and sped up. He passed by several extending halls, each echoed with a distinct emotion and tasted of memory which Sasuke promptly ignored. He had no desire to get lost in here. Besides, once he found Naruto the sooner he could get out.

            “—et’s show them our power…” The rumbling voice made him shiver and Sasuke knew he’d located the blonde. He could never forget the sound of Kyuubi’s voice, and the Fox wouldn’t be talking unless it was to the blonde.

            The words concerned him, more so when Naruto didn’t respond.

            “Come on Kit, you know you cannot do this without me. You remember that. How will you bring your Uchiha home if you can’t even compete?” the words were cruel and spurred Sasuke around the corner.

Enough was enough.

            Naruto was being jerked around by the council, by Tsunade, and Kakashi, and yes even him. He didn’t need to be used by the demon too. Sasuke wouldn’t stand for it, not here, in the one place that should only belong to Naruto.

            “So… this is Kyuubi.” Sasuke introduced himself calmly the slosh of water punctuating his words and causing Naruto to spin around to him in shock.

            He looked guilty and frightened, and it was then that Sasuke noticed how close Naruto stood to the demon now halfway outside of a large cage sealed with a battered piece of paper, his hands hung by his sides clutched in his pant legs as though restraining himself with everything he had. Sasuke wanted to question this and him but could not. There was no time and he needed to get out before Orochimaru caught on to his actions, beside he could guess what was up.

            Naruto knew he shouldn’t, but had been going here often, and Sasuke knew it was his fault. His guilt made him angry and caused him to snap out. “Hn. Can’t do anything without your demon huh? Can’t even keep up with me. Really, is this all that you have accomplished, dobe?”

            Naruto jerked a bit his eyes looking hurt and Sasuke frowned further. Where was his anger? God a mopey Naruto was worse than a clingy female and it pissed him off. He had no time to deal with his silly insecurities, even as deserved as they were.

            “Ah, this disgusting chakra… and this technique. Yes, you are truly an Uchiha.” Kyuubi sneered, looking unimpressed.

            Focusing on her, Sasuke let his irritation slide.

This was interesting.

            Kyuubi had seen this technique before, and from an Uchiha no less. That was important but useless to him at the moment so he filed it away for later use.

            “You are quite like him.” Kyuubi continued, her hackles rising as she bared her teeth at him. He had a moment to notice that her voice didn’t sound female at all, but then again, she was a demon, and an effeminate voice wouldn’t fit that description, before she continued. “… Madara Uchiha. Yes, you are worthy to be from his vile bloodline. Abandoning your mate for power… you are truly worthy of your accursed eyes.”

            “Shut up!” Naruto howled shortly after that interesting ‘mate’ comment, but both the fox and he ignored him. The term was pleasing and gave Sasuke the feeling that even if Naruto hadn’t accepted it, that at least his parasite was aware of the position he wanted. He was unaffected by the term on the whole, so ignored it for the moment choosing instead to glare down the demon that had made his and his dobe’s life hell.

            Kyuubi growled low, not liking his insolence and Sasuke reached out grabbing a fistful of muzzle, slightly intrigued by the bubble like texture. Then demon wasn’t really outside of its cage, it was nothing more than a mental projection of the chakra, proven by the slight tingling burn he felt as he held on.

            He meant merely to intimidate, but when he focused on the thought of suppressing Kyyubi, of bending the demon to his will, of truly being able to protect Naruto even from himself, he felt his eyes tingle with the sharingan and then Kyuubi’s image dissolved explosively.

            Like a popping balloon the air wafted stale and hot against him. The water rippled, disturbed by the backlash of chakra and left Naruto and Sasuke standing in awe before the bars.

            “I will kill you, Uchiha.” Kyuubi growled from within the darkness and Sasuke thought he saw the glow of cerise eyes from the gloom. He felt his lips quirk up a bit from his shock and then he felt an odd flux in the air as Naruto seemed to lose consciousness beside him.

