Growing together, growing apart

A/N: Boy x boy lemon ahead, so if this bothers you, I've put up a warning at the beginning and end of the section. For the rest of you, hope you enjoy!

By the way, I'm keeping up with the manga and my story will likely have spoilers as up to date as I can keep it with the manga. Hope this doesn't bother anyone.

Disclaimer: I can't believe we have to do this...No, I don't own the Naruto characters, but the original characters are obviously mine.

Thanks again to all the awesome reviewers for your feedback!

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Sasuke answered his door to find his blond friend standing there at the entrance to his home. It had only been a day since they had gotten each other off for the first time in Naruto's apartment, yet he was relieved to see his rival/best friend. Maybe it was because they were so unsure of what to do with this experience they shared and they needed to find out where this was going. He wasn't interested in prolonging matters and was glad Naruto decided to show up so they could come to an understanding.

"Hey" Naruto said, entering Sasuke's home.

"Hn" Sasuke turned to go to his kitchen. "Do you want some tea?"

"Yeah, thanks" Naruto toed off his sandals and followed the raven to watch him prepare the tea.

They stood in silence as the water began to boil, though it wasn't uncomfortable. Each was in his own thoughts trying to determine the best way to broach the subject of the passion they had shared together.

After the tea was prepared, they sat at the kitchen table to drink. After some moments, Sasuke put down his cup and stared into the green liquid. "We're still friends." It wasn't a question.

"Best friends" he heard the blond reply and he snapped his head up to see determined blue eyes staring right into his own.

A weight he hadn't even noticed was suddenly lifted from his chest. Then, almost immediately, it was returned. There was more that he wanted now, contact he craved. "Do you still want to...I mean, the last time we kissed it led to..." he trailed off, not knowing how to finish his question. Naruto cocked his head and looked at his best friend quizzically. Sasuke couldn't completely resist the blush adorning his cheeks and Naruto's eyes widened with surprise, then understanding.

"Oh." Tanned cheeks turned an interesting shade of pink, but that didn't stop Naruto from continuing to eye the raven. "Yeah..." he finally stated sounding a bit dazed. "I do"

They continued drinking their tea in silence, but a sense of both relief and anticipation was in the air.

Naruto helped Sasuke clean up in the kitchen when they had finished their refreshment. As he finished towel drying a teacup, he couldn't stop himself from teasing the other a bit. "Besides, I know how badly you want me to have you moaning again."

Now, he really should have been expecting it, but he was still startled when he found his back against a cabinet and Sharingan eyes blazing into his own. What he certainly didn't expect was the leg forced between his own and rubbing up against him, making him hiss in tense enjoyment.

"What were you saying usuratonkachi?" Sasuke smirked at the other's rising problem.

Lips crashed togther as they made their way throughout the Uchiha's apartment kissing each other as hands tightly gripped clothed torsos. Remembering the other day and Sasuke's reactions, Naruto's lips found their way back to the pale neck and started to nibble and lick. Above his head, onyx eyes rolled back and a moan escaped soft pink lips.

Sasuke's hand tangled into blond locks and forced Naruto's mouth away from his neck before he could leave a mark. Maintaining a firm grip, he took the opportunity to unzip Naruto's jacket and latch onto the tan neck exposed before him with teeth and tongue. While leaving a deep red mark that would fortunately be coverable by the high collar of the orange jacket, Sasuke felt Naruto's hands clutch his shoulders and his body arch into his own.

"Tch, even your moans are loud" he nipped on his friend's neck, right below an ear.

Not to be outdone, Naruto growled "Blow me bastard." The raven recognized the challenge for what it was and let his body do the thinking for him. He delved his tongue into the other's hot mouth and tongues fenced as he removed the jacket, sliding it down arms and torso, before throwing it to the floor.

---Lemon Approaching---

Still attached at the mouth, Sasuke led them to his bedroom. Naruto's hands made their way inside his shirt to explore his chest as Sasuke grabbed a firm ass and squeezed.

Naruto took in a swift breath, breaking their kiss. With no hesitation, he pulled off Sasuke's shirt just as the raven had done with his jacket. He traced kisses all over the chiseled chest displayed before him making his way to the nipple on the left. Pale hands clenched in his blond hair, holding his head in place to continue his actions on his friend's body.

