Reaching for Love.

It seemed like a whole world had begun spinning, noticing things in more detail, details that were worth noticing. They seemed interesting to the usually quiet artist, as he started to draw more and more things, his style growing and evolving as his bonds with Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi grew stronger.



Then it happened, a month after he spent the night comforting Naruto, he appeared before the lot of them. They were out on a mission when the male appeared, and Sai felt nothing but hatred in his gut as Sasuke led Naruto out into the open, into a trap that his fox willingly fell for...



The details of the battle were a blur to Sai, Sakura, Naruto and even Kakashi was a bit confused, but now the four of them were flying back to Konoha, with Sai holding Naruto close to his heart as they rode one of Sai's paintings back..



That bastard Uchiha had hurt his Naruto so badly, and Naruto had just let him... Sai's hand traced over Naruto's sleeping face gently. So beat up, so abused and so hurt... The bandages would all stay on, even for someone like Naruto, for at least a month.



How could such a vile creature call Naruto his friend? No, he didn't...Naruto did. Sai sighed, shaking his head as he sat by Naruto's bedside...he couldn't understand the other's thoughts..



"Naruto-kun..." the stress of the mission finally overcame Sai, as he slipped into a slumber in the chair next to Naruto's hospital bed. "Be...more careful.." He finally leaned forward, falling asleep leaning across the blonde, as the two slept for a few good hours.



Blue eyes were the first to open, while he was used to having visitors, Naruto hadn't had anyone waiting for him to wake up in a long time. Sai being there made the young man smile as he stroked the raven's locks. The Artist had protected him from Sasuke, told Sasuke to stay away from him until he understood everything he'd done...understood what he was doing.



Naruto's smile faded as he looked down at the sleeping figure, was Sai really trying to help him? Why would he do such a thing? The first time they'd met he'd never been so insulted...just like with Sasuke...but now he was finding himself feeling a feeling much different then brotherly love for Sai..



"Naruto....kun...stay....safe..." The whispered words belonged to Sai, as Naruto smiled even wider, and nodded laying back. Sai...he wasn't like a brother or a friend...he was something more.



But...he was a guy! Naruto ran a hand through his hair, looking down at the other male, before he smiled... sometimes things like that didn't matter in the least...did they?



"What are you dreaming about...Sai-kun?" Naruto asked softly, as Sai smiled in his sleep, and shifted slightly.



"...harder....Naruto-kun..."

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A/N: Lol! Great spot to leave off. Sorry my chapters are short, I'll update often though, as I've proven so far! Enjoy the story! and I'm going to ask for any ideas on what should happen next chapter...*grins*