Guardian Angel

Disclaimer: If it were mine…would I be writing a fanfic?

Warning: MAJOR YAOI ALERT! Don’t like…don’t read…don’t complain:)

Background Info: Scratch the beginning of the anime! In my world, Orochimaru hadn’t revolted and Itachi didn’t kill off the entire Uchiha clan.

Note: 'blah blah blah' - Thoughts

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Chapter Two: The Hunted

“Me…who else?”

Silence stretched on for what seemed like eternity. Then…

“NANI!” Three voices resonated in the tavern as heads swirled toward the sudden outburst. As if on cue, chair scraping could be heard as customers frantically poured out of the room, not wanting to encounter the wrath of Kyubi.

“I w-a-n-t y-o-u t-o k-i-l-l m-e.” The blonde enunciated with painstaking care, as if talking to a child. A not-so-bright child.

“Are you crazy?” Sasuke asked incredulously as he ran a hand through his thick raven colored hair. “Wait, don’t answer that.” The blonde fumed at the implications.

“But…but…why?” Kiba spluttered after he got over the initial shock.

“We’re all going to die eventually.” The blonde replied nonchalantly. “So what does it matter if I die now or later?”

“I suppose…so.” Kiba grudgingly admit.

“Don’t encourage him.” Shikamaru muttered underneath his breath.

“But wouldn’t it much easier if you just did it yourself?” Kiba suggested.

“Don’t give him any ideas.” Sasuke glowered at Kiba, effectively shutting him up…for the moment.

“Because committing suicide is not honorable.” The blonde protested. “And I wouldn’t want to go to hell.”

“Hmm…true, true.” Kiba nodded in agreement. Noting the heated gazes from the other two, his eyes widened. “What?”

“Don’t agree with him…baka.” Shikamaru sighed in exasperation.

“Let me get this straight. You came all the way here to ASK me to kill you.” Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the blonde.

“PAY you.” The blonde corrected and nodded. “So can we get on with it? I’d like it done before sunrise.”

“You seem awfully eager.” Shikamaru commented casually.

“Well, I heard that right before you die your life flashes before you eyes and you come to terms with yourself.” Taking a big breath, the boy plunged on. “I’m ready.”

“Hn.” Sasuke lifted his cup to his lips and studied the boy in front of him. He seems sane enough and looks to be no more than 15 years of age. But…something about his eyes bothers him. Those are not the eyes commonly seen on a 15 year old boy but rather of a man who’s seen too much of the world. Specifically the harsh realities of life that no 15 year olds cocooned and protected under the wings of their parents would have seen. Despite the determined look on his face, Sasuke knew instinctively that this boy is not one to give up on life so easily. Because of those eyes…so similar to that person.

“So how do you want it done?” Sasuke’s voice broke the awkward silence.

“Eh?” The blond blinked. And blinked again. “Oh. Well, I’m sure you’ve done this before so I’ll just leave everything to you!”

“Hn.”

“Just make it quick.” The blonde continued on.

“Quick?”

“I wouldn’t want to linger.”

“No, you wouldn’t.” The corner of Sasuke’s mouth lifted as the blond narrowed his eyes.

“You’re making fun of me!” He accused.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Sasuke replied smoothly.

“In that case, I’ll wait until you finish you drink.” The youth sat down on a nearby stool.

“How gracious of you.” Sasuke replied sarcastically. After a brief silence. “Tell me you name.”

“Why?”

“So I know what to put on the headstone.” Sasuke replied dryly.

“No need.” The blonde answered cheerfully. Cheerfully?

“I insist.” Sasuke pressed on. The blonde tilted his head to one side and looked at him thoughtfully.

“Naruto.” He grudgingly replied.

“The whole name.” Sasuke’s voice left no room for arguments.

“Yada.” Naruto crossed his arms and stared defiantly back at him.

“Why not?”

“Because then we’d be acquaintances.” Naruto impatiently explained. “It’s easier to kill someone you don’t know that one of your acquaintances.”

"Naruto-chan does have a point there.” Kiba said thoughtfully. Happy to have someone on his side, Naruto igored the suffix added to his name and beamed at the boy while Sasuke frowned.

“Kiba, no one would think you’re mute if you didn’t talk.” Sasuke said irritably. Kiba turned to Shikamaru for support only to find him cradling his head in his hands.