His time was up.

            “You are running out of time… and I cannot leave his side…” Kyuubi threw at him as he pulled out of Naruto’s mind, and this time those horrible eyes were startlingly clear, and the promise within them left him cold.

She had warned him once, in the Valley of the End.

            She would not warn him again.

 

            As loath as he was to admit it, Kyuubi was right. He didn’t have much time left, not then, and certainly not now. Naruto was spiraling out of control, that much had been apparent. The longer he remained away, the harder Naruto would push himself, and the closer Kyuubi would creep. Soon enough, Kyuubi would have what she wanted, a broken vessel that she could control. It wouldn’t take much more, and Sasuke was well aware of that fact.

            He had to go back and explain things to Naruto, and force him to understand the precarious situation he had placed himself in. Then he needed to go after Itachi, without Naruto. He couldn’t risk it, he had done this to protect the idiot, and now he simply couldn’t rely on Naruto as he was. His reliance on Kyuubi would only make him a greater target for the Akatsuki, and there was no time left for them to wait until Naruto learned to  use his own powers free from the fox.

If that was even possible now.

            Sasuke sighed and stepped around a tree branch deftly his cloak billowing and shifting slightly with the movement, only to have Suigetsu crunch right on through it.

            So, the council had known I could control Kyuubi, and they had wanted to keep me from Naruto. With this mission their task was completed… but why? Why not use this to control Naruto? The thought made him vaguely sick but it was a valid question, one he doubted he’d get the answers to. All the same, it was concerning.

For more reasons than one.

            From the brief stay he’d had in Naruto’s mind, followed by the momentary struggle within Orochimaru, Sasuke knew that Naruto’s inner mind, his soul, in essence, wasn’t how it should be. It was warped, and complex, morel like a labyrinth than a place, and he had a feeling it was due to Kyuubi.

            Looking back, it was obvious just how mingled the two had become, and it was quite likely that they could not be separated anymore. The simple fact was that they would both die if it was tried, and the Akatsuki would try.

            No, Naruto was safer in Konoha. Besides, He wasn’t certain he wanted Naruto with him for this. Sure they were unstoppable as a team, but that was only the case when they were getting along, and at this point, he doubted they would. Naruto wanted his friend back, his first and most precious bond, but Sasuke wanted what Kyuubi had implied. When they had been children it had been easy to separate the two and live without one, and to an extent he could continue to do so, but he couldn’t keep it hidden and he no longer wished to try.

            It was ironic that it took a chat with a demon to make him realize he’d been running away from himself. Naruto was his greatest temptation and desire, but the blonde was also his most dire weakness and problem. He couldn’t be frank with him, there were simply too many obstacles in the way, and until they are solved he really couldn’t go home.

He couldn’t be what Naruto needed.

He couldn’t take a chance and tell the blonde his feelings.

And he definitely couldn’t do any of that in the middle of a mission.

            His three man team would work just as well, and leave him clear-headed enough to take on his brother without worries. All but that one… Sasuke thought glumly, but knew better than to hope for it.  He had had only two goals in his life, and one was more or less nothing more than a thought. He’d pushed it aside thinking it an impossible goal, but now it didn’t seem so impossible anymore. Mother always said I’d know when I’d found it. Never thought she’d be right… Sasuke shook his head, his smirk returning with a bit of mirth. Then again, I don’t think she knew acting on that knowledge would be like courting death. Sasuke’s humor trickled out as the morbid truth of mortality weighed him down. Then again…

This mission might just kill him.

            A night owl called off in the distance, it’s lonely serenade echoing off of the trees and rejoicing in its hunt, and freedom, its seclusion. Sasuke looked up at the night sky barely visible through the leaves and breathed deeply catching the deep scent of sap, wood, and mud. It was the smell of home, and of Naruto.

She was right; he had to make a choice and he was already out of time.

