This can't be happening!

Here is the latest chapter before I continue adding to it and it has to be split in two again... forgive me if you dont like, but this is what I have for this chapter... I am trying to update quickly, but school is being a bitch... nyan! Anyway... on to the new chapter...

*Edited 11-30-2006, due to Oraday's wonderful suggestion! I just added some contractions to make it more active... hope it worked!*


Chapter 5: Sunflowers and ice

“Wake up dobe. It’s time for your medicines.” He announced, biting his lip in concentration as he opened the door, balancing the tray with one hand. The morning was cool enough to merit using a warm yukata and socks, so he had to be extremely careful to avoid an accident.

“Oi, dobe!” he called, watching the tray’s contents carefully to prevent any spills, he made his way inside the darkened room. Small quick steps propelled him towards the bed where he set the tray over a low table before kneeling. Stretching a hesitant arm, he shook his dobe’s shoulder gently.

“Naruto… wake up!” he trapped his lower lip in a failed attempt to trap the smile that bloomed over his face as he took in the beauty of the scene. Naruto slept curled on his side, his tan skin in sharp contrast with the pale futon. The sleeping man rubbed his cheek against his pillow, making small noises before he settled into deep slumber once again.

‘It almost makes me regret waking him up.’ He thought with a half smile. Sasuke lightly skimmed the other’s cheek, nose and ears, taking in the peacefulness before burying his hand on the lush golden hair. His heart swelled with pride as he took in the golden beauty that was his dobe, his usually animated face relaxed in sleep, without fever or pain. You could still see the last few weeks on his thin cheekbones, but he was well on his way to recovery.


Shaking harder now, he called. “Come on, the food’s getting cold, dobe!”

The blonde snuggled into his pillow, unwilling to let go of his dreams. Yawning, Naruto unfurled slowly and stretched kittenishly, blinking sleepily and moaning softly. Vivid blue eyes roamed his surroundings and he smiled, still half asleep.

As if in realization he tensed suddenly, making Sasuke’s heart contract painfully. These days, it was becoming the norm that as soon as Naruto became aware of his presence, his relaxed expression would vanish without a trace, leaving tight, serious lines behind.

With a sigh, he leaned forward to help Naruto sit. His limbs were tense and awkward in the morning silence. Detaching emotionally from the situation, he went about performing his assigned task, namely pile enough pillows under Naruto back to allow him to try eating on his own.

“There. Miso Pork Ramen. Tsunade-sama said you could try solids today.” Sasuke muttered with apparent aloofness while setting the tray on Naruto’s lap. Not waiting for an answer he stood up and started moving, stowing away all that was not needed within the room.

“Is it true?” The unmoving blonde queried abruptly, his voice an unintelligible murmur that pierced the companionable silence.

“What do you mean?” he asked with a slight edge, desperate for time. Naruto was not meeting his gaze and that meant trouble. He crossed the room to open the sliding door that led into the Uchiha manor’s inner garden, trying to cover his restlessness and buy some time.

“Is it true, Sas’ke?” he repeated, staring furiously at his own shaking hands. Unable to stand the silence, he looked up, his eyes reflecting his confusion. Onyx eyes hesitated before meeting confused blue ones and he knew. Unprepared to answer, he cleared his throat and offered a crooked smile, hoping to evade. Cocking his head, he approached the bed.

“Are you done with this? You should eat more, Dobe.” He commented seriously, outwardly bemused while his inner self shivered. Blue eyes pierced his with a frank gaze, his cheeks beet red but glinting stubbornly. He was getting an answer even if he had to smother himself with embarrassment to get them.

“Did we… didwereally… you know… um… fuck?” Naruto’s voice trailed down to a mere whisper, choking on that last word, his face aflame.

Sasuke froze. He was kneeling by Naruto’s bed, in the process of retrieving Naruto’s mostly uneaten breakfast tray. Holding his gaze, he noted every detail as the scene unfolded before his wary eyes.

The brisk morning air, cold and pure against his face; the morning sun shining benevolently and chasing the shadows away; the cicadas with their usual morning song; the bamboo fountain’s counterweight hitting the stone with a resounding ‘tac, tac, tac’ repeatedly until drowned under his thundering heartbeat.

He couldn’t believe his dobe had gotten past his initial embarrassment to ask the question he himself hadn’t dared to pose. Sasuke’s eyes closed and he leaned back, resting his weight against his heels.

‘Three days… Three damned days have passed since the fever broke. Great! Uchiha, you get extra points for courage. You let three days of relative calm because you were too scared to tell him of your feelings.’ He seethed inside his mind, angry at himself while his balled fists shook.

After the pleasurable night ended and cold reason returned, he had reviewed the situation, going over every detail to see if there was any way he could have behaved differently while still being true to himself. He still hadn’t found an option that didn’t end with him making love to his best friend while he was still recuperating. It had been too much. As it was, he had to struggle to keep his hands off his dobe.

