Slow dancing in a burning room

I'm back! So let's try this again...


Chapter 6

July 26th, 2009

“Grr! That old hentai!” growled the blond mind-transfer jutsu user.

“(sigh)…give it a rest, Ino-pig. He’s not coming back…” remembering herself and the little girl in their company, Sakura amended, “u-until later.” She smiled guiltily at the child who only shrugged in near indifference.

Sakura’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t the first time Jaraiya-sama has abandoned you, is it?”

The intelligent girl smirked, a smirk reminiscent of another raven-haired youth from long ago. “He would drive my chichiue crazy with worry. I was five when he did it the first time. Chichiue nearly killed him when he provided his reasoning for ‘allowing me a little freedom to explore the town’.”

“What excuse could he possibly come up with to justify his actions?” questioned Ten-ten. She was currently putting her clothes on, as well as the other girls.

“Hn,…something along the lines of me not being a normal five year old, capable of taking care of herself, and needing the freedom to indulge in everyday childhood activities,” came the somewhat amused reply.

“You must have been so scared, Haruhi-chan,” whispered Hinata concernedly.

“Well, no. I went shopping with the money I saved from working and bought a few gifts for my family.” The girls looked at her doubtfully. “Then I went home and helped Auntie-nami with dinner. She was very upset with Jaraiya-jiji.”

“And what kind of ‘work’ earns you money for shopping?” questioned Sakura, watching as Ten-ten moved to brush the girl’s long locks.

“Oh, just the stuff the academy students or genins might do; cleaning, planting, or helping at various stores in the shopping district. We take care of each other in my old village.”

“You are on a path to becoming a great ninja,” smiled Hinata.

“Yep. But more importantly- I’m hungry now.” The raven-haired girl pouted cutely causing the four women to smile indulgently.

“There. How’s that Haruhi-chan?” asked Ten-ten.

The little girl in the reflection was dressed in a deep blue summer kimono with gold koi fish decorating the cotton fabric. Her hair was pulled in a bun high on her head with a few tendrils framing her pale face.

“Arigato, Ten-ten-nee.”

“No problem. But I have to agree with you. I’m starving.”


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The sun was just beginning to set creating a hazy orange hue to the sky. The evening was a little quiet due to all the families heading to the comfort of their homes with dinner on their minds. After a short tour the group of girls stopped in the center of the street.

“So, what would you like to eat…” questioned Hinata.

“Korean barbeque,” interrupted Ino.

“…Haruhi-chan,” Hinata finished smoothly, ignoring the loud blonde.

“Umm…” the girl hesitated. She had almost blurted out ramen, but that embarrassing suggestion was covered by Ino’s cry. The girl was worried and missed her chichiue, though the afternoon with the girls was fun.

“Is something wrong?” Hinata asked before gasping at the large sky blue eyes filled with emotion before her.

The pale youth shook her head. “Barbeque sounds great.”

“Yes, and Choji’s not here to eat my share,” squealed the blonde.

“Ino-pig.”

“Korean barbeque it is.”

So the ladies turned back towards the restaurant, mouths practically watering at the smell as they got closer. The place was nearly packed but they got a large booth in the back. Haruhi sat between Ten-ten and Hinata while Ino and Sakura sat across from them. A server came to take their orders then swiftly left them to chatter.

“So, Haruhi-chan. This chichiue you speak so highly of…is he hot?” Ino said with obvious curiosity.

“Shameless,” said Sakura in a low voice.

The girl, sitting straight-backed with her hands folded in her lap, looked up at Ino suddenly serious with a raised eyebrow and asked, “Why do you want to know?”

Ino straightened, stuttering at the girl’s fierce look, “Umm, I-I…just curious.”

“Hn. Well, he’s taken.”

“O-okay.”

The other girls laughed at Ino who was beet red. Fortunately the waitress returned with their drinks and said she would return shortly with a platter of beef.

“Tell us about your dad and mom, Haruhi,” asked Ten-ten.

"I-I don't have a mom," replied the girl achieving apologetic looks from the women. “Umm, well my chichiue is strong and funny and tries his hardest at everything he does,” answered the girl starting out strong. “He’s kind of a dork, not to mention clumsy, but…he’s my best friend.” She whispered the last part as a wave of worry washed over her. “He always puts me first at the sacrifice of his own happiness.” Her eyes were brimming with tears while her fingers clenched her kimono.

