A.N.  First off, Sorry for the lateness of this. I was sent back upstairs and started doing my real job again and had just enough time to fall into bed at night and sleep. Then the first weekend was drill weekend (meaning I worked straight through) then the next was my friends wedding, then my boyfriend came out to visit. Sorry but I am back and You guys are amazing. ^-^ you broke 130 reviews! *huggles* and I saw reviews from some of my favorite authors as well. It made me smile and well, it just gave me an ego boost to finish this. Sadly the chapter took longer than expected.

Anyway, on with the chapter!

 

Kyuubi the Bitch

 

Naruto

 

Chapter Four: Promises, Problems, and Awkward Feelings

 

            Naruto’s chest exploded. It hurt in a way that Naruto could not describe nor put into words. His chest was tight, and the skin stung and was heated. Naruto felt his head throb as red rippled over his vision.  His hearing became muffled, and Naruto found it mildly concerning that he couldn’t feel the hand he’d clenched around Sasuke’s wrist.

            He could remember the feel of the cloth under his palm when he’d first moved to save himself, and the strength behind the attack. Sasuke was not holding back, not in the least, and he was dead serious. Sasuke was meaning to kill him, and it was painfully obvious that he intended to do so.

            The tension in his chest made him shudder, and Naruto felt his body tighten as he coughed, more blinding pain and panic rushing through him at the thick glide of rust that escaped into his mouth and slid through his teeth.

            Sasuke… Sasuke just…  Naruto felt his heart ache in disbelief at the volatile grin that marred the face before him. It didn’t belong there, just as the words and disturbing laughter seemed out of place. This isn’t Sasuke… Sasuke would never… I’m his friend, Sasuke wouldn’t… he wouldn’t… Naruto wanted to cry. He wanted to scream and beat the ever living hell out of that grinning face until Sasuke was in as much pain as he currently felt, but the agony that was becoming a blurry numb as heat escaped and slowed everything down, made him drowsy.

            Naruto’s vision was growing hazy and was blacking out completely when he felt Sasuke jerk his arm back and out from inside his chest. There was a buzzing sound, and Naruto was having trouble distinguishing whether or not it was in his head—in other words Kyuubi—outside—Sasuke—or if his eardrums had taken that moment to pop. Naruto found he couldn’t bring himself to care as the burn receded farther and darkness took over consuming Sasuke’s suddenly shocked face in shadows.

            ~… That stupid, worthless bag of filth!~ Kyuubi’s voice rang startlingly clear in the darkness and Naruto rolled, trying to face the demon, but everything was wrapped in a warm cotton and he could see nothing but the deepest abyss.

            Kyuubi?

            ~Fucking taking what is by right mine! I’ll kill the foolish mate of this bag of flesh! If you won’t show him who owns him than I will!~ Kyuubi’s threat left him feeling cold even as downy fur wrapped him up in caring arms. Did Kyuubi just cradle him in her tails? The thought made Naruto feel queasy with unease and he shuddered.

            No… Don’t hurt him… it isn’t his… fault… Naruto knew that without a doubt but how he knew, or what it was that was making Sasuke so crazy he was clueless on.

            Kyuubi laughed, the sound was bitter and resentful. Naruto was aware that he was no longer in control of his body and that he seemed to be floating in warmth, trapped in the many tails that soothed and kept him in darkness. ~Not his fault? I could care less about his curse nor the stigma it places on his pathetic mind. If he cannot protect his mate than he is unworthy of life. And what would I care for his continued existence?~

            Naruto struggled against the darkness and the suffocating heat of fur. He wanted to sleep, but if he let himself go, he was certain beyond a doubt that Kyuubi would kill Sasuke, and Naruto didn’t want that. That was worse than watching him run away to the snake bastard.

So much worse.

            No! Don’t hurt him… he’s mine… don’t… it’ll kill… me…

            The warmth of joy seeped through his spirit and made him feel sick at the turbulent emotion of such satisfying pleasure, and yet that sensation was darker than his surroundings and bafflingly it left him chilled to the bone.

            There was a smile and purr to the words when Kyuubi responded, and Naruto felt every nerve fire in terror.

            ~I know.~

Naruto threw himself back into consciousness, and his world was consumed by pain.

            “NO!”

Fire.

Pain.

The blurred outline of Sasuke over him.

            And Naruto couldn’t understand it.

Naruto couldn’t understand why.

Why there was so much blood, if Sasuke wasn’t hurt.