“How troublesome.” Shikamaru mumbled as he subtly observed the bantering through half-closed eyelids. Sasuke spoke more words tonight than he did for the past two weeks combined. Interesting.

“I don’t understand why you’re making this so difficult.” Naruto sighed woefully. “Nobody wants to do honest work anymore.”

“What part of this is 'honest' work?” Sasuke asked exasperatedly.

“I’m PAYING you as opposed to you STEALING! How much more honest can it get?” Naruto went on without pause. “Everyone knows that a thief will do anything for money. I just want to die painlessly…is that too much to ask? Unless…” Naruto suddenly grew thoughtful as he mused out loud. “Unless…you haven’t killed anyone before.” Enlightenment dawned in Naruto’s eyes as he stood dejectedly and quickly stuffed the money back into his pouch. “In that case, sorry for the inconvenience…I wouldn’t want to subject you anything unpleasant.” Naruto turned and walked towards the doorway.

“I wonder where I can find a killer for hire…maybe if I put up some posters?” Naruto wondered out loud. Suddenly, a blur in the corner of his eyes caused him to falter and he felt himself crashing into something solid…and very much alive.

“How did-? When did-?” Naruto glanced back at the previously occupied seat to the person who caught his fall. Sasuke smirked at the boy in his arms.

“Baka.” A blush spread across Naruto’s cheeks as he realized how close he was physically to the other boy. Hell, any close and he’d be in his lap. Uncomfortable? The understatement of the century!

“Who said you can leave?” Sasuke said softly into Naruto’s ear, the warmth of his breath causing a tingling sensation down Naruto’s spine. Blushing furiously, he stiffened in Sasuke’s arms and tried in vane to push away. Clearly amused by Naruto’s discomfort, Sasuke make no move to let him go and tightened his hold instead. This time around, Sasuke took his time studying the boy in his arms. Naruto was a lot smaller than he looked, the top of his head barely reaching the tip of Sasuke’s chin. His lack in weight and muscles is probably due to malnutrition. But despite that, Sasuke couldn’t find a single visible scar, barring the nasty bump on the boy’s left forehead and the three whiskers that marred each sun-kissed cheek. Gazing into those guileless baby blue eyes, Sasuke couldn’t help comparing him to that person. Obviously two completely opposite people, so different…yet so alike. Sasuke just couldn’t put his finger on it. Painfully aware of their audience, Naruto shifted uncomfortably under Sasuke’s scrutinizing gaze.

“A-hem.” A subtle cough brought Sasuke back to reality and during his moment of relapse, Naruto broke free and scrambled to put as much distance between them as possible. Noting the amused look on Shikamaru’s face and the shocked one on Kiba’s, Naruto flushed a deeper reed as he fiddled with the money pouch.

“Alright. I’ll help you.” Naruto’s head snapped up as he regarded Sasuke eagerly.

“Really?”

“Hn.” Sasuke folded his arms across his chest. “But only if you tell me what prompted you to seek me out.”

“Because I don’t want to be tortured of course!” Naruto stated matter-of-fact. “I’d rather die on my own terms.”

“Tortured…by who?” Sasuke frowned.

“By those ninjas!” Naruto replied exasperatedly.

“Why?” Sasuke frown deepened.

“How am I suppose to know?” Naruto asked irritably. “One minute I was minding my own business, next thing I know I see them carrying some dead ninjas around. Since then, I’ve been stalked, threatened and almost killed!”

“Who was carrying the dead bodies?” Shikamaru regarded Naruto seriously.

“Ninjas…weren’t you paying attention to anything I just said?” Naruto continued to rant. “And it gets even better! They tried to roast me alive tonight. Those bastards set my home on fire and I had to squeeze through that tiny bathroom window to escape. Look at this nasty bump! The window was so small that I literally fell out it…head first!”

“Naruto-chan, are you sure you didn’t just take a bad fall and started hallucinating?” Kiba asked. “All the hidden villages have agreements with one another. Attacking another village’s ninjas is breaching that agreement. No one would do something stupid like that!”

“But it is a verbal agreement.” Sasuke and Shikamaru shared a look. “Where are the dead bodies now?”

“I have no idea.” Naruto replied honestly. “All I remembered were the dead bodies and blood everywhere. I must have made a noise or something because suddenly those ninjas were coming at me. So I panicked and ran back to the village. I went straight to the authorities and they sent me back with some jounins. But when we got there, the bodies had already disappeared and there wasn’t a trace of blood anywhere.”