He knew Naruto’s heart belonged to somebody else. In his dobe’s heart there was only space for one: Sakura. Naruto was never going to return his feelings no matter how long he waited. His instinct told him the only way left to him was physical. His spirit needed Naruto and he was willing to accept if not the heart, then his body; making love to Naruto had been his way of claiming his dobe, at least in his mind and he was not sorry.

Sasuke sighed with defeat. There was the problem. He would not repent. He had tried to shame himself into begging forgiveness as soon as Naruto awakened, but in truth he couldn’t find anything to regret other than not confessing his feelings before allowing anything to happen.

“Is it true, Sasuke?” Naruto insisted, fed up with the silence. His voice cracked slightly, reminding Sasuke that he was still weak from his illness.

Blinking, he turned to face the blonde, wondering how long it had been since he had last spoken. A delightful blush stole over Naruto’s nose and his lips curled in appreciation.

“Teme!” Naruto huffed and turned away, crossing his arms: his blush deepened.

Sobering, he suddenly realized he had 2 options: deny everything and make him think it was just a dream or own up to his actions. His heart contracted painfully and his hands sweated copiously at the mere idea of losing Naruto after glimpsing paradise. Steeling his resolve, he chose.

“Yes, it is true. Four nights ago we had sex in this same room.” He whispered finally, his piercing gaze searching the blonde’s gaze; his distinct words filling the room.

The blonde stiffened, his hands fisted the sheets under them. Sasuke closed his eyes. ‘Please Kami Sama… don’t let him reject me. Please help me to make him see…’ he thought desperately.

It was a few minutes before Naruto chose to break the silence that shrouded the room. Sasuke swore his blonde could hear his heart beating, it was pounding savagely inside his chest, waiting for the judgment that would damn him or set him free. His patience was nearing the end of its rope when his dark eyes met with brilliant blue.

“Sasuke?” he started, full of hesitation. The black haired Uchiha winced hating the meekness audible in that tone. The blonde’s voice held a thousand questions rolled into one. Once more he lifted his gaze to meet the confused azure gaze.

“Ano… Um… Was it for real? Did you really meant to say you loved me?” he whispered, his whiskered cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Sasuke shivered. ‘It’s now or never. If you don’t answer to his questions you will surely lose him, Uchiha. Get your act together!’ he warned himself.

Apparently his silent brooding gave his beloved the wrong impression because after a while Naruto’s cute blush paled and his lips curled inwards, into a smile too painful to behold.

Sasuke watched in stupefaction as his dobe burrowed deep inside the futon, turned around and covered his head with the blankets without saying a word.

“Oi! Dobe what are you doing? If you ask a question at least wait for the answer before going to sleep!” he grouched angrily, trying to get a rise out of the silent blonde.

“Forget it… it was stupid to believe you would actually mean it.” Naruto whispered brokenly from his warm cocoon.

***Naruto POV***
Suddenly, the weight inside his heart got too much to bear and he bit his lips as tears started to gather. He had sex with his best friend, his rival, his most precious person and the only man he would ever love: Uchiha Sasuke.

He couldn’t understand how he had messed up so royally. He felt stupid for not fighting, but then, he thought himself loved. He knew Sasuke was used to being fawned over and possibly he just needed to let go of his steam. Naruto just happened to be convenient, that was all. Sasuke never meant his words as something other than a means to his end. He shuddered. He had been so happy, so full of hope when his dazed memories remembered Sasuke’s words! It really had been a terrible disillusion to discover himself duped, not loved.

‘It’s too much to hope for, stupid. You are not worthy of love and you know it, Kyuubi holder.’ He punished himself with his words, turning his hate inwards as fresh tears poured from his soul.

***Sasuke POV***
There was nothing he could do but watch helplessly as too thin shoulders shook convulsively. He didn’t need to be a genius to know he had succeeded spectacularly in breaking his beloved’s heart.

Sasuke growled deep inside his chest, wanting only to rear back and kick his stupid self when he realized he had lost a precious opportunity to open his heart. His thrice damned Uchiha pride was interfering with his only chance at happiness and he was not standing around to let it happen.

“Naruto” he squeaked and frowned. His nerves were betraying him.

‘This is so undignified.’ He thought distractedly. His expression turned serious when he noticed that the bundle in bed was not paying attention.

“Naruto, hey! Dobe!” he kneeled beside the futon and stretched his hand haltingly towards the cloth covered hip. His heart tugged painfully as the bony hip flinched at his touch.

“I’m tired…” his broken voice told him his dobe was crying under the blankets.

‘Of course! What did you expect! For a genius, you are very dumb, Uchiha! Your silence only told him it was not true! That you just used him but never meant for him to believe you! Talk damn it!’ His inner Sasuke raged against his stoic nature.

This whole thing called forth feelings he was certainly not prepared to process even if he did feel them.

“Dobe, please.” He insisted.

“Go away, Teme…” he mumbled, his faltering voice barely understandable due to the contained sobs that shook his stiff back.

Fed up, his warring self chose to regroup. His Uchiha possessiveness vanquished his Uchiha pride and he acted on instinct alone. His beloved was suffering and he had nobody to blame other than his own stubborn self.

Lifting his koi with a firm grip, he hauled his blonde from the bed, lifted him effortlessly into his lap and sat down on. Naruto squeaked with alarm at the sudden movement, his tears forgotten as he squirmed desperately.

“What, hey!” he protested, his surprised blue eyes sparkling with unshed tears that left wet trails on his cheeks as they overflowed. Sasuke’s heart contracted painfully as he was proven right once again. His expression turned forbidding while he berated himself for his own callousness. Naruto cringed.

“I am trying to talk here, dobe.” He replied tartly. “I want your attention on me, not on my pillow.”

“Lemme go, Sasuke bastard!” he growled as menacingly as he could, trying to break his bruising hold while feeling as weak as a kitten. He cursed inwardly, raging at his own stupidity and weakness.

Sasuke grinned, for once forgetting the gravity of the situation and drinking in the sheer magnificence of the enraged creature between his arms.

Realizing the futility of his efforts, Naruto stilled to recover his energies. His strength was sapped and he huffed breathlessly, regretting his impulsive actions. Dark eyes seized the situation accurately and adjusted his hold accordingly, bringing him even closer.

“Stay still, Usuratonkachi.” Sasuke nuzzled his ear with a smile, while Naruto gasped softly, his body suddenly weak as heat spread over his belly.

The sullen blonde glared knives into him, pushing against his restraining embrace trying to free himself to no avail. His tears made his eyes shimmer like crushed sapphires and Sasuke’s jaw stiffened.

“You still haven’t heard me say my piece, Dobe.” He started. A gasp received his word and Naruto again started to struggle.

“Teme, don’t call me that!” He complained loudly, unwilling to have his weakness exposed and his feelings ridiculed.

“Let go, Sas’ke!” he insisted, losing energy with every jerk of his head.

‘God I hate being this weak! Kyuubi! Where are you!’ he asked closing his eyes and laying suddenly still.

Sasuke frowned, noticing the pallor under Naruto’s skin.

‘This can’t be good. I must hurry and let him rest some more. But it is not easy…’ he growled and felt his dobe flinch through the blanket.

“Look, dobe. Hear me out. I am just going to repeat this once ok?” he asked watching the immobile bundle for a sign he was paying attention and not devising a new strategy for revenge. He quaked, thinking of Naruto’s previous ploys.

“I… I… you… um… Damn it!” he grind out, blushing hotly. “I was worried… um… that is… I do… care… about you…” the blonde head was suddenly all ears. Sasuke felt sweat run down his spine as his pride warred with his feelings.

“I… am not… 100% sure… but still I… think I… um…” He faltered to a mere whisper, the grand confession he had in mind all but forgotten. To his eternal chagrin, his great Uchiha mind was completely blank out of a sudden.

“Does that mean you care for me… like a friend?” the blonde queried doubtfully from his place in his lap.

“NO! I… mean… that is… Um… I…” he tried again. He couldn’t understand. Uchiha’s didn’t falter and most certainly they didn’t stammer. ‘Get a grip, Sasuke!’

“Oh! Now I understand!” Naruto straightened in his lap, his playful expression lulling Sasuke into a false sense of security. The blonde nin started talking animatedly, without a care, his cheerful voice in direct contrast with the harshness of his words.

“You just mean that you wanted to get laid, right? Tch, Bastard! You should have said so earlier! If you only wanted an easy lay and there was nobody but stupid Naruto available, it was obvious you would have to use him! After all he was conveniently spread all over your bed, right? Don’t worry… I understand! The mighty Uchiha took care of dead-last Naruto for long enough.” He sounded so reasonable, so logical that Sasuke’s hairs rose with horror.

Naruto’s eyes screamed in anger, his hurt and his feelings of betrayal more painful for him than an explosive tag going off around Sasuke's heart.

“You know what? I've an itch! Let’s have Naruto scratch it!” he guffawed mockingly wanting for once to hurt Sasuke as much as he hurt inside. His years with Jiraiya had finally paid off as his sarcasm and cunning finally came to bear fruit. The raven before him watched him with a stunned expression that was almost painful to watch. Still he pushed on.

