Kyuubi the Bitch

A.N. Okay, so since arriving at my new home in D.C. I’ve been reading lots of fics and generally losing myself and for a while my love of my own fics. My writing seemed pale in comparison to some of the stories I’ve read. (The Sound of Dreams, Volatile, Pyromaniac… to name a few) and so I was waiting for inspiration. Then I realized that one of my favorite stories was abandoned, and it broke my heart. I was really pissed off and realized that I was kinda doing something worse by just not updating, so I apologize to everyone of you reading this story. I hope this was worth the wait, and for all who are starting to like the Fox…. You should know he is becoming a vital part of the plot. I’m trying to find a name for him… I think I’ll make him my muse. LOL

 

Also, I’m working on a lot of one-shots, four-shots, and whatnot for Naruto so expect a lot of random updates. ^-^

Last Note THANK YOU to all of you who reviewed and started bugging me… *Cowers in fear of the Motivation Bat* and those who e-mailed me asking for more. That said, lets get on with the fic. This is for all of you, you know who you are. ^-^

 

WARNING: This chapter contains heavy lime. Meaning that someone gets a hand job. This fic was rated ‘M” for a reason. If you are squeamish and do not like this stuff, why are you in the “M” section anyway? If you want to read the story still but are averse to such content either scroll past it or e-mail me and I can give you an edited version. Kay? Kay.

 

 

Kyuubi the Bitch

Sasuke

Chapter Two: Hormones and Opportunities

 

            The rain pelted down harsh and cold through the foliage of the forest. The leaves chimed with a kind of song that had almost been forgotten by the ears of the pale boy who ran through the soaked underbrush. White shorts made a soft scraping sound as they brushed against each other as he ran.

            The cloth had grown slightly transparent, and clung to his skin uncomfortably. Rainwater trickled down his scalp; a cold tingle that mixed with his sweat and plastered dark locks to his damp skin.

            “Che.” Sasuke spat as his foot slipped a little on the wet ground making him stumble. His eyes narrowed in aggravation at his lack in ability before he began again. There was no time for mistakes, he could not allow himself to be so weak as to lose traction in the rain if he hoped to surpass his brother.

            Images he’d thought he’d buried long before came to the forefront of his mind and urged him forward: faster, harder, longer.

            He could see the walls of the empty Uchiha district before him. Once white walls grayed with neglect and decay, the painted crests chipped away in certain places, leaving gaps between the once proud markings.

            Renewed anger pushed him forward, and in a single fluid movement he was over the edge and into the muddied streets were he could still hear the echoes of the peoples voices in the empty spaces.

            His legs collapsed under his weight, and he fell heavily to the dark mud, the black-brown substance staining his white, soaked pants and clinging to even paler skin. The white gauze meant to keep his wounds clean became caked and heavy, reminding him further of weakness, and he ground his molars together as acidic tears burned his eyes.

            His hands buckled and tensed as he clawed at the covering on his wounds trying to tear away the truth that threatened to suffocate him. Why am I so fucking weak?! Sasuke screamed inside, his mind recalling the blood that stained the walls he resided in, walked in, lived in. Blood that stained the trees and ground, blood that soaked into his own palms. Why? Why? Why?!

            Slamming his fists into the ground repeatedly, Sasuke missed the initial sound as the four figures landed before him, only noticing their presence when the speckles of mud that had flecked onto his face from his actions, dribbled down his cheeks when the first being spoke.

            “Looks like you could use some help.”

            Slowly, as though his humanity was stripped from him with those words, Sasuke looked up, his glare deadly, calm, and down right murderous. He wanted to rip something apart, and the burning ach on his neck only made the desire worse. If he was going to be soaked in blood, he may as well be the instrument of the carnage instead of the cause.

            Four men stood before him in the down pour, none too pleased to be steadily drenched, but standing their ground regardless. Their hitai-ate’s gleamed in the faint light that lightening provided, showing off the proud quarter note.

Shinobi’s from sound.

            Sasuke tensed, his mind recalling them as the enemy even as the hissed words and offer of power soaked into his mind. His eyes narrowed further. I’ll fucking kill them…

            Chakra was already preparing in his hand, the beginning of Chidori burning his wrapped hand and straining his bound ribs. He welcomed the agony.

            The sound nin smirked, “Nice eyes.”

            Sasuke frowned, almost wishing he had Naruto there by his side, if only for a distraction, and was promptly filled with blinding rage when he remembered why the blond wasn’t there.

Why he was out there to begin with.

Why when the sound nin formed a loose circle around him he knew he wouldn’t win.

Why he perked up at the offer.

Why he accepted.

 

Blood.

He was still covered in blood.

 

~2~

 

            Sasuke pulled free from the bindings of sleep slowly. Unusual for his normal routine, though if he was honest he usually didn’t sleep too well, waking at the slightest sounds wary of attack, and plagued by nightmares that never seemed to end even after he woke up.

            Blinking at his ceiling, he took note of how warm he was, almost overheated but still pleasant enough to keep him stationary. His back felt a little stiff, as though he hadn’t moved for most of the night, and there was a distinct weight around his middle and upon his chest.

            Dark brows drew together in confusion until one of his hands slipped up and into bright yellow hair, slipping under a ridiculous sleeping cap. Right… Naruto. Sasuke thought relaxing almost instantly once he was reminded of his—extremely odd—new morning routine.

            He wasn’t sure why it was that he continued to allow the blond into his house, much less into his bed every night, and the warm tingly feeling in his chest when he thought about it made him certain he did not want to think of the whys ever, but somehow since that rainy night three weeks before when one wet dobe had stumbled into his home scared and lonely, the two had just decided—unofficially and without the discussion of words—that Naruto would show up at his place, fight with him, the two would exchange insults, take a bath, and go to sleep, wake up, fight and go on their merry way.

            Sasuke smirked, his fingers running over the hem of the sleeping cap as he recalled how their first morning had started out. Sasuke had understandably flipped out when he’d woken up at his internal alarm, surprisingly warm and being used as a giant teddy bear.

            As in most cases, his momentary confusion translated into danger in his mind and so, before he could recall the events from the night before, Sasuke had thrown the blond from his bed via his fist.

            I can’t believe the moron came back. Sasuke thought with a smirk as he lazily watched the sunlight drift across his ceiling. I was ready to kill him that morning… Sasuke sighed, all too familiar with the memories of his pounding heart and trembling form as he looked down on his teammate, sleeping beside him. He was reacting more and more to Naruto the longer the blond remained by his side. A part of him knew that that was the most dangerous situation to be in, and yet, he found it increasingly difficult to push away.

            Sasuke scowled, not liking the way his thoughts were running and so cut them off completely.

            It was around seven am he estimated by the shadows on his ceiling, and figured he had at least three hours before they both had to be somewhere. He could let the dobe sleep a bit longer. The scowl deepened with concern as dark eyes glanced down to the face tucked safely under his chin. The soft, heated breaths fanned against his skin as Naruto breathed easily, finally free of pain.

            Hopefully it lasts. Would be annoying if there was a problem because of this…

            Sasuke ran his hand down Naruto’s back, skimming his chakra over muscles lightly as he’d done the night before to coax the cramping to still when a sweating, trembling blond had shown up gasping and gritting his teeth against the pain.

            He had no idea what it must feel like to have such internal cramps, but from what he’d seen so far, he was certain he never wanted to know. Considering how much agony Naruto could put up with, the muscle spasms must be nothing short of hell.

            Naruto sighed, curling closer, even nuzzling Sasuke’s neck a bit at the attention, and Sasuke felt his face heat up, and for a moment he struggled with the urge to throw Naruto bodily from him, but he kept his restraint. He’s injured, he’s injured, he’s injured… His new mantra did nothing in calming him, and only reminded him why he had the mantra in the first place. But that was another thing that belonged in the “it-never-happened-damn-it” box Sasuke kept in the back of his mind.

            He wasn’t comfortable with all that had happened—his reactions being the biggest part—but with everything since Naruto’s sudden burst into woman-hood, his helping Naruto deal with his cramps had been one of the less embarrassing and stressing issues.

            Of course, this was another instance they would silently add to the “never-spoken-of-Taboo” list, which was for the best, for Sasuke doubted he could have explained his reasoning’s to the blond.

            How could he? He barely understood himself why he’d shuffled Naruto into his home, bundled him into his bed, and after that seemed to do very little for the blonde’s current pain, had laid down beside him and used his own rendition of the family’s fire jutsu he’d created to ease sore muscles, on Naruto.

            The dobe’s relieved whimper had proved that it worked, and so, Sasuke had spent the better part of the night tending to his ailed friend. It shouldn’t have been awkward, he was only helping a wounded friend and teammate, and it wasn’t, until Naruto gabbed one of his hands and dragged it around to his lower stomach so that the chakra infused limb could work its magic there.

            The action inadvertently reminded him of his new number one in both his “Things-never-spoken-of-Taboo” list and his “It-never-happened-damn-it” box, and he’d almost dropped the jutsu in his embarrassment.

            Luckily, Sasuke excelled in the department of denial, and convincing himself that it seriously never happened, and thus stabilized himself, though it did nothing to cool the blush burning in his cheeks and ears.

            He was grateful Naruto was unable to notice how stupid he looked and forced his tense—and he was not trembling damn it—hand in circles until the blond finally fell asleep.

            Which explained why he was in the situation he currently found himself in. His personal bubble shot to hell, rubbing circles on his friend’s back, and not finding himself uncomfortable in the least.

That really should bother him.

            As most things concerning the blond though, Sasuke chose to pretend it wasn’t happening and went on with life.

            Naruto mumbled something, and again shifted closer, the movement dislodged the blankets showing off the rumpled clothes Naruto had arrived in the day before, and Sasuke briefly wondered if Naruto would be borrowing one of his outfits again.

            Why the blond didn’t just leave a change of clothes at Sasuke’s, the raven would never know—god knew he’d figured it out enough to leave that god-awful sleeping cap on the bed—all the same, he knew he couldn’t let the idiot wear the same outfit again. God only knew what was on it.