            “Hey, Sasuke…” Suigetsu had stopped walking and was now looking down at his cup mournfully. It was really pathetic looking actually, and Sasuke found it far to irritating to react and so simply stared at the other until he looked up, eyes looking just this side of needy. “… I need another drink.”

 

-2-

 

            The sun was warm and the breeze was slow and pleasant as the child sat on his knees laying buttercups upon the soft budding growth that covered the graves that surrounded a small sapling that was sprouting up like a serpent, or wyvern (1), where the serpent had fallen. It was a pale tree, almost silver in colored and speckled in shades of gray. The leaves weren’t growing yet, but he hoped they would be beautiful, like the pale colored, bell like flowers that lined the fence and edge of his house (2).

            When the wind caused them to dance, he thought that the soft humming came from them, and that the flash of golden sunlight that disappeared around the side of his house was somehow connected to those delicate chimes.

            With a lingering look at both the stone markers and the tree, the child stood and dusted off his dirtied knees to follow the moving sunlight.

He was always good at hide and seek.

 

-2-

 

            It was the smile that awaited him that let him know that Kakashi knew about Suigetsu’s hiding place, and Sasuke only prayed that that the jounin didn’t go to greet the hydration-challenged teen.

            “Welcome home. You grew some.” Kakashi mentioned casually before pulling out his dirty novel and turning toward the entryway.

            His casual attitude was comforting and familiar and Sasuke relaxed without knowing it. His hands slid to the pockets of his pants and slipped in as he adopted his slight hunch from before slumping under the cover of his cloak. He wasn’t certain what had been said as of yet in concern for him, and after his refusal to return with the retrieval team, Sasuke wasn’t certain what his position was, so it was best to keep hidden. Kakashi’s silence proved his actions to be correct.

            From the short walk to the Hokage tower, he was able to take in all the subtle and not so subtle changes. Tsunade’s face now rested beside the fourth’s, there were different shops along the street, the family that lived next to ichiraku seemed to have obtained a nin-dog and it yipped at him as they passed. He glanced into the eatery searching for a flash of blonde—he was suppressing his chakra, because contrary to his words, Naruto had become quite observant—but the ramen shop was deceptively empty.

That didn’t bode well.

            “He is training with Sai. Seems he can’t accept his seniority as Anbu.” The answer drifted from the cover of that dirty book and it was then that Sasuke realized that the book was different. He was smart enough not to comment on it, all the same, he wondered where the old one went and how he’d obtained the new book.

            “Sakura tells me she received an odd missive from a snake questioning about certain medical facts.” The pause was implicating and expecting. Sasuke pretended not to notice. “You wouldn’t know anything about that would you?”

            “Hn.”

            “Ah, I have missed you. Now maybe Naruto can return to full sentences and leave the guttural communications to you.”

            Sasuke didn’t deem that with an answer, but filed that small bit away for further reference.

            “I should warn you, his mood has been little better than a badger that’s been woken up on the wrong side of the bed.” Kakashi supplied pleasantly, as though discussing the weather, and not the fact that Naruto must have discovered something he did not like much, and Sasuke hunched down further. “I have no idea why.”

            Bullshit… you probably let the information slip. Sasuke griped desperately hoping his word vomit would cease for the day. Last thing he needed to do was run his mouth in front of a volatile Naruto. Though, an angry, violent dobe was much preferable to the mopey, depressed one he saw little over a month before.

            The tower seemed somehow intimidating as he approached it, and he assumed it was from all the bad experiences he’d had within it before.

Naruto’s medical visits.

His punishments.

His orders to leave Konoha.

            It was a miracle he didn’t have a phobia of this place.

            “The Hokage’s been antsy since your message. You really messed things up with your rebellious actions.”

            “Hn.”

            “Yes. I did miss our scintillating conversations.”