“I’m sure that ‘sacrifice’ is not a word that comes to your father’s mind in reference to you,” said Hinata, placing an arm around softly trembling shoulders.

“It’s true. I’m not supposed to be here,” said the girl in a low voice.

“Hey, don’t take the blame for that. Blame your jiji.”

“No, I mean I wasn’t supposed to be born.”

“Oohhh….” came the collective reply.

At this moment, the waitress placed a large platter of meat and 2 bowls of sauce to accompany it. “Enjoy!”

“So, er…you mean, you’re like an…accident,” tried Ino for clarification.

“Ino!” reprimanded Sakura and Hinata. The child could only nod in confirmation.

“Haruhi, in all honesty, the majority of pregnancies are unplanned. But the importance of that situation is what brings a couple closer, creating a strong bond with each other and their child,” answered the resident med-nin wisely.

“Really?” asked the girl, looking up for the first time since the turn in conversation with unbridled hope in her eyes.

“Really,” smiled the pink-haired kunoichi.

The girl smiled back, but blushed, when her stomach chose that moment to voice its need.

“Hahahaha, let’s eat,” added Ten-ten.

“Itadakimasu!!”


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The pale avenger stood before the weary traveler, refusing to disregard this person as ‘weak’ or ‘insignificant’. His instincts were always right, but he just did not understand why his body was tense and poised for attack. ‘There’s something about him…’

Ebony eyes narrowed as the traveler made an effort to relax. He watched as the man braced himself and began pulling the cart, ignoring the interruption. He inspected the traveler again, as well as the cart. ‘Nothing. He was even unarmed,…or appeared to be. There’s nothing special about him.” His eyes followed the dirty sandaled feet as they trudged over the uneven path before taking in the old clothes. The tan hands were clenched on the wooden bar, but that was understandable. The load he was pulling did not appear to be light. ‘This is stupid,’ berated the Uchiha internally. He was about to turn away but caught the strange look on the traveler’s face. He was not looking at him, in fact, his brown eyes never once moved from some point further behind him. The Uchiha could have dismissed this as the traveler’s attempt to appear unimportant, not wanting to draw the attention of a potential robber. But his countenance spoke otherwise. It was too determined and almost pinched in the effort to leave and NOT act. ‘Huh?’ a black brow rose in challenge.
When the traveler drew up just next to him, a pale hand shot out faster than the traveler could see, grabbing a hold of his vest. Widened brown eyes directed its gaze to the still Uchiha.

“I-I d-don’t have any money…sorry,” came the low, almost desperate plea.

Dark eyes shifted slowly towards the trembling traveler. The tension polluting the air thickened confusing the Uchiha further. The tumultuous feeling compared to that of a storm inside.
‘Calm down, Sasuke. Breathe. Figure this out.’ The Uchiha took in the panic on the tan face of the traveler. His eyes were filled with fear and desperation. All Sasuke wanted to do was…was..

“Dobe…” He did not mean to say that name aloud. ‘Why now? Why him?’ But he quickly dispelled those thoughts due to the reaction of the traveler, who flinched in response. ‘As if he were used to or familiar with it.’ Dark eyes narrowed further causing the other man to tense once again.

Tan hands had yet to release the wooden bar for fear of provoking the Uchiha. The brown orbs never left the suspicious midnight eyes. When a pale hand slowly lifted, the traveler flinched involuntarily but did not stop the hand from coming closer. Nor did he stop the hand from pulling the straw hat off from the matted sweaty brown locks.

The avenger dropped the hat and proceeded to tug off the brown wig exposing blond hair. Elegant black brows furrowed in confusion.

“Contacts and waterproof concealer,” provided the exposed traveler with a note of false humor in his tone.

Dark eyes widened briefly before returning to the cold, expressionless look favored by the Uchiha. His frown lifted into a tightlipped expression.

“Yo, Sasuke-te-,” the blond went slack against the one arm still clenched in the shirt. Sasuke put the kunai back after hitting the Kyuubi-holder on the back of the head with it.