            Sasuke made a face, suddenly uncomfortable in his skin.

Maybe I should just burn the thing… He had the proper chakra in his hands after all, he could do it and in the process cleanse himself of whatever was on it, but quickly realized why he shouldn’t.

            Though he hadn’t minded loaning Naruto his clothes—another thing that really should have bothered him, what with his feelings for the family crest and clan pride—Sakura had shown a deep resentment for it. Hell, she basically had a conniption fit over the small action.

 

            Naruto looked good in his clothes, Sasuke noticed absently, and immediately upon realizing what he’d thought, decided that his observation was just due to the lack of retina-burning orange.

            The dark blue, high-collared shirt made Naruto’s hair somehow brighter, but less obnoxious, and made his eyes just a little more noticeable when contrasted with a darker blue. That and it made him appear more sophisticated than the bright jumpsuit did, and maybe it was his imagination, but he seemed healthier in darker colors, his tan more notable, not that Sasuke was looking or anything.

            Sasuke raised an eyebrow, still a little unnerved to see someone else—not to mention Konoha’s number one most unpredictable ninja—proudly wearing the wooden fan emblem on his back. Naruto wore it well, almost like giving meaning behind the crest, and perhaps that was why it didn’t bother him like it should have.

            Naruto was proud, and strong in his own right, and Sasuke doubted the blond would shame the symbol he was wearing. Then again, Naruto was close enough to—maybe, perhaps, if he were extremely lucky— be considered family, and Sasuke found that the image his best friend made as he walked down the street wearing the Uchiha crest, filled a gap had in his chest. And a loneliness, he’d not noticed before, was soothed at seeing someone else bearing the family mark.

Yes, Naruto looked good in his clothes.

            “Naa, Sasuke, you sure this is okay?” Naruto asked, shoulders hunched as yet another stunned look was thrown his way. The sudden nervousness and posture was unbecoming of the Uchiha symbol and made Sasuke frown.

            As far as Sasuke could tell, most of the village had accepted Naruto after the Chunin exams, and those who didn’t at least viewed him as a valuable asset. Hell, Naruto defeated Gaara—another demon holder—without much help from Kyuubi. If nothing else, it proved that Konoha’s demon container was more powerful than the other hidden villages that might have one. Though most of the whispers and head turns had more or less ceased, it seemed that the Uchiha crest upon Naruto’s back warranted the reinstatement of such things, which never was good in Naruto’s mind.

            The looks of shock, disbelief, amusement, and detest, followed them down the street, and Sasuke chose to ignore them for the most part. It was his family’s crest damn it, who he deemed worthy enough to wear it was nobody’s business but his own. Sasuke wasn’t going to give them any mind, but it seemed Naruto was uncomfortable, and Sasuke didn’t like that much.

            Sasuke snorted, stepping up beside the blond, still hunched slightly as a way to block out the village and its occupants all together, and, pulling his right hand from his pocket, gripped Naruto’s shoulder effectively dragging his teammate from the stares and whispers, as well as silently telling those around that he had been the one behind the clothes and promptly shut them up.

            Naruto jumped a little at the sudden contact, eyes flickering to his own in shock and Sasuke spared him a steady look, leading him to the usual meeting place on the bridge.

            “Sasuke?”

            “I offered didn’t I?” Was Sasuke’s sharp response, and at his words the blond broke in to a wide grin, rubbing his nose with his first two fingers.

            “Yeah.”

            The rest of their walk was silent, Naruto regaining his proud gait, and Sasuke slowly released Naruto’s hand as they approached Sakura who was apparently waiting for them.

            She looked up, eyes immediately locking on Sasuke, and he had the distinct impression that he was once again being visually molested, as well as mentally stripped naked, and fought the urge to squirm. Suddenly Naruto’s tease about his fan girl’s trying to gang-bang him didn’t seem so improbable, and he silently prayed that he was never left alone with any of them, his teammate included.

            “Sasuke-kun!” The fact that she was trying too hard to gain his attention was obvious, and Sasuke refrained once again from pointing out that she would be much more attractive if she stopped with the overly effeminate act. The repercussions of such might be unbearable, and he didn’t want to give the girl any false hopes.

            He respected her as a friend and teammate, and didn’t want to lose her because of something as stupid as her crush.

            Naruto snickered by his side, as though he could read the thoughts running through his head, and Sasuke shot him a glare from the corner of his eye, promising retribution, if the blond dare to even utter a single word on the matter.

            A fox-like grin stretched Naruto’s features, the look reminiscent from their academy days, and Sasuke found it both fitting and disturbing. He kept those feelings tightly locked away. He was not afraid of Naruto.

Kyuubi, perhaps, but never Naruto.

            “Sakura-chan!” Naruto sang, the false flirting obvious now that Sasuke was actually paying attention, and he began to wonder again, just how much of Naruto’s sunny disposition was an act.

            He was aware that Naruto was a very optimistic person, and he was often happy, or as happy as one could be. But maybe the idiocy and the obnoxiousness was a farce: a great play that kept everyone at a distance until safety was assured.

            Sakura’s eyes slid from him, and he felt the change almost physically as she focused on the blonde beside him. It was mildly humorous watching the confusion in her green eyes, as she tried to discern who was beside him. The Dobe truly seemed a different person when separated from his orange clothes.

            Her appraising stare made Sasuke a little edgy though he couldn’t say why that was, and then realization hit her, and the predicted explosion occurred.

            “Naruto?!” Sakura’s shock was palpable and caused the blond to blush, rubbing at the back of his neck at the unvoiced praise.

            “Who’d you think I was Sakura?” Naruto laughed, glancing Sasuke’s way but Sasuke refused to say or do anything in this situation, and his blank stare forced Naruto back around with an angry pout. “I don’t look that different in the bastard’s clothes do I?”

            “Sasuke’s—“Sakura turned a shade darker than her hair before she reached out striking the blond on the head with an enraged fist.

            “OW! The hell, Sakura?” Naruto looked up at her through one squinted eye, his hands cradling his abused cranium and audibly swallowed at the look of death she was giving him.

            Sasuke recognized it, but refused to recall the memory he had beaten into submission long ago, and it was now solidly chained in the box of It-never-happened-damn-it. But it was hard to forget the day they became a team, and with Sakura’s killing intent it was hard to forget the beating Naruto took from the whole female population for stealing his first kiss. But of course that never happened so, he couldn’t remember it and he didn’t lick the corner of his lip in remembered pain from the sudden collision, because again, it never happened.

Sasuke was beginning to think he needed some form of therapy.

            “Why the hell are you wearing Sasuke-sama’s—“ A dark eyebrow rose at the new title to his name “—clothes?!”

            Naruto was as confused by her reaction as he was. Not even the villagers where as pissed off as she was. It was his family crest, why the hell was everyone making such a big fucking deal out of—

            “My clothes were dirty, Sasuke loaned me some of his. Jeeze its not like I stole them… I don’t see—“He was hit again, and had Sakura actually posed a threat Sasuke might have considered helping the idiot, seeing as Sasuke couldn’t find reason behind her actions. As it was, he continued to do nothing, until Sakura chose to enlighten them.

            “Are you retarded?!”

            “Hey! You’re not making any sense! It’s just clothes, why are you—“

            Sakura growled, grabbing the front of Naruto’s borrowed shirt in a fist (Sasuke tensed ready to protect his shirt if need be), before relaxing and running a palm almost reverently over the cloth.

            “uh…. Sakura-chan? You’re kinda freaking me out…”

Sasuke refrained from pointing out that she was always like that, but preferred to remain out of their battles.

            “Idiot. Wearing someone’s clothes… especially with the kind of marking on it that Sasuke’s have…. it’s like being branded.”

            “Branded?” Naruto asked, looking back at Sasuke with a raised eyebrow asking him if he knew what Sakura was babbling about, and Sasuke felt his stomach plummet, suddenly having a very bad feeling about the whole issue.

            His cold dread was brought to life as Sakura finished, sounding defeated. “Yes, Naruto. Branded. Meaning you’re wearing the Uchiha crest like a label, stating that you belong to Sasuke.”

Sasuke felt his face heat up, and truthfully couldn’t explain why.

            “… Wha….”Naruto’s left eye picked up a twitch, and Sasuke braced himself for the outburst and wasn’t disappointed. “Sasuke’s? ME?! For the love of god, why the fuck do you all think I’m after his pale ass?! I’m not flirting with him, I’m not after his body, and for the last god damned time I am not after his Uchiha babies!!!!”

            “I see we’re already off to a great start.” Kakashi interrupted, glancing at Naruto’s attire before smirking and giving Sasuke a thumbs up.

            Since Sasuke found no reason to be vocal at the moment, Naruto asked his question for him, like he usually did.

            “What are you grinning about?”

            “Congratulations Sasuke, is he any good?”

Again he blushed, and started to wonder if he might have caught a cold.

            “Damn you all to hell!”

Sakura pouted for most of the afternoon.

 

            Sasuke frowned. Yes, perhaps it would be better not to loan any more of his clothes to the blond, if only for his eardrums sake. Heh, brand my ass… it was just a loan. Girl’s are so complicated… Sasuke sighed, again reminded of why he loathed the fact that he would one day need one to help him rebuild his bloodline.

            The jealous glare he turned down on Naruto’s head could have made it snow in Suna. There were few things he wanted that he was willing to feel upset over someone else having: a happy family, dreams that weren’t so pressing, hope, and the right and ability to choose who will have their children, being a few.

            The fact that Naruto could just as easily get a donor and have his own children without sex or the annoying tags that came with females, pissed him off irrationally. The idiot seriously didn’t know how good he had it.

            Naruto didn’t have to think about becoming a father yet, hell most kids their age didn’t, and shouldn’t have to, but being the last Uchiha came with many stigmas. He was expected to become the avenger, and to rebuild his family, it was what he was living for, and after so many years of hearing it whispered on the streets, somehow it had become his goal. If it wasn’t for this feeling of disdain for the female population, he might have tricked himself into believing it had always been one of his own ambitions.