“Foolish little dobe who'd never a chance to oppose you, the Great Uchiha Prodigy! T'was damn easy, ne? Well done, Sasuke! It was the best I deserved, filthy beast that I am, right? Congratulations, you did great!” Naruto raged venomously, staring intently into black eyes that looked away in shame. Seeing that reaction made his heart crack inside his chest, his betrayed trust and mixed feelings making it unbearably painful to be so close to Sasuke. Angry at himself for feeling betrayed, he renewed his efforts to leave.

***Sasuke POV***
Eyes hardening with resolve, he noticed Naruto’s feelings run amok all over his expressive face. The moment Naruto’s face registered betrayal and sadness, he felt like he’d been punched in the gut. He relaxed his grip enough to let Naruto move farther away to sit on the futon facing the door. There has to be something he could say to make him understand. ‘Think Uchiha, Think!’

***Normal POV***
“Naruto… it was not like that! I… T’was not just a lay…” he tried to explain but his pride was proving to be too much for his struggling emotions. Deep silence fell between them. After a while Naruto relented, exhaustion tingeing his expression once more.

“If, as you said before, it’s not just sex and it's neither love nor friendship either, then… what was it, Teme? A pity fuck? A friendly fuck? A celebratory the-dobe-is-not-dead fuck? What, Sasuke? You are not making any sense. After, all a fuck is a fuck regardless of reason. Talk!” he demanded reasonably, tears starting to roll down his too pale cheeks. His body quivered with the effort of containing not only the Kyuubi but the terrible maelstrom inside his soul.

“Stop… Naruto, don’t… I know I feel something... I just can’t say what… please understand…” Sasuke begged miserably, his prodigious brain unable to think of ways how make it better without damaging his pride.

“Teme! Are you saying you actually feel something for me?” he scoffed before pulling the blanket tighter to his body. The cold was somehow seeping inside his very soul.

“Come on bastard, don’t lie! Mighty Uchihas don’t have feelings! That’s completely under your dignity. You told me so yourself, remember?” he offered his silent rival a sardonic smile.

“You may think I’m stupid and maybe I am, but don’t try to fool me into thinking what you feel for me is something other than passing lust. Yeah, Lust, Sasuke, not love! What you call love’s all a sham!” he spat with disgust before a slap broke his argument.

Naruto’s face stayed turned to the side, slowly digesting the turn of events. Sasuke stared at his smarting hand in disbelief, unable to believe he had just hit his beloved.

He turned slowly to watch Sasuke, studying him while nursing his battered cheek; he could taste blood on the inside of his cheek. Indigo eyes reflected betrayal a second before they hardened and hid under his bangs.

“Tch,” He spat to the side “The reason is not exactly love, nor pity, nor friendship, nor sex… very clear, Uchiha. So, tell me, what was it? What made you fuck your rival into the futon, bastard?” there was no response and Naruto closed his eyes.

Leaning forward he continued, “I can still feel you deep inside me, Uchiha! I can still hear your voice pledging your love! Accept it, Uchiha. It was a lie. Don’t try to cover your actions with meaningless words. I know sex. It’s mindless just like you were. You were the one who said you loved me. You were the one who whispered you were sorry for hurting me…” he paused, hugging himself to keep the tears at bay.

“Tell me to my face it never happened! Come on! I dare you! Just now, you hit me for telling you the truth! Now, I dare you to do it again as I call you a rapist, you fucking coward! You used me, damn you! And not only that, now you pretend to fool me!” His voice trembled as he whispered passionately. A draft caressed his overheated cheek and he shivered, trying to control the sobs that threatened to escape any minute. The black haired man before him stayed silent under his verbal assault which angered him even more.

“You can’t answer, can you? It’s obvious you are just trying to pull a smokescreen before my eyes.” He fell silent, his anger threatening to throttle him in its intensity. Suddenly, his blue eyes brimmed over and the tears he’d been fighting all along fell unchecked down his cheeks. He was so tired.

“Fine… If this is what you want, I’ll play the dobe and say that what happened never did. That you never lay a finger on me, that you never used my body to sate your lust; that I couldn’t deny you and you practically raped me; that you used love as an excuse. That now you say you feel something but don’t know what. I’ll forget everything, bastard. It was a mistake. I understand and forgive… Now please… go.” He murmured tiredly, crawling to the side to lean on the futon and closing his eyes.

“Naruto.” Sasuke’s heart shrank with fear. He could feel the moment Naruto’s heart withdrew. In all his years outside of Konoha, not once had he felt like this. His soul cried in anguish at the pain of losing Naruto.

Unwilling to allow this, he pulled Naruto shoulder around to force him to face him. The surprised man grappled with him, unwilling to surrender even if he was at the end of his strength.

“I… Uzumaki… I… Naruto… Enough!” he closed his eyes for a second trying to bring his temper under control.

Naruto’s trashing about had only succeeded in provoking his body and he was fighting his body’s honest reaction to the desire his dobe provoked in him. Pale eyelids rose, unveiling twin sharingan red eyes twirling lazily just inches from his beloved’s blue eyes.

