In Somnium, Aveo Captore

Title: “In Somnium, Aveo Captore”

Series: Naruto

Genre: Supernatural, Suspense, Romance

Begun: 18 September 2009

Number of Chapters: 6



Summary: As Naruto begins having dreams of a lover he cannot see, Sasuke and Sakura notice changes in him that could prove dangerous. Where are these dreams coming from, and how do they relate to the way Sasuke has been feeling?



Author's Note: Well. Now that Christmas is over, and I am pretty sure that this chapter won't get lost in the shuffle, it's time for posting. Andi-chan brought up a good point. Yes, I know it might seem unnatural to a lot of folks that Naruto has been getting the upper hand. However, there is a good reason for it. If you think about these two guys, and Naruto especially, neither one would just give it up right away, and it would probably take nothing short of a fist-fight to determine who got to be on top for their first time. Naruto is Sasuke's equal, not some dainty little thing that will be all doe-eyed and beg for Sasuke to “take me now”. I myself have a severe problem with people that make the poor boy so freaking passive when it comes to any intimate relationship he has (the only exception being when the demon takes over, and then he's overly aggressive). It's a power struggle, just like everything with them. Of course, there is always a way to tip the scales in favor of one or the other, and perhaps the balance might just shift. That has a lot to do with the chapter's title actually. “Reapse” means “in reality” or “virtually”, and “Mutuum” is “reciprocity, an equal return”.



*not sure about “mutuum”. It might need the -a or -us ending. Either way, if anyone is good with Latin, let me know, and I'll change it.



Part V: Reapse, Mutuum



“I...” Sasuke couldn't speak for a long moment. Naruto just kept staring at him, his eyes seeing much more than they let on. Squeezing his eyes shut, and bringing his knees up to his chest, Sasuke took a very deep breath and let it out slowly. It would not do to show just how much he had been affected by the dream they'd obviously shared. He was still aroused, and it might be difficult to stand for a few minutes, yet.



Knock, knock.



Sasuke's eyes snapped open at the sharp sound, and he watched Naruto send a glare at the door before getting up to answer it. When he pulled it open, Genma was looking jovially back at them. “Wakey, wakey, boys. The daimyo calls.” And was that a hint of sadism glittering in those hazel eyes? It was tough to be sure from his position on the floor. Genma then looked quickly from Naruto to Sasuke and back again before grinning broadly in a knowing sort of way. “I'll send a message that we'll be there a little later. You two finish up here, and then meet us downstairs.”



Tension flooded into Naruto's posture, and Sasuke gaped. Genma simply walked away, leaving them both confused, slightly appalled, and still aroused. “Shit,” he heard Naruto mutter as he turned around, “Now Ino's gonna know...and then everybody will know.”



Feeling a little annoyed, Sasuke asked sharply, “Know what? That we're victims of some kind of ninja technique?”



Naruto glared, but it quickly became something heavier, darker. Sasuke tried to scuttle away, but his attacker moved faster than he could see without the aid of his Sharingan. Before he was able to think, he was flat on his back, all limbs pinned down with an impressively hard erection pressing into his hip. “No,” Naruto breathed next to his ear, sending a violent shiver through every muscle in Sasuke's body, “No you idiot.” A sharp nip to his earlobe made him gasp, and Naruto explained, sounding as if what he said must be common sense of the simplest kind. “They'll all know...that I want you, that I have wanted you for almost as long as I've known you...and that you want me too.”



“Naruto,” he said firmly, his voice strained with the effort it took not to give in, “Let me go.”



“We have time,” Naruto half-growled-half-whined, shifting until he could wedge himself between Sasuke's legs. Hot, almost searing pleasure shredded at his nerves, ripping him atom from atom and then rebuilding him into something that he did not recognize. There was something happening inside his head now...something dark and frightening was trying to claw free. He tested Naruto's grip sharply, but it only tightened. This had to stop now, before it was too late. “Let yourself go,” Sasuke heard that hypnotic voice next to his ear, and even if part of him was inclined to follow its instructions, there was a growing portion that wanted something different. “Let yourself want. I'll make you feel so nice...” As if to prove his point, Naruto licked at his throat while sliding against him, and he vaguely heard his voice issue a groan at the heavenly friction of his underwear against his painfully hard erection.



