Rain

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.


Rain
By 11


Chapter 05

He woke, or did he? It was all so hazy and he could see but his eyes weren’t even open; were they? Dazed, confused, and agitated.

Hot pressing fingers moved over his arms and sides beneath the fabric of his clothes and his skin shuddered at the touch. Lips were moving lazily over his neck; bathing in saliva and suckling wherever he was most sensitive.

His breath was already coming in short shallow gasps. His hand moved to press the offender away; but only succeeded in drawing the other closer. He lowered his head in a sluggish motion, and succeeded in swallowing the other’s lips.

The pungent taste of miso filled his mouth even with the drowsiness filling his head. Every nerve was without controlled motion and involuntarily he held the firm lithe form against him closer. Pulling that pulsing heat closer to his own pulsing center.

An adventurous though sloppy tongue prodded his to action enough to play, there was no duel. The kiss was lazy and accepted and given with half-conscious consent. His body burned against the other’s hand and body. Hips pulled flush against his own; his hardness pressing up against a fleshy thigh.

Those hands moved slowly and left infuriating trails of wakened desire. It prompted his body to move and arch against every touch where he may have otherwise been content to lie there and mewl and moan.

Everything was on fire; yet the haze of sleep persisted; a thick fog covering his mind and allowing nothing but the semi-conscious groping and tonguing of the other.

Those same hands traced patterns all across his chest, pressing along the flat planes of his breast and stomach, moving to his sides. The mouth moved from his mouth to lick along his throat again; one hand lazily playing with one nipple, drawing a hissing moan from him.

His hips jerked up in response; the other’s body rocking over him in a steady rhythm. His breath became even shorter, and he reached around to hold the other close, returning the rhythmic thrust of the other’s hips to meet with his own. Following the other back and forth in a perpetual rocking motion.

It burned and he couldn’t feel anything but that excruciating scalding within his loins. He was entirely caught in the motion.

Unable to do anything but obey that body’s urgings and follow the pleasure and heat of the body above him. Lost to everything but the sensation of a building tension within that supernova boiling through his blood and pooling at his center.

Gone to the world in the movement confined in this single acknowledged place and existence until his body finally shuddered to its conclusion. Perhaps he fell back and went lax, perhaps he was vaguely conscious before he fell to darkness. At the end he was no longer aware of anything at all.

`

He woke up feeling strangely warm and refreshed. Turning his head to the side towards the source of the comfortable heat dark eyes met locks of bright blonde hair. Naru!

Sasuke froze for a moment, her breathing was even and slow; she was still asleep, good. Slowly he got up, his outfit had shifted somewhat in their sleep; Naru’s skirt rode up fairly high on her thighs too; her shirt tugged up over her flat stomach.

Sasuke hurriedly threw a blanket over her before he saw something he might later regret having seen; dealing with girls when they know that they’ve been seen naked or partially naked were never good to deal with. He’d seen the result of some perverts back in junior high.

Actually he was still Sasu, wasn’t he? He went to change quickly and clean up, and better be disguised for when the blonde did wake up.

Come to think of it… did nothing happen last night? A familiar and at the same time foreign ache between his legs was making itself known. Flashes of heat, and a wandering touch; sloppy sleepy kisses, and a dazed perception…

Sasuke shook his head and resolved to forget about it. The idiot blonde slept for another half-hour before the smell of pancakes and bacon drew her from the bedroom. Long blonde hair mussed and all, her sleepy blue eyes unnaturally bright in the morning.

“Oh Sasu, you made breakfast? You’re so sweet,” the girl breathed as she slid into her prepared seat and set about stuffing her tiny frame till it burst.

Was it right for a model to eat that many pancakes?

“You’re welcome,” ‘Sasu’ eventually replied. At least most of last night, with the embarrassingly drunk girl, had been forgotten.

“You are a really great cook Sasu, you should so marry me,” Naru grinned around a forkful of bacon, “Then I can eat this good for every meal!”

Sasu only shook her head, the girl wasn’t as annoying this morning but still, that prod was unnecessary, they were in the middle of eating after all. Studying the girl’s face her make up had mostly come off; although her face cover had mostly managed to cling to her skin… but there was something dark on the side of her cheek. Dirt?

“Naru…” Sasu eventually questioned when the other girl had set down her fork momentarily after finishing one pancake. “I think you have some dirt on your face, here…?” Sasu gestured on her own face to the small line of ‘dirt’ that was beginning to show on the model’s cheek.