But it wasn’t, not really.

            Yes, having a family would be nice, but he doubted he’d ever want one if it meant living with anyone of the girl’s living in the village.

            Naruto grumbled and snuggled closer, his legs tangling and snagging in Sasuke’s and Sasuke smiled a little at how much like a child, or maybe a happy house cat, Naruto looked at the moment.

            Sasuke slowed his Chakra output, knowing that Naruto would have to wake up soon, and just hoped that the pain wouldn’t be as severe as it had been. They had a mission to complete, and unlike last time, they didn’t have the luxury of letting Naruto’s newly developed cycle make things difficult.

            It’s like watching him turn into a girl… Sasuke grimace but had to amend that Naruto wasn’t really gaining that many of their negative traits. He’d noticed that for a week—two if they were lucky—Naruto was one hundred percent normal. The week before his problem, Naruto became twitchy, antsy, and seemed to ignore the biting teases Sasuke sent his way. To add to his oddity, he seemed to want to hang around Konohmaru’s group, and actually made a few queer sounds at the babies he found—then again, the idiot had always been fond of children, so that wasn’t such a shocker. Sasuke also caught the moron staring blankly and blushing more times than not during that week. The week of his problem, the blond was a certifiable bitch.

            He picked fights when he wasn’t in pain, cursed three times as much, and seemed to want everyone on god’s green earth to die. It was times like this that he wondered just how much of Kyuubi was coming out (not to mention, wonder if the fox was on her cycle when she attacked).

            The week after Naruto was fidgety but otherwise normal. That seemed to sum up Naruto’s cycle, and Sasuke’s observations were only proved by the conversation he’d “overheard” Naruto having with Sakura.

            She’d finally snapped at him for fidgeting and Naruto had turned crimson before dragging her off to talk. Sasuke just happened to gather wood for their dinner in the same direction. What he wouldn’t do to rethink that plan.

 

            “Okay, Naruto, out with it! What’s wrong?”

“… I… I’m horny.”

            Sasuke almost dropped the sticks he had in his arms at Naruto’s sudden admition, his face heating up as he stared blankly ahead, unable to move from his hiding spot.

Why the hell had he followed them?

            “… Wha…” Sakura sounded on the verge of blowing up, but cooled back down at Naruto’s next words.

            “I don’t know why… I’m just… Damn it! It’s this damn cycle thing I know it! I just want to jump everything—” And here Naruto turned white and red all at once. Quite an astounding feat.

            “…male?” Sakura supplied, and the understanding quality made Sasuke almost runaway in fear. Were all girls like this?!

            “Yes!” Naruto hissed in disgust and Sakura reached out patting his head consolingly.

            “That would be the hormones Naruto. You’re about a week away from your period right?”

            Naruto cringed and shuddered a little. “Can we not call it that?”

            “Well what else can we call it?”

            “The problem?”

            Sakura blew out some air and shook her head smiling. “Fine, so are you about a week away from your “problem” then?”

            Naruto nodded.

            “This is when you are most fertile, which explains why the fox chased you for almost three miles…”

            “Shut up…” Naruto sulked, and Sakura grinned. It was apparent she still found the fox amusing.

            “So, you’re body reacts telling you to reproduce as it were.”

            “You go through this too?”

            Sakura blushed and nodded her head. “Why else do you think I blew up on you for wearing Sasuke’s clothes?”

            Sasuke was going to vomit.

            Naruto laughed. “Okay… so the other things like, wanting to be around kids and babies and finding the little clothes disgustingly fucking cute…”

            “All perfectly normal.”

            “Damn it, and here I was hoping to get myself fixed.”

            Sakura wrapped one arm around Naruto’s shoulders and smiled. “Welcome to the female world.”

            “Where the hell have my balls gone?” Naruto sounded defeated, and Sasuke chose that moment to escape, quite convinced he’d never get around to reviving his clan after over hearing that bit of information. He was most defiantly, scarred for life.

 

            Oh yes, he was definitely glad that last week was over and done with, now if only he could convince himself that what he’d heard had never happened at all, but to do that would force him to believe that he’d done what he’d done that next night because he’d wanted to, not because he’d overheard and felt bad for the blond.

            And like a trigger the memory escaped from the it-didn’t-happen-damn-it box to flit over his memory, causing his gut to clench and his face to flush.

 

            The firelight flickered over the faces of his sleeping teammates, casting angled shadows and making sharp lines soft in the encroaching darkness. Sasuke was trying to fall back asleep after having been relieved of his watch by Sakura nearly a half hour before, but the arms of sleep seemed distant.

            Their mission was completed without a hitch, and if Naruto hadn’t been struck by a poison dart meant for hunting, they would have been back in Konoha right now instead of camping out on the hard ground half a days journey from home.

            Sasuke really didn’t care much, whatever happened had happened, and there was no use crying over it, though at the moment he was annoyed that sleep seemed to have abandoned him. But, considering he could sense Sakura had fallen asleep at her post, it was probably for the best that he was suddenly an insomniac.

            Naruto rolled, letting out a muffled whine, settling on his side facing him. Sasuke focused on his scrunched face, and wondered what he was dreaming when he noticed the way his eyes flicked back and forth beneath closed lids.

            Naruto’s mouth fell open and he moaned softly, breath hitting Sasuke’s face as he panted, and a flush covered his cheeks. Damn it, is his fever back? Sasuke jolted into a sitting position, reaching out to his friend, when Naruto shivered and again let out a peculiar whine that snaked down the Uchiha’s spine and made his body tighten.

            Sasuke was used to being awoken in the middle of the night to find Naruto covered in sweat, and shaking—sometimes crying—from his nightmares. Before he’d always hit the idiot in the head and roll over quickly, giving the boy his dignity as he awoke and consoled himself. God knew he hated being found looking so vulnerable. And now that he thought about it, he was a little embarrassed to find that he hadn’t figured out Naruto carried Kyuubi before his big reveal. The blond usually tended to talk—more like mutter incoherently—in his sleep, and from the numerous times he’d hear the words; “fox,” “demon,” “Not my fault,” and the ever unpleasant “Please don’t kill me,” it really should have been obvious.

            But hindsight was 20/20 and Sasuke pushed the thoughts off quickly, when Naruto again moaned and this time arched a little, panting and mewling almost desperately. Sasuke, for unknown reasons, felt himself flush as he watched his friend writhe on his sleeping bag, somehow knowing that he was not having a nightmare.

            Sasuke’s heart seemed to pound in his ears, and his eyes grew impossibly large as he continued to watch Naruto struggle and whine in his sleep. A part of his mind was disgusted that he had yet to turn away, another part was arguing that he just couldn’t, and should wake his friend up instead of letting him suffer—or whatever he was doing—and a another part still—the part Sasuke was quickly learning was the reason he even owned the it-never-happened-damn-it Box in the first place—insisted that he ‘help’ his friend out.

            Sasuke forgot how to breathe as he watched Naruto’s flushed face, and his brow tightened as he gasped. It looked more like he was running a fever, and if Sasuke had never taken Naruto’s challenge up to read Kakashi’s beloved book, he might have convinced himself that that was all that Naruto suffered from.

            As it was, Sasuke just had to look down at the small tent in Naruto’s pants that were bared after his struggling had unzipped the sleeping bag.

            His mind turned blank, remembering with a morbid clarity Naruto’s whispered discussions with Sakura the day before. He blinked stupidly for several moments, uncertain of how to react. Normally, one would feel embarrassed and such, but it wasn’t like he didn’t know what Naruto was going through. He was a guy, he’d had those dreams before, so what was there to be embarrassed about? It wasn’t like Naruto wanted to dream that—god knew Sasuke didn’t want to—but, still he felt his face heat as his heart picked up pace.

            A wise person would have rolled away and pretended nothing had happened, Sasuke would normally do that after socking the blond in the head to wake him the fuck up, but it seemed his rational mind had taken flight elsewhere. That left him alone with his hormones and as such he was trapped staring at his best friend as he panted and whimpered in his unconscious state.

            Trapped, as though watching the whole ordeal through someone else’s eyes, Sasuke saw his hand reach out and cradle Naruto’s scarred cheek. The skin was warm, and a little damp, the three characterizing marks on his cheeks confusingly smooth, like birthmarks instead of actual scars.

            This small fact kept him blissfully occupied as he ran his fingertips over the marks. His mind was desperately trying to wake up and force reality back into perspective, and yet he refused to let it. In a weird curious state Sasuke continued to caress his best friend’s face.

            Naruto let out a queer little mewl, and turned into his palm, causing Sasuke to hold his breath as that mouth opened to pant and closed around his thumb that had found itself at the corner of those pouty lips.

            A tingle ran from his thumb up his arm, across his shoulder to his spine and made him shiver when Naruto started to suckle the didget, his tongue rubbing over the tip.

            Sasuke felt his mouth open as he started breathing once more, but was still too caught up in his haze to attempt and close it.

            I should pull away… The thought was distant, like background noise as Naruto whimpered, his back arching slightly, drawing Sasuke’s eyes back to the problem pressing up through the fabric of boxers. I should wake him up… and… and…

            He watched as his other hand reached out over Naruto’s body, pausing to rest on Naruto’s stomach. The blond jerked, arching again at the sensation, and Sasuke applied more pressure, pushing the black shirt up enough for the swirl of the seal to be seen.

            Lifting his hand again he touched the damp skin, hot under his cooler palm, and he could clearly feel Naruto’s pulse through his skin, and was surprised to find his sped up to match the blonde’s.

            He’s warm… soft…. I shouldn’t be doing this… Still his hand moved lower, fingertips brushing the cotton of underwear.

            Teeth snagged the tip of his thumb and Sasuke jumped, mouth-snapping shut as the urge to shiver returned.

            The hell am I doing?! Sasuke jerked back, looking at his hands as though they belonged to his brother and not himself. There was no way he had just… and yet there was Naruto whimpering and rolling on his sleeping bag, helpless and rather pathetic trapped in whatever dream held him hostage.