“Then Naruto-chan was probably dreaming then.” Kiba concluded.

“I’m telling the truth!” Naruto pouted in annoyance. “Why doesn't anyone believe me! I saw them, I swear! And I clearly saw the spiral things on those bloody headbands, I-“ In an instant, Sasuke appeared in front of Naruto and grabbed his wrist to pull him closer.

“When?” Sasuke growled dangerously as Naruto shrank back under the heated gaze.

“A-about two w-weeks ago….I-“ Naruto flinched as the grip tightened. “I-itai.”

“You saw the dead bodies…?” Sasuke stepped closer. “Did you see one with the Sharingan eyes? Did you? DID YOU?”

“Itai. Itai. ITAI!” Naruto frantically clawed at Sasuke’s hand to let go.

“Calm down.” Shikamaru commanded as he and Kiba forcibly pulled Sasuke away from Naruto. Wide-eyed, he could only stare at Sasuke’s retreating form.

“I…Sharingan? I don’t know what that is…” Naruto said shakily while rubbing his bruised wrist. “All I remember was them saying how something was missing. It had a really odd name…heaven and light or something of that sort.” The other three exchanged a wary glance.

“You don’t mean…the Light of Heaven?” Sasuke asked incredulously. At Naruto’s nod of confirmation, Shikamaru groaned.

“This is NOT good. Definitely not good. To have it resurfaced after all these years…” Shikamaru sighed resignedly.

“So the deaths of Uchiha-san and the other ANBUs were due to some sword?” Kiba looked inquiringly towards his two companions.

“The Light of Heaven is not just a sword, but also a priceless treasure. Many have yearned to obtain it and it’s still plausible that the person behind the attack is-”

'Kyubi.'

The unspoken word lingered in the air between them, only to be replaced by the felling of being watched.

“Shikamaru. Kiba.” Sasuke glanced towards both of them and they quickly nodded in understanding. With a puff of smoke, those two disappeared into the night.

“Where’d they go?” Naruto blinked in surprise. Placing a couple coins in the table, Sasuke dragged Naruto outside.

“Kyubi-san…your promise!” Naruto reminded Sasuke as the blonde was pulled into a quicker pace.

“You won’t be dying tonight.” Sasuke dragged Naruto through an alley.

“But…you promised!” Naruto protested as he tried to keep pace with the taller boy.

“I promised to help you. I never said anything about killing you.” Sasuke replied smoothly. Mouth agape, Naruto followed mindlessly as Sasuke led him through a series of mazes in-between buildings.

“But…but…" Naruto attempted to make Sasuke see reason.

“Shut up.” Sasuke glared at the boy and pulled him closer. “We’re being followed.”

“Eh?” Naruto craned his head to look behind him.

“Don’t look!” Sasuke hissed and sped up even more. Within minutes they came upon the stretch of forest that marked the northern border of the village. Sasuke hastily shoved Naruto into the shadows of the trees and scanned the perimeter. Noting nothing unusual, he visibly relaxed and strode purposefully towards Naruto.

“Take your clothes off.” Sasuke commanded as he advanced slowly.

“EHHHHHH?” Naruto flushed in mortification. “Uh-Uh! NO WAY!”

“Either you strip or I do it for you. Decide now.” Sasuke threatened as he approached closer.

“You….YOU HENTAI!” Naruto hastily moved away from Sasuke, only to find himself backed into a tree. “I…I..." He tensed as Sasuke drew closer and closer and-.

SMACK!

“Dobe.” Sasuke quickly undid Naruto’s jacked and stepped away. “Get your mind out of the gutter.” Crouching low on the ground, he picked up a tree branch and draped the jacket over it. Sensing their pursuers closing in, he grabbed Naruto’s hand and headed towards the east. Before long, the sound of rushing water reached their ears.

“Naruto, can you swim?” Sasuke asked as they ran towards the middle the bridge. Without waiting for an answer, Sasuke pushed Naruto unceremoniously into the tumbling waves below. Seconds later, a second splash ranged in the still night as Sasuke jumped in to join him. Letting the tree branch float with the water, Sasuke dragged Naruto against the current to the opposite shore.

“Y-you pushed me in!” Naruto shivered as he pulled himself out of the water. “What would you have done if I said I couldn’t swim?”

“I still would’ve pushed you in.” Sasuke answered with an elegant shrug.

“Cold hearted bastard!” Naruto ranted. “Couldn’t you just beat them up instead of sacrificing my jacket? It was my favorite!”

“Then you have horrible taste.” Sasuke stated mildly. “You can thank me later for getting rid of it.”

“What part of the jacket reflects my ‘horrible’ taste?” Naruto asked irritably.

“…it’s orange.” Sasuke stated matter-of-fact.

“I happen to like orange.” Naruto stubbornly replied.

“Then I suggest you like a different color…preferably one that does not make you a walking target.” Sasuke retorted and turned to walk away. “Let’s get going before they figure out that it’s not you underneath that jacket.”

“Still, I can’t believe they were stupid enough to fall for that tree branch trick.” Naruto mused as he trudged after Sasuke.

“Why didn’t you just say you can’t believe I’m smart enough to pull that tree branch trick?” Sasuke smirked.

“What? And boost that already inflated ego of yours?” Naruto stuck his tongue out at the raven-haired boy and strode ahead. “Looks like I’m going to have to find someone more reliable to help me. Shouldn’t be hard with the money I-“ Naruto abruptly halted as he frantically searched through his pockets.

“Not here…not here….not here!” Sasuke paused in mid-step and looked inquiringly at Naruto.

“My money pouch…it’s gone!” Naruto whined. “I must’ve lost it in the water!”

“Hn. Too bad.” Sasuke continued to walk on, only to find his path blocked by a very irritated blond.

“My money. You. Go get it!” Naruto point towards the tumbling water.

“No way.” Sasuke sidestepped Naruto and continued walking.

“You’re the one who pushed me in!” Naruto argued as he caught up to the black-haired boy.

“You’re the one who dropped it!” Sasuke retorted.

“UGH! You heartless bastard!” Naruto whined pitifully. “I’m going to be captured and tortured…and be eaten alive….WAHHHHHHHHHHH!”

“You’re so annoying.” Naruto paused his wallowing in self-pity and glared angrily at the back of Sasuke’s head. “I already told you. I’ll help you, so stop talking nonsense!” At his uncharacteristic remark, Naruto cocked his head to one side and regarded him with distrust.

“This coming from the person who doesn’t have the guts to kill!” Naruto snorted disdainfully. “I think I’ll be better off dead, Kyubi-san.”

“Stop calling me that!” Sasuke bit off angrily.

“Geez, what crawled up your ass? If you don’t like it, you should’ve picked another nickname!” Naruto reasoned.

“I’m...not Kyubi.” Sasuke slowly admitted.

“NANI!” Naruto exclaimed in surprise.

“I SAID I’m not Kyubi.” Sasuke repeated.

“But…then…why?” Naruto spluttered.

“Because of my brother…Kyubi killed him…I want to avenge his death…” Sasuke said softly.

“So you pretended to be him to lure him out.” Naruto finished and looked sympathetically at Sasuke. “Are you sure Kyubi killed him?”

“I have my sources.” Sasuke replied.

“I...see…so if your not ‘Kyubi,’ then what do I call you?” Naruto asked.

“I’m Uchiha Sasuke, a shinobi of the Hidden Village of Konoha.”

“Uchiha…Sasuke…” Naruto repeated softly. “I’m…Uzumaki Naruto.”

“Uzumaki Naruto, ka?” Sasuke turned and gave him a small smile. “Don’t worry, nothing is going to happen to you. A shinobi never make promises he can’t keep.” Without another word Sasuke walked on toward the forest. This time, the blonde followed obediently beside the taller boy.

Glancing inconspicuously from the corner of his eyes, Naruto breathed a small sigh of relief when he saw Sasuke’s unsuspecting features.

'Everything was going according to plan. Itachi-sama is going to be very please.'

tbc…

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Sasuke: You guys actually read this crap?

Me: WAHHHH! Meanie:( I tried...(pouts)

Sasuke: Hn. And obviously failed! People, don't review...you're encouraging her.

Naruto: Calm down, it wasn't that bad.

Sasuke: It was that bad. She made it sound like I'm dying to jump you...!

Naruto: Jump me how? (scratches head in confusion)

Me: Yah, jump him how?

Sasuke: Don't corrupt him...(glares)

Me: I'm not! (blinks innocently) But you will...;-Þ

Sasuke: ...(scowls)

Naruto: Am I missing something? (blink. blink)