            Once inside the building the anxious feeling abated somewhat. The interior hadn’t changed and before he knew it he was once again standing outside the large doors that lead to the Godaime’s office. Two Anbu members stood guard to either side and they glanced his way before looking to Kakashi obviously knowing what was up as they allowed him to push the doors open and walk inside without knocking or introductions.

Either nothing important was going on, or they were the worse Ninja’s in history.

            “Hokage-sama, I have brought the wayward student.”

            “Good. Get your ass in here and shut the door.” Tsunade snapped from behind a literal mountain of paperwork. Sasuke was impressed that it remained upright despite the furious movements of the blonde woman behind them.

            Once the door had shut behind him, gold eyes locked on him from over the edge of the smaller stack, and had he been any less of a man he would have cowered. But, he already knew how hard she could hit when pissed off, and though he didn’t want to relive it anytime soon, he knew he could survive it, and so he returned her stare with a slight lift to his eyebrow.

            “Spill Uchiha.”

            Sasuke smirked and relaxed his stance, pulling the hood back and revealing his face. He made a respectful gesture toward his Hokage that might have come across more mockingly then he’d meant—if her glare was anything to go by—and began his debrief.

            “Orochimaru had several lairs built in nearly every country and a few in the smaller provinces. The larger, main buildings are mostly underground and are the ones that usually held his experiments.”

            Kakashi interjected then with a casually cruel comment of, “Can’t hear the howls of hell from under the earth.”

He had no idea.

            “Right. I assume you have a list of those that we can infiltrate and make recoveries?” Tsunade asked, avoiding that detail all together. Sasuke reached into his pocket and removed the folded map with several black ‘X’ marks upon it and set it on her desk.

            “With the exception of those with Orochimaru’s curse seal, they are nothing more than chunin and jounin status at best. It shouldn’t be too much of a hassel. Besides, when the news of Orochimaru’s defeat travels they’ll be too busy fighting amongst themselves too prepare for an attack from us.”

            Tsunade nodded as she looked over the map and added it to the shorter pile. “And you are certain he is gone?” At his nod, her eyes turned down, looking oddly relieved and saddened. “Did you kill him?”

            “… I didn’t so much kill him as turn his own Jutsu against him.”

Kakashi dropped his little book.

            Sasuke glanced his way but quickly refocused on the golden eyes that now looked guarded. That was interesting, and proved that they did know something about Orochimaru’s body transfer Justu. What and how much was debatable, and it just could as easily be shock that he had learned something so dangerous which caused their reactions, but it could be more.

            “Can he escape?”

            “No.” Sasuke answered slowly, taking pity on her. Orochimaru had been her teammate at one point, and if Sakura and Naruto’s reactions were anything to go by, she had cared even as he’d spiraled out of control. “He tried to take over, my mind was stronger. I can’t even feel him.”

            Tsunade paled a bit but otherwise kept her expression neutral as Kakashi silently reached down to pick up his book. He was being too quiet and it made Sasuke suspicious but he didn’t dare voice it. It was better to speculate silently and then wait for the appropriate moment to drop a comment to test the validity of his assumptions.

            “I see.” Tsunade took a moment to shift some more paperwork before continuing. “Well, with this your mission is completed. I‘ll need a list of the techniques you have acquired and any medical issues you may have encountered or were subjected to by that little—speaking of, where is Kabuto?”

            “He is alive.”

            Tsunade frowned. “Pity.”

Sasuke couldn’t stop his smirk.

            “Anyway, I assume he is alive because he poses no threat?”

            “Yes. Without Orochimaru he is lost and he doesn’t hold enough power to succeed him.”

            “Fine. I’ll need that list to judge and decide your ranking and whether you will need to run the chunin exam again with Naruto.”

            Sasuke stood straighter. That would be fun, to run it again with Naruto, but that would have to wait, like everything else it seemed. “I will provide the list, but I must insist that you keep your end of our agreement.”

            His words had the effect of an explosive tag as the room fell silent and became tense. It was obvious from Tsunade’s expression that she had hoped that he would have forgotten about that small bit of information. Luckily she refrained from playing stupid and cut straight to the chase. “You want to head out after Itachi now?”