Needing more, Sasuke finally pulled Naruto away long enough to quickly rip off the other's shirt, not missing the disgruntled expression on the whisker marked face at being pulled away. Mimicking Naruto's earlier activities, he licked and nipped his way across the lightly muscled, tanned body. Distracting the blond with these ministrations, he backed him towards the bed till orange covered legs made contact with the edge.

Stepping away slightly, Sasuke asked a silent question with his lust clouded dark eyes. Equally hazy cobalt provided a silent answer and Naruto's hands made their way to the button on his pants. The sound of the zipper being lowered snapped Sasuke out of his trance and he pushed Naruto back onto the bed who landed with an "oof".

The raven finished the job of removing the blond's pants, leaving him displayed on the bed wearing only his boxers. Taking in the sight of this attactive man who was offering himself to him, he quickly removed his own pants and then leaned over Naruto, kissing him thoroughly as their arms crossed, clutching each other.

Nipping lightly on Naruto's bottom lip, Sasuke then made his way slowly down the lean body, exploring with mouth and hands, revelling in the sensation of contact and the moans echoing in his ears. He wasn't so far gone that he didn't realize he was supplying almost as many moans as Naruto, but he wouldn't be bothered by that now.

For his part, Naruto just lay under the weight of Sasuke on his torso, his legs from his knees down hanging over the edge of the bed. He couldn't move, he didn't want to. He was too busy Feeling. Sasuke, his rival, best friend, his most frustrating, beautiful person was touching him, kissing him, licking him. 'Is this really happening?' The aching erection making his boxers tight made it quite clear that yes, this was real.

Falling to his knees on the floor between spread legs, Sasuke pulled Naruto towards him till the blond's hips were at the edge of the bed and his legs were spread even further. Hooking his fingers in the waistband of the green boxers with orange spirals, he pulled them down, careful of the erection that sprang free of its confines surrounded by golden curls. He felt his own hard on tighten at the sight.

Bringing his face closer, he was assaulted with the heady scent of the arousal. Taking a tentive lick at the head, he heard the high pitched "ahhh" from his soon-to-be lover. He continued to lick and kiss up and down the penis as his hands gripped tanned thighs, keeping the legs in place. Sasuke gained the initiative to take the swollen head in his mouth and suck lightly before trying to fit more. It was ackward and strange and he knew it'd take some getting used to. If the arching body lost in ecstasy in front of him was his reward, then he was certainly willing to learn to enjoy doing this.

His own ignored erection was starting to demand attention. Wondering how far he could go with this, he brought a hand under Naruto's rear and began to massage a firm globe of flesh. Naruto's moans increased and his hands began to clench in the bedsheets beneath him. He was so close he wasn't even aware of the finger carresing his anus until it tried to force it's way dryly in.

Hissing loudly, he raised his head and glared down at his friend who had removed his mouth from his cock. Sasuke looked so guilty and sheepish and even a little confused; he actually looked like a kid who had been caught trying to steal candy, but not sure why it hadn't worked.

Unaccountably amused by the imagery, given the situation, Naruto relaxed a bit, "I, um, think it has to be...slick."

Naruto knew how sex with a female worked, he had been traveling with Jiraiya after all. However, he knew this was going to be different and ero-sennin wasn't the type to talk much about homosexual acts.

Sasuke understood and began thinking of what he might have that would work...maybe the lotion he used during winter? He had a good idea of how sex worked as well; Orochimaru was a pervert in his own way, and so slimey. Fortunately, he merely found it amusing to creep Sasuke out with his lascivious innuendos, but never actually touched the Uchiha in that way.

When he saw Sasuke lost in thought, Naruto lifted himself onto his elbows and decided to be helpful "Well, since you got me all slicked up, get up here and spread your legs." He was a grinning mess, but still managed to look innocent though his eyebrows were wiggling suggestively.

About to make a sharp retort, Sasuke hesitated as a thought occurred to him. Smirking, he stood up and slowly pulled down his boxers, aware of Naruto eyeing his movements. As he approached the bed, Naruto scrambled to his knees in the middle of the large mattress staring at Sasuke who stalked on hands and knees towards him across the mattress.

When they were again facing each other on their knees, an arms length apart, Sasuke actually smiled a little and brought his hand to the back of Naruto's neck. "So, return the favor." He gently pulled the blond down, bending him at the waist till he was face to cock with Sasuke and his own ass was up in the air, facing away.

Surprised by the raven's gentleness, he decided to give it a try. Without much hesitation, he mirrored Sasuke's earlier actions, shy at first, but gaining confidence in the licks and sucks he bestowed on the member. He absently noted that Sasuke was about the same size as he was. He could never keep the rivalry between them entirely out of mind.

Above him, Sasuke nearly lost himself in the sensation of his first blow job, but not wanting to let the opportunity go to waste, he sucked on two of his fingers, moaning at both his and Naruto's actions. Once his fingers appeared wet enough, he reached across Naruto's back and slowly slipped a finger into the other. Faltering at the startled gasp felt around his cock, he began thrusting his finger in and out of the puckered hole as his hips started to thrust forward into Naruto's mouth.

Pulling back his mouth so he didn't choke, Naruto was heavily distracted by the sensations flowing up his spine. As a second finger entered him and began moving with the first, he couldn't stop his groans. It was odd, but somewhere in him, he couldn't help but crave it, being filled, wanting MORE.

Naruto didn't realize he had growled out that last word, but Sasuke heard him and removed his fingers. Flipping Naruto around so he was on hands and knees, ass facing Sasuke, he looked down at his saliva slicked cock and positioned himself behind the blond.

Neither had been thinking much up to this point. They were going on instinct and lust. They didn't stop to think if this was normal, or right, or what anyone would think. Their lives were hell and they had been alone for so long they fucking deserved this!

As the raven prepared to brutally plunge into the blond, he heard a hesitant "Sasuke?" He looked up to see Naruto's suddenly wide eyes, comprehension of what was happening dawning on them both. "Are we really doing this?" Naruto asked.

Gripping the tanned hips, he hissed "Yes" and moved forward, but the savagery he was feeling a moment before was gone. With a gentle, shallow thrust, both their virginities were gone. Naruto's eyes crossed at the welcomed intrusion and he hung his head as a low groan escaped his lips. Sasuke continued his thrusts, going a little deeper each time, his slow movements allowing Naruto's body to quickly accomodate to him until he could go no further.

"More" Naruto groaned again. Sasuke was happy to oblidge and hastened his pace, snapping his hips forward and back, eyes rolled back in bliss. The feelings were overwhelming, emotionally and physically, he was being encased, welcomed...complete. His groans, though not as loud as Naruto's, were audible, but he didn't care. In situations such as this, stoicism be damned!

He felt his release approaching quickly and was dimly aware of Naruto reaching beneath himself to stroke the neglected erection frantically as one long, continuous moan left his lips, building in intensity.

Naruto nearly screamed as his orgasm was wrenched from his body, tensing and releasing at once till he was face down in the bedsheets, spent. Sasuke barely lasted a moment longer and groaning loudly, he released his seed into his lover's body. Pulling out gently, he fell to his side, facing Naruto as he calmed his panting breaths.

While breathing deeply, he saw the jinchuuriki's shoulders start to shake and was worried that he had hurt him. It had been so good for him, he hated to think that it had been bad for the other. Lifting his upper body onto his elbow, he looked over Naruto's shoulder to see his face and was surprised to see him chuckling. Confused, he asked, "Naruto?"

Blue eyes met his own, looking completely sated and mirthful. "Damn Sasuke, you have GOT to try this."

He snorted, "I just did, usuratonkachi."

"No baka! You gotta let me top you next time!"

Sasuke was against the idea. He thought it would put him in the female position, to let Naruto take him and he would not be 'girly'. Not that he had anything against women overall, he just didn't want to be one. Though, the idea of bottoming wasn't completely distasteful, he just wasn't willing to admit it. Besides, topping was awesome, he couldn't imagine it feeling any better.

"As if I'd let you...and what makes you think there's going to be a next time?"