 

-3-

 

            “No!” Naruto jerked awake, his hands fisted in the warmed hospital sheets, body wrapped in gauze. Naruto blinked, more than a little startled at the stark whiteness that greeted him.

            Was it all… a dream? Naruto didn’t bother focusing on the room as his body told him of its aches and the silence of his mind made him well aware of Kyuubi’s exhaustion. No… it happened. Slowly, Naruto ran through the fuzzy mess of his memories, brow furrowing with concentration. I woke up heard Baa-chan and Shikamaru talking… I left and then… Naruto tensed, his chest throbbing painfully and he lifted a hand to touch the place where Sasuke had ripped through him and jerked when there was a sharp bite of metal and cloth against his palm.

            For several moments Naruto simply stared across the room at the second bed where the disheveled sheets and wrinkled pillows let him know he now had a roommate—somewhere—as his mind tried to deny what his heart feared.

            The gauze over his forehead made him want to believe it was his own hitai-ate he gripped in his hand, removed so that they could wrap his forehead, but when he rubbed his thumb over the steal plate he could clearly feel the deep groove that marred the symbol of a Konoha ninja. His hitai-ate didn’t have that, he would know, he’d spent so many years pining after that thing, and asking Iruka hundreds of times to borrow it, that he had every scuff mark and scrap memorized.

This mark he did not recognize.

            Maybe… maybe Sasuke gave it to me… when we fought… maybe… Naruto felt the hot sting of tears in his eyes when he slowly glanced down and bit his lip harshly to keep the whimper in check when the scuff marks he knew so well did not meet his gaze.

            This was not his hitai-ate.

It was Sasuke’s.

            Naruto’s chest grew impossibly tight with the realization and meaning behind that simple truth. Sasuke had left, completely, and Naruto was alone again. A weak sound escaped his throat when he tried to speak and Naruto growled a little to try and cover it.

            “-od damned… bastard…” Naruto choked out, curling tighter on his side and shaking from the pain, rage, and sadness that consumed him. “Well fine, just go you ass… see if I care. Go on, run to that transvestite, snake-loving, dick… I hope you get ass-raped, you stupid bastard!” Naruto hissed, blinking away the blurriness and trying hard to ignore the moisture that escaped with it. He’d hoped the bitter words would ease some of the pressure but it did little but make him more angry. I really am pathetic, couldn’t even stop Sasuke from leaving… and just wound up back here in the hos—

            “…Dobe, you better thank god that the Hokage forbid me from hitting you.” The voice was unexpected and made him tense, his heart fluttering to a sudden halt in his chest.

            That was Sasuke’s voice.

            Naruto rolled over onto his back, neck craning around to try and see the other boy. The trickle of liquid on his temple didn’t even register when the dark hair and pale face came into view, and quickly following that, the dark eyes that made Naruto strive so hard.

            “Because, personally I think you’re already so retarded, a few extra hits to the head wouldn’t harm much.” Sasuke continued, his petulant scowl on his face and it pulled his lips down into a mock frown, but the malice from before was missing, and Naruto felt himself shudder harshly in relief.

            Sasuke… Sasuke’s here. He’s still… thank you god…Naruto closed his eyes but quickly opened them in irrational fear that the raven might just vanish completely if he took his eyes off of him for too long.

            Sasuke gave him an odd look, lifting one eyebrow while his lips quirked into a puzzled expression. It was as if the last twenty-four hours had never even happened.

            In fact, if it wasn’t for that odd shadow to Sasuke’s eyes—like he was nervous, scared, or even emotionally raw—Naruto could have believed it had all been a nightmare; just a part of Itachi’s genjutsu.

            But the gauze around Sasuke’s neck and the cuts and bruises marring his white skin belayed all hopes of that. Naruto bit his lower lip. That shadow was really starting to annoy him.

            “Dobe? You still conscious, or have you figured out how to sleep with your eyes open?” Sasuke deadpanned, tilting his head allowing the sunlight from the window to reflect off of the hitai-ate on his forehead.

A very familiar hitai-ate.

“Teme, of course I’m conscious—“ Naruto snapped back more out of reflex than actual bite, and shoved Sasuke lightly—not wanting to hurt the other boy more than he obviously already had. That, and if he was completely honest with himself, he didn’t want Sasuke to leave. In fact he actually wanted to hug the jerk, but his masculinity just couldn’t handle it, hence the shove— and broke off when his brain finally caught up with what he was seeing when the beaten piece of metal reflected his image back in a very memorably distorted way, “Hey! The fuck are you doing with my hitai-ate?!” Naruto cried, sitting up and grabbing at the hospital gown that Sasuke was wearing and pulling Sasuke closer to himself.