The blonde started and immediately got up from the table running at a sprint to the bathroom; shutting herself inside. Sasuke looked after her a moment and frowned, girls really all were so superficial huh; she didn’t even realize her make-up might’ve been a bit mussed from sleep? No, even if she tried she couldn’t be anything other than shallow and annoying.

The rest of breakfast was largely a silent affair; since Naru’s energy seemed to be temporarily sated. She seemed satisfied to watch Sasu clean up dishes and tidy things before they left.

Mainly it was to get Naru out of the house; but she didn’t seem to want to head back to her own place just yet. She could have called her limo, but was currently contented to walk down the street next to Sasu.

“Hey ladies, looking for a fun time?”

Oh great… a group of mindless boys; what were they doing out on the street on a Sunday morning? Wasn’t everyone supposed to be home and asleep? Except of course for Sasu and Naru?

“Not particularly. You can get lost.” Naru scoffed, walking on. Sasu did the same; just keep walking, it would be fine.

One of the youths turned and his hand closed around Naru’s forearm yanking her back towards him. “Hey, that’s wasn’t nice, blondie.” He said angrily, still holding her arm tight enough to bruise.

Blue eyes narrowed, and Sasu felt her muscles tense, it was possible these guys could get violent; but if possible it would be really good to avoid a fight, especially with Naru involved.

She was a model; a fight could ruin her face and her career. The girl probably didn’t even know how to fight.

If he hit the one guy, seemed to be their leader, fast and hard, took him to the ground and gave him a good kick; then grabbed Naru and started walking away really fast it could work. He’d have to warn them to stay way; then she and Naru might be able to make it down the street far enough until they could duck into the soup shop. It was just up the block and then they could avoid any further confrontation with these hoodlums.

“You’re one to talk. You usually pick up chicks with threats and punches?” Naru taunted with a sneer, her nose wrinkling in disgust at the repulsive being who dared to touch her. Sasu’s brilliant plan was thrown to the winds the second that happened and all three boys seemed to jump into battle mode.

Naru struck first. Her open palm collided harshly with the leader’s face. He was shoved backwards. His nose crushed inward. Blood dripped from the nostrils. His grip on her arm was relinquished.

The other two approached in blind rage. She struck low with her leg to the one. The other she dealt with her other hand. It hit the center of his chest, just a bit higher. His clavicle shattered.

Sasu was frozen, it seemed surreal. Naru was strong but also an intelligent fighter; every blow sent them into sprawls of pain; though in retrospect that kind of damage could get her thrown in jail. She was a good fighter, she needed no savior.

The one who had recovered from Naru’s kick pulled a knife on Sasu. His arms circling her from behind. Naru turned to look back in silent rage.

Sasu acted instantly. Her elbows slammed backward into his chest. She grabbed his wrist with the knife and twisted his arm until he dropped the blade. Then kneed him in the chest. Twice.

Sasu dropped him. Took Naru’s hand. Pulled her along at a job until they reached the soup shop and ducked inside. Blue eyes looked at Sasu with a new appreciation. She grinned.

“So we can both take care of ourselves,” she said, pleasantly surprised. Sasu flushed slightly at the strange comment; blood already too plentiful from the adrenaline from the encounter.

Naru’s arms suddenly wound around Sasu’s neck; her soft lips pressed lightly to Sasu’s skin. The blonde’s body pulled flush against ‘her’ own.

Sasuke jerked away quickly, pushing Naru away, to hold at a distance. Blue eyes regarding her with a childish amusement. Dark eyes glared weakly; the girl was still… just too touchy feely.

The old lady at the soup store counter regarded them both with shock… two girls; necking. Not something an old woman sees everyday. Sasu flushed slightly in embarrassment.

Naru giggled before she pulled away, heading back outside; winking at Sasu from outside through the window before continuing down the street.

The skin on his neck burned where she kissed, and his body felt too warm. It really did seem as if Naru _liked_ ‘Sasu’… /that way/…

`

Boys would always be a problem like this, wouldn’t they?

“Sasu, are you busy this next weekend?”

“Sasu! I really wanted to hang out this last weekend, but you still haven’t given me your number.”

“Sasu! Did you get my letter, I was wondering if we could go out together sometime!”

Why couldn’t they just leave ‘Sasu’ alone? She wasn’t that pretty, she spent her entire day scowling and being moody; so what about that drew people to Sasu? It didn’t make any sense? It didn’t make sense before either.