            The dark red of his blood against his skin proved that indeed Naruto had bit him, forcing Sasuke to believe that he had indeed just been petting his friend while he slept.

            He felt a little sick, watching a bead of crimson swell and trail from the side of his thumb to curl into his palm. He’d truly not known why he’d done what he’d undeniably just did, and even now, he had no explanation for his actions, and that frightened him.

            His fright made him sick, and lifting wide, dark, scared, eyes he looked at Naruto. He seemed to be in distress as the dream kept his body aroused, but refused to let him finish.

            “Ah!” Naruto panted, pouting and trembling in his sleep, flopping onto his side and squirming in torment. Sasuke jumped again, and looked over toward Sakura, worried that Naruto’s cry might have woken her, but she still rested against her post, head bowed forward awkwardly, shoulders rising and falling in even intervals.

            She was out.

            Naruto whimpered again, and Sasuke had the insane urge to simply reach out and… help him. His lower eyelid twitched a little as his throat became unnaturally dry.

            What the fuck is wrong with me?!

            Still, was it so weird to want to help a friend in need? Sasuke stared at Naruto, understanding the frustrating feeling of being trapped in your mind and then waking up with a bigger problem.

            Sasuke stared.

He was going to help him. Again.

            After all, if he didn’t help the dobe, who would?

            Slowly he turned toward Kakashi, the Jounin still on his side facing away. He looked asleep, but with Kakashi one was never sure. If he’s not asleep, I’ll kill him myself… Sasuke thought before turning back to Naruto and reaching out.

            Rolling him onto his back was easier than he thought it would be, Naruto easily following him with a small sound and subtle flex of stomach muscles. Sasuke took the time to wonder if this was how he looked when having a wet dream, but quickly threw the thought from his mind. He didn’t want to know.

            This is just help… its painful if left alone… he probably doesn’t even know what to do with it… Sasuke tried to rationalize his guilt away and avoid the peculiar churn in his belly. With a steadying breath, Sasuke let his hand once again smooth down Naruto’s belly. Feeling the muscles under the skin contract at the contact before gently running his hand over the bulge in Naruto’s pants.

            The gasp was quieter than he expected, yet louder than he wanted, and Sasuke’s other hand flew up to cover Naruto’s mouth as he jerked into the touch, shivering, his breath heating Sasuke’s palm.

            The Uchiha was pissed to find himself shaking, and scowled as he focused his attention on finishing his task. Pushing down—but not too hard—Sasuke rolled his wrist massaging Naruto’s erection.

            Naruto, again, moaned and returned the action with a buck of his hips, seemingly grateful to finally have some friction on is dick. Sasuke was just glad the idiot was a heavy sleeper. How the fuck would he explain this one away? The whole ‘my body moved on its own’ would be a little uncomfortable here.

            Darting eyes between Sakura and Kakashi, Sasuke continued to rub Naruto, tanned skin growing damp, blond strands sticking to cheeks and a few even clung to Sasuke’s fingers.

            Watching Naruto’s expressions made Sasuke’s stomach twist. It was too personal, so he looked away, focusing instead on the inked swirl on the rolling stomach.

            It moved with him, because of him, and somehow it made Sasuke feel stupidly powerful.

Naruto held the Kyuubi.

 Sasuke was currently holding Naruto.

So in a bizarre way, Sasuke as holding control over the fox demon.

He really needed to stop thinking.

            Naruto tensed then, body arching, and Sasuke felt Naruto’s penis twitch against his palm as a sudden wet warmth soaked the material of the boxers to grace his palm. The blond sighed, finally falling calm onto his sweat dampened sleep roll.

            Sasuke blinked, removing his hands after a few minutes again staring at them as they shook. Both hands as damp as Naruto’s body, and the sick feeling was back.

            I just molested the Dobe… His eye twitched again as he violently rubbed his hands off on Naruto’s sleeping bag, bright red with self disgust and embarrassment. No… I just helped him…he couldn’t finish that thought, and so he quickly flopped into his own bed, pulling the cloth up and over his head as he willed the memory away. It was a lapse in his sanity because the dobe was freaking useless without him. That’s all it was.

            Still his body wouldn’t stop shaking.

 

            Sasuke flushed darkly, eyes wide. No! It didn’t happen damn it!

            Naruto sighed in his sleep, warm air rushing against his neck, and Sasuke snapped. With a violent shove, he hurled Naruto from the bed to the floor, no longer concerned if the boy had cramps or problems with their mission that day. Fuck it, if the Dobe died, he fucking died, end of story.

            “Ow! The hell bastard… a simply ‘wake up, usuratonkachi.’ Would have worked too you know.” Naruto grumped from his sprawled position on the floor and Sasuke felt a satisfied smirk rise to his mouth at his minor—if childish—victory.

The memory was back where it belonged.

In its box.

            “Hn.”

            “Asshole.” Naruto said around a yawn standing and stretching a bit as he glanced at the clock. “You shit head, we don’t even have to be up yet!”

            “You were drooling. It was gross.”

            “You sound like a girl.”

            “You punch like one.”

            “Son of a bitch!” Naruto made a dive for his head which Sasuke casually dodged reaching under Naruto’s arm, grabbing the back of his head and shoving it into the mattress with a very satisfying thump. Oh yes, this was very therapeutic.

            Muffled curses came from the sheets and Sasuke shoved a little harder before standing up and walking toward the bathroom. “I’ll shower first.”

            “Huh—wha-no way!” Naruto cried, and with only a second’s warning Sasuke was tackled from behind crashing his chin painfully into the wood floor, clicking his teeth harshly. “I’m going first!”

            Naruto was grinning when Sasuke glared back over his shoulder. The blond was already crawling over him to make his way to the bathroom, when Sasuke shoved up sending Naruto back on his ass.

            “It’s my house, I’m going first.” It wasn’t that Sasuke really wanted to bathe that badly, it was more the principle of the matter. They were rivals, in everything. So, to simply back down now, though simpler and less frustrating, would be admitting a defeat, and his pride and ego would not stand for that.

            “I need it more, ass wipe!” Naruto recovered quickly, making a grab for Sasuke’s ankle and blocked the kick to his face at the same time.

            “Yeah, I’m aware you smell like ass, dobe, but I’m still going first.”

            “Look, dick, I really need—“

            “Does it really look like I care?” Sasuke smirked at the red flush that was taking over Naruto’s face as he slowly lost his temper, once more tackling Sasuke causing them to roll across the floor pulling hair and shoving body parts.

            “God damned bastard! Will you listen for—“

            “I’m sorry, I don’t speak stupid.”

            Naruto growled, seriously growled, and landed a punch in the floor inches from Sasuke’s crotch. Sasuke froze a little shocked Naruto would use such a cheap and girly shot. That was a no-no spot for all guys, it was practically an un-written law that was never broken out of respect.

            “I’m sitting in a pool of coagulated blood! I’m. Bathing. First!”

            It was then Sasuke remembered Naruto’s female counterpart, as blue flickered red. Sasuke stared, then cringed, before immediately backing down.

            “Don’t touch my towel.” He glared, and Naruto rolled his eyes standing up and stalking off in a huff.

            “Like I’d want to.”

            Sasuke shivered, his pride was worth a lot, just not that. Too much information… Sasuke made a face before realizing that he’d just let the dobe sleep on top of him in that condition.

            Suddenly, he needed a tetanus shot.

            Walking past the bathroom door Sasuke let his fist drop heavily upon the wood. “You leave anything in that tub I’m killing you!”

            “Bite me, duck-butt.”

            Sasuke glared.

            Then smirked.

            “Bitch.”

 

Sasuke needed a new bathroom after Naruto had finally calmed down, and had to find an excuse for his black eye and Naruto’s sudden sobbing fit.

He really needed a new morning routine.

 

-2-

 

            “…Girl’s are so weird.” Naruto complained, trudging along beside Sakura as the group followed the beaten path through the woods, the Fire Lady’s entourage following behind flagged by himself and Kakashi.

            Sasuke lifted an eyebrow at the blonde’s statement. And you’re better how? He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets as Sakura retaliated, bopping Naruto on the head.

            “What do you mean? You’re supposed to be on my side right now! Aren’t you on your ‘problem’ now?”

            Naruto turned the color of Sakura’s hair. “What’s that supposed to mean?!”

            Sakura seemed to be ignoring him as she continued without answering. “Besides, how are we weird?”

            “Uh, hello, you were just talking about marking people. Sorry if I think pissing on somebody else is a little odd—“

            “You sick jerk! Not like that!”

            Again the blond head was struck. Sasuke sighed, wondering if he could tune them out for the rest of the trip, but highly doubted it. Though the mission was fairly simple, he doubted the fat woman’s cat would stay put for the entire tip home, and with the threat of Sound on their borders, chasing down the narcotic feline would not be easy nor fun.

            “Then what do you mean?!”

            Sakura blushed and looked back at him. Sasuke repressed a flinch.

            “You know…” She let out a giggle, hands covering her face as she squirmed.

            Naruto just looked confused.

            At least he’s still male enough to be immune to that crap. Sasuke thought, quite relieved. He doubted he could handle an ooey-gooey Naruto as well as Sakura.

            “…. Uh, no… I don’t.”

            Sakura rolled her eyes as though she were talking to an idiot. “Hickies, dumb ass.”

            Naruto gaped after the pinkette, and Sasuke had to admit he was impressed with her bluntness and tact. He smirked a little still staying far enough back so that he appeared to be outside of their conversation as well as hearing range.

            “… S—sakura did you just—“

            “Yes! God, you can’t be that stupid.”

            “Hey!”

            Kakashi chuckled and Sasuke looked at him from the corner of his eye, only giving the Jounin half of his attention.

            “Can’t really blame him after having been marked by his furry admirer on his way out of the village. Again.” Kakashi snickered again, catching Sasuke’s eye and giving him a look, which Sasuke purposely ignored. The man was delusional, he’d only attacked the fox because he was stuck carrying Naruto’s heavy ass for an hour as he regained feeling in his body. Any grounds for other thoughts were also misconstrued because it never happened. So the fact that he’d thrown several shiruken at the furry bastard, and had prepped himself to use his family’s fire jutsu, really meant nothing more than the fact that he was annoyed. And the only reason the thing was even still alive was because it seemed the Lady of the Fire Country had an affinity to furry things that lived to piss him off.