Naruto looked like he was getting pissed, until he suddenly comprehended what was going on. After all, he had had the same thoughts and doubts before he had accepted that he would bottom on their first time. That was until he felt the stunning sensation of being filled, completed...whole.

He turned his body to face Sasuke, catching him with a hand on his arm before Sasuke could turn away from him. "Seriously bastard, its amazing. Besides, its only fair that you let me top. This was between us, together, right?"

Naruto held his breath, a lot depended on the raven's response.

"Hn. We'll see."

It wasn't long before Sasuke found himself on his bed again with Naruto, only a few days later. This time he was on his back, arms and legs wrapped around the blond pounding him into the mattress. Naruto was right, it was amazing. Not better than being on top, but not worse either, just different...but still wonderful. He screamed his lover's name as he came on their stomachs and feeling Naruto release inside him with an almost animalistic growl.

---End of Lemon---

-----End of Dream-----

Sasuke woke with an aching arousal and irritated that they were still on this annoying mission. He secretly treasured his memories of the times he spent with Naruto, especially of their first time, but being in a place where he couldn't handle this uncomfortable physical reminder of his dream the way he would want to made him downright cranky.

His companions were starting to stir as the sun was rising. Not wanting anyone to notice his current 'problem', he got up and walked away from the camp and into the privacy of the trees. After taking some deep breaths and willing away his erection, he was able to relieve his bladder. After finishing his business, he started to make his way back to the camp, but stopped when he sensed a presense nearby.

The presense quickly disappeared and after a moment, Sasuke continued back.

Leaving the trees, he saw Naruto was awake and sitting with Sakura sharing breakfast. As he made his way to his bedding to pack it up, he heard Sakura call out a quiet, "Good morning, Sasuke-kun."

"Hn" he replied, but did nod his head in acknowledgement of both her greeting and her gesture to Naruto. He hoped that things would settle down now with Sakura. He appreciated her friendship when they were younger and had no intention of hurting her now, but he also had no intentions of being anything more that her teammate and friend and never had.

After he packed away his bedding into his bag, he sat on a nearby log to eat his own breakfast, allowing Naruto and Sakura time to spend together. He noted she seemed a little surprised by how quiet the blond was being while they sat together. Sasuke internally smiled. He understood a lot about Naruto now, especially that the blond was usually only a loudmouth idiot when he was trying to amuse people (he couldn't stand gloominess), or if he was unsure of himself. The years of training had given the jinchuuriki a confidence that was becoming noticeable. He could still be a baka, but he was less rash, and thought more about his actions. It was one of the things that made him attractive.

Sakura finished her breakfast and got up to leave, but noticed Naruto wrapping up the remains of his meal. "Aren't you going to finish?"

"Nah, I'm saving it for lunch." Naruto opened his pack to place the food inside. "What the..?"

Sakura was about to inquire, but saw that Naruto had pulled out a paper wrapped bundle that, when opened, revealed some rice balls and dried beef. Naruto looked confused and then his eyes turned to Sasuke, who didn't acknowledge that he was aware of anything beyond his own food.

Sakura looked from one to another realizing what Sasuke had done. Unaccountably jealous now that she had tried to do something nice for Naruto, and Sasuke had beat her to it, her lips thinned in mild irritation. Before she let herself backslide to her earlier anger with her teammates, she walked away to finish preparing to leave for the rest of their journey. She tried to focus on the fact that Naruto did appreciate what she had done and keep in mind her that she wanted to remain their friend.

Putting his food away and packing up the rest of his belongings, Naruto got up and passed by Sasuke on his way to the trees to answer Nature's call. "Thanks" he said as he passed.

Sasuke, again, didn't acknowledge anything but the meal he was finishing, but it wasn't necessary. Naruto knew that Sasuke was there for him.

As the party continued on their journey, Sasuke took the time to inform Kakashi of the presence he had sensed earlier. Nodding his head in understanding, the jounin looked over everyone.

Sakura and Naruto both seemed less distracted which was a relief. He had no worries about Sasuke being able to respond accordingly should another attack occur. Takamura and the others were sticking close to the wagon, which Kiri was riding in.

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This time, the attack came with little warning. They were just getting ready to stop for the afternoon break when a team of four shinobi came at them, one from each side, their hitai-ate proclaiming them as part of Iwagakure. Unlike the previous batch, these were obviously skilled fighters.

