A World Gone Mad

AN: commissioned by sephonei. I hope you guys enjoyed it. Thanks for all the support and well wishing.



Warnings: cursing, adult situations, violence, death



A World Gone Mad



Part Three



“Naruto? What the fuck?” Sasuke shook off his shock, glaring angrily in Naruto’s direction.



“Time to call off our shinobi, Sasuke. There are more important things.” Naruto glanced in Kakashi’s direction to insure the other wasn’t planning sneak attack. Regardless of cease fire orders, he was still a shinobi and both Naruto and Sasuke were now his enemies. He couldn’t be trusted just as he couldn’t trust them.



Naruto’s hands flew into an all too familiar sign. Suddenly, hundreds of Narutos appeared, disappearing into where shinobi still clashed weapons. Each shadow clone chose and bound a shinobi, regardless of affiliation.



Shouts of indignation echoed through the area from both sides. Those that wouldn’t calm down enough to sit quietly were incapacitated. Naruto grinned ferally from his position atop Hokage Mountain. He’d barely broken a sweat from the exertion.



Sasuke stalked to where Naruto stood, grabbing his shoulder and forcing him to face his glowing red eyes. “You better have a fucking good explanation for this.”



Naruto huffed, glancing at Kakashi who was taking the moment to rest. It was a good move on his part. If he was forced to begin battling Sasuke again, he would need to recoup some of the lost energy. “You both should hear this.”



“Why does he need to know anything? He’s the enemy, Naruto.” Sasuke hand tightened on his katana, obviously itching to return to battle.



“We have a traitor in the Akatsuki.”



Sasuke wheeled on him, fury radiating from him in a black fog. Naruto was instantly hard, making it hard to think when all he could do was visualize bending Sasuke over the nearest rock and fucking him until he couldn’t walk.



“What did you say, Naruto?” The black tomoe in Sasuke’s eyes began to shift, blending together to form the Mangekyou sharingan. After implanting Itachi’s eyes into Sasuke, Madara had essentially cured any vision problems while giving Sasuke a permanent Mangekyou.



“I said what I said. We have a traitor. Does this place look ready for war? Don’t get me wrong, I have no love for these ruins and would like nothing better than to raze them to the ground but did you really look at who our shinobi were fighting or were you simply too focused on Kakashi to care?” Naruto pointed down to where the pregnant Sakura hustled the children through the streets and towards the nearby forest.



Sasuke’s eyes narrowed, not missing her very round abdomen. “Who?”



Naruto didn’t want to say. He didn’t want to speculate. It could be anyone. He’d made a mistake in killing Taya. She would have been a vital source of information. He’d lost it when she’s prepared to send her weapon flying towards an unaware Sasuke. The thought of losing Sasuke threatened to turn him feral. If Sasuke died, he would likely destroy all cities and people.



“Naruto…”



Naruto turned from Sasuke to face Kakashi. He looked older, more world weary. Naruto guessed seeing the son of his beloved teacher destroy the home he’d died to protect would do that to a person. “Kakashi.”



“It’s been a while, Naruto.” Kakashi remained seated, his headband once more covering his sharingan eye.



“What were you doing here? Are you raising an army?” Naruto felt the confusion in the shifting of Sasuke’s frame.



“Army? Against you? Is that what you think?” Kakashi’s face grew dark. “Is that all you think about? Destroying even hope for a normal life for the remaining people of this village.”



“There have been rebels…we’ve had to take care of several planted spies.” Sasuke’s scowling face matched Kakashi’s. “Just the other day, Naruto took care of one.”



Kakashi sighed. “A few people split off from us two years ago. They wanted revenge. We just wanted to rebuild. I don’t control the actions of people outside my care. There are only a handful of us at jounin level.”



Sasuke’s scowl grew exponentially. “We’re leaving.”



“Sasuke?”



“Naruto…right now, I’m about to explode from all the anger in me and these people aren‘t worth me even killing. Unless you want to help clean up the mess I’m about to make, we’re leaving. Don’t cross me, Kakashi. You can have your ruin of a village. Become as big as Suna for all I care. Just don’t forget who controls it all. Don’t forget what I require of all the villages.” Sasuke snarled, prowling away with Naruto on his heels.



Before he followed, Naruto glanced at Kakashi--a warning in his eyes. “Consider today training. We won’t stop you from seeking aid from Gaara if you think he’ll give it but don‘t get in our way.”



It was the most he would offer in remembrance of their former relationship. He didn’t make war on children though in their world, children grew up far too quickly. Bounding down the mountain, he reached Sasuke’s side. A quick motion of his hand had all the Akatsuki shinobi leaving as quickly as they came.