***Naruto POV***
Naruto’s heart skipped a beat noticing the deadly Uchiha bloodline come to the surface. ‘Something about this upsets him enough to make him feel threatened.’ Naruto thought irrelevantly, trying to hide his confusion behind his resistance, his body fighting for breath.

***Normal POV***

“Lemme go, dammit! Now!” Naruto swore, just a bit afraid, his almost empty stomach contracting painfully.

Fed up with his struggling dobe, Sasuke straddled his dobe and using the blanket to contain his movements, tightened his grip mercilessly until he heard a gasp of pain under him.

Once all movement ceased, he used his knees to immobilize Naruto before moving to uncover his face. He was staring pointed to the side stubbornly avoiding his eye. With a sigh, he forced it back gently.

Then, he waited for Naruto to open his eyes, hating himself for being such a coldhearted bastard but unable to stop himself. His instincts screamed for him to take possession of his dobe and he was damned if he was going to allow him to leave. Twin pools of ice stared angrily into his face, labored breathing signaling his dobe’s waning strength. ‘Good, I have his attention.’

“Dobe… Understand this. I don’t care why or how we had sex. All I care is we did and we both enjoyed it. Bottom line is: You. Are. Mine. Your body is mine. Your soul is mine. You pledged yourself to me and me to you. Now, accept it and get it over with.” He whispered coldly before capturing his dobe’s lips in a searing kiss.

As Sasuke’s lips coaxed a response from his body, he raged against the blanket that trapped his limbs and hampered his movement. He arched and bucked and it held him down ruthlessly curtailing his escape. There under the fierce attack of best friend’s tongue, he felt his anger flicker and die, rendering him unable and unwilling to fight his ever growing attraction.

His mind soon emptied of all worries as Sasuke’s talented mouth distracted him enough coax a response out of him. He moaned softly as their tongues warred erotically, his cock hardening from just a kiss.

Coming up for breath, Sasuke nipped coyly at his bottom lip, making him tremble with anticipation and want. He chuckled delighting in the heavy lidded gaze his aroused dobe directed his way.

‘God! I want to sink inside his warmth so badly!’ He took pity on his lover and pushed his way between his legs. It was time to remind his dobe of the marvelous chemistry that existed between them. A hard groan was all he heard as Naruto’s legs spread on their own.

‘Perhaps he doesn’t need reminding, just loving… and words.’ He hummed his approval deeply, kissing him with tenderness.

“Dobe… I may not know exactly what I feel for you… but I do feel something, that much is clear.” He whispered against the other’s lips, coaxing with his tongue the closed opening and swooping inside eagerly. He licked and nibbled relishing the taste that was all Naruto.

“Just bear with me… I don’t understand feelings… I just know hatred and revenge. You understand feelings… you know how to dream and fight to do what you believe is good, so… dobe… teach me?” He requested simply and Naruto’s heart soared.

Unable to believe the meaning behind Sasuke’s words, he gazed deeply into gentle red eyes, studying the seriousness of Sasuke’s proposal. Apparently satisfied with what he found there, he nodded hesitantly and offered a tired smile.

“Sas’ke… I…” he sighed and closed his eyes, pulling soft lips towards his own for a chaste kiss.

Somebody cleared a throat nearby to alert them they were not alone. Eyes widened at the sound and they separated in a heart beat, their embarrassment reflected in the dusky color of their cheeks.

“I hope I am not interrupting anything too important, guys. After all, you did know I was coming, ne? Uchiha-san?” An irate Tsunade glared at the dark headed genius before putting on her brightest smile for Naruto.

“Obaasan?” he croaked, paling under his tan, Sasuke’s retreating warmth leaving bereft and aching.

“It seems you are feeling better, ne Naruto?” she strode inside the room purposefully. Her mind berated her for believing Naruto to be safe with the Uchiha. She kneeled by his side taking in his slightly swollen cheek and glowered at the silent man beside her.

“Maybe you can leave now? I need to check on him.” She ordered, her actions telling him he was not wanted just then. Nodding with understanding, he sighed and left for the kitchen, forgotten tray in hand.

Once Sasuke left, Tsunade turned her attention towards her golden genin.

“How have you been feeling? Extra bleeding? Fever? Aches? Any pain I should know about?” she asked almost perfunctorily as it was obvious he was feeling better.
He just shook his head, not trusting his voice after what Tsunade had witnessed. Her lips tightened with disapproval. He was being far too silent for her peace of mind.


Nevertheless, she performed the accustomed tests on him to measure Naruto and Kyuubi’s chakra levels. ‘Kyuubi is doing better but not at a hundred percent. Still it’s much better.’ She nodded.