            “Yes.” Sasuke thought stating the obvious would be more advantageous than letting his silence answer the question. Tsunade sighed and leaned back in her chair disappearing completely behind the paperwork. Her disembodied voice drifted back to him and Kakashi after a long pause. “It is neither possible, nor wise. You are still labeled as a missing Ninja from Konoha. Until that is resolved we cannot assign a team to you, and Naruto is not in a position to be allowed along with you, though he is capable, not to mention team Seven needs to have a few training missions before it is capable of full fledged mission work to be certain you all can still function as—“

            “I have a team assembled.”

            Gold reappeared. “You what? How?”

            “I put one together while away at Sound.”

            “Sound? How can you be certain they can be trusted? They were—“

            “Their circumstances are the reason I chose them. Since this is a personal vendetta and not a mission assigned by Konoha, I do not need to involve those who can be of better use here. While I am away it will give the village time to acclimate to my new status and the truth.” Sasuke replied with a bland tone that implied his boredom with the continued conversation and finally Tsunade rose from her desk and walked around it to face him.

            “This is why you didn’t come back with them.” It was a rhetorical question so he treated it as such. Tsunade sighed and leaned back against the desk, Sasuke waited for the inevitable fall but the papers remained stationary, as she sighed and then met his gaze looking resigned and slightly pitying. “You know he’s not going to like that answer much.”

            “No, but he can’t kick my ass if he’s dead. I’d rather deal with his attempts to maim me then have to visit the stone memorial.” Sasuke hadn’t really meant to be so truthful, but he respected Tsunade for her frankness and her honest attempt to protect those under her. In a way they had that in common. Amazingly that respect started shortly after she’d hit him.

Maybe something was really wrong with him.

            “Don’t stay away too long kid, and please, talk to him before he hurts himself spying.” Tsunade directed a look to the slightly ajar window and Sasuke smirked at the sharp spike in chakra he felt from the area before it took off with surprising speed in the direction of Hokage monument. “Damned brat’s been camping out there for the last week and a half. I was afraid that I would need to start bribing him inside with ramen.”

            “Hn.” Sasuke gave a slight bow out of respect as well as to show his intention to depart. Tsunade frowned at him before waving him off with her hand.

            “Fine, I did promise but I expect weekly reports on your progress, that list, and a rundown on your team members.” Tsunade pointed a pen at him for emphasis, and Sasuke nodded her way, turning to the door, Kakashi following like a shadow.

            “Finally, I can get some work done. Damn annoying brat… I should make him finish this work for me…” Tsunade complained to no one in particular and Sasuke paused in his escape, turning to take advantage of the open opportunity, for no other reason than to solve his own curiosity.

            “The work would suit him, wouldn’t it? It’s in his blood after all.”

            Again Kakashi’s book dropped and this time he didn’t even bother trying to pick it up, nor did he attempt to cover the slack-jawed shock on his face. That in itself was well worth taking the chance to state it, and Sasuke smirked as Tsunade stared at him from her sudden jolt at her desk and finally those papers fell over in a wave of white, at which point made his exit.

He had been right.

            More than that, they knew.

That’s all he needed.

 

-2-

 

            The sudden punch to his face was expected but undeserved. At least, that was how Sasuke saw it and it was why he twisted with the blow and kicked the idiot in the side of his head. Or he tried to, seemed that anger was a great motivator, as his ankle was grabbed in a vise like grip and he was able to see livid blue.

            “You fucking bastard!” A cloud a smoke engulfed them before he was promptly tackled to the grassy top of the Hokage monument. “You shit-eating, two faced, lying sack of crap!” It was nostalgic to be back to this place, once again wrestling in the dirt and avoiding an angry fist and sharp elbows and knees, but at the moment it wasn’t what he felt like doing.