Naruto left his clones with the Konoha shinobi until he and Sasuke were some distance away. He winced at the sudden impact of knowledge as each dispelled. It was a disconcerting feeling to be washed with sudden thoughts and memories. He hadn’t used so many bunshin in a while.



“Naruto…I know…who the traitor is.” Sasuke jaw throbbed with how tightly he clenched it. His sharingan, while no longer Mangekyou, remained in his eyes. It was proof of just how upset Sasuke was. His chakra flared out almost uncontrollably. He was likely to burn himself out before too long.



“Who?”



“Suigetsu…” Sasuke slammed a chakra enhanced fist into a tree. “Fuck!”



Sasuke continued to pant, the air hissing through his teeth after destroying three more trees. His attacks were in no way comparable to Tsunade’s famous attacks but they were lethal enough to send the heavy pine trees to the ground. “When you left…I should have known something was off. He all but talked me into this. He set me up for Taya to attempt to kill me. Him and Taya.”



“It was them who wanted to send me away while you attacked.” He didn’t ask, but stated.



“It was sound reasoning. If Kakashi and Sakura were the ones in control of the rebels, you wouldn’t be able to kill them. You don’t have it in you to kill them.” Sasuke plowed his fist into a final tree, sending it crashing to the ground.



He paused to look at the broken skin over his knuckles. Blood dripped from where the harsh bark had sliced at his skin. Naruto took the hand, bringing it to his lips and lapping at the trickles of blood. “I can kill anyone if necessary. Killing them has never been…necessary.”



“And if I told you killing them was necessary?” Sasuke moved close to Naruto, his hand pressing against the hard chest.



“Is it necessary?” Naruto was fully prepared to return to the budding village built on the ruins of an old one and slaughter every man, woman, and child. He wouldn’t do it because Sasuke said to but because if Sasuke said it was necessary, it was. His insides tightened up with excitement at the thought of returning to the village. The memories of what it had stood for burned harshly in his mind.



“Not yet.”



Naruto smiled, lowering his lips to nip at Sasuke’s. “Should it become necessary…it would give me pleasure to bath in their blood.”



Sasuke purred, his tongue shooting out to dab the slight hurt caused by Naruto’s teeth only to be captured by Naruto’s lips. As far as kisses went, this one was gentle by their standards. Lips slide over each other, slicked by saliva and the faintest hint of blood. Tongues slid in and out in slow swipes until Sasuke became impatient with the slow motions.



He pulled back, slid his hand up Naruto’s chest and pulled the black fishnet shirt and jacket aside to reveal the junction between tan shoulder and neck. Sasuke growled into Naruto’s skin, biting deeply in the sweat damp skin. Naruto moaned as his hand reached up to snag Sasuke’s sweat soaked hair.



Their lips met again, this time with furious clashing of teeth and tongue. It wasn’t the place or the time for sex yet for them, it was a much needed diversion before possibly facing something neither wanted to.



“You woke up the beast,” snarled Naruto.



Sasuke pulled back to stare into the fierce eyes presented to him. “Good.”



Naruto lost all willpower. He slammed Sasuke into one of the trees Sasuke hadn’t sent to the ground. There was a distinctive odor of blood and lust in the air. The rough bark scratched Sasuke’s skin through the holes in his shirt. He didn’t seem to mind or more appropriately, he seemed to enjoy the pain. His legs wrapped around Naruto’s waist while his hands clawed desperately at the other’s shirt.



Naruto, unable to fight the lust, slammed Sasuke to the tree again, enjoying the grunt the other released. Heat flared through the area. In a tandem of screams and cries, the two came together in the violence representative of the lives they led. There was no room for gentle or patient. The take what you wanted mentality had been engraved into their very being.



Sasuke’s body bent over one of the newly felled trees, their breath panted in and out--it was comfort them. Sasuke needed to the pain to forget his own. Naruto needed to dominate Sasuke’s body to consol himself to a role as second instead of alpha. All these understandings were unconscious yet neither dismissed what the other felt.



“Mine.” Naruto growled, thrusting even harder into the struggling body. The struggles were nothing more than a ruse, a way of shouting without words that he was not a docile lover in need of gentle strokes and whispered words of love. He needed this passion regardless that the future might dictate it burn out just as quickly as it came. Better to flare brightly and burn out quickly than to exist in only a dull wisp of a flame.



Fighting came natural to them. They could no more deny it than they could the need to breathe. To fight when fucking was the only pleasing option. It defined who they were and what they had become.



