A bond thicker than blood

right i am putting up the last chapters now. tomorrow i will be off to Hong Kong =)

LadyRonin: No Sai is not part of this story and Ino i have left out, i know that is probably not a good think but i really did not have ime to write any more if i were to get this story finished before i leave =)

enjoy guys

Chapter 35

“I love you” Naruto could not believe he’d heard those words coming from Sasuke.

“Please, don’t say such a thing.” Naruto pushed Sasuke away “I am a Yakuza remember, we are the most hated people in whole of Japan” the blond boy gave him the saddest smile he had ever seen. Sasuke could only watch Naruto, again he felt helpless and he began questioning Momochi’s words. Was he really the one binding Naruto to this world?

“My mother once told me that to love some one means you accept everything a person is. The past, the present and the future. The accomplishment as well as the failures, acting as a pillar of support to help them through … To be in love means you’ll never be alone.” Sasuke laughed a little at himself, he had failed miserably as a lover. “I failed, when you needed me to understand the most … I didn’t. It’s strange how one never realise what one has until it’s gone.” Sasuke removed his gaze from Naruto to the ground.

“Sasuke” Naruto whispered, he had never seen the raven haired boy this way before.

“I can’t deny it was a shock to hear that you were … are the Kumicho, and I can’t deny I was angry. I had every right to be, I mean it was no little secret you had. But Momochi said something …” Naruto’s eyes widened a little, he talked to Momochi? He had not seen the man often since the confrontation, funny really how he ended up acting just as Sasuke had towards Momochi.

“Naruto, I can’t say it isn’t hard to accept but I am willing to try. I want to accept your past, your present and I want to be a part of your future, because I’m not sure what I’ll do if your not part of my future.” Sasuke still did not look up at Naruto.

“Sasuke, look at me. This body …” Naruto felt nauseous, the thought of putting words to the abuse made him feel sick. “This body is … dirty. He h-has t-tou-ched …” Naruto could not say it, he just looked at his hands, they had begun shaking.

“Naruto!” Sasuke moved closer, knowing he probably should have asked for permission before he put his arms around the blond. “You are not dirty, Orochimaru had no right.” Sasuke could feel the boy shaking in his arms; he knew that any words right now did not have much meaning to them because the blond boy could only blame himself. “I have no right to throw you away because of it, I could not. I just wish I was there to save you, to protect you. Those wound of yours, they are a part of you, they are part of what makes you who you are and therefore I will love them as I love you. Please Naruto, I couldn’t protect you then but please let me protect you now … Naruto please, I beg you. Let me be a part of your future even if it means being part of the Sumiyoshi-kai.” Sasuke thought he might have used the word please too many times, he hoped the word did not lose its meaning.

Naruto was still shaking but the warmth coming from Sasuke’s body and the strong arms holding him, and his gentle words were slowly making Naruto feel safe. He had really missed those arms, the warmth; he could not deny he missed the boy holding him so much it hurt. Naruto gave into his hunger for the other boy’s touch, the sword was dropped to the ground and Naruto embraced Sasuke before burying his face deeper into the boy’s chest. Sasuke squeezed harder as he felt the blond boy respond, he felt a little relieved, it was slowly going to be alright again.

Unknown to the two some one was in the bushes watching the whole thing evolve. The unknown man readied his rifle and bent his head slightly so the right eye was perfectly aligned with the rifle; he took a deep breath settling his nerves as his index finger found its way to the trigger. The man watched as the two boys embraced each other, waiting. He waited for the opportunity to fire his rifle like he had been instructed to, but for now the raven haired boy was blocking the path to his target.

“Pull that trigger and you’re dead,” he felt a cold blade rest gently on the left side of his throat, the man did not move only smiled.

“Slice me and the bullet goes flying, but I assume you know that since you haven’t killed me yet.”

Gaara gave him a glare but the man paid him no attention, he only watched the two boys, still waiting for an opportunity. He had been given an order to kill Naruto even if it meant the cost of his own life, there was no room for failures.

“I guess Leader-sama is getting tired of waiting” Gaara began talking hoping he could stall the man long enough for him not to shoot until Sasuke and Naruto had moved out of the line of fire.

“Well you know, he isn’t one of the most patient people around. I guess that’s one thing he and Orochimaru have in common.” Gaara could hear the man chuckle a little “although I am surprised Orochimaru hasn’t taken care of Uzumaki-sama yet, the boy is no good to him when he doesn’t obey.” The man smirked as he felt the pressure of the blade become heavier against his throat; he must have struck a nerve.