“Hn…usuratonkachi.”


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


The temperature had risen to downright unbearable, but the cooling mist from the glorious waterfall provided the duo some reprieve. The Uchiha was currently sitting on a rock by the water’s edge brooding. He was beyond pissed but he certainly had no right to be. He certainly had no claim to the dobe.

His mind was filled with questions causing a frenzy of emotions that he had not felt in years, to surface. Why did Naruto leave? Was it his fault? It couldn’t be. That time, many years ago when they last saw each other, was mutual. One fact was clear: Naruto left without permission unknown to anyone, even his precious friends. What about his dream of becoming Hokage? He could not very well achieve that goal as a missing nin. Or maybe that lie involving his training/hiding out with one of the legendary sannin was believed and excused. His dark eyes narrowed at the emotion evident on the face in the reflection of the cool water.

“S-sasuke…I’m so sorry…please…” came the somewhat muffled reply.

The whiskered youth was lying on the grass by the river’s edge just behind the Uchiha. He was still devoid of his hat and wig. The Kyuubi vessel twisted and turned on the ground as if caught in a nightmare.

“Nooo…don’t…”shouted the blond before sitting up, eyes wide in fear as he panted heavily. His hands, which were outstretched in front of him slowly returned to the soft grass. They were clenching the green blades while the ex-nin tried to regulate his breathing and clear his mind of the troubling nightmare. He spotted the motionless Uchiha sitting before him with his back facing him.

Emotions he had yet to suppress, filled him at the sight of his lover. The Uchiha crest was visible on the back of the crisp white shirt. His gaze traveled the area, taking in the secluded location before returning to the statue that is Sasuke.

Clearing his throat, the blond called softly, “Sasuke…”

The black-haired avenger turned his head slowly, glaring at the blond with his sharingan. His eyes narrowed when the fox vessel made a sound, something between a squeak and a groan. Furious red eyes met a shining ocean blue pair (the Uchiha was determined to face a recognizable Naruto). After a few minutes passed in silence Naruto snorted a laugh, shaking his head with a growing smile on his freshly washed whiskered face.

“I missed y--” his sentence was broken due to the pale hand around his throat. The Uchiha had moved so quickly, straddling the smaller man.

“Don’t you dare,” growled the Uchiha in a deathly low volume. A tan hand lifted to restrain the uncomfortable grip on his throat, but the Uchiha squeezed harder giving Naruto a look that said ‘don’t even think about it.’ The whiskered man spread his arms out to placate the pale avenger.

“Why?” came the simple question.

“Huh? I-I…(sigh).” Shining azure eyes directed a serious gaze to the sharingan eyes of his ex-teammate.

Taking in a deep breath, as was allowable, he answered, “I did it to protect my precious people. To stay would mean death. I-I had to leave.” Determination colored his words showing the honesty within. Naruto could feel the grip on his neck loosen before being removed altogether. The Uchiha sat back staring at his hands before looking at Naruto. The blond smiled and raised a hand to his rival’s cheek, pausing when the other flinched away. Callused hands cupped the stoic face, thumbs caressing the ivory skin reassuredly. Naruto slowly leaned forward not wanting to scare the older ninja. His cerulean eyes seemed to ask for permission to proceed further. The raven-haired teen moved back a bit to lightly glare at the grinning fool before him.

The blond inched closer intent on touching the Uchiha’s lips with his own. When the raven-haired man glanced at his own lips, Naruto closed his eyes as well as the distance between them. It was slow and hesitant, but the Uchiha eventually gave in, kissing the blond back earnestly. They kissed for a while, losing track of time before separating. Sasuke leaned his forehead against Naruto’s trying to catch his breath.

“I can’t believe its really you.”

Naruto did not understand the tone from the Uchiha. It sounded hopeless…no, doubtful. He could detect all the pain and loss from the years of separation. His breath hitched as he tried to stifle the blossoming hope that Sasuke felt just as deeply for him as he did. Naruto was always honest with his daughter. She knew that when it came to her father, her otousan, that she came from a union of love; a love and a bond that Naruto could not see himself forming with anyone else as long as he lived.