Each pulse of their bodies--each twinge of pain and pleasure was the sign of just how strong they connection had become. Naruto felt Sasuke’s pain and Sasuke reveled in Naruto’s pleasure. It was a perfect union. Violence and wildness only made the pleasure all the sweeter.



Sasuke’s body jerked and went rigid, convulsing around the organ piercing him deeply. He screamed out in pleasure and pain, a mixing of the two in an unbearable burst of passion. His essence spilled upon the ground followed by wet heat pouring into him and a matching cry of pleasure.



Naruto’s hands dug furrows in the pale hips beneath him. Blood welled to the marks, adding a heavier tone of blood to their mating. It couldn’t be called loving in any form. It was a claiming of each other. Naruto marked Sasuke’s body as his just as Sasuke marked him.



They only had minutes to rest. Speed would be key in the upcoming hours. Though, they could spare a few moments to relish in the physical touch of the other. This might be the only chance they have for hours or days.



When Sasuke moved away, Naruto could do no other than follow. They adjusted their clothes and cleaned the semen and blood from their bodies before silently taking to the trees.



Sasuke’s hard face told Naruto more than words ever could. The betrayer, Suigetsu, had done something unforgivable. He sought more than to depose Sasuke from power. Taya’s aim would have taken him down permanently. She was known for her throwing skill. Perhaps he wanted to kill Sasuke for no other reason than to drive Naruto insane. It was no secret the two despised each other. Naruto hated Suigetsu for the position he’d held in Sasuke’s bed. Suigetsu’s reasons were still a mystery but no less evident in the way he spoke to and picked fights with him.



“What are you going to do, Sasuke?”



Sasuke was silent. They had long since passed their returning shinobi. There were none who could equal Naruto and Sasuke in speed.



It was only a short while before Sasuke stood before the gate into the stronghold. His jaw was set and his muscles taunt. He was prepared for a fight and Naruto was determined to have his back. Sasuke would need his support.



“I’m going to kill him.”



Naruto glanced over at Sasuke, his lips pulled down into a frown. “Do you need me to?”



For a moment Sasuke’s face softened. “What type of leader am I if I can’t mete out the proper punishment?”



Naruto shrugged, turning his gaze away from the intensity of his lover’s gaze. It was Sasuke’s battle. He would support him as he always had. Now was a time when he would be required to defend his position in this world.



The complex was silent. No one, no matter who they supported, would attack. Sasuke had returned and the rules of war dictated he would face his opponent unfettered by others. Honor would not allow others to interfere and Naruto would see they didn’t. He would take great pleasure in it.



Sasuke’s face resembled stone--pure white marble. The slight stubble on his jaw and the veins spreading in faint blues and purples only gave character to him. He wasn’t a doll or puppet. He was a living man filled with all the emotions of men. Naruto could see it swirling in his eyes despite the neutrality of his face. Any traces of the innocent boy of their youth were erased. Before Naruto’s eyes he became the war hardened shinobi both carried inside.



Their sandals created a faint tapping on the stone floors. The sun faded in the horizon, creating deep shadows amidst the colors of orange and red--Naruto’s two favorite colors. Orange represented his past and what he’d left behind. Red represented his future and what he would accomplish. His goals had not changed, only the manner he achieved them. Perhaps it made him evil. He didn’t feel evil. Sasuke didn’t feel evil. They were hard men who refused to follow the rules of others and instead made the world follow theirs.



Naruto pushed open the doors to the large meeting room. Their footsteps echoed on the stone in the mostly empty room. Suigetsu was waiting for them, not even bothering to mask his presence. He was calm as the water he controlled, seated in the place Sasuke usually occupied. His face, clear of the burns inflicted by Naruto’s burning chakra, was held in an impartial mask.



“I should have known Naruto would come to your rescue like the dog he is.” Suigetsu’s mask of indifference dropped, a scowl creasing his face.



“Leave Naruto out. Why, Suigetsu?” Sasuke asked.



“Why? Why did Taya try to kill you? Why did I send you to slaughter a group of barely trained shinobi hoping to rebuild a village?” Suigetsu jumped to his feet, prowling around like a caged cat. “I did everything for you. I was willing to fade into the background as long as I had you.”



“What?”



Lavender eyes softened for a moment before turning hard. “I wanted it like in the beginning. You, me, Juugo, and even that bitch Karin. Fucking Karin. She had to be stupid, going to you in the middle of a battle with that fucker, Danzou. Then she dies in the village that Naruto blew up.”