            Sasuke rolled his eyes sighing as he lifted his own hand to bat Naruto’s grip away. This of course started a mild struggle, which ended with Sasuke pinning Naruto to the bed, glaring down at him after enduring some more colorful adjectives attached to his name.

            “You freaking kleptomaniac! Give it—“

            “I swapped with you, dumbass.”

            “Why?! Mine was perfectly fine! Give it back!” Naruto yelled struggling against the hold Sasuke had.

            Damn him for being so much stronger than he currently was. Naruto swore that as soon as he was back up to speed he was going to push Sasuke into the mud and hold him there until he screamed uncle. And if he was lucky maybe Sasuke would have a few close encounters with some leeches.

            “….its…” Sasuke stumbled over his own words and it brought Naruto’s attention around and away from the pleasing image of a polka-dotted Sasuke, to the baffling—and slightly horrifying—image of a blushing Sasuke.

            Naruto blinked, certain that the red that crawled up that neck, infused the ears and dusted those high cheekbones must have been a figment of his imagination, just as Sasuke was not turning away in embarrassment, and Naruto’s stomach was not doing flip-flops because Sasuke looked almost… cute.

            Naruto cringed, blaming his insanity on the lingering hormones his monthly problem created, and looked up just in time to see Sasuke bite his lip as he continued.

            “It’s a fucking promise, okay?”

            Holy shit… Sasuke’s acting… human. Damn, I must have kicked the shit out of him if I managed to dislodge the dying elephant in his ass. Naruto felt himself smile a little.

            “A promise?”

            He was expecting a lot of things. To get snapped at, choked, insulted, and or ignored being up near the top, and wasn’t certain how to react when Sasuke just met his gaze, his deep black eyes looking downright remorseful and sad.

            There was so much emotion in the one look that Naruto found it hard to even breath, and then, Sasuke was hugging him.

            Okay, ‘hugging’ was perhaps too strong of a word, seeing as both arms were not around his body, and he was in no way being cuddled, but Naruto couldn’t call it a pin either. It was more like an embrace, or a hold. Something between a hug and a pin.

Something soft, but strong, soothing, but exciting.

            Naruto tensed up and felt his lower eyelid start to twitch. Sasuke’s been abducted by aliens and been replaced with a pod baby! Naruto mentally screeched recalling Kiba’s horror stories and the one movie he’d been able to get into see. Help, he’s going to eat my brains!

            “A promise to get stronger.” Sasuke continued, and the emotionless quality to it stalled Naruto’s irrational panic, the words ringing clear in his mind. “I’ll get stronger, strong enough to defeat Itachi, and you… you make it to Hokage. Its our promise.”

            Sasuke wasn’t moving much, but Naruto could feel the light tremor in Sasuke’s form from the awkward contact they held and relaxed suddenly understanding.

Sasuke had been scared.

            Naruto breathed out slowly, lifting the hand that held the scoured hitai-ate up to his face and looking at it from over Sasuke’s shoulder. Naruto could understand that feeling well. He’d been beyond terrified when he’d thought he’d lost Sasuke, and if his memory served him right—in its broken, disjointed, and blurred chaos—Sasuke had been just as frightened, if not more so after the affects of those black markings had worn off, as he had.

            Naruto turned his head slightly to the side, allowing his temple to tap Sasuke’s, reciprocating the odd contact as he nodded. “Right. Our promise to help each other get there.”

            To be each other’s strength. Naruto thought quietly feeling a bit weird and not daring to voice such a silly statement aloud.

            Naruto could feel the smirk that pulled up Sasuke’s features and couldn’t contain his smile nor the slight jab. “Just admit it, you want the headband so that you can wave it around after I make Hokage and boast on how it used to be mine.”

            Sasuke snorted. “Usuratonkatchi.”

            It felt good to laugh, if a little unreal, but Naruto assumed it was because of the chaos that had happened in just two days. Regardless, it felt nice to have things back, and to know for the moment, his world was safe.

"Well, as much as I hate to interrupt this..." Tsunade's rough voice paused, and it was clear she was searching for the best description in which to describe the two of them. Naruto felt his face instantly heat up, though he really didn't know why, as panic seized him.

            “G—get offa me, bastard!" His squirming did little to dislodge the raven who seemed a little too comfortable atop of him. Why the hell wasn't Sasuke moving? Or embarrassed for that matter, the ass had been blushing, there was no way that Naruto would have made that up—much too scary—but now the Uchiha was just resting there, calm and collected staring blankly up at the Hokage.