“Are you ok? Is the Uchiha taking proper care of you?” she asked softly and watched him nod stiffly with a grim expression.

“You know what? I don’t believe you. Anyway, I see you are feeling much better. Enough so I believe that your life won’t be threatened if I were to move you from here into Iruka’s house. He is dying to see you. Would you like that?” she asked gently before the gasp from the doorway made her turn her attention towards the doorway.

A blue blur dashed past her and she was left staring at an empty futon.

“What the…” she couldn’t understand what was happening as in one moment she was beside a silent Naruto, the other moment a blanket wrapped Naruto was held protectively by the Uchiha on the other side of the room.

“What’s the meaning of this, Uchiha? Explain yourself!” she ordered, moving to remove her charge from the other man grasp. Noticing his feral growl and defiant stance, she stopped.

“He is mine, understand? You are not taking him anywhere, you hear? Hokage-sama or not I am not letting you take him away. I will fight hand and tooth for him if necessary but he is not moving away from my side.” He snarled, clearly agitated. Naruto stared at this overprotective Uchiha as if he’d never seen him before, puzzlement written all over his face.

“Sas’ke?” Naruto queried, confusion filling his soul.

‘Why is he doing this? He said he didn’t care, he should be more than happy to just let me go. Why Sasuke?’ his gaze went from one Nin to the other, their formidable chakras making him twinge with apprehension. This was his worst fears come alive. Tsunade-Obaasan against Sasuke; he had to stop this somehow.

“Please, don’t worry Tsunade-san… he… Ano… Sas’ke? You don’t need to protect me anymore. I’m not going anywhere.” He whispered trying to calm him down.

Sparing Naruto a glance, he smiled nervously, knowing he had overreacted badly and would probably get into a heap trouble for this but he couldn’t find it within himself to care or regret his decision.

“You are staying here, dobe. You mean too much for me.” He smiled tenderly, fear at losing him making the words easier to say. “I love you.” He whispered simply, hugging him tightly and dropping a kiss over his surprised lips.

Naruto gasped in realization as Sasuke’s words sank inside his tired mind. “You love me?” he asked in wonderment.

“Very nice and all but loving him doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that somebody hit him quite hard on the face. He is convalescing for Kami’s sake!” she roared angrily and Sasuke flinched visibly, knowing he was responsible for stocking the sennin’s legendary wrath.

Reaching an impasse meant you had to change your tactics. Her shrewd eyes noted both Uchiha’s protective stance and Naruto’s dazed expression. ‘It’s better to retreat and regroup. If Naruto is under duress, he won’t stay for long. If not, he can finally have a chance at happiness… with the Uchiha, no less. I must see for myself if things are as they appear before I leave this place.’ Disgruntled, she snarled low under her breath before reaching a decision.

“The only person able to decide if he goes or stays is Naruto himself. Why don’t we ask him what he wants to do?” she reasoned, wanting to know the blonde’s answer.

Sasuke stiffened slightly, but nodded. It was only right that he should lose Naruto’s love as atonement for his actions; but knowing that didn’t make it any easier. Unable to stand watching him decide, he just asked, hiding his eyes from Naruto.

“What’s it gonna be, dobe? You leave or stay?” he asked coldly, unwilling to force his dobe more than he already had.

Naruto eyes went from Sasuke to Tsunade, wondering why he was being asked such a question when it was obvious to him at least, where he wanted to be. Eyes tightened with resolve as he nodded in understanding.

“Oi, Teme. Let me go!” he ordered and felt a thrill of joy shoot through him as his captor moved to obey. Sasuke’s arms trembled and stiffened before he was straightened and allowed to stand on his own two feet. Tired, he made his way towards Tsunade’s open arms and she smiled with relief.

“We will get you out of here right about now. Iruka’s waiting…” her words trailed into nothingness as Naruto walked towards the open inner-garden doors instead.

“Naruto?” she asked dumbfounded.

He turned and offered her an impish smile before turning towards his nurse.

“Oi, bastard? What does a sick, weak, handsome man must do around here to get a bath ready? I’m about due, ne? I can’t stand the stench of my clothes.” He called loudly and sat just outside the room, waiting for his words to sink in. A startled yelp and mocking laughter drifted from the room and into his ears and he smiled.

It truly was a shame he hadn’t seen Sasuke’s reaction to his words. But hearing his surprised yelp worked a long way to calm his ruffled feathers. ‘He loves me!’ he thought dazedly and sat on the porch to wait for his bath while basking in the morning sun.

A shadow eclipsed his sun and he frowned. He whined softly, protesting the lack of warmth. Tsunade suddenly found herself commiserating with the Uchiha. It was all she could do not to hit the impudent gaki over the head.

“I will return in a week to check on you, Naruto. Take care until then, ok?” a hard pause, before she asked again softly, “Are you sure you want to stay?” she whispered wanting to have a real answer away from the Uchiha’s influence as she watched him with growing concern.