Suigetsu glared at Naruto, obviously blaming him for her death. He was, to a certain extent to blame. If he cared one ounce about Karin, he might have felt a wave of pity for Suigetsu. He didn’t care for most of the people who’d died in a village he’d once held dear. It didn’t matter to him if Karin died in an explosion of chakra or in a bar brawl. His impassive face let Suigetsu know just what he thought about having been the direct cause of Karin’s demise.



“Why kill me?” Sasuke looked at the distraught Suigetsu. For a moment, Naruto thought he might attack. Right now he would be easily taken out. He didn’t move. Instead, he waited. Contrary to many of his actions, Sasuke had a strong sense of honor. He was raised to be that way.



“Because you wanted him. Knowing what he did and who he is, you wanted him anyway. Any time I was with you, you would close your eyes. I know you were imagining him. He’s in your blood and heart. There’s no room for me.” Suigetsu stopped pacing and moved to the throne like chair where a massive blade leaned against it “You know, I always wanted to be recognized by the great swordsmen of Mist. I wanted to kill them and take their blades. Funny, I should have just made my own. It feels better when it’s your own sword.”



“Suigetsu…”



“There’s no turning back, Sasuke. I challenge you for the right to lead Akatsuki.” Suigetsu pointed the massive blade at Sasuke.



Sasuke remained motionless. His eyes blinked slowly, each motion transforming them. After each blink, a new tomoe was present until three swirling marks moved in synchronization. “As you wish.”



The movement was so slight, Naruto barely caught it. It was almost a sigh of resignation. Sasuke would give this fight his all. He would not dishonor himself or Suigetsu with holding back. His hand reached behind him, withdrawing the slim katana. One might think such a small blade against the monstrosity Suigetsu wielded would be an act of foolishness. The difference being, in Sasuke’s hand, the small blade was one of the deadliest in the world.



Naruto moved to the side, his eyes watching each movement. Honor or no, if Sasuke’s life was endangered, he would intervene and slay Suigetsu. Not that he was worried. He would actually be sorry to see Suigetsu die. He liked their verbal battles almost as much as he loved having them with Sasuke.



In a flash, both men attacked. Both moved with such speed, Naruto had to focus in order to follow the battle. For such a large sword, Suigetsu wielded it with amazing speed and dexterity. If Sasuke had been any slower, he would have been sliced in half. Instead, he dodged the attack, countering with a quick swing of his own.



Sparks danced in the air with each meeting of blades. The clashing of metal drew the attention of every person in the complex from the lowest ranking shinobi to the most powerful. Not a single voice cheered. There were not jibs or loud ruckus. The excitement was palatable though none showed it on their faces. This was not a time for that. All watched with the knowledge one of them would die.



Naruto winced as Suigetsu’s blade grazed his side. First blood. The action brought home to both men the severity of this battle. The world might as well have been watching. That Sasuke didn’t use his Mangekyou and Suigetsu didn’t use his hydration technique spoke loudly of the respect each held for the other in spite of their current battle.



“You don’t have to do this,” Sasuke hissed, using his chakra to dodge a particularly violent swing.



“Stop your talk, Sasuke. The challenge has been issued. Things can never be the way they were.” Suigetsu paused in his movement, excitement in his gaze. “If I die, I’ll die with a smile on my face knowing I died in battle. If I kill you, I’ll know I beat one of the greatest swordsmen in the shinobi world. It’s win/win to me.”



“Then I suppose I should stop fucking around,” said Sasuke, more to himself than to Suigetsu.



Sasuke moved quick, dodging a slash and punching his fist into Suigetsu’s face. The other flew backward, stopping his movement with his sword. Blood dribbled from his lips, splattering on the floor. If one was keeping score, the two would be tied but as with all battles, there must be a winner.



Sasuke didn’t wait for Suigetsu to reacquire his bearings. He moved in, his blade ripping through the other’s shoulder and rendering his arm useless. Naruto was amazing Suigetsu didn’t scream out in agony. Even from where he stood, the wound had to hurt like hell.



He moved away, quickly weighing his strategies. Sasuke wasn’t foolish enough to barrel in again. Suigetsu would be ready for him in such an attack. Instead, he leveled out his katana, testing the air in the room.



Suigetsu seemed to pause, his face creasing in a small smile very uncharacteristic of what Naruto knew about him. In a quick motion, Suigetsu charged--attacking hard but leaving himself open in such a way, Sasuke would have been unable to resist the opening.



The katana slid smoothly through the other’s abdomen with nary a sound. For the longest time, the two remained still--locked in the same position. A wide grin split Suigetsu’s face, revealing the sharp white teeth.



“I knew you would be the one to kill me. Karin, that bitch, she never believed me when I said I wouldn’t die of old age but by your hand.” Suigetsu coughed a little, a trickle of blood running from his lips.