            Am I overreacting? Blue eyes blinked, darting between Tsunade and Sasuke. He had the distinct impression that something was being communicated between the two of them but what was baffling, even with his female hormones. I mean, its not like we're doing anything... Baa-chan didn't walk in on anything...

His cheeks grew hotter.

            "... well, whatever this is.” Tsunade hid her smile behind her hand, before her gold eyes turned somber and her gaze focused onto the Uchiha. Something in her gaze unsettled Naruto but he wasn’t sure what it was. “Sasuke, I'm glad to see your concern for Naruto, but you have a perfectly good bed, try using it." Tsunade turned and grabbed a chair, sitting in it with a sigh.

She looked tired, and Naruto felt a little guilty knowing that it was most likely because of him. What she must have felt finding him missing then dealing with his injured, unconscious state all over again. Naruto bit his lip in remorse and then felt Sasuke shift against him.

            The puff of moist air against his neck and cheek caused a sharp tremor to pass down his spine as his skin prickled with sensitivity. Naruto's breath hitched in his chest, like some painful ball and he couldn't look away from the speckled ceiling above him. It was the most confusing feeling he'd ever had, and Naruto was at a loss as to how he should react.

            Luckily, Sasuke reacted for him and pushed up, his hands making the mattress dip by the sides of his head and Naruto's heart made a weird flop when the pressure of tangled fingers registered in his mind.

Sasuke was holding one of his hands.

 What the hell did that mean?

Naruto breathed out and sucked in a new breath when deep, coal-colored eyes locked with his own. There was something intense about those eyes, something that hadn't been there before, and like that raw look that lingered in those eyes, it bother Naruto, and made him squirm.

            Just like that, Sasuke pulled back and away completely, sitting up against the wall and pulled one knee to his chest with the standard, "Hn."

            Naruto blinked, sitting up himself, wondering if the whole episode had all been in his own mind, but the lingering tingle on his neck—that seemed to burrow into his skin and muscle—was undeniable truth that it had. Wha... wha... wha...

            "I was concerned." Sasuke added, and Naruto started to believe that his Pod Baby theory had been correct.

Sasuke explaining himself in detail without provocation?

That was just unheard of and down right scary. Not to mention that the bastard had then chosen to lie down beside him in his  bed for go knows how long. Naruto made a face, realizing that Sasuke had indeed taken up residency between himself and the wall—not unlike the way they slept at Sasuke’s house—and didn’t seem to be moving anytime soon.

            "Of course."

            For some reason, it seemed as thought Tsunade baa-chan didn't believe Sasuke's words, and from the blank stare Sasuke returned, he knew she knew and simply didn't care.

Naruto had had enough.

            "What the hell is going on?"

            Naruto's question brought both of their attention to him, both seeming confused by his sudden and blunt question.

            "What do you mean, Brat?"

            Naruto looked at Tsunade for a whole minute before pointing at Sasuke. "What's wrong with him, he's acting weird and you know it. Just tell me, he's an alien right? Like, he's been swapped, right?"

            The fist connecting with his head made him bite his tongue and Naruto cried out lifting his hands to cover his cranium while his wounded tongue lulled out.

            "Wa da ell, fasuge?!" Naruto cried out, glaring out of the corner of his eyes. The stern glower was a relief and Naruto relaxed at the guarded look in those eyes he'd come to rely on so much.

            "Hn. Usuratonkachi."

            "... never mind. Its still him." Naruto pouted, though his lips wouldn't stop curling up. Sasuke rolled his eyes then turned back to the blond woman who had been silently watching over their interaction with an unreadable expression.

            She seemed lost in thought, and somehow sad. It was eerily familiar to the expression she’d worn the first time he’d met her. He didn’t like that look one bit.

            "Baa-chan?"

            "Hmm?" She met his look, startled, before she forced a reassuring smile, patting his head. "Its nothing to be concerned with, brat, I was just thinking."

Naruto didn't believe her, but kept quite nonetheless.

            "Anyway, I came to check on you," She paused to meet Naruto's eyes, "You're surprisingly well considering that according to Sasuke, you were virtually pealed."

            "I was... what?" Naruto asked, his stomach flopping queasily. Is that what happened?! Naruto scanned himself finding nothing but smooth skin and Tsunade seemed to read his confusion on his face as she continued.

            "Good thing your little problem is as helpful as it is a hindrance." She shot a look at Sasuke but neither said a word about it. