A Scrap of Humanity

A Scrap of Humanity


Part VI


To see him


Sasuke POV


I had wanted to see Naruto fight. I wanted to see what he could do, but that was not an option. I was almost positive though that his mysterious lover would be watching him. The thought angered me. Naruto was the only one I wanted and yet here he already had some one. It just wasn't fair. If I could only make Naruto see that he was mine.


Right now I could picture Naruto dirty and panting with that determined look on his face. The one that said "I refuse to be beaten." His eyes would be slanted in anger and his teeth clenched. I could picture it all so perfectly. I could see his body in a crouched position with his back arched slightly and his...... It was not a good idea to picture such images while wearing this particular style of Uchiha clothing.


"You need to concentrate." I turned and found Kakashi-sensei standing there not even looking at me. "You can worry about Naruto later."


I glared at him, "I wasn't worrying about him."


Kakashi simply turned the page in that stupid novel and seemingly ignored my protest. "You can't hide it as well as you think," he stated after a moment.


I wouldn't let him know he was correct, so I just glared more. I hated the fact that this stupid and seemingly clueless sensei of mine could read me so well. It was annoying. "Why would I be worrying about that idiot?" I snipped at him while turning around. "Really Kakashi-sensei, I don't think that's funny."


I heard him sigh behind me. "You know Sasuke, I taught you chidori to protect those important to you." The rustling of paper told me he was putting his book away. "This technique is to ensure that you are able to ensure the safety of your companions."


I nodded and stared off into the trees my mind drifting back to my loud teammate. I know that even if I never admit it to anyone, I knew inside though that Naruto was the most important person to me. He had broken through my shell some how and weasled his way deep into the core of my being. I was damned if I was going to lose him to someone else. I knew he had feelings for me some where in that stubborn heart. The times I had shown any sort of emotion toward him weren't completely brushed off. Despite recently saying that I hated him, I knew it wasn't true. I was angry at his rejection because I wanted him so much. I couldn't bear watching Naruto fall the last time I saw him fight.

_______________________________

The pain from that curse seal that bastard put on me was excruciating. Naruto stood before me shielding me from Gaara. What did that idiot think he could do against that demon. Naruto was determined though. I didn't know how it was possible for him to be standing here fighting with Gaara. I was almost positive that he had expended his chakra against Neji. Yet here he was with that same impulsive fighting style. I felt ridiculous that I could do nothing but watch. His anger had intensified when he saw Sakura and I. That same intensity from before was back again. I don't think I'd ever be able to understand how naruto was like this.


Gaara was mocking Naruto's passionate nature, calling him weak. A cry held itself in my throat as I saw sand flying toward Naruto intent on crushing him. It formed a cocoon around his body shielding him from my view.


"Naruto!"


My heart was pounding in my chest. I could not believe that yet again I was put into a situation and could not even protect him. What a failure I was. I didn't even have enough chakra to even think of combating against the monster that Gaara had become.

"Kuchiyose no jutsu!"


I ducked as sand went flying everywhere and where Naruto stood was a gigantic frog. I could hear his booming voice as he queried Naruto on the situation. Almost instantly did the place erupt into an intense battle between the giant frog and the sand demon. After all the fighting he did, I doubted that Naruto would've had enough chakra to do a kuchiyose, and yet here I was again in awe of the pure amount of stamina he had. He had to have been training even more than I to have had such excellent control of the situation and have a relationship with this summoned beast. The next thing I saw was something I would remember for ages to come. The frog charged at the sand beast and suddenly him and Naruto took the form of the giant Kyuubi demon.


I felt my eyes widen. Why would he think of that? I wondered. Of all the things he could henge into he chose that, why the thing that everyone in Konoha feared?


I was jolted out of my thoughts at the sound of flesh on flesh. I saw Naruto and Gaara fall busting branches along the way. Both of the giant beasts were gone now. I turn and saw sand trickling off the trees and quickly lept over to keep Sakura from getting hurt before I darted to where I had seen Naruto fall. Gaara lay battered on the ground. He started yelling as Naruto tried to approach him.


"That's enough Naruto. He can't do anything." His siblings came and got him. "Everyone is safe now." I crouched next to him looking over his injuries. He smiled and then passed out from exhaustion.


Naruto POV


Everything was dark. For a minute I couldn't breathe because it felt like the dark was strangling me. Red filled my vision and suddenly I was back inside my mind sitting calmly in front of Kyuubi. His paws were crossed in a leisurely manner as he gazed at me. He looked very regal sitting there in front of me.


"I've been inside you this whole time and yet you still find ways to amaze even me." His voice was low but made my whole being vibrate.


"How am I talking to you now?" I looked around and notice the bars from the cage were not there.


"You're unconcious and from what I can tell, asleep in the infirmiry." His tails twitched a little as he spoke. "You're relentless kit. To fight him mostly on your own only to let me out a little." He chuckled as if he was thinking about what he was saying. "All right then, You've earned my respect." His tail lashed out and curled around me. "Don't disappoint me kit or I won't hesitate to take over this body."