“Get lost.” Sasu ground out in irritation. Neither strategy being particularly effective. If she ignored them they just kept pestering, if she got angry, they only pestered all the more. It was a no-win situation and day after day it became tiring and repetitive and just plain mind-numbing.

“Aw don’t be like that!” one laughed, leaning close to her. It took a steel nerve to not recoil from the boy’s stinky breath and unsavory face placed too close to her own for her liking.

“Want to go out to a movie this weekend, Sasu? It’ll be fun, come on!” another urged. Broad grins all around, but they masked salivation and leers. At least it never mademuch difference whether it was boys or girls fawning over Sasu. They all drooled ugly.

“Hey, she said get lost; so ditch your ‘female compass’ and get out.”

Naruto Uzumaki. He had entered the classroom, crossed his arms on his desk and lowered his head; appearing to nap ever since his silent arrival.

“It’s none of your business, Uzumaki.” One of the boys suggested, although his tone spoke volumes of poison.

“Let me put it another way;” the blonde said, lifting his head from his desk to glare icicles at the group of juveniles. “Leave the vicinity now, before I shut your trash-spewing mouths forever.”

The boys hesitated slightly considering just being slightly quieter in their activities, or actually just walk away to avoid getting into a fight with the infamous blond delinquent.

“You must really want to lose your jaw for the next week.” Uzumaki stood. He hadn’t even given them a full five seconds before he was on his feet and starting towards them.

“No! That is-! Ah!”

They scurried hurriedly away; the imminent threat of violence too close for comfort. Sasu inwardly noted that the majority of people abhor violence and are unable to cope when faced with it. While those that do know how, all too often abuse that to intimidate others. Sad really.

Oh and Naruto was now standing right behind her. Sasu turned her head to look at the youth… technically her ‘savior’ in a way. Since when he was around generally he’d get rid of the annoying boys who crowded around the dark-haired girl’s desk.

“Remember there’s the track meet this afternoon after school.” He reminded her. Oh was that all he had to say… geez, he had no personality. He never did anything! Didn’t participate in class; only read when necessary; didn’t do sports, or chase skirts. Was he even alive?

“I didn’t forget.” Sasu said, perhaps colder than she’d intended, but then Naruto could cope with it. For some reason neither insults nor compliments, from the teachers only – often in surprise that a delinquent was so knowledgeable – mind you, had any effect on the blond.

“’Kay,” and then Naruto returned to his seat and went back to his nap. Nope, he never did anything. Sasu found herself glaring at the figure before long, although she hadn’t intended to, it just turned out that way. Then she had to turn back to the front as class began. Of course she remembered about the track meet; she and the blond had practiced after school a lot in preparation. The most time she’d had to spend with the guy; and it was never enjoyable!

Later at the track meet, it was way too windy. This thought entered Sasu’s mind primarily because the running uniform for the girls consisted of a shirt and pair of… well they may as well have just been black panties. Thankfully he could let the shirt fall low enough that it covered any noticeable and unavoidable bulge in the… er underwear/girl-briefs/whatever-they-were.

He hated the track clothes. Whoever designed them should be sentenced to a horse-kicking. Worse still, he still looked like a girl even with his legs showing. It’s because he was so very slim… but then there was also the fact he had to shave his legs.

He had actually done them just recently, which left the skin far too exposed to the cool afternoon wind. Thus he thought it was too windy as cold air surrounded his bared legs. Didn’t seem to bother the other girls though… or maybe they were just so well trained at hiding it.

It didn’t help that he could hear the annoying voices from the boys in the stands. The same ones from the stand, leering and cheering, calling out obscene and unpractical things, not just to him; to some of the other girls too, but mostly him since he was positioned closer to the stands. Where was Naruto anyway?

As if one cue, the blond stepped onto the track beside him. Effectively blocking both the wind and the guy’s in the stand’s view.

“Hey! Get out of the way!”

“Dude, you’re not sexy! Move!”

“Let us see Sasu!”

His head turned and blue eyes glared at the stands for only a moment; the boys voices quieted, and eventually they just shut up. One of the things that Sasu hadn’t really considered since Naruto had yet to bother him in any way... besides in being an insufferable condescending person without a personality – how did that work, one might wonder.