            “Hn.” Sasuke wasn’t commenting on it—Kakashi’s look or Naruto’s lack of insight—after all, he hadn’t understood Sakura’s comment either. Seemed only perverts and girls spoke ‘deranged’ fluently.

            “What’s so great about that anyway?” Naruto asked up ahead, and Sasuke listened in once more, studying the forest around him.

            “This is why you’re single.”

            “So are you.”

            Naruto’s head met Sakura’s fist and the ground within a matter of seconds.

            “Ow! Why do you keep hitting me?”

            “Because you deserve it.”

            Sasuke was a little sad to admit that the routine was becoming slightly amusing, especially since Naruto kept going back for more abuse. Then again, that was just Naruto.

            “…idiot…” The breath of sound wasn’t heard, and Sasuke was glad of it, as the weak quality in the tone made him uneasy. That and getting involved in this particular instance was the last thing he wanted. He’d rather cosplay as Rock Lee than join in on his teammate’s debate.

            “Hey, you never answered me, why is a bruise so great anyway?”

            “Because it proves ownership, okay?” Sakura practically bellowed, at her wits end with the blonde, and for a moment, Sasuke could easily picture the two as siblings, or even an old married couple, but shook the image off quickly.

            “Huh?”

            “Don’t ask why, its proof that the person is close enough to you to let you mark them so that other’s know you’re together.”

            “…”

            “Everyone’s waiting to see who lands Sasuke.” Sakura whispered, though it was quite loud enough to be heard.

            Yeah, when pigs fly and Kakashi gives up Icha Icha. Sasuke focused on a thatch of trees, certain that he’d seen a flash of color against the bark, but he couldn’t sense anything out of the ordinary, and he couldn’t spot anything now that he was looking. Besides, being so close  the village, it would be difficult to hide from the higher ranking Ninjas on patrol, so Sasuke brushed it off as nothing and returned to his ease-dropping.

            “But I already did that.” Naruto sounded confused. “I do it all the time actually.”

            Sasuke tripped.

            What did he… Looking up he found Sakura looking mortified as Naruto stared back at him blankly. That tight feeling in Sasuke’s gut was back, and he frowned willing it away.

            “W—wh—what? When--?” Sakura looked like she was giving herself whiplash as she darted her eyes back and forth between them, blinking, and looking terribly lost. Sasuke could well sympathize as he had no clue what the hell was going on either. When the hell did he… Sasuke felt his face heat, and he assumed it was from his growing annoyance.

            “See, his eye. I punched him there and gave him a great shiner.”

            Sasuke relaxed, but was torn between laughing and crying, he settled for a sigh and grimace. Number one most unpredictable Ninja… that’s him all right.

            “Naruto! That’s not what I meant!”

            “Then what the hell did you mean?! You said hickey which is a bruise caused by sucking the blood to the surface of the skin—“

            “Exactly! Sucking! As in lips on his body, kissing, licking, and sucking on his skin!” Sakura yelled, her arms waving around as her cheeks flushed with both anger and embarrassment.

Sasuke wished the ground would just open up and eat him.

            He knew the girl’s thought of him, he just didn’t want confirmation that he was being fantasized about.

            “Ew! Who the hell’d wanna do that?!” Naruto cried, shuddering. “Uhg, I think I’m gonna have nightmares…oh, I’m going to hurl…” He continued to make gagging sounds as Sakura chased after him screaming more obscenities, Naruto’s face breaking into a grin as he ran from her fists.

            “I guess his cramps let up then.” Kakashi stated, the orange book flipping open once more, and Sasuke shrugged, tracking his teammates with careful eyes.

            “Hn. Sakura gave him the painkillers, and performed the Jigokuitai jutsu for him.” (2) He stated simply, as though that explained away any of his involvement.

            “Of course.”

            Sasuke didn’t bother replying.

 

-2-

 

            It was official, Sasuke hated all things fluffy, clawed, and tailed. “Son of rat-bastard’s bitch…” Sasuke growled, using a term he’d once heard Naruto use. He couldn’t recall when or where, but the phrase had seemed so utterly appropriate and at the same time, so politically incorrect, that Sasuke had memorized it, and it simply slipped out as he maneuvered through the dense foliage.

            The crackle of his radio alerted him before Sakura’s confused voice rang through his ear through the ear bud he wore. “What did you say Sasuke?”

            “Hn. Nothing.”

            He swore he heard Naruto laughing, but shrugged it off. They had to find that damned bow-wearing cat before nightfall. I’m going to fry the stupid thing when I find it… better hope the Dobe gets there first. Sasuke shoved a tree branch out of his way harshly.

            Reason told him to be careful, to use stealth and guile to track his prey, but his temper told him to just fuck it all, and blow the ever-living shit out of the whole forest, including the run-away feline.

            “Sasuke, calm down please.” Kakashi’s calm—even bored sounding—tone caught his attention as it drifted through his earpiece, and Sasuke ground his molars together. That man annoyed him to no end.  How does he even know…no, never mind, I don’t want to know… How the Jounin knew what Sasuke seemed to be thinking was infuriating, but the thought of just how much Kakashi might actually know was terrifying and as Sasuke was coming to realize—with Naruto’s little reveals—ignorance was bliss.

            “Sasuke.” Kakashi’s tone was reprimanding and Sasuke clenched his fist and forced a calming breath.

            “Hn.”

            Silence followed for the next half hour, where Sasuke’s hate for furry creatures grew to epical levels and would last until the day he died, when he finally heard the triumphant squawk through the ear bud alerting him that indeed it had been Naruto who had found the annoying pest.

            It seemed that his containing the Kyuubi gave him an affinity to tracking small annoying animals. Probably a radar indicative to big annoying, fuzzy animals.

            “I caught he—OW! What the—son of a bitch! AHHHHH!” Naruto’s screams made Sasuke’s ears ring unpleasantly and he ripped out the annoyance with a scowl. Sasuke was certain the crazed cat was attempting to shred Naruto from his skin and felt the edges of his mouth twitch up a little. Maybe Kyuubi will kill it for us…

            Pushing through the underbrush, Sasuke waded his way back to the clearing where the Fire Lord’s wife sat worrying her lower lip, hands fisted before her ample chest. “My poor dear kitty, how terrible it must be to be lost out there.”

            Sasuke lifted a brow. I can think of worse…

Kakashi shot him a look that warned him against voicing his thoughts and Sasuke lifted an eyebrow curious as to when he’d ever said anything to their clients before. The Jounin’s glare made him uneasy though he didn’t let it show and he grumped his way over to where Sakura was waiting. Something was aggravating their teacher, but he seemed un inclined to say what, and that annoyed him.

He could well guess that it had to do with their extended delay hunting the fluffy-pain-in-the-ass-cat, and could agree with Kakashi there, but this didn’t seem like something worthy enough gain a reaction from the silver-haired man.

            He wasn’t sure why he sought out the company, nor even why he opened his mouth to start a conversation he was certain would only cause him headaches later—conversations always did—but he did, and Sasuke had the sinking feeling it was all due to his sudden closeness to the blonde, Naruto’s constant need for company rubbing off on him.

            That, or he really didn’t want to appear approachable to Kakashi, not that Sakura’s presence would hinder their teacher if he really felt like annoying him.

“Think they’ll come back alive?”

            Sakura jumped, her eyes widening as though shocked that he had indeed just spoken to her without cause or emanate danger pressing down on them, before smiling. Sasuke inwardly groaned at the falseness of it, and braced himself for the overly effeminate coos, but was mercifully saved as Sakura’s smile lost its flirty edge and turned a little cruel. It was the look of mirth that crossed her face, a look it seemed Naruto was only capable of bringing out and Sasuke relaxed.

            “I’m betting on the cat.”

            Sasuke smirked assuming a relaxed pose as the atmosphere became comfortable now that Sakura was no longer ‘hunting.’

            “Well, that’s a given. Obviously ‘Mr. Fluffims’,” Sakura snorted at the name and covered her mouth as she glanced quickly over at the Lady they were assisting to be certain she had neither over heard nor took offense. “Would win against the Dobe. It has something he lacks.”

            “Finish that statement, ass-tard, and I’ll show you just how much of a bitch I can be.” The low growl was deadly and Sakura let out a startled shout, jumping up to cower behind Sasuke slightly, hands grabbing his arm possessively. And the pleasantness is gone… Sasuke inwardly tensed, and mentally shook his head as he was proven right. Conversations never ended well.

            Sasuke had to refrain from jerking away—from both Naruto and Sakura—as their teammate finally appeared. Sasuke blinked at the mauled and bloodied image that was Naruto, and briefly wondered how it was possible for him to be so cut up and yet have his clothes stained but otherwise unharmed.

            “… Dobe?”

            “Who else bastar…”

            Blue eyes ticked spasmodically as the insult trailed off, and Sasuke took a hesitant step back at the hostility in the glare. The blue eyes seemed focused on the arm that Sakura held in a death grip, and if possible the glare turned darker.

            An unpleasant shiver traced down Sasuke’s spine, his instincts telling him to prepare for a fight as the low growl emitted from Naruto’s chest. It was remarkably like the one that fluffy fox kept making when he’d pass by it, and Sasuke couldn’t help but wonder if the Dobe was in fact being territorial, and if so, territorial of what?

            Blue eyes lifted to match his stare and Sasuke flinched. Naruto looked down right vicious. It was more than clear that he held Kyuubi inside of him at the moment and for once, Sasuke had no urge to fight him.

            “You’re going to need more than a new bathroom this time.” The words were so low he almost didn’t hear them but when they registered Sasuke found the strength to return the look.

            “Grow up, dobe, and stop growling, you look like an idiot.” Sasuke stood straighter and crossed his arms defiantly when Naruto stepped closer but Sasuke refused to back down. The idiot was just being stupid, and Sasuke didn’t like the fact that he couldn’t read the blonde.

            “Naruto…” Sakura’s nervous voice at his side startled him, he’d forgotten she was there and just like that he understood.

            Its her… he’s being territorial of Sakura… Sasuke blinked, the shock wearing off slowly as he met Naruto’s eyes. He’d known since before being put on Team Seven that the blonde had liked the girl, but somehow he’d managed to forget that fact, and for a while had thought the foolish feelings had faded. Obviously, he’d been wrong.

Sasuke forced his body to relax into a posture that showed he’d backed down, memories of Sakura’s confessions and explanations to Naruto being more than adequate reasons for him to let the moment pass him by. Besides, he had no reason to fight for Sakura, she annoyed him most of the time, though something rebelled angst the thought of calling a truce as his mind recalled all of Naruto’s attempts to gain the girl’s attention. The day she dated Naruto was the day Sasuke wore orange.

            “I get it.” Sasuke grumbled, pulling his arm from Sakura’s grip and stepping away from both of them.

            “S—Sasuke?” Sakura pouted and turned a glare Naruto’s way, seeming to understand that he had somehow put an end to their closeness. Sasuke rolled his eyes. Naruto’s mood didn’t lift, and if possible his glare turned colder still. Luckily Kakashi thought it time to make an appearance.

            “Ah, good work Naruto.” Walking straight up to the menstruating boy, Kakashi removed the furry, claw monster from Naruto’s body, looked Naruto over once, then turned to hand the cat over to a gushing Fire Lady. “Go wash up Naruto, Sakura help him with the bandages if you please. We need to hurry if we want to make it before dark.”

            Sakura moved to aid the blonde but was harshly shoved aside as Naruto stomped up ahead. “I’m fine, lets just fucking go.”

            “N—Naruto, but—“ Sakura sounded confused, worried, and slightly annoyed at his dismissal but cut herself off at the cold, almost vicious look Naruto threw her from over his shoulder.

            “I said I’m fine.” Naruto hissed, and Sasuke had to suppress the shiver those words tried to bring out.

            Something seemed to pass between the two in that moment, what, Sasuke would never know, and had the distinct impression he was better off not knowing—as those times he’d stupidly ease-dropped on his teammates—when Sakura’s eyes widened before she glanced away, head lowering and shoulders slumping. Sasuke had the bizarre clarity of realizing it was almost like Sakura was backing down from something, kind of like how a wolf would relent to the alpha female of the pack. A dark brow raised and Sasuke firmly made a mental note to stay the hell away from Kiba.

            He was starting to think like the animal loving idiot.

            Kakashi had frozen and was watching them with a concerned eye, but said nothing as Naruto stomped up to him, ignoring Sakura and Sasuke completely. He followed Naruto’s movements as though watching an enemy or a predator, Sasuke didn’t like the look, and scowled, pushing his hands deeper into his pockets and following suit after the blond.

            Just like that the tension broke, and the mission continued, albeit with a much darker mood, and a lot less chatter.

Sakura stayed at least three people behind Naruto the rest of the trip, and when Sasuke tried to talk to her as they’d dropped off the annoying woman and her beast, Sakura had nearly jerked away shaking her head with a mumbled, “Not now.”

            Sasuke was confused, irritated, and annoyed. Not that he’d really desired to talk to the Kunoichi that much, as it was her violent reaction to him and the fact that Naruto was seriously starting to piss him off with his mood swings. And to top it all off, they were going to have to sleep outside overnight due to the cat’s attempted escape.

Yes, Sasuke hated furry animals, with every fiber of his being.

 

-2-

 

            Sasuke wasn’t sure what woke him. The campfire still flickered pleasantly at his side, blocking him from the larger rock formation that Kakashi sat perched on while on watch, from the chakra signature Sasuke knew the Jounin was relaxed and that meant there was no danger present. The night was fairly quiet and warm, so Sasuke was confused as to what it was that had cause him to wake from such a deep dreamless sleep.

            He scowled, not liking that his slumber was interrupted prematurely, knowing that he was next to stand watch and that meant even less sleep for him. Damn it, this mission just sucks! Today is hell, I need a new bathroom thanks to the dobe, have to track down a stupid cat, Naruto has to have bipolar tendencies all fucking afternoon, now I can’t sleep…

            Sasuke let out a long breath, keeping his eyes shut as he tried to relax back into the arms of sleep, when he felt the other presence over him. His first instinct was to relax further so as not to alert his assailant to give him the upper hand, his second was to growl when he recognized the chakra signature above him.

            His mood darkened quickly, and had he not been determined to go back to sleep, he might have turned on the idiot and beat him senseless just because he happened to be in reach. Fucking dobe, what the hell, acting like some freakish stalker…

            The soft touch to his belly startled him, and Sasuke stiffened waiting to see what Naruto was up to as warm calloused fingers ghosted over his chest and along his shirtfront. The trailing fingers ran along the hemline and then pulled, the cloth skimming his skin as it lifted and bunched around his chest. The hell is he doing?!

            Sasuke’s eyes snapped open in a glare. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust, but as everything came into focus Sasuke was stunned to find Naruto leaning over him, hand on his belly stroking the skin that had been revealed when the shirt had been raised.

            The look on Naruto’s face was curious. His blue eyes were sullen, and focused on Sasuke’s unmarked skin, watching as his tanned fingers ran over the pale flesh. It made no sense at all why the blond was touching him, and the sudden invasion of his personal space was putting Sasuke on edge.

            What the fuck is he up to? Stupid dobe… Sasuke opened his mouth to snap, well aware that Naruto had yet to realize that he was awake, when Naruto let out a sigh, his other hand coming up to rest against his own belly, rubbing slowly.

Tracing the Kyuubi seal.

            That’s why… Sasuke relaxed, the fight in him gone with the chill realization that what he was seeing was envy. Naruto was touching his stomach, looking at his skin, because it was unblemished by the dark ink of the seal. He’s been suffering just like the rest of us, except for him, there is no escape from it. It’s a nightmare he can’t wake up from.

            Sasuke was hesitant to admit that Naruto was quite like himself in that moment.

            The soft strokes made his stomach tingle, and his insides clench and squirm, but Sasuke tried to ignore it and closed his eyes feigning sleep once more. He’d touched Naruto’s belly when he’d first seen the seal, he figured he could put up with this.

And then the idiot kissed him.

            Sasuke stopped breathing at the sudden shift as a breath of moist air trickled over the plains of his stomach—still stimulated from fingers—and then the soft, slightly wet press of lips touched his flesh.

He was stunned.

The dobe had just kissed his belly, and worse yet, he had yet to move.

            Sasuke couldn’t think clearly, mind a solid blank aside from the screeched explicit that echoed in his head, and didn’t move aside from hesitantly looking down at the blond head.

            Naruto’s eyes were closed, as though savoring the moment and Sasuke felt the heat flood his cheeks uncomfortably. Slowly those lips parted and almost nibbled their way across his skin, following the smooth glide of an open palm. It was unreal, and Sasuke found he couldn’t look away.

            He was perversely fascinated by the way his skin indented slightly at the press of Naruto’s upturned nose, and the heat that passed from the air exhaled made him shiver as nerves fired each time the wet inner parts of those lips stroked him.

            The scrape of teeth made his breath hitch, and the nibble and soft press and glide of lips left him shaken. Sasuke was trapped in morbid awe simply watching, mouth agape wondering when it was he’d fallen asleep and somehow been dragged into this nightmare, when that searching mouth seemed to find what it was it sought.

            Teeth nipped the edge of his bellybutton and then the mouth lifted swiftly only to lock around the deep scar, lips parted, and then he was invaded by a hot, wet tongue.

            Sasuke arched, a sharp gasp escaping him as his eyes slammed shut at the electric burn that jolted up is spine to tingle in his neck and shoulders as fire spread through his belly. His legs twitched as muscles tensed and toes curled. Wha.. what in the hell…

            The face pressed closer, almost harshly against him, and the kiss somehow grew more intense, and then as suddenly as it started it stopped, and he felt Naruto jerk back as though Sasuke had just used Chidori on him.

            Sasuke wasn’t sure how he did it, or even why, but he managed to keep his eyes closed and breath relatively even, as though he hadn’t woken at all. His face felt hot but that could be blamed on the fire or even the actions Naruto had made on him. His heart fluttered nervously and he almost missed the bitter, hissed words from the blond as he scooted away.

            “What… what the… hell’s… wrong with me?” Naruto sounded horrified, and the strangled sound that came next made Sasuke certain Naruto was pulling on his hair. “Damn it… damn it…”

            There was a shifting sound and a loud thump, clear indications that Naruto had returned to his mat and was most likely trying to forget, or trick himself into believing that it never happened.

            Sasuke wished he could do the same. Suddenly, sleep was the last thing on his mind, and Sasuke could barely breath properly as his mind refused to function properly.

            He was scarred for life.

            Not because Naruto had, for some unknown reason, molested his belly, no, that he could handle by simply pretending it was a nightmare and never bringing it up again. No, Sasuke was stunned and scarred because he couldn’t just pretend it away, because not only could he still feel the drying spit on his cooling stomach, but he was still tingling from the sensations, and he was hard.

He had enjoyed it.

            Sasuke rolled onto his side and curled closer to himself, arms crossed over his chest in a protective manner he’d not had to take since the first year after the massacre. He felt cold, and he felt sick.

            He was almost grateful when Kakashi roused him for his watch.

 

-2-

 

            “The hell’s your problem Sasuke?!” Naruto snapped, his voice grating on Sasuke’s last nerve the closer to Konoha they came. “Damn, what crawled up your ass and died, huh? And why wasn’t anyone aware of it?”

            Sasuke tightened his fists and scowled, stepping a little faster in an attempt to leave Naruto behind.

It didn’t work, of course.

            “Hey, I’m talking to you!”

            “Naruto, let him be.” Sakura said, a little softer than usual, and that too only seemed to aggravate him. Everyone was walking on eggshells around the moron because of his little female, mood swing problem, but did anyone care about his mental trauma?