I jolted awake looking around the sterile room. As my eyes adjusted to the brightness of the room I focused on some one in black sitting next to my bed. Upon closer inspection I noted that it was Sasuke. I sat infront of him noticing the extra set of black robes he held in his hands while he slept. I sighed. I guess old man Hokage really did die to protect Konoha. The tears threatened to fall, but I refused to let it happen.


Sasuke's head snapped up almost hitting me in the chin. His sleepy eyes gazed at me before his arms came around me in a tight hug. I tensed for a brief moment but relaxed soon after. His arms loosened about me but his head lay still against my shoulder.

"How? How are you still alive after all that?" His fingers tightened on my medical robe as his voice faltered.


I smiled and returned his desperate hug. "Because you and Sakura are important to me. Haku said that protecting your important people gives you power." I turned his head slightly so that he was looking at me. "That is why I want to be Hokage. I want to protect Konoha, and those that I care for."

He lowered his eyes. "The third. He's dead." He stated softly while moving back confirming my intial thoughts.


"I figured. Why else would you be in funeral robes?" I sighed and moved so I was sitting on the edge of the bed. "I hate to think that old man hokage is gone."

He handed me the extra set of robes as I stood up from the bed. I gazed at the drab black material for a minute before moving to change. Everything felt so surreal as I stepped out of the room with Sasuke. It was so dreary. The gods seemed to be crying in mourning of our passing leader. The skies were dark with their sadness, the clouds threatening to split with their tears. We followed the other villagers to the site for which we'd pay our respects. Everyone walked in silence. It was unnerving.


The words from the ceremony went in one ear and out the other. I gazed at the picture of the third. One of the few people in this village that cared about me. He was so content to take care of konoha like it was his precious child. I bet he really did think of it that way. Beside me stood Konohamaru who I'd come to know as a little brother. His hand groped for mine as he tried not to allow a single tear to escape. Briefly I could hear Iruka-sensei talking, but I didn't really pay attention. I felt oddly out of place standing here. I remember responding, but with what I didn't know.

After the memorial, I joined up with my team. Seeing them lifted my spirits a little. It reminded me that I still had people that cared about me even with the hokage gone. I heightened my resolve to become hokage. I wanted to be just like the third.


After the day had faded away I went back to my place alone. The silent tears came as I sat in the dark. I mourned for the old man. He loved everyone in the village that much that he was killed for it. I wasn't going to cry, but I couldn't help it. The old man had almost been like family to me. I felt a sob bubbling up in my throat.


"Be strong. It's what he wants."


I started at the noise. When I turned, I found my beautiful hunter standing there. I rushed to him and buried my head in his chest. His hand slowly came up and cupped the back of my head in a comforting gesture. I stifled any noises by burrowing closer to him. Him being there eased the pain. For the longest time he just let me weep quietly into his cloak his hand stroking the back of my head comfortingly. As my sobbing died down I felt him tipping my chin up. His eye lids were lowered as he contemplated my face for a minute. I felt my eyes sliding shut as I leaned forward awaiting his soft kiss. His lips ghosted over mine, his warm breath causing me to shudder.


"It's soon now. Soon I can take you with me."


A kiss ended any words I might have said. His fingertips smoothed away the stray tears. I had missed the feel of those softly kunai calloused hands. His taste was always vivid and spicy, one that I could never forget. His scent was what helped me to identify him even when I couldn't see. It was the same dangerous scent that intoxicated me, and now I was surrounded by it. It was potent and all around him. I felt at ease when I was with him like this. His presence lit my whole being up and for the time I was far away from being sad. His kisses left me breathless and I wanted more. When he kissed me again we fell backwards against the carpet. He lifted up on his hand to support himself above me. Just as he was about to lean in for another kiss, the sound of hunter nin stopped him.


"Sorry Naruto-kun, if I'm caught slacking I won't get to see you." After that he was gone in a flurry of black.


The next morning I was awoken abruptly from dreams of my hunter by the sounds of hammering and shouting. I moved from my bed and gazed through torn curtains at the sights of people rebuilding the city. A small smile graced my lips as I watched the inhabitants of Konoha work. My fight with Gaara had proven my strength was increasing, but it still wasn't enough. I was anxious for the time when my hunter would take me away, but I was mixed on the feelings now. I had always wanted to be the Hokage and prove my worth. I had wanted to protect my home. I didn't know if it was possible if he took me with him.

As I was going about my normal off day business of eating ramen I ran into Ero-sennin. He told me we had a mission and that he had some new techniques to teach me. I was excited about the prospect of learning even more jutsu to prove my strength and worth. I quickly slurped the remainder of my ramen down and rushed off to get ready for my new mission.


Jiraiya was intereting company. On the outside he was just an old pervert, but on the inside he was a kind old geezer. He had left me in the room at the inn to go about questioning about the person we were supposed to find. I think he was just on a quest for loose women and sake. I did what I was told though and practiced in the room. A knock roused me from my meditation. I guessed that the old man was out of money and lost his room key.


"Coming!"