Sasuke extracted the sword, catching the limp body. Naruto approached cautiously, looking down at the dying man. He could have evaded the attack. It wouldn’t have been difficult. He didn’t because he didn’t want to kill Sasuke, not really. If Taya killed him while distracted, it would have been easier to bear. Naruto understood him in that moment.



“I’ll get a medic, you’ve been put in your place.” Sasuke moved to stand, only to be stopped by Suigetsu’s hand clenching in the black fishnet shirt.



“Don’t. It’s better this way. I have a feeling those three are waiting for me.” Suigetsu seemed to stare off for a minute, jerking back into reality at Sasuke’s shake. His eyes turned to Naruto. “Juugo wants you to look after Sasuke.”



Naruto nodded, glancing at Sasuke who was now crying. It must hurt, losing teammates like that. They were like brothers and sisters-bonds formed in the heat of battle.



“You know, Karin’s still a bitch…but damn, she’s hot. I hope you don’t mind me choosing her over you, this time Sasuke.” Suigetsu’s breathing became ragged, his hand losing its grip on Sasuke.



Sasuke shook his head. “I think she’d like that. She always did seem like she liked those fights of yours.”



“Yeah…me too. I miss them.” Suigetsu coughed a bit. “Shut up, bitch. I’ll die when I’m good and ready.”



Sasuke’s tears poured even heavier from his eyes. Naruto placed a hand on Sasuke’s shoulder, lending his support.



“Sasuke, we’ll be waiting on you. Bring Naruto if you want. I still have…to beat…his ass.” Suigetsu’s eyes began to glaze over. “Stupid bitch…she…wont…shut…up…”



His body gave one final shudder before going limp against Sasuke. Tremors ran up and down Sasuke’s body. A snarl directed at the spectators was enough to send them scattering and leaving the two alone. It was then Sasuke cried out, resting his head on Suigetsu’s chest.



It was a long while before Sasuke spoke. Naruto didn’t mind waiting. His friend, partner, and lover was mourning the loss of a friend. Waiting was easy. When Sasuke finally spoke, it was in a voice cracked from crying.



“Naruto…do you think he saw them?”



“Your teammates?”



“Yeah.”



Naruto thought for a minute. He wasn’t particularly spiritual. Sure he’d met his father in his head but he wasn’t sure if that was his father, or just a trick of the seal. “I think he did. Though, I never knew Karin well, I think she was the only one who could get a rise out of him even if he was dying. Only the real Karin could do that.”



Sasuke smiled, standing from where he knelt. “I think so too.”



“What are you going to do?”



Sasuke lifted his katana from the ground. Taking out a cloth, he cleaned the blood from it. “Bury Suigetsu. Then go about things as usual.”



Naruto understood the unspoken meaning. It was the way of the shinobi. It was good to mourn the loss of comrades, but one shouldn’t lose himself in the past. Their life didn’t allow for sentimentality. The saying ‘life is too short’ took on new meaning with shinobi. Any day could be their last.



“Life goes on?”



Sasuke smirked, “Life goes on.”



“You know next time you get challenged for your position, let me fight. I feel like I’m getting rusty. No one offers a challenge any more.” Naruto complained, the two walking towards their bedroom.



“Not even me?” Sasuke arched a brow in challenge.



Naruto snorted loudly. “You don’t count Sasuke. I always end up fucking you.”



“Then learn to control your libido.”



“Bastard!” Naruto took a swing which Sasuke easily dodged. “You’re the one who leads me on. Like now, I could fuck you into the floor.”



“Promises, promises.” Sasuke purred.



The dark is often mistaken for evil when in fact it is only the absence of light. Naruto knew this and accepted that part of him. He didn’t see himself as evil, though he’d done things he wasn’t proud of. He no longer jumped to help the weak or followed the command of others simply because they were his superior. He answered more to himself than to others. Since seeing Kakashi and Sakura--since seeing Sasuke show mercy on his former teammates, Naruto decided he and Sasuke didn’t reside in the dark, per say. He felt they were more in the gray area. That’s not to say he didn’t love the thrill of battle or the taste of fear in his opponent but he wasn’t evil. He didn’t hurt people just because he could. He’d traded his innocence for a life unbound by the restraints of the shinobi life and his purity for a chance to save the love of his life. It was a fair trade and one he would do again if given the choice.



He accepted the darkness in him, but he also accepted the parts of himself he could never change. He would forever love orange. Ramen was still his favorite food. And, he would kill anyone who tried to take Sasuke from him and bath in their blood. No he wasn’t evil. He was just dark.



The End.