He shook his head ruefully, knowing she meant only the best for him but happy with the turn of events.

“Baa-chan, my place’s beside the stubborn man eavesdropping at the other side of the door. I … I… also… love’m, you know?” he flushed brightly, uncomfortable with confessing in such a roundabout way. He was sure Sasuke would hear and know. Maybe now, he would be allowed to experience love instead of hatred. Understanding crossed her face and she nodded.

“Tell me if you need anything, ne?” she whispered and patted him awkwardly. Her little brother was finally growing. She stood quickly feeling tears gather at the corners of her eyes. With a sniff, she straightened.

“It would be good for the Uchiha to remember that if he hurts you again, he will have not only me to deal with. Love or no love, Iruka is a bitch to deal with when he feels threatened. Understand?” without waiting for his answer, she teleported to the Hokage tower. He chuckled understanding Iruka needed to see him to feel reassured.

“You heard dobe? Better be good to me, or you’ll get your ass kicked.” He crowed softly, reclining against the wooden column that supported the ceiling. He felt happy but so tired. Love definitively tired people. Quick steps that stopped beside him, announced his raven’s arrival.

“What took you so long!” he asked before squealing in surprise. Strong arms lifted him like he weighted no more than a child. Airborne, he dazedly registered movement as he was hoisted towards the previously vacated room.

“Naruto-sama requested a bath, ne? Then he will most certainly get one. After all, I don’t want the Hokage and her friend to kick my ass for that is all your privilege and responsibility dobe.” A malicious smile crossed his beloved’s face and he gulped. Nimble fingers undressed his body and both blushed, flashbacks of their first time together flashing through their heads. Black met blue and they smiled, feeling a connection that hadn’t been there previously.

“I love you, Sas’ke.” He whispered still unsure of these feelings that vied for attention inside his heart.

“I love you too, dobe.” Sasuke whispered, glad that Tsunade had forced him to tell him. “Now, let’s get you a bath. Ne?” he said.

“It’s barely midday!” Naruto exclaimed with embarrassment looking for a way out.

“Who wanted a bath?” Sasuke reminded him gently, pushing away the last coverings and exposing the beautiful body to his hungry gaze.

“But… but…” he tried to reason with Sasuke to no avail.

“You are still protesting. I must be doing something wrong dobe.” He whispered jokingly before cradling him again between his arms and taking him towards the bath.

“Why’re you naked too?” he asked dumbfounded as skin met skin.

“I must make sure you are clean, of course. What better way to do so than to get in the bath with you? It’s certainly big enough.” He rejoined tartly and sat on the hip bath with Naruto cradled between his legs. Naruto shivered and smiled. Turning to face Sasuke, he hugged him. He couldn’t still believe it was true. Sasuke loved him.

Sasuke kissed him deeply, soaping his hands and gliding them all over his blonde’s body, grinning perversely at his dobe’s tanned perfection.

“You don’t know how many times I dreamt of doing this to you!” he whispered softly.

Naruto blushed unable to meet his eye. His gaze drifted downwards and gasped as he noticed Sasuke’s belly sporting a mark similar to his own.

“What happened there, Sasuke?” he asked biting his lip. Sasuke looked down at his own belly and shrugged.

“The first time we made love, your seal overheated and burned itself into my belly.” he concentrated in washing his dobe when his dobe asked in a small voice.

“I’m sorry… It must have hurt…” as the weird tone left his lover’s mouth, Sasuke looked up to find his koi close to tears once again.

“Hey! What’s wrong, dobe? Are you worried about this? Don’t be! I like being marked by you. I took your innocence that day, so it’s only fair I have a permanent mark to show for my trouble. I find it quite fetching, especially yours.” He smiled and traced the pattern with a soapy hand. Naruto gasped and closed his eyes, relaxing into the touch.

‘So beautiful!’ he thought dazedly and continued washing every visible inch of skin before taking the time to tease his sensitive nipples with the rough cloth.

“Sasuke!” he whimpered as his cock strained to be touched too. He arched into the touch, pushing his hips closer to his black haired lover and both gasped as their erections met and rubbed against one another. Sasuke took in his flushed cheeks and labored breaths, savoring his dazed expression while his fist wrapped around them both.

He wanted his dobe to feel as much pleasure as he had the first time and surpass it ten times over. He wanted his koi to faint with exhaustion and pleasure. Knowing this he timed his efforts. He wanted to bury himself as quickly as possible inside his lover. The rest could all wait.

Naruto panted with need, his lips nibbling on his ear, his arms tight around his neck. Sasuke’s hands went around his lover to prepare him, but Naruto protested.