I had not expected the sight that greeted me on the other side of the door. My eyes widened at the very presence of my beautiful hunter in full daylight. His dark hair was striking as the sun hit it. In the deep black ruby highlights could be seen. It brought his piercing crimson eyes out. His face was covered by a long silk robe of onyx. The red clouds that adorned his attire matched him perfectly. I smiled and took a step toward his beautiful form until I heard his voice.


"Let's go outside..." his voice was cold and deadly.

He stepped aside and I caught a glimpse of another in the same attire. I was confused at what was going on. I followed the two of them out of the room shifting my eyes between them. This had to be business right? It was a mission. He gazed down again with eyes never before used on me.

"So this is him huh Itachi-san? It'll be troublesome if he moves. Maybe I should cut one leg down." The taller guy asked in amusement.


He said nothing and didn't even look up from staring at me. "It's been a long time Sasuke..."


"Sasuke?" I shifted aside slightly and saw my teammate standing there.


"Uchiha Itachi....I will kill you!" Chidori raged to life in his palm.


"Oh? You know that brat? Who is he?"


Itachi tilted his head slightly in a motion toward Sasuke. "He's my little brother."


My heart stopped. My beautiful hunter was the same man that had driven my best friend on the cold twisted path of revenge. I almost couldn't breathe. I watched as Sasuke raced toward him leaving a trail of debris in his wake. His intent to kill was so powerful it you could almost smell the animosity. I clenched my eyes shut as chunks of floor and wall went flying by me. When I opened them again I saw a huge indention in the wall and Itachi holding Sasuke's wrist at an odd angle.

"Sasuke!"


"Stay out of it Naruto!"


Itachi just held Sasuke there as if he was evaluating him then he spoke softly. "I have no time to play with you." Sasuke screamed at him in rage and twisted like he was going to punch him, but sickening crack of bones was heard. "You're in the way." Itachi hissed and then sent Sasuke flying into the opposite wall.


I had never seen my hunter use his strength, but even so I knew he was powerful. He was only toying with Sasuke and yet the damage was remarkable. He turned his focus from Sasuke's slumped over form back to me. The fear of him that moment must have been very clear in my eyes because I saw his cold expression soften slightly showing a trace of him that I recognized. The shield of ice was back up once Sasuke came at him again. His eyes narrowed dangerously and then with a punch and a kick the younger Uchiha was flying back into the wall. In fear for Sasuke's safety I started to gather chakra.


"It's too soon....the difference is still too clear." I heard him mumble as he walked toward Sasuke.


"Ah-ah didn't you hear him? We wouldn't want any treachery." Itachi's partner sliced through my chakra to where I couldn't feel it.


I looked over at where Itachi was effortlessly beating Sasuke. The sight hurt to watch. I was torn between the feelings for my hunter and the feelings for my best friend. It was heart wrenching. He pushed Sasuke up on the wall and from what I could tell was speaking softly to him. It would look almost compassionate if it wasn't for the hand wrapped around my rival's neck. A loud, pain-filled scream filled the hallway.


"Stop it you bastard!"


Smoke puffed behind me and I turned and realized ero-sennin was there. His expression was grim his eyes slitted in anger. Quickly he bagan forming hand seals and summoned what looked like muscle to cover the hallway. Sasuke disappeared into the wall. Itachi turned, his eyes falling on Jiraiya in annoyance and then to me. Sadness swam in his eyes as his gaze locked with my defiant ones.


"Kisame let's go." He shifted softly on his feet and took off down the hall and around the corner his partner close behind.


Jiraiya ran off down the hall after them. For a minute I was stunned trying to take in all that I had seen. Oh god if Sasuke knew it would surely kill him if he didn't kill me first. An explosion startled me from my thoughts. I followed where Ero-sennin had run to see a big gaping hole in the wall.


"What are these black flames?"


I jumped when he yelled at me not to get too close. He took out a scroll and quickly began scribbling on it. His hands formed seals and then the flames disappeared into the scroll. After that he stomped his geta and released the jutsu. I ran over and caught my felled teammate shaking him. My heart was shattering inside of me while I looked at his pallid face. His eyes were so empty. The gods must have cursed me. The man I was in love with, no whom I loved with all my heart was the same man that killed his clan in cold blood, the same one who had scarred my closest companion, his own brother. I was lost.


A/N: I am exceedingly sorry for the lateness of this chapter. I have been without access to it for a while. Little longer as interest for my tardiness. As you can tell this is the chapter where things start to deviate from the Naruto story as set in the anime/manga. I got a nasty flame from some one about a chapter being boring because nothing happened. Their opinion has since been stricken from the record as it was not constructive crit. or anything of use. Might I remind whoever that was, that this story has a plot. It is not straight up porn. I suggest anyone who wants a pointless story to find something else to read, or maybe perhaps find the patience to sit and read this. I promise it'll be worth your while when the action actually does occur.

That said I want to thank all of my loverly readers on AFF, FFN, and LJ. Your commentary has really helped me through a rough time when I wanted nothing to do with life. Reading your responses helped me to realize that There were still things out there for me. I want to also thank my lovely beta Amai. These things would probably be a mess without her. <3