Sasuke began to struggle in earnest now, twisting his wrists in his captor's grip and yanking hard. If he could only get one free, he would be able to reverse their positions and bring Naruto under control. “Let me go, Naruto. I'm warning you,” his voice came was now the low growl that always meant business.



One of the hands holding his wrists let go, and Naruto attempted to hold both of his hands above his head. Sasuke, however, was not about to miss this chance to get free. He simultaneously hooked his leg around one of Naruto's and used his free hand to push into the floor. Bucking upward with his hips and tilting to one side, Sasuke threw the heavier man off. In an instant, he was straddling Naruto's waist and pushing him back down into the floor as he tried to get up again, having succeeded in taking both of his companion's wrists in one hand. “I told you to let me go,” he sneered as he took Naruto's chin in his hand. “I told you that you should stay away from me...but you never were very good at listening.”



That thing inside him that had been struggling against his self restraint, trying desperately to take him over, seemed to pause. What was happening? Blue eyes widened sharply as his voice became softer, but infinitely more threatening. A few precious seconds ticked by, and Sasuke waited for Naruto to realize his mistake. When the wide-eyed blond did no such thing, he smiled almost cruelly as the dark feeling in his head suddenly broke free. Leaning down until his face was only centimeters away, he said, “Have it your way, then.”



--



Naruto watched Sasuke's eyes bleed red, the little tomoe spinning frantically, and then fade to black again. Flickering in and out of the Sharingan, those black eyes filled with a dangerous, nameless emotion, and he felt a twinge of what might have been fear. Thin lips brushed against his, a slight tickle of sensation before settling and beginning to devour him completely. The long, pale fingers of Sasuke's left hand tangled in the hair at the back of his head, pulling him closer and the kiss became recklessly hard. Lips parted against his, and Naruto felt the warm wetness of a tongue slide over his bottom lip. It felt too good to stop now, so he let his jaw relax, mouth opening.



Though he had kissed Sasuke before, he could not recall it feeling this desperate, or so painfully erotic. Everything was different, though he could not figure out how it was. From the way Sasuke was holding him, dominating the kiss, to the movement of his tongue...it was as if he were with a completely different person. The hand not still holding his neck began traveling downward to shove his shirt up, fingers sliding over the sensitive skin at his side, and then viciously pinching his left nipple. For a fraction of a second, his body was torn between pain and pleasure. Back arching sharply, his mouth broke away from Sasuke's enough for a heavy moan to escape.



A devious chuckle barely took his attention away from the fact that those fingers were still working at his now-abused nipple, “You like this much better, I think,” Sasuke sounded amused, but Naruto could hear something else behind his tone; something he was unsure he liked. “Why don't we...” Sliding lower onto Naruto's legs, Sasuke began working at the fly of the blond man's very restrictive pants, “...get rid of these, then?” Deft fingers made quick work of the button and zipper, and then tugged at his hips. Naruto could barely concentrate enough to lift his hips and help get his pants and underwear down. When they were at his knees, he was shoved down again, his head hitting the wood floor with a thud. He groaned in pain and annoyance, and heard Sasuke laugh once more. Before he could snap at the sadistic bastard, he felt the other man begin to adjust his position. Still straddling his legs, only lower now, Sasuke bent low again and began to lavish the reddened skin of his chest with attention.



Teeth and tongue nipping and licking at his nipple, Naruto sighed. “Mmmm...that...aaahhh.” Sasuke's hands were doing things that he was sure had to be illegal in several countries. At least, anything that felt this good had to be against the law...One stroking, the other brushing teasing touches over the sensitive skin of his scrotum, Sasuke was driving him slowly mad. He closed his eyes, letting the sensation wash over him, not really caring about the slight pain of the bites that were making their way down his stomach now. It hurt, yes, but it also felt strangely good. In the back of his mind, he wondered if he might be a masochist. That would fit, since he seemed to be a glutton for punishment when it came to Sasuke.



Something hot and wet abruptly touched the tip of his erection, and he gasped, his eyes flying open. He looked down to see red eyes watching him, and Sasuke's tongue licking at the head of his penis as if it were sweet as candy. It traveled slowly, gliding over the reddened skin and slicking it completely with wet saliva until he watched as it pressed slightly into the slit. “Fuck...” he managed to whisper when the stroking hand was removed, and replaced by Sasuke's lowering mouth, taking in the larger part of his erection before beginning to suck. “Oh, yes...” Naruto groaned just after Sasuke's head began to move up and then down again, one thumb massaging the base of his erection. Burning heat began building in the pit of his stomach, and he heard something that sounded suspiciously like a zipper.



Opening his eyes again—he could not remember closing them—Naruto whimpered. Sasuke had unfastened his own pants, and was now masturbating, his long fingers wrapped tightly around hard muscle. “God, that's hot...” He blurted without thinking. The edges of Sasuke's eyes crinkled in a smile, and he gave a low hum, the vibrations from which made Naruto's back arch. “Fuck...” This was what he remembered from all those nights of dreaming; this heat, this need. But as pleasurable as it was, Naruto still felt like there was something missing. The hand that had been on his erection moved and began to completely remove Naruto's pants. Once they were entirely done away with, he very nearly wrapped his legs around Sasuke's neck, forcing himself deeper into that welcoming warmth.



After another few seconds of heated bliss, Sasuke managed to disentangle himself from Naruto's legs, and pulled away completely. He settled his body over Naruto, his pants lowered on his hips, erection exposed and sliding against the one he had just been sucking. Grinding their hips together caused a spike of white hot pleasure to drive right into the heat at the base of Naruto's erection. How he did not come instantly, he would never know. Sasuke's sinful mouth found his, and Naruto moaned into the kiss. Pulling away briefly, the dark-eyed man asked, “What do you want?”



Naruto was unsure what he meant. How could anyone be expected to think at a time like this? What the hell was he supposed to say? “Bend me over the bed and fuck me until I can't walk” came to mind, but in Sasuke's present mood, he might take that literally. At this point, he no longer cared if he was on top. He wanted Sasuke any way he could get him, but he did not plan on being the bastard's plaything. In any event, they could not do this now. They had come to this place to do a job, and so far, all they had accomplished was to fuck around in their hotel room. So, he settled for, “Just this...for now. Until we come.”



Sasuke gave a short laugh. “You're lying,” he growled, bearing down harder with his weight, “you want much more, don't you?” One hand slid under Naruto's leg, pulling it up nearly to his chest. A shift of hips caused Sasuke's erection to press against a very sensitive place indeed. “This...” Sasuke's voice growled, “This is what you want.” Naruto gasped, trying not to say that yes, it was what he wanted. But it was difficult. It was also very difficult not to roll his hips into the erection that was only a hair's breadth away from entering his body. Sasuke began to grow irritated by his silence, and gave a very small push forward. He could feel the pulsing heat of him, begging—no, demanding—to be let inside. “You need it...don't you, Naruto? It won't hurt for long. I can make you feel things you've never imagined. All you have to do is let me.”



“We can't...” Naruto said finally, much more firmly than he had thought possible. “Not now. When we get home, then I'll...” his face turned red at the thought of his next words, “I'll let you do anything you want to me...just...not right now.”



The tilt of Sasuke's head was strange as he asked, “Is that a promise?”



His throat was dry at the expectant tone in Sasuke's voice, so he had to cough before he choked out a “yes”.



“If you insist,” Sasuke growled, moving until he was once again only lying atop Naruto. “When we get home, I will make you scream for me. Although,” he amended with a devilish grin, “I might be able to do that now...”



--





“You gotta be kidding...” Ino grumbled as another thump and a long moan came from the room next door. “I hope they're easier to get along with after this.” Genma rolled his eyes, and crossed his legs as he sat on her bed. He had come in here half an hour ago to tell her about their little “delay”. Since then, he had alternately either invaded her personal space, or ignored her entirely. Especially if she questioned him about their mission. When she asked him point blank what the hell was going on, he gave the same reasons he had before they'd arrived at their destination. For the safety of the squad, and the secrecy of the mission, they were to travel in civilian clothing, and talk only to the people that were necessary to get directions and procure lodgings...and they were absolutely forbidden to discuss mission details amongst themselves. Then again, there were no details. None that she knew.