“Now… I want you now… please…” He whimpered pushing his straining erection harder against him, making it hard to think of nothing else than to bury inside his dobe. Lifting him slightly, he tilted the thinner man’s pelvis forward and prodded around with the tip of his cock searching for warmth and heat. The tip of his length found a likely opening and he probed inside, hesitant to hurt his dobe. Naruto gasped, head arching back with pleasure and pushed forward, impaling himself over Sasuke’s length quickly.

‘Incredible! There’s no pain this time, just fullness.’ His mind registered this but was soon distracted with the feelings his lover provoked in him.

“God’s you feel so good… I’m so full… Sasuke!” he whispered wonderingly as he waited a bit to get used to the fullness inside his body.

“Fuck, you are strangling me! So tight!” Sasuke gasped, wonder tingeing his words as they searched blindly for each other’s mouth. Naruto stretched a bit, to accommodate his cramping thighs and they both groaned as Naruto’s accidental tightening of his abdominal muscles enhanced their pleasure.

Smiling into the kiss, Naruto flexed and relaxed his muscles while they kissed, barely moving but driving Sasuke mad with desire. Breaking away from the kiss, he Uchiha wrapped his arms around his dobe and lifted him experimentally before letting him sink back over his aching flesh.

The water lent them buoyancy as their movements became frenzied, slopping liquid over the wooden bath’s rim. Sasuke gripped Naruto’s hips hard, bringing him down against his heated length with enough force to bruise, loving the sounds he made every time he buried himself inside. Naruto stared into Sasuke’s eyes loving the danger those red eyes implied and clenched his inner muscles again. Sasuke’s pale face was so utterly erotic it was all Naruto could do not to cum then and there.

“Touch me… harder… please!” he begged digging his nails along the Uchiha’s barely healed back, making him gasp with pleasure and pain. Their mating was savage and hungry, raw. There was no finesse, just an intense need to appease their desire.

“Sasuke!” “Naruto!” Their need rivaled only by the love reflected in their eyes as they pushed each other into oblivion.

“Mine…you are mine… Naruto…” he gasped mindlessly, repeating his chant over and over as his body contracted inside Naruto, flooding him with his seed.

“Yes, I am, Sasuke… completely yours.” he conceded finally and they both panted weakly, shivering with delayed reaction at the heat of their desire.

After a while, his dobe squirmed in his lap and he felt himself harden swiftly. Naruto gasped and giggled naughtily.

“So, you seem to be ready for more… I was wondering if I could tease you into pounding me into the futon once more… but maybe what I should be worrying about is if I’ll get some sleep tonight.” He grinned and clenched his inner muscles once again. Sasuke gasped.

“Minx!” he grumbled and hugged him tightly.

“By the time I am done with you this time, you won’t be asking for more… Instead you’ll be begging me to let you sleep!” he promised with a deep, erotic voice that had him breaking into goosebumps. He tsked with his tongue.

“Promises, promises” he replied tartly and purred with pleasure as he was lifted from the bath without separating their bodies.

“I’m gonna fill you up so much the only reason you won’t get pregnant is because you are male! You’ll have to beg me to let go! That is an Uchiha promise!” he warned, sending delicious tremors down Naruto’s spine.

Deep inside his belly something shifted painfully but it passed so quickly he dismissed it immediately. Staring into Sasuke’s eyes, Naruto laughed throatily, goading his lover.

“You’re welcome to try, bastard. Let’s see who will cry for mercy first!” he countered breathlessly, wrapping his legs around his walking lover to bring them even closer.

After that, neither slept for very long. Apart from some very necessary pauses for food, rest and baths, Sasuke kept true to his promise of trying to plug him full of cum but still Naruto wouldn’t beg. The day passed amidst laughter, kisses and passionate loving, neither able to leave the other alone for very long. Naruto’s legendary stamina came to the rescue many times as he was pleasured and he pleasured his lover tirelessly. The wee hours of the morning found them still in the throes of passion, gasping and moaning as they climaxed for the last time that night.

“His seal is not hot to the touch anymore. I wonder why…” Sasuke’s thought distractedly before oblivion found him tightly wrapped around his lover.


*************

There, now... this is a MPREG fanfic, so prepare to find this situation on the following chapters, ok? You have been warned. ^.^
Also, there is a mission coming... so be prepared for some more action scenes further on... nyan! I have many things planned, if the Uchiha cooperates that is. He has been quite strong headed and cold so far. He was not pleased with Tsunade's attempt to remove the dobe, so he's developed a velcro human complex. -_-;
Anyway, sorry for the OOCness and I hope this chapter meets your expectations... nyan! Ja Ne!
I can always wait longer before postings, but that would mean longer chapters... like #3 n #4... that used to be 1 chapter... this one also got out of hand so I am posting before it turns unmanageable. Is it too long, after all English is not my fist language... so maybe it is? Please give me your opinions... thank you!