            Of course not.

            The rational part of him tried to reason out that he should be glad no one knew—or in Kakashi and Naruto’s position pretended not to know—about his current imbalance, but Sasuke’s rationality was just about shot.

            He’d tried to be the wise one in this situation. He knew he couldn’t handle the situation, and was well aware of how uncomfortable Naruto and he had been as they’d broken down the campsite that morning, so he’d decided to ignore the blonde and just keep his distance until the icy numb feeling had left him.

            Of course the fox boy had had other plans, and decided that today was the day he wanted attention, and being ignored wasn’t something he was not going to tolerate.

            Fucking, dobe, this is all his damn fault. Him and that stupid fox demon screwing with his mind. Sasuke snarled, unaware that his lip had curled until the low whistle was heard, and he instantly became aware of the infringement to his personal space again.

            “Shit, Sasuke, you got gas or what?” Naruto asked, his scrunched up face inches from his own, and Sasuke jerked back to put more space between them. Naruto blinked in confusion, scratching his head as though Sasuke was the one acting like a freak. “Maybe its something you ate. You got the runs, or are you constipated? Cause I have a great remedy for—“

That was it.

            Sasuke simply snapped, the calm numbness gone in a flash of fiery hate and rage. Finally two emotions he knew how to deal with.

            “Fucker!” Sasuke’s scream seemed to startle the blonde, as did the sudden fist to his face, when Sasuke tackled him to the dirt road.

            “S—Sasuke! Naruto!” Sakura cried out, running in their direction, but Sasuke gave her little attention, his focus on the neck his hands had managed to loop around to use as a leverage to beat that annoying blonde head into the ground.

            “God-damned, stupid, no good, molesting, son-of-a—“Sasuke broke off on a grunt as Naruto slammed his fist into his gut knocking the wind from him long enough to flip them, climbing up on top of Sasuke and shoving his face into the grass.

            “You cock-gobbling douche bag! The hell is your problem you ass-tard!” Naruto asked, blocking Sasuke’s kick, and ducking away from his fist.

            His hands now free Sasuke ran through the hand seals for his fire jistu and watched in sadistic pleasure as blue eyes went wide.

            “Fuck!” Naruto cried rolling to the side to avoid being burnt.

            “You are!” Sasuke snarled, already leaping after him.

            “Sasuke!” Sakura sounded like she was near hysterics, but he didn’t sense her pursuit as they left the pathway and assumed that Kakashi had stalled her. Finally, Kakashi’s insight was useful, and his understanding of Sasuke’s need to have an knock-down, drag-off fist fight as appreciated.

            He knew he was acting like a psycho but the tense atmosphere that had lingered since the night before had been grating on him. At first it was just uncomfortable, Naruto seeming not to know how to act around him, and Sasuke being too jumpy to be normal.

            His agitation led to his annoyance, which led to Naruto’s increased irritation, which led to the questioning, which evidently led to Sasuke’s burning desire to rip Naruto apart.  Only, the punches, kicks, and tackles didn’t ease the tense, disturbed feelings inside of him as he thought they should. Instead it only served to remind him of how it had felt to have Naruto touch him. And how it had felt when he too had molested the idiot.

            Sasuke growled at the incriminating memory and tackled the blond, sending them through the underbrush and trees. Leaves and sticks whipped and tore at their skin and hair, gaining groans and muttered curses as Naruto clawed at Sasuke’s hair, grabbing fistfuls and pulling hard as he brought his head up to hit him with it.

            Sasuke brought his knee down and into Naruto’s gut, further incised by the shiver that he felt as they touched. Had things always been this way? Had they always been so aggravatingly physical?! And why the hell had he never noticed before? Why was he noticing it now?

            And damn it why did Naruto do that last night?!

Why did he… after I…

            Sasuke leaned down and bit Naruto’s shoulder viciously enjoying the howl of pain as Naruto arched against him, one fist catching him in the temple.

            “You retard! What the fuck are you?! A fricken cannibal! You fucking bit m—“

            Sasuke’s kick put Naruto against a tree and stunned him, he just barely managed to avoid the next punch, catching it last minute with his hand. “What the hell, Sasuke?! What did I do? I swear I never meant to make you go ape-shit on me! Fuck, I’m sorry!”

            “Not yet you’re not!”

            “Holy—Wahg! You’re nuts!” Naruto scrambled aside and rolled back to his feet in a crouched position.

            Sasuke retrieved his shiruken from the tree and calmly replaced it in his holster. He had purposefully missed, it just felt better to throw it at the blonde. “Stop moving, dobe.”

            “So you can kill me? I don’t think so, Ape-man! I happen to like life!”

            “Hn.”

            “Oh, don’t you dare start that crap again!”

            Naruto had pulled out a Kunai but held it in the defense position, he obviously wanted to put an end to their dangerous game. Sasuke was slowly calming down, wondering where Kakashi was and why the Jounin had yet to break up their tussle, but then again, he was probably the only one who knew what was wrong with Sasuke and they were close enough to Konoha for the woods to be relatively safe. Though why Kakashi hadn’t saved him last night was the mystery of the day.

            And just like that the rage returned.

            “Come on!” Naruto whined, dropping his arms in a comical manner. “Put those eyes away before you hurt someone!”

            “That’s the point, Dobe. I aim to hurt you.”

            “Why?!” He seriously sounded confused, it should have made Sasuke back off, hell he could definitely understand the wonders of self-induced amnesia, but for some reason it only pissed him off more.

            “You know damn well why!”

            “No I don’t!”

            And then Naruto surprised him. The blonde turned around, and ran. Sasuke blinked, expecting a lot, but definitely not that. The shock was fleeting and then he was giving chase, cursing under his breath.

            “You coward, get back here!”

            “No!”

            “Dobe!”

            “No means no, bastard!”

            “You god-damned idiot!” Sasuke put on a burst of speed, the sharingan aiding his movements, and he was well aware that he was faster than Naruto by a long shot, and within moments he was along side him. “Take your beating like a man!”

            Again he tackled Naruto to the ground, the two grappling with each other as the world spun crazily around them. All sense of direction was lost, hell Sasuke wasn’t even sure which way was up as they came to a halt having collided with a stationary object leaving Sasuke on top of a growling Naruto.

            “I thought I was bitch, jack as—“ Naruto broke off so quickly it halted Sasuke’s punch as blue eyes glanced over his shoulder only to lock on something and go wide with fear. 

            “Dobe, what—“

            “Little brother.”

His blood ran cold.

 

            Blood was everywhere, on the walls, the floor, the clothes. Upon the corpses and in the gardens, soaked in the linens and staining the furniture. Red covered every inch of the place he’d once called home. The place that was supposed to be safe.

 

            Sasuke stiffened, his blood singing in his veins as chakra built up behind his eyes. The itch to attack, to fight, to hurt, maim and destroy was nearly painful as the memories poured in unchecked.

Itachi.

Itachi was there.

            His fists clenched as his spine tingled with remembered rage, and his muscles prepared for the motions they would have to take to make to attack. Itachi had won last time, but things were different now, he was different.

 

            He couldn’t move, just sat soaking in the cerise liquid and staring at the lifeless eyes of his parents, their screams and dying words ringing in his ears from memories not his own.

 

            The bastard had delighted in giving him his memories. The bloody carnage more than Sasuke could stomach, and his own uselessness was unbearable in his mind as he could do nothing to stop it. He could see it, had watched as his brother slit his sobbing mother’s throat open, heard her gurgled words, had seen his father’s saddened eyes as his head was removed from his body with a casual grace that left him cold. He’d seen it, as though it had been his hand that had killed them, but he couldn’t stop it.

All he could do was cower, cry, and beg for his life.

            Not any more.

 

            He was screaming, and crying, but he couldn’t feel it or hear it. And when he clawed at his face, nails biting deep and opening new wounds to shed more red tears, he couldn’t feel the pain.

He was numb.

 

            “Itachi…” He growled, the word a sin on his tongue. It tasted of ash and burned as it made its way from his lips. Bitter with memories and hate, and a childish love that would never completely fade away. “You shouldn’t have come here.” It was a thinly veiled threat, filled with his hate, but even without turning he could feel the mocking smirk aimed his way, and bared his teeth.

            “Foolish little brother.” The words were spoken in disappointment, and Sasuke lost himself once more.

            He would not be mocked, he would not be dismissed, Itachi was going to see him, deal with him, and was going to regret the torment he piled upon his small quivering shoulders. He would kill this demon, and finally be able to sleep through the nights.

            “I’ll kill you!” Sasuke screamed, turning to attack, words a promise rather than a threat, and caught a glimpse of pinwheeled red.

            “Sasuke!”

Sharingan faded to black and widened.

 

            Blonde.

            Blocked by dark cloaks with red clouds lined in white.

            Danger.

            Death.

            Blood.

            Screams.

            “Sasuke!”

            Forgotten.

Again.

 

It all happened in an instant.

            Sasuke let out a startled breath, suddenly aware of the warm body below his as strong hands grabbed him and harshly threw him sideways. Naruto’s sharp orange form rolled, his weight pressing down against him, sliding between his thighs, hands slapping over his eyes as his body pinned him to the forest floor.

He’d completely forgotten he was there.

            Sasuke had been staring straight into terrified blue and he’d not seen them. Guilt threatened to strangled him as he suddenly remembered why it was his brother was even around Konoha.

He was after Naruto.

To kill him.

            Sasuke’s heart jumped and he moved to grab the hands that kept him blind as panic ripped through him. Naruto was shielding him from his brother, when it was Sasuke that should be protecting him.

            “Dobe, let me—“

            “Tsukiyomi.” The whispered words froze Sasuke’s heart, and he waited for the horrific images, but nothing came.

Nothing but the gut-wrenching, piercing screams of turmoil from above him.

            Naruto!

            Shaking the hands off of him was easy now that Naruto wasn’t gripping his head, eyes blank, wide, and filled with such clouded terror that Sasuke felt the bile ease into his mouth.

            He… he took the hit… for me.