            Pushing up Sasuke managed to roll Naruto to the side and grab a hold of the jacket before a knee clipped him in the stomach. He escaped the punch by pulling one of Naruto’s favorite moves and butting the bond in the face with his own head.

            It was then that he realized that Naruto was yelling, and it wasn’t just curses and colorful adjectives attached to his name.

            “You stupid Prick, What?! You just going to run off again?! Is that it? Because we’re not good enough for you?!” Naruto punctuated his questions with more slugs to his ribs before, with a glare, he pushed forward—and for an insane moment, Sasuke thought Naruto was going to kiss him—and bit him on the shoulder.

            “Ow!” Sasuke cried out grabbing at the blonde locks and fisting them, pulling in an attempt to dislodge him. Naruto clamped down harder until he was able to flip Sasuke onto his back where he proceeded to lift him by his shirt front and slam him into the ground.

            “Stupid, ass-hole! We could help you!” again he was lifted and slammed into the ground with enough force to make spots dance in front of his eyes. “And I would not die on that mission with you, you mother-fucker!” Naruto pulled him back up, and having had quite enough, Sasuke pushed forward hard and flipped them, slamming Naruto into the ground instead. Using the speed he’d perfected Sasuke pinned those arms to the side and locked his legs around Naruto’s to keep him from kicking him.

            “Dobe.” Sasuke said, spitting out some blood from his mouth and had to tighten his hold when Naruto actually threw straight-up chakra at him.

Damn that boy was talented.

            “Don’t you dare, you fuck-head! Don’t you dare call me that like you know me!” Naruto hissed out. He was sounding a bit like a girl today, and Sasuke wasn’t sure if that was because of his problem or if it was just because he’d had no one but Sakura around him for the last two years.

For once he actually hoped it was the former.

            “Stop bitching and listen, idiot.”

            “Why should I?! You lying sack of shit! You promised not to leave and then—“

            “I was ordered! You heard the conditions of my punishment as clearly as I did! What was I supposed to do?!”

            “Tell me?!”

            “What are you? A girl?” Sasuke shot back and received a sharp kick to his calf. It was an awkward shot so it really wasn’t so bad, just enough to remind him that Naruto was still pissed and would find a way to kick his ass.

The fact that he hadn’t aimed for his crotch was proof that Naruto wasn’t on his problem.

            “How am I acting like a girl?! You’re my best friend and you just—“

            “It was a high risk mission, you retard! If I had told you what do you think would have happened?! Orochimaru had spies all over the place, did you know he didn’t trust me until after you freaked and left to train with Jiraiya? Your reaction is what kept me safe!” The words were bitter in his mouth, but it was true, and Naruto’s pain had protected him, Naruto needed to know that.

            The blonde stilled below him, glaring holes through his head and Sasuke glanced to the side feeling particularly low. To make it worse, his hormones were telling him to hold the idiot, and his fragile emotions weren’t far from giving in. “Look, the Hokage had given me the order not to tell you. She didn’t have much choice either, as the council was there forcing her hand. It was either this or—“

            “Or I’d be used as a weapon, right?” Naruto’s voice was acid and Sasuke actually flinched.

So, he was aware of his position.

            “When the fuck did I ask you to protect me, ass hole!” Naruto screamed, bucking up and twisting until Sasuke had to let go or watch the idiot dislocate his shoulder and then he was the one pinned to the ground, Naruto straddling his lap, holding him up by his shirt. “When did I ask you to sacrifice yourself?! I didn’t! I am capable of taking care of myself! I don’t need you!”

            Sasuke felt his face contort from the painful, cutting words and he grabbed Naruto by his shirt collar as well hauling him close enough that his next words were nothing more than a deadly whisper. “Really? From what I see, you can’t live without me. Without me, you’d be nothing more than Kyuubi’s chew toy.”