Thus it never occurred to her to question the amount of fear Naruto inspired, or how he got into this school; course it wasn’t a very high rung school but still. Sasu would really have to figure out about how Naruto wound up breaking that Kiyotaka guy’s arm…

The pairs lined up, and at the third call they were off. Sasu and Naruto bolted from their stops, and surged forward, even though they were on the outside of the track they still gained speed over the ones running within the circle leaving all the other pairs behind. Idly Sasu noted that Naruto was pulling ahead of her, and forced her legs to move faster as she rushed to catch and then surpass Naruto.

The cries from the crowd and from the commentator and sidelines vanished, and there was nothing but the pounding of blood and wind rushing past Sasu’s ears. Her leg started to throb painfully. And Sasu was forcefully reminded of the bandage still wrapped loosely there; she hadn’t though about it in so long. Come to think of it, it probably hadn’t healed with all the running practice she’d been doing.

Still, Sasu couldn’t just let Naruto be the first to cross the finish line for the sprint, and forced her legs harder, until the pain within her leg became nearly unbearable and she started to tear past him. Naruto didn’t seem to notice and was content to let her go.

Sasu crossed the finish line first. But the victory over Naruto didn’t feel right, since Naruto didn’t even try to overcome her once she pulled ahead. She couldn’t be satisfied with that.

But that didn’t change that as a pair, which was all that was counted, Naruto and Sasu had won. When Sasu stopped running; the pain of her leg came in harsher than before, spreading from the affected area to the entire quad.

The announcer said their names and there a big cheering deal going on, but Sasu could only focus on the pain in her leg and the blood still pounding her ears. There was something about the two of them being commended as well, but Sasu could barely hear it.

“Hey,” Naruto’s hand rested on Sasu’s shoulder, and she turned to glare at him; but his eyes were on the bandage. Great. Just great.

Blue eyes hardened slightly as he looked back at her, boring into her dark eyes. “You should not have forced yourself to run that hard, if it wasn’t healed.”

“I’m fine.” Sasu snarled as she tried to pull away. But her leg nearly crumpled under her, the muscle refusing to contract. Naruto caught her arm, holding her upright, and Sasu swayed vertically; refusing to rest her weight against the blond.

“It’s dirty,” Naruto noted with distaste, referring to the bandage. “You haven’t been changing it. It may be infected by now.”

Naruto pulled Sasu forward the rest of the way. Sasu yelped slightly when her body fell against the blond’s and he lifted her up starting towards the school and no doubt the nurse’s office.

“No! I’m fine, I can walk on my own.” Sasu protested, although both she and Naruto knew that it was a false claim. Naruto had apparently already taken care of their business at the track, no one came after them.

Sasu didn’t want to be helped, let alone carried by the blond. It was degrading somehow… But the youth’s body was so warm, and supportive; that warmth seeking into Sasu’s own chilled skin. Naruto’s strength allowing Sasu to rest as needed. Resting her head against his chest in defeat; she noted that he smelled faintly of musk, it was a nice smell.

Sasu could feel her own body heat, and her face flushed darkly as she let herself be carried. In the nurse’s office, Naruto gently set her down before going for the antiseptic. Those same strong and warm hands that carried her moments before gently unwrapped the dirty bandage.

Sasu winced seeing that the skin where the wound was before had become red and pink around the edges in obvious irritation. “This’ll sting but bear with it.” He told her, as he took some of the antiseptic to his hand and rubbed it over the inflamed skin.

The warm touch felt like fire over the already irritated skin, although instead of scorching, the touch soothed away the ache and the skin burned to be touched again. The gentle rubbing motions felt smooth and tepid, comforting and even desirous. Although the robot doing these actions seemed entirely unaware.

Sasuke tensed when he realized that the concupiscent feeling the touches incited were starting to make themselves known in a physical way. Sasuke pulled her other knee up to her chest in an attempt to hide his growing desire. Closing his eyes, he ignored the heat in his cheeks and everywhere else tingling slightly in a hopeful anticipation of touch.

He fought at the growing feelings of lust suddenly building in his body and mind. …lust? Why was there lust…? This shouldn’t be happening. Cracking dark eyes open for a moment, still trying to keep his breathing from becoming too noticeably quick or heavy he noted that Naruto was still entirely oblivious. Focused solely on the task of seeing to the possibility of an infected wound.

Why lust? He couldn’t desire Naruto… it was impossible. But it was nearly impossible to lie to himself in the here and now as his nerves tingled with need for Naruto’s hands and his manhood throbbed harshly against it’s hiding place at his drawn up ankle.