It was hard to explain. The bond that drew them together. No words could describe, or if they did, they were in contradiction to each other. More words of hate have been shared between the couple than love. Love. Naruto may have acknowledge that he was in love with Sasuke but he had never let him know that in so many words. Action took precedence over words. They always seemed to know what the other wanted to communicate. To be honest, Naruto was not entirely sure of the Uchiha’s feelings. His picture practically followed the definition of stoicism in the Webster dictionary. Naruto could have been just a decent lay in Sasuke’s opinion. But as said avenger pulled away and directed his dark eyes to Naruto’s doubtful blue pair, that small feeling of hope began to flare and grow.

“Sasu-” he whispered, but faltered at the emotions present in his lover’s eyes. Those blue orbs watched cautiously as the Uchiha straightened and slowly removed his sword, Kusanagi, from his belt. He gently laid the sword on the soft grass to his right. When Naruto sighed in relief and returned his gaze to the Uchiha, guilt filled his being at the single arched brow on his lover’s face.

“I’m sorry, Sasuke. I don’t…” Naruto sat up intending to apologize but forgot the rest of his sentence when his rival, who never moved his gaze from Naruto’s face, removed his white top.

“Dobe,” came the husky voice.

“Wha-?” The fox vessel closed his gaping mouth and returned his gaze from the newly revealed torso to the Uchiha’s smirking face. “Shaddup, teme,” retorted the blond turning his head away.

The whiskered man refused to look until he felt the unmistakable feel of cool fingers touching his skin at the hemline before slipping up a taut abdomen. Cobalt eyes warily eyed the pale hand as it glided over his quivering form.

“S-sasuke…wait,” pleaded the blond.

Fire seemed to blaze in the intense dark eyes. The Uchiha moved to lay fully on Naruto, forearms planted on either side of his head. He lowered his head to close the distance leaving a few inches between them, waiting somewhat impatiently.

“Tell me…please. I-I need to know.” Desperation coated his words. “What am I to you?”

Midnight black eyes widened at the question. The Uchiha tried to move away, but Naruto grabbed him by the forearms.

Sighing heavily, the Uchiha resignedly replied, “I don’t know.”

“You…don’t know,” parroted Naruto dumbfounded. The fox vessel snorted disbelievingly and released his hold on his ex-teammate. The Uchiha had unknowingly broken his heart with that simple answer. He seemed to be pondering the question looking at a particular point of the plain peasant clothes of the blond.

The whiskered vessel hopelessly looked at the Uchiha, whose eyes where hidden behind a curtain of ebony locks. ‘I still love you.’ Tears threatened to form and Naruto closed his eyes, mentally resigning himself to the situation. An image of their daughter formed in his mind. She would be waiting for him. She was all he needed. She came first. Strengthening his resolve and sealing away his feelings for his once-lover, hardened blue eyes looked at the Uchiha once more, preparing to let him go, to say goodbye.

“I don’t understand any of this,” came a quiet reluctant voice. “I just know that I can’t let you go- that I need you.” Throughout this confession the Uchiha had yet to look up at Naruto. When he did he saw an emotionless mask and cold, distant blue eyes. Frustrated at his inability to make Naruto understand, the Uchiha leaned closer and continued in a low tone, “You are mine…and I am yours.”

Something flickered in those emotionless eyes. “I’m not some object that you can brand with your family crest and put a claim to.”

“I know that,” snapped the Uchiha, “you’re…kami, you’re so much more than that. With the exception of my family, no one has ever meant as much to me as you do.”

Naruto released a shaky breath attempting to smile at the ninja before him.

“Okay,” replied the kyuubi-container distractedly nodding to himself as if coming to a decision.

“O-okay,” repeated the Uchiha, unsure of his partner’s meaning.

“I can live with that.” His grin grew at the confused Uchiha’s face.

“Did I miss something?”

“Oh, nah. I was ready to give you up, but you’ve changed my mind,” answered the blond nonchalantly.

“Oh really.”

“Yep. Anyways, I’m on a tight schedule. People are expecting me. So are we going to do this or what?” teased the young man.