“Drop the gun Sasori-san” Gaara sneered.

“Sorry Gaara-san, Leader does not accept failures … and ... I just found my opening” Sasuke had moved just enough for Sasori to get a clear shot at Naruto.

“NO” But Gaara was not fast enough; Sasori’s finger had pulled the trigger and fired of a bullet before Gaara managed to slice his sword in the man’s throat.

The bullet went flying through the air, towards the two boys. But due to Sasuke’s quick reflexes the bullet did not hit its original target. Sasuke tried his hardest not to scream out in pain as the bullet hit his right arm, a small discomfort sound escaped from his lips. Naruto was confused as Sasuke had grabbed him and pulled him closer again, but there were no mistaken the sound he had heard and when Sasuke let out a small cry and he could feel a wet liquid fall on his face, Naruto knew.

“Sasuke!!” Naruto tried to pull himself out of the raven haired boy arms to see what was going on, but Sasuke would not let go.

“Are you okay?” Sasuke asked, trying not to reveal the pain he was in.

“Never mind me you idiot I’m fine, it’s you …” the strength in Sasuke’s right arm was almost gone and Naruto managed to pull himself out of Sasuke’s grip to see what was going on. Although Sasuke was wearing a dark blue jumper Naruto could see the blood, it was slowly dripping from his finger and on to the ground creating a small puddle.

“Your hit!” Naruto began frantically looking around for help; he was cursing himself now for telling Haku it was okay for him to go home alone.

“It’s nothing, just a flesh wound” Sasuke said smiling at the blond boy.

“Naruto-sama, Sasuke-Sama” Gaara shouted to them as he came running towards them.

“Gaara, what are …” never mind that Naruto told himself, right now getting Sasuke to the hospital was more important.”

“Are you okay?” Gaara asked as he saw the blood on Naruto’s face

“It’s not me, Sasuke …” Naruto looked at Sasuke with his blue eyes; Sasuke could see he was close to crying.

Gaara quickly moved to Sasuke and grabbed his right arm which sent pain through his body.

“Sorry” Gaara said seeing the discomfort his poking around caused Sasuke. The red-headed boy was relived to see it was only a flesh wound, but the amount of blood loss was something to worry about.

“It is just a flesh wound, but we need to get you to a hospital I am worried about the amount of blood you have lost” Gaara looked at Sasuke who had become paler.

“See I told you, there is nothing to worry about” Sasuke gave Naruto another smile before he felt his feet give in and he passed out.

“SASUKE!”


Haku and Momochi came running down the hospital corridor; Gaara had phoned them 15 minutes ago telling them what had happened earlier.

“Hey no running in the corridors, this is a hospital” one of the nurses yelled after them as they came around the corner almost crashing in to her.

“Sorry” Haku bowed to her before running after Momochi who only waved at her as an apology.

When they reached Sasuke’s room Gaara was standing outside waiting for them.

“How is he” Haku asked in a low voice when they reached him, both of them were breathing heavily.

“He is fine; it was just a flesh wound. He lost a lot of blood though so they want to keep him here for the night.” Haku gently opened the door and saw Naruto sitting in a chair next to the bed resting his head on the side of the bed, holding on to the raven haired boy’s hand. It was a very cute picture but also a very sad one.

“What happened?” Momochi asked the red-head.

“Sasori-sama … he was told to kill Naruto.” Gaara said not looking at Momochi, the whole what if scenario playing in his head.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Momochi put a hand on Gaara’s shoulder.

“Leader-sama is getting impatient, he has already begun making his moves” Gaara looked at Momochi.

“Yeah, I know. The challenge is only 2 days away … looks like Leader has more faith in Naruto to win than Orochimaru, which is my guess why he is trying to have Naruto killed before the challenge.” He squeezed Gaara’s shoulder before he followed Haku into the room.

“Naruto-sama” Haku gently put a hand on the blond’s shoulder.

“Haku” Naruto’s eyes began to swell up with tears “It’s all my fault, he is hurt because of me.”

“Shhh, it’s okay Naruto-sama. It’s not your fault.” Haku was not sure what else to say, in one way it was Naruto’s fault because they were after his life and would probably stop at nothing in order to take it no matter who stood in their way.

“Naruto” Momochi was hesitant when he spoke the boys name, he knew he probably was only going to get a glare but he needed to announce his presence otherwise the blond would get even angrier if he knew he was there without telling.

“Momo …” Naruto did not even finish the name before he shot up from the chair and ran towards him tossing himself around the man. Momochi did not move for a couple of seconds shocked over the blonds actions, but he was not going to question it. He wrapped his arms around the skinny boy and hugged him tightly.

“I’m Sorry Naruto” Naruto buried his face in Momochi’s chest “Its going to be okay Naruto.”

Haku stood watching the two, smiling. It had been a while since they were all together, they were a family again. He walked up to them and looked Momochi in the eyes, he could see most of the stress and sadness that was usually in his eyes had almost gone. He put his hand on Naruto back and leaned up to kiss the tall man holding on to the blond.

“Let’s head outside and talk, we don’t want to wake the sleeping patient” Haku whispered and gently led the two out of the room to the waiting area. Gaara watched as the trio came out of the room and was about to open his mouth to say something but Haku gently out his hand on his shoulder shaking his head, the two watched Momochi and Naruto walk towards the seats by the window.

“I miss him you know” Naruto sat down so that he was facing the window “I never really thought I would.” Momochi smiled as he too looked out the window, it was dark outside and the street light had been lit. Since they were on the 10th floor the light coming from the city looked like small dots.

“He is your father, it is only natural.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Naruto’s face changed.

“Years ago, when your father was still alive I gave him a promise.”

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Flashback::::::::::::::::::::::::

“Yondaime-sama you wanted to see me” a young Momochi walked up to the man standing underneath the Sakura tree in the garden. Yondaime did not turn around to greet the boy he just kept staring at the small pond covered in leafs from the tree.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it; my grandmother planted this tree when she first came here. She said that even though their colour comes from the dead it still gives warmth and love each time they bloom.” Yondaime opened up his hand and let the petals from the Sakura flower sail through the air as the wind lifted them from his hand, Momochi stood watching. The sun left a golden aura around the man as it shined on him, making the blond haired man resemble a god more than a mortal.

“Momochi can you promise me something?” the question drew Momochi back form his train of thoughts.

“Of course Yondaime-sama” the young boy said, wondering what the man in front of him would ask of him.

“The times are changing, things are changing but most of all people are changing as time goes by. … This will not remain the same; we will not remain the same.” Momochi did not understand what Yondaime was trying to say.

“I don’t understand.”

“Momochi, as the Kumicho I will not be around for ever. And with the way time is taking us it might come sooner rather than later” the words coming out of Yondaime’s mouth scared Momochi.

“How can you say such a thing, I’ll make sure that never happens even at the cost of my life.” Momochi half shouted, how could their Kumicho say such words? Yondaime turned around facing Momochi, smiling.

“If Kyuubi were to take my place when I am gone, would you serve him with equal loyalty that you have given me?”

“Of course I will” Momochi would give his life to protect his best friend.

“Good, then I will leave Naruto and Kyuubi in your care. But promise me one thing” Yondaime looked at him with serious eyes. “Don’t let my sons ever become murderers; it might be inevitable for Kyuubi as he has decided to take my place when I am no longer here. But Naruto he is different, he is so sensitive to other peoples emotions. Maybe too sensitive to understand the curse that follows when one takes another life. He is more like his mother in every thing he does or thinks.” Yondaime paused looking at Momochi, who could not move.

“Can you promise that Momochi?”

Momochi swallowed, this man knew his time was coming and he is just releasing his own bodyguard from his duty. He really did not want to leave Yondaime alone but he knew that his family meant more to him than his own life.

“Yes.”

:::::::::::::::::::::::::End Flashback:::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Momochi remembered the warm and gentle smile Yondaime had given him; the elders of the group had always wondered why Yondaime put so much trust in him especially since he was so young.

“I think he already knew his time was coming and that there was nothing he could do to stop it.” Momochi looked sad; those memories were something he had not thought of in years.

“But I failed to keep my promise, I let Kyuubi fall through my fingers… but you, I swore after what happen that I would keep your fathers promise about you no matter what” Momochi smiled a little.

“But you have grown Naruto; you are not the same as you were then. With everything that has happened, with people you have met. It is not my decision anymore, I am sorry.”

“Momochi” This was the first time Naruto had seen Momochi so serious. “I don’t know if I am ready … killing some one else. But I’ll do anything to protect the people I love.”

Momochi smiled “Your father would be proud of you.”

“We are all proud of you” Haku interrupted, he sat down next to Momochi.

“You better not think you are going alone” everybody turned their heads looking at the raven haired boy leaning in the doorway.

“Sasuke what are you doing out of bed!” Naruto half shouted.