            The scream rose higher as the tears ran from unblinking eyes. Sasuke reached out grabbing Naruto’s shoulders and shaking him harshly. “Naruto! Naruto, snap out of it! Dobe!”

            The eyes seemed to break, and dim as the scream cut off and those eyes rolled up and closed leaving the blond to sink against him in mental torment and exhaustion. Sasuke grasped the form close, his own eyes stinging in revulsion at his inability to save his friend for the one thing that truly threatened him.

            “Hn. Silly little demon container.”

            Sasuke looked up slowly, sharingan activated once more, his anger much more prominent and harsh. He was again losing himself to the anger and rage but the difference this time was that he was still aware of the weight in his arms.

            He was still aware of Naruto.

            “Give it up little brother. I am only here for the nuisance in your arms.”

Sasuke glared.

            “You won’t lay a finger on him.”

            Itachi shook his head. “Still so delusional Sasuke? I told you, you have to hate me more, if you ever wish to stop me.”

            He stepped closer, the cloak rustling against the undergrowth, and Sasuke tensed unsure of what he could possibly do to stop Itachi in his current position, pinned under Naruto’s unconscious weight, and then there was a cloud of smoke, a distant popping sound then arms were around both himself and the blonde.

            “Sorry, these two have to run.” Kakashi’s mocking tone was quick, and then they were gone.

 

-2-

 

            He’d failed. Again.

            “Well, as far as I can tell, he’ll be fine.” Tsunade sounded tired, and from the distracted way she wiped at her brow, she definitely looked the part of the worried parent. “Like before with Sasuke and yourself, the mental damage was extensive but reversible, now we just have to wait for him to wake up.”

            “I see.” Kakashi nodded, his one visible eye flickering over to Sasuke, but the Uchiha ignored him. He knew what the silver haired man wanted to know, and Sasuke could give no answer because not even he knew what he was going to do now.

            Sasuke’s eyes narrowed on the feminine hand that lightly stroked the curve of Naruto’s nose as her palm rested surely against a tanned forehead. The painful creases upon his brow and around his eyes, proof of the agony he’d faced even in his depthless slumber, had smoothed out since the Godaime’s healing chakra had spilled over him. That, at least, was a consolation.

            At least… he’s not screaming anymore… Sasuke flinched when the buxom woman placed a hand on his shoulder.

            “You’re certain that nothing else was said?” Golden eyes met his imploringly and Sasuke had to bite his lip to keep from snapping.

            “Only the one attack.” Sasuke confirmed, voice tight and clipped. Why did she think he would hold back information as important that? Especially when that single attack had been meant for him.

            Did he see it then? Sasuke wondered, pity and fear in his chest. Did Naruto have to watch my family get killed? Watch me screaming and crying? Or was Naruto forced to play my roll? Concern softened his gaze as he looked down to the sleeping figure among the starch white sheets of the hospital bed. Somehow, Naruto looked paler, smaller, and something inside his gut twisted sharply. What did you see Naruto, when I failed to protect you from my brother… when I failed to save what’s most precious…

His fists tightened by his sides and shook.

            “Then I guess we just have to wait.” Tsunade breathed out, running her hands down her thighs almost distractedly, as though fighting some nervous instinct to fidget. “I assume you’ll stay here awhile, Sasuke?”

            “Hn.” He didn’t lift his eyes from the sorry image before him and allowed his guilt and shortcomings to cocoon him in a dark haze.

            The Hokage nodded and then turned to Kakashi. “It looks like our decision at the last Jounin meeting was not all that correct, I think we need to hold another, please send out the notices.”

            “Of course.”

            Kakashi seemed much more serious than Sasuke remembered him to be but couldn’t find it in himself to care. At the moment, he was too busy beating himself up.

            Tsunade left the room rather quietly, one lingering caress to the blonde’s sweat dampened locks her only pause, and then Kakashi turned to him.

            “Sasuke, you will stay here in case he wakes up.”

It really wasn’t a question.

Sasuke didn’t really need the order.

            He didn’t bother vocalizing, just inclined his head the slightest bit.

            “Sakura should be back soon, you can discuss who’ll stay with him then, but I want to see you before you leave, is that understood?”

            Another vague inclination of the head.

            Kakashi waited another moment before he too left. The silence had been bitter and filled with unspoken words that meant nothing, which was the reason they had remained silent. Sasuke would never believe it was not his fault, and Kakashi knew it was useless to try.

            The silence was deafening, and Sasuke found himself matching his breathes with the slow, rhythmic ones of his sleeping teammate. Outside the clouds that had been hanging above, dark and ominous finally decided to invade, and a low rumble echoed off the walls.

            “… I’m sorry.”

            Sasuke stumbled and caught his breath as it hitched in his chest. He would not cry, he’d stopped doing that years ago, but the burn in his eyes was still there. “I’m still so weak.” Sasuke spat the word out dark brows lowering in disgust and he clenched his teeth together, grounding his molars painfully. “I… I failed you. I promised and I…” Sasuke broke off and jerked his eyes to the side glaring at the first droplets that splattered against the glass of the window. “… what did you see, dobe? What nightmare did he give you?”

            The silence was near painful.

            He couldn’t stay here, he couldn’t handle it.

            Turning back he walked forward, placing his hand briefly upon Naruto’s own. The skin was warm, and callused like his own. He’d said he’d stay until Sakura arrived, but he doubted his sanity would last that long.

He needed to run.

            To do something, fight, train, whatever, until he was so tired he could barely move. So that he might be able to forget the pain, if only for a moment.

But, he couldn’t leave Naruto alone.

He wouldn’t leave Naruto alone.

            “Sorry it took so long. What did the Hokage say?” Sakura’s voice startled him, and Sasuke jerked his hand back, shoving it guiltily in his pocket. His face warmed but he couldn’t figure out why that was, or why he felt the need to remove his hand just because Sakura came into the room. “Sasuke?”

            “Said he’ll be fine, just needs to sleep.”

            Sakura snorted in a very unlady-like manner, and stepped up beside him to place a vase full of flowers on the nightstand next to the bed. They were lilies, white and full, most-likely from Ino’s shop, and Sasuke found himself trying to recall what the Lilly meant, only to remember he’d never cared to find out in the first place.

            “That sounds like Naruto. Surviving some horrible jutsu and the only remedy for him ‘a good nights rest.’ I wish I recuperated that fast.”

            No you don’t… Sasuke thought dismally. He’s stuck in such situations because of that damn ability, because of the Kyuubi, and there’s no way to help him or save him so long as he is the container for the fox. So long as Itachi is alive...

            Sasuke turned sharply away from Sakura and Naruto, his insides twisting with the morbid reality of his life. So long as his brother existed Naruto would suffer, and Sasuke wouldn’t let his brother take away anything else that he held dear.

He would not have Naruto.

            “Sasuke, where are you going?”

            “Out.”

            Sakura blinked and looked out the window at the pouring rain as Sasuke stepped out of the room and into the stagnate hallway of the hospital. “But, it’s pouring—“

Sasuke ignored her.

 

-2-

 

            The sound nin smirked, “Nice eyes.”

            Sasuke frowned, almost wishing he had Naruto there by his side, if only for a distraction, and was promptly filled with blinding rage when he remembered why the blond wasn’t there.

Why he was out there to begin with.

Why when the sound nin formed a loose circle around him he knew he wouldn’t win.

            “You said you can help me.” Sasuke stated, looking around at the ninja’s and assessing their chakra. He could probably best them all one on one, but as a group they had the advantage, and their words intrigued him.

            “Yes, you see Orochimaru sent us.”

            Sasuke lifted a single brow looking at the ugly one who had spoken. He reminded the Uchiha of a spider, and he made a note to stay on guard around him. “I’m sure he did.” Sasuke said, his curse seal itching.

            “He wishes to offer you power.”

            “Power?”

            The other’s grinned. “Yes, power, more than you can imagine. More than you could ever attain here.”

            Sasuke knew what Kakashi had told him about the power Orochimaru offered, and that of the curse seal. He knew it was foolish but still he listened, because if there was even the smallest chance that he could gain the strength to destroy his brother, to save Naruto from this fate he was unable to escape himself, than he would take it.

He knew he should fight.

Knew he should turn away.

He knew.

And still, he listened.

            “Tell me.”

The Sound Nin’s grinned.

 

-2-

 

            The blood stained floors and walls shone with the dusty light that came from the candle in the room. It cast a long dark shadow against the crimson spattered shoji doors where the muted sounds of sobbing could be heard.

            He didn’t even twitch as the long strip of electrical tape was added to the crevice locking the terrified and broken child inside the darkness of the room, trapping him with the corpses of his family and the blood and tears. Encasing him in the dark.

            The crying was beginning to sound pitiful and heartbroken as he secured the last bit of tape, successfully locking away himself; senses, emotions, and memories.

An avenger needed no one.

 

-2-

 

The lid to the wooden casket slid tightly shut above him, and darkness fell like an old friend.

He chose to listen.

He chose the snake.

            Sasuke closed his eyes, and gave up.

 

 

 

A.N. I have discovered that Sasuke is a depressing jerk, who just LOVES to dally in his own thoughts and likes LOTS of flashbacks. Naruto’s chapters were so easy to write, one flashback, and things just kept moving, he wasn’t that into monologueing like Sasuke… *Growls* Shit, this has to be the longest chapter… all because Uchiha wanted to have his flashbacks… anyway, next Chapter belongs to Naruto. So expect it Soon, since he’s so much more pleasant to deal with. ^-^

 

1. 
   the idea for the ‘it never happened damn it box, came from lexjamandme, and her idea called the ‘Uchiha box’.


2. 
   Jigoku (Hell) Itai (exclamation of pain). Aka my idea for hell cramps. LOL


3. 
   Also, the term ‘Cock-gobbling Douche bag came from the fic “Going Down” and I lay no claim to it. Go read the fic it is AMAZING!

I was hoping to do something different with this chapter and I fear I managed to make it suck. Please review and let me know what you think.

Next Chapter id Naru’s POV and as we all know he’s easier to write so expect it sometime next week.