Each of the Konoha nin faced the attackers one on one while letting Takamura's guards be the last line of defense for the baggage wagon, Kiri, and Takamura. All four of the Iwa-nin appeared to be chunin or jounin level.

They all appeared evenly matched with their opponents. The fighters were led away from the wagon so the civilians wouldn't be caught in the crossfire. Naruto left 5 kage bushins behind to help defend there if needed before he lost sight of them as he moved further into the trees.

Creating more clones and hopping around the trees, he was able to confuse his opponent enough to come at him from behind with a Rasengan, which was avoided at the last second, and Naruto wasn't able to avoid the kunai to his heart. The Iwa-nin gave a nasty smile and pulled the kunai away, expecting a spray of blood, but was instead rewarded with a puff of smoke as the clone dispelled.

He was so annoyed with what he thought of as a childish trick, he didn't notice the second Rasengan coming straight at him through the smoke. He was able to dodge enough that the attack wasn't fatal, but was still struck with enough power that it threw his rotating body into a nearby tree. An instant later, a series of kicks and punches sent him into the air and then crashing into the ground, knocking him unconscious.

"Hmm, seems my Uzumaki Combo is working just fine. And those bastards say I need to work on taijutsu? Hmph!" Naruto growled out to himself as he lifted his senseless foe over his shoulder and made his way back to the others.

He found Sasuke standing near the wagon over two tied up bodies. Looking around, he noticed that Takamura's group looked really scared and his 4 clones looked a little harried. One apparently had been stabbed before it knew what hit it. Dispelling the rest, Naruto gained the knowledge that a fifth member of the Iwagakure shinobi had attempted to attack Takamura while the others had led the Konoha nin away. His clones had kept the attacker busy long enough for Sasuke to arrive, Sharingan blazing, and quickly incapacitated him after he had finished with his own opponent.

Naruto was always secretly impressed by just how strong his friend is, not that he would ever say it out loud. Though he believed he was just as powerful as the other, he was a little intimidated by how quickly Sasuke had handled both men, even if his bushin were doing their part as well. 'Why couldn't Jiraiya have taught me as much as Orochimaru obviously taught Sasuke?'

Placing his burden next to the others, he created two clones and sent them in the directions Kakashi and Sakura had gone as he took out some rope to truss up the guy before he regained consciousness.

Sasuke looked his lover over and was happy to see he was just fine; apparently the idiot could fight without getting himself bloody. He diverted his attention to Takamura, who was handing a shaking Kiri off to one of his men, Ando maybe?, Sasuke didn't really care. Takamura then made his way over to Sasuke and Naruto, looking over the attackers.

"You seem surprised this time." Sasuke pointed out to their client. During the last fight, Takamura had been worried, but not surprised, as if he was expecting the people who attacked then. This time, he seemed shocked, not recognizing their opponents.

Takamura didn't reply, just stared dumbfounded at the Iwa-nin. Fed up with not knowing what was going on, Naruto growled out "What the hell is going on?"

Their client finally acknowledged them and when he met their eyes, his face closed off, revealing nothing. "I don't know why these men attacked us, they're not from my town and the only ones interested in stopping me wouldn't be able to afford shinobi from a hidden village."

"Why would someone want to stop you from going home?" Naruto couldn't contain his curiousity.

Evading his answer, Takamura looked around before asking "Shouldn't you be worried about your teammates?"

"Kakashi-sensei finished his guy off a while ago and went to help Sakura-chan. They'll be here in a minute." Naruto had been so informed by his clone sent after Sakura. The one sent after Kakashi hadn't dispelled yet and Naruto figured it was brining in Kakashi's former opponent. He opened his mouth to continue questioning their client, but was stopped by Sasuke's hand on his shoulder.

"Enough for now. Lets wait till the others arrive, then we'll question these guys" poking his toe at one of the unconscious men "and find out why they attacked. You don't have any objection with that, do you?" Sasuke asked Takamura.

"Not at all, I'm also curious as to why they are here." The man answered, not batting an eyelash.

Grunting, Naruto walked away before he said something Sasuke would make him regret later.


TBC...