Sasu liked Naruto.

Beep.

`

And yet somehow it wound up like this.

Sasu just couldn’t quite figure out how she ended up in a coffee shop with Naruto; and Sakura and Ino. Thankfully she was dressed in her regular clothes again; the skirt would hide the now non-existent – thanks to Uchiha willpower – trouble.

It was sort of a ‘group thing’ now, the two girls were chatting about something; I heard a few phrases concerning the track meet, but my head was still to blurred with my own thoughts primarily considering the blond idiot sitting next to me. His hip just a few centimeters from my own; I can practically feel his body heat.

“It’s so cool that you agreed to come hang out with us,” Sakura chirped happily to him, “most of the time you seem so withdrawn and stand-offish.”

I have no idea what my own sexuality is right now! But it didn’t feel good, of course not! I only imagined it because I was hurt and tired! But then why am I so jittery right now… it’s NOT because he’s only less than an arm’s length away. I don’t care that we’re forced to sit this close; it’s a stupid restaurant booth!

“So tell me, what do you like to do?” Ino asked curiously, leaning forward.

“I like to read, when I can; mostly sci-fi, some fantasy, depends what looks good.” He shrugged, noncommittal as always. Wasn’t he the least bit unnerved that he was sitting in a coffee shop with three girls? Wouldn’t any normal guy have some reaction other than a vegetable?!

“Ah, I like fantasy, anything by Moira Grimoire is great.” Ino grinned, “So, what kind of music do you like? I like punk myself.”

“Rock mostly, some classical. Though I’ll usually listen to whatever’s on the radio.” Naruto said in that same near monotone, though he seemed vaguely more interested since Ino herself was focusing all her attention on him.

Why pay attention to Ino? Sure she had bigger breasts, but that wasn’t all that was important! Not that Sasuke cared! He just hated people that determine things on looks alone. What was wrong with Sasu’s looks anyway?

“I heard you got a 98 on your history exam,” Sakura started in, “I have to do a retest in a few days. Do you think I could borrow your notes for that class?”

“Sure, I’ll bring them to you tomorrow.” He agreed instantly.

“Oh thanks, you really saved me,” Sakura grinned happily.

Why were restaurant seats so small anyway; if Sasuke shifted even a little bit his elbow could potentially knock into Naruto… he held his body very still to avoid this calamity. He may be too conscious of Naruto’s body beside his/Sasu’s own, but she honestly didn’t care it’s just… she didn’t want to touch… again. Not that it might drive her nuts or something; it just didn’t seem… like a good idea.

So wrapped in these thoughts Sasu didn’t pay attention to the conversation at all. Or that a tall woman had entered the coffee shop and started towards their table.

“It’s Miss Kurenai.”

“Who?”

“The advisor, Miss Kurenai. She’s coming over here. Wonder why.” Sakura pondered as the two girls and Naruto watched the woman approach them.

“Miss Haruno, I need to speak with you.” Kurenai spoke urgently. Sakura’s green eyes widened slightly in surprise and glanced at Ino and Naruto briefly before excusing herself to go with the advisor; although not really understanding why.

The two should have walked well away from hearing range; but they were still within; in a coffee shop it was impossible not to hear really.

“Miss Haruno. I’m so sorry, we just received the call from the hospital.” Kurenai started, wringing her hands together. “Your parents have been killed. It was a car wreck. They were taken to the E.R. and the hospital has just called the school to tell us. I’m so sorry… I-. Sakura?”

The girl seemed to have frozen momentarily. “Sakura?” Kurenai tried again. Then the girl began to fall, “Sakura?!”

Ino had bolted from her seat the moment Kurenai had stopped speaking; and was by Sakura’s side just in time to catch her before she crumpled to the floor. “I’m so sorry, Miss Haruno. The school will do whatever we can to help you cope with this…”

Sasu and Naruto also stood and moved to stand by their friend. Kurenai only apologized over and over, unsure what to do. Ino held Sakura in her arms, the pink-haired girl was shaking. Her body quaking silently against Ino.

Sasu’s mind was blank all he could think was… Sakura. She was hurting, visibly, painfully. Both her parents were just suddenly gone. She was still in high school. He heard the sound in his mind before he saw it, as the girl broke.

Sakura’s voice tore from her as she sobbed, and water spilled forth from her eyes in violent tears. Her arms wrapping tightly around Ino as the sole support to keep her from disappearing into the ground and her own despair.