She guessed that there was most likely a group of missing nins involved, and probably a sizable spy network, if they weren't allowed to talk about the mission even to each other. And the rest of the team had not been told anything while they were in Konoha, either, as an added safety. This was probably for in case they were attacked en route, the rest of them could ensure that Genma got away, safeguarding the client's identity and the information he carried, and none of them would know anything to divulge under interrogation.



And now, they were apparently to arrive at their employer's house under cover of darkness. Now, while Ino wasn't extremely cautious, she wondered if perhaps this diamyo was just a bit paranoid.



--



The night, just like the days here, was hot and steamy. In the valley of the Ginsei River, the sun was barely able to make its way through the humid haze that permeated the city. At about eleven o'clock at night when their mission began, it was marginally better, due to the lack of direct sunlight. The packed dirt streets still radiated heat, though, and Naruto felt almost as tired as Sasuke looked. But there was no time to brood over the local weather, or even what had happened only a few minutes before. They had an appointment to keep, so Naruto did his best to focus his attention on the task at hand.



The four-man squad maneuvered their way through Hibiki's winding city streets, watching people on their way to or from local night spots, some already rather drunk. Shops were darkened, but many all-night establishments sold food of various kinds, and Naruto's stomach was beginning to let him know that his dinner had been quite some time ago, indeed. Set against the lush green of a nearby mountainside sat the dwelling of the local daimyo. By daylight, he had seen its wrap-around porch and three green-tiled roofs. Now, it was merely a dark, hulking shape on the side of the mountain with a few lit windows. The five tori gates that led up to the main entrance were hung with lanterns, which were also lit. Further up the mountain was a small temple, which probably housed the local order of monks. Naruto couldn't say he got a bad, or even overly rich vibe off of the place, which was probably good.



It took nearly an hour to make it through the city and up to the base of the flagstone-paved road, given that they were told not to use any ninja techniques during their time in the city itself. They had traveled in silence, trying to remain inconspicuous, which was all part of their contract.



The doors to the main house were dark red, and studded in bronze. They were also huge. Naruto eyed them, all the way up to the top, where they stopped a good four feet above his head. He watched Genma ring the bell, which was similar to the one in the temple nearby the Hokage tower in Konoha. It gave an off-key clang and they stood still to wait. A few minutes later, the door opened slightly, and admitted a man of middle-age. His hair was long, and pulled back from his slightly lined face in a graying braid. Small, oval-shaped glasses perched on the bridge of his nose in front of dark gray eyes, and he wore a dark blue kimono of good quality cotton. He kept his hands inside his long sleeves, folded politely. Naruto judged that he might be a mid-to-high ranking servant.



“May I help you?” The man asked, his voice quiet but with a note of expectancy that spoke of being accustomed to giving orders. A high-ranking servant, then, Naruto thought, almost nodding to himself.



Genma reached into his belt pouch and withdrew a small folded paper. With little ceremony, he gave a bow to the man at the door and handed it over. Naruto did as Kakashi told him he should, and watched the man's reactions as he read. He first seemed hesitant, keeping the paper close as he let his eyes skim over its contents. Then, the tension in his shoulders began to release, and finally, there was a light of recognition when he looked up and examined them once again. Nodding, he stepped aside without another word. Genma bowed again, and they all did the same before filing into the large doors.



The inside of the house, while well furnished, was much more humble than he had expected. There was very little ornamentation, except for a few wall hangings that looked as if they might only be there to prevent a draft. He could hear the servant ahead, telling them that they were to follow, and that they would be given breakfast before they meet with their current employer. Naruto was very happy to hear this, since his stomach was threatening to eat his spine. The small group wound through three hallways, and then up one flight of stairs to a sitting room that opened onto a view of the valley. Four cushions were set out in a line, and there was one slightly larger about ten feet away.



Only when they seated themselves did anyone speak. Strangely, Ino was the one to break the silence. “So what gives, Genma?” She shifted on her dark green seating pillow and turned toward him, one hand planted on the floor and the other on her knee. “What are we here for? You were so damned evasive every time I asked you! And don't give me that 'for the good of the mission' crap.” They saw a slight smile on their squad leader's lips, and the older man continued to say nothing. Ino sat back with a very annoyed huff. “Fine. Be that way.” All that came out of Genma was a slight chuckle, but no one else could ask about their mission, because the servant entered again, followed by a woman with a tray of tea and cups, as well as a small piece of cake for each of them.



When they had been served, Naruto gave hearty thanks, causing the serving women to blush, and Sasuke to roll his eyes. It was a fine cup of green tea. Once the cups and little plates were cleared, the servants trooped out, and they were left to wait once more. Naruto looked at Sasuke from the corner of his eye.



There were many times when he had absolutely no idea what the other man was thinking, and this seemed to be one of them. Face smooth, without even the slightest wrinkle, Sasuke seemed very serene. He also did not look in Naruto's direction, preferring instead to stare a hole in the gray silk of the daimyo's cushion across the room. In less than ten minutes, the older man that let them into the house returned.



Dressed now in a formal kimono of light blue silk, he walked forward, giving a bow before seating himself on the one remaining cushion. Naruto blinked in confusion. This was the diamyo? Even if he didn't grow up in the richest neighborhood, and without any real family to speak of, Naruto was pretty sure that rich guys, powerful guys like daimyos had servants to answer doors for them, lead guests around and give them tea. His astonishment must have showed on his face, because the daimyo smiled slightly before speaking.



“Please excuse my earlier deception,” the man said humbly. “I am Fukuzawa Akito, Daimyo of Hibiki and the surrounding valley. My steward was quite upset at me as well, but I wanted to see what kind of people you are.” Naruto nodded, not trusting his voice. It would probably give away his continued disbelief. Fukuzawa's tone became warmer and more friendly. “Welcome, then, to Hibiki, the City of Echoes. I assume,” he continued, addressing Genma, “that you have said nothing of the mission to your companions? Good. I know that all of the secrecy might have made it seem as though I am being overly cautious, but it was done for the best, I assure you.”



Over the next half hour, Fukuzawa explained why they had come. It appeared that a group of missing nin were set up along the northern trade route that led into and out of the valley, and were attacking caravans of merchants, or anyone that looked like they might be rich enough to give them a decent ransom. The last of the people to be kidnapped and held for ransom was the wife of a prominent local merchant. She had been returned after 500,000 ryuu were paid in ransom, but refused to talk about her time with her captors. It was the feeling of the merchant, as well as their physician, that she had been sexually assaulted.



All of Fukuzawa's attempts to curb these men's activities had ended badly, with his men dead or worse. That, he told them, was why he had enlisted the help of Konoha. “I have formulated a plan, and part of it has already been implemented. My wife I have sent south, to stay in one of the resort towns, while my servants started spreading rumors about my having a mistress. For the past month, the tavern gossip has been all about what she might look like, where she could be from, who she is...that sort of thing.”



He now turned to Ino. “You will be pleased to know that you have developed quite the reputation for beauty already,” he smiled, amused by Ino's openly gaping expression.



“Well,” she said, almost under her breath, “I suppose it's good that you've thought this out...”



Nodding, Fukuzawa indicated Genma again. “Shiranui-san here will be playing the role of your bodyguard.” Genma nodded silently in acknowledgment, but Naruto thought that he looked overly happy over his part. If they had not been with the client, he would have rolled his eyes. Pervert. “These two young men will be servants, dressed as the others here. They will, to all outward appearance, be completely normal people, as will you, Yamanaka-san. Shiranui-san will be able to act as normal, though none of you may wear your shinobi clothing.”



Naruto did feel a little annoyed that he would be shoved into servant's clothes and ordered around by Ino, but he'd done worse things for missions, so it couldn't be that bad. He didn't have time to sulk anyway, because the rest of the plan was coming out, now.



“I have a small house to the north, just on the edge of the area controlled by the missing nin. If I let slip that I will be going there, and that I will be sending my mistress ahead of me, the men in the jungle will almost certainly make an attempt at kidnapping her. That is your opportunity. Use it to rid this city of the missing nin, and the agreed-upon fee of 400,000 ryuu will be paid to your village, along with a generous bonus to each of you.”