An elegant brow rose at Naruto’s tone, jaw set in a stern pose. Black-as-midnight eyes cooled the brewing fire immediately. “Hn.” Leaning his head so close that their lips touched, the Uchiha husked, “Well, then I better hurry. Wouldn’t want you to be late for your appointment.” His breath warmed the pink lips of his lover. His words teasing those sensitive lips as his husky tone brought a shiver up his spine.

Naruto impatiently kissed him, arms wrapping around the Uchiha. His hands explored the avenger, reacquainting himself once more. Something akin to a growl escaped the Uchiha’s throat when Naruto grabbed his ass and pulled his slim hips into his own grinding ones.

Sasuke opened his eyes glimpsing his preoccupied lover, and gave in for a few moments before giving a quick bite to a clothed shoulder. He meant for Naruto to stop but the whiskered youth only moaned at the bite and moved his hips faster.

“Uhh…d-dobe.” He had to grab each wrist and hold it above the panting blond’s head to gain his attention.

“Why did you sst-”

The Uchiha interrupted by grabbing the blond’s shirt and pulling it up and over the uncooperative jinchuuriki. He quickly shifted to remove the distracting pants and boxers leaving his mate bare for his eyes to study and admire.

Catching on, the blond began furiously pulling at the purple belt tossing it aside, before tugging at the black trousers. Cobalt eyes poured over every inch of his pale, toned lover. He was at a loss for words as he raised a shaky hand to rest on the ivory skin, right over the furiously beating heart.

Their eyes met to communicate wordlessly their mirroring emotions of love and devotion. When they came together harshly, teeth clinked as tongues ravished every possible space in each other’s warm mouths. Their passion grew to that unnamable, indefinable place forged from the unlikeliest of bonds as they easily succumbed to a familiar routine.


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


“Aahhh, man that was good,” replied Ten-ten rubbing her stomach with a satisfied look on her face. “Training with Neji sure does build up an appetite, ne Sakura-chan.” At Sakura’s furiously embarrassed face she added a quick farewell and left.

Ino quickly stifled her laughter when Sakura’s attention turned to her. “Oh, well, look at the time, gotta run and check up on the flower shop.”

Hinata looked at Haruhi apologetically, but the girl only smiled.

“Thank you both for the dinner. It was delicious. I’ll have to take my chichiue there sometime.”

“Anytime Haruh-…” at this moment a certain frog sannin made an appearance. “And where have you been ero-sennin?”

“I did not want to impede on Haruhi-chan’s female bonding time. (sigh) she doesn’t have any strong female role models in her life (patting the child’s head delicately), so I knew I had to step back and …”

“Liar,” came the collective interruption.

At the disapproving looks he received he decided now was a good time to quit while ahead. “Umm, Haruhi-chan, why don’t we go back to the inn to wait for your father.”

“Hai.” The girl bowed and thanked them again before following her jiji down the street. When they were out of earshot she asked, “Did you get a lot of fruitful feedback for your research?” She smirked at his reaction.

“Now Haruhi-chan, let’s keep that between us. You know how your chichiue gets.”

“Hahaha, hai, hai.”

The duo made their way into the quiet inn in companiable silence. Haruhi looked out at the twilight night as the hermit fished in his pockets for their room key.

“Ah, here we go. After you.”

The raven haired girl tore her gaze from the beautiful night sky and entered the room.

“I was beginning to wonder what was keeping you two,” a pleased voice echoed from a corner of the dark room.
Light filled the room and Haruhi ran to her chichiue, crashing into his arms.

“You took too long,” accused the girl with worried blue eyes.

“Gomen, gomen. You have a lot of stuff, Haruhi-chan.” Naruto kissed her hair before tightening his hold on her small form, smiling when he caught her pouting.

“Naruto, remember we have to go to Tsunade-hime first thing upon you entering the village.”

“(sigh) right,” answered the tired fox vessel, releasing his daughter and running a hand on his face and through his blond locks shaking a bit of debris off.

“Haruhi-chan, are you ready to meet baa-chan?”

The girl nodded and then looked seriously at her father, “but not before you shower. You smell like you’ve been rolling in the forest.” She wrinkled her nose to prove her point as she took in the state of her father and his disheveled clothes.

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Hope this was okay for now. I have to get back into the swing of things. Drop a review and let me know what you think.