Ino was speaking to her in a soft and calm voice, soothing and comforting words. She stroked Sakura’s hair, holding her tightly. Sasuke felt entirely detached from what was happening.

He felt as if he too should offer some form of comfort. But what could he do… what could he say? ‘I know’… but he didn’t know, he couldn’t even imagine how she must feel. ‘It’ll be okay’… no, it obviously was not okay.

He didn’t know.

He just didn’t know. It was beyond him. “I’ll take her home.” Ino told Kurenai once Sakura’s cries had quieted and she shook quietly against her friend, still holding to her tightly. “I’ll take care of her, don’t worry. I won’t leave her alone.”

Kurenai nodded; apparently also unsure of what else she could do. Ino stood and brought Sakura’s limping form with her, still holding her as she slowly walked them from the coffee shop towards Sakura’s house. Kurenai then turned to them.

“You should also head home now, it’ll be late soon.” Kurenai told them. Then she looked after the two girls, frowned, and headed back to the school.

There was nothing else for anyone to do. Nothing anyone could do.

Sasu started walking at the same time that Naruto did, and their paths paralleled each other as they walked in silence. Sasuke’s thoughts had completely been wiped clean except for the memory of Sakura breaking, tears falling from her and the sound of her unrestrained agony. He felt so… empty for her, so laden with emptiness. But what could he have said… he couldn’t help her at all, even if he tried.

Somehow he and Sasuke wound up stopping at a bridge and Sasu found herself looking out at the dark murky water at the faded reflection of his own dark eyes and face. The sunny blur next to him in the water, likely Naruto.

“What could I have said to her.” Sasuke muttered more to himself than to anyone else. Naruto was silent but seemed to agree. It made him feel a little better that he wasn’t the only one who felt useless to comfort his friend. Yes… he did think of Sakura as his friend. And he wished he could help her somehow, but he couldn’t.

“I can’t really relate to her. At all.” Sasuke admitted, “I lost my father, but I was so young I can hardly remember, all the pain is so distant it’s practically gone. My mom’s still around… I can’t even imagine how she feels.”

“I can somewhat relate.” Naruto stated. Dark eyes drifted to him briefly. “I don’t have a mother or father either. But I didn’t lose them like she did. I never had them.”

Sasuke stared at the blond’s suntanned face, honest blue eyes; the three dark lines on his cheek. He didn’t know that about the other youth. Pondering to himself he realized there was probably actually quite a lot that he didn’t know about Naruto.

“Well look at what we have here!”

Both Naruto and Sasuke looked up at the group of punks heading towards them. Beanie caps, dread locks, jeering faces, some with leers, a pierced tongue clicking irritatingly against the front teeth. Sasuke frowned in distaste. Actually these guys looked vaguely like the ones from this morning. But Sasuke couldn’t be sure.

“If you don’t want to get hurt, you better give up all your money kid!” said one to Naruto. “Now, your wallet, and your jacket too.”

“Hey there, girlie, you wanna play with us?” another asked circling around to Sasuke’s side, leering at the girl, ‘Sasu’.

“Yeah you wanna play, you wanna let me look up that pretty skirt of yours, at your pretty little cunt. Let me lick it, right?”

Sick.

There was a crack of a fist as Naruto struck first, smashing into the guy’s face, before turning to coil backwards and his leg swung out at the guy threatening Sasu driving him backwards, nearly sending him off his feet, except for the guy standing behind him.

“You bastard!”

The click of a switchblade as the glint of metal steel flicked out of it’s compartment. The second guy righted himself and drew his own butterfly knife. They were still about two meters away now, since Naruto had driven them back.

Now however they had the clear disadvantage; they probably could have taken these guys… but with knives; it was too chancy in this close combat when there were five of them, armed, and only two of them.

Sasuke grit his teeth angrily, he had to think fast; what could he do to get them out of this? There was a way to trap the arm with the knife, but how could he do that while worrying about the other four and their knives?

Naruto turned his back suddenly, and his arm slipped around Sasu’s waist. Lifting them both up over the bridge railing.

Dark eyes widened in realization. Their attackers looking on in equal shock. Naruto was diving off the edge into the river.

And then they were in the air. Sasu felt the world fall away as everything surged up around him and he and the blond plummeted.

“Ah! You lunatic!!” Sasuke cried out. In retrospect, it would have been the lamest ‘last words’ ever spoken.

The two of them hit the water and then that was it.

---

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