After Genma agreed, they were taken to sleeping quarters. Sasuke and Naruto were to share a small room on the northern side of the house, while Genma would guard Ino every hour of the day in the southern end of the house. Naruto could not say that he envied her that pleasure, in spite of the accommodations. She was assigned a spacious room with a view of the jungle below, and two of Fukuzawa's most trusted maids were to attend her and give out the gossip that they were told. Luckily, Ino had been trained in how to be a lady, and they did not hear her yelling about being stuffed into uncomfortable clothing or having her hair pulled.



Naruto found it a little ironic that they were only allowed to sleep after neither he nor Sasuke had the will to. Both of their minds were far too occupied.



--



Sasuke walked alongside Naruto, watching him from the corner of his eye. The haze of arousal now gone, he had more composure and sense. The man next to him walked mechanically, clutching to his chest the pale gray kimono he'd been given only a few minutes before. Naruto had not said anything to him since the incident in their hotel room. Silence was not something he had grown used to in his friend's presence. Was he disgusted? Something told Sasuke that there was little chance of that. It might be, however, that he was finally realizing that he did not have any true feelings toward the Uchiha. Sasuke brutally beat that idea aside. He did not want to think about that right now.



It was strange, but what he wanted most at the moment was to lay in bed, as close as possible to the man walking at his side, and fall asleep before they were to carry out their mission. The hard thing was that he didn't know if he'd be able to get even a little sleep with Naruto so close to him. Catch-22 of the worst kind...he thought as they arrived at the tiny room they were to share. Upon entering, Sasuke almost smiled. There were two narrow futons, and only enough room for them to sleep side by side. Sleeping yukata hung on pegs at the back of the room, and house tabi were folded neatly in baskets beneath. Near the baskets sat a small earthen pitcher of water and two mugs. In all, it was a nice, tidy room.



The door slid shut behind him, and he looked back to see Naruto, looking rather tired indeed. Sasuke set down his things and moved to the rear of the room, where he poured out a mug of water. Using only a nominal amount of chakra, he channeled heat into the cup, and soon the water was steaming. “Get my pack, please, Naruto.” His friend did as asked, and after some searching, Sasuke found a packet of herbs he had brought from home. Once he'd added a pinch of the finely ground powder to the water, he handed it to Naruto. “Drink this.” A questioning look from blue eyes made him explain. “To help you sleep through the rest of the night. You look like hell.”



“Thanks,” Naruto said, but the roll of his eyes he received was not encouraging. Even if he did not appreciate the gesture, he did drink.



Sasuke turned away and began to dress for bed. “I got that powder from Shikamaru's father. It produces a dreamless sleep, deep and restful.” Pausing in the middle of folding his shirt, he said, “I...I needed it after...” He couldn't finish that sentence, but he did not have to. Naruto's hand fell onto his bare shoulder, the weight reassuring. “Sometimes I still dream of that day...”



Naruto's voice sounded tired, but concerned. “Make yourself some of that stuff too. I don't think it's a good idea to work yourself up about that right now. He wouldn't want you to dwell on it, you know. That's the whole reason he lived the way he did.” Sometimes he hated how right Naruto could be, but he also knew that without him, he would still be lost, wandering around in a fog of his own making. Reaching across his body, he placed a hand atop Naruto's. For a few moments, they merely stood that way, until he felt Naruto pull away. It caused physical pain when that happened, and he was too tired to try understanding why.



Once he was dressed in the white sleeping kimono provided by the diamyo, Sasuke made himself a cup of the herbal draught, and they lay down to sleep. Naruto's hand reached out, the backs of his knuckles brushing over the side of Sasuke's face. “Sleep now,” he said sleepily, “I'll be here when you wake up.” Sasuke could only nod drowsily, slipping slowly into unconsciousness. He could hear Naruto murmuring incoherently, sounding more like he talked in his sleep, and then he knew no more until half an hour after the sun rose.



Author's Note #2: Yeah, I know. Still no actual sex. But, hopefully you guys didn't think it was boring. These two always have the most interesting ideas. Also, don't go calling Sasuke all sentimental just yet. He's still pretty deep in denial about his feelings, such as they are.