            Naruto was shaking with his anger and Sasuke returned the glare as together they stood still holding each other’s shirt fronts. This was nothing like their usual fights, this was serious and painful, and Sasuke knew it had to happen. It was like before in the woods, except now they had no time to work things out slowly, and for once they both knew it.

            “So, this is about Kyuubi.” Naruto bit out through gritted teeth, his pupils slitting and blue turned a purple shade. Honestly it was quite the turn on, but the mood wasn’t right for it and so Sasuke reached out and gripped Naruto’s wrist, skin to skin contact to prove that nothing had changed and bit out just as accusingly.

            “Yeah, I don’t fight with demons. I want to fight with my best friend, Naruto, but he’s currently letting a demon bitch win all his battles for him.”

            The growl that had started after his first sentence trailed off and blue returned with the widening of black pupils. Naruto looked quite contrite then as he slowly loosened his grip and let his arms drop. Sasuke held his ground, holding onto the wrist even as it hung between them.

            A bitter laugh escaped Naruto then and he shook his head, “So that’s what you meant… by my death…” Naruto’s quiet acceptance was a relief and Sasuke felt himself internally sigh at the temporary ceasefire between them. As it always was with them, once they had the chance to beat the tar out of each other, they usually were able to put the whole ordeal behind them and that helped Sasuke relax and sadly, loosened his tongue.

            “Yeah, your bitchy parasite has already informed me of her desire to kill you. I would prefer for that not to happen. But if you’re that fucking suicidal…”

            Naruto lightly punched Sasuke in the arm with a laugh, pulling his wrist free at the same time. “You dick.”

            “Hn.”

            Naruto burst out laughing then—for reasons Sasuke couldn’t fathom—and the sound was so refreshing and familiar that Sasuke found himself smiling, his shoulders eased from a tense hold he hadn’t been aware of before. The carefree laughter was warming and healing. I love him… Sasuke thought sappily, but didn’t care much at the moment and breathed deep, reveling in the fleeting peace that dwelled in him when the dobe was near. … I love this idiot.

            “You were planning to leave without saying anything, weren’t you?” It wasn’t really accusing. It was actually a statement of fact, but because it was incorrect, Sasuke saw fit to amend it.

            “No.”

            “Bull shit.” Naruto griped his glare returning, but this time it was all Naruto, nothing of Kyuubi was left.

            “I was planning to find you first.” Sasuke said simply, not really thinking of his words as they escaped him, and when those eyes filled with such hope and happiness, Sasuke stopped thinking all together.

He’d missed those eyes.

            “Sasuke…”

He’d missed that voice.

            “Naruto, I need you to stay here.” Sasuke murmured, mesmerized by the blonde before him, and attempted to explain himself fully. Naruto deserved that at least.

Blue eyes rolled at his words and the other started to open his mouth to complain, but Sasuke’s mouth kept going and a sudden bout word vomit just ran into the topic he had decided not to bring up.

Ever.

            “I need you to bare my children.”

A second.

            It literally took less than a second for that face to go from happily irritated to downright insulted, and then he found a fist in his face. Looking up at the sky with his nose throbbing and possibly broken, Sasuke couldn’t help but think that he deserved that one. And under a mask of calm, which belayed the terror running through him, Sasuke rubbed at his nose and repeated his previous words to himself.

            That… was not the right move…

 

A.N. Okay so, I FINALLY got this one out. It took forever to get it right and I’m still not satisfied with the end of this chapter. First off, NO they are not together yet. NO they will not run off into the sunset together, and YES Naruto is still in epic denial. So, whatever happens in the next chapter will be AWKWARD. Trust me. ^-^ Please review it is the life food of this story and I’ll see you next chapter.

(1) A wyvern is a dragon that has the body of a serpent with wings. Some are depicted with raven wings. It’s a pun on Sasuke seeing as he names his group “snake” then later “Hawk.”

(2) The bell-like flowers are Fox-glove flowers. They Used to grow wild around my first home in Washington state. They are poisonous but very beautiful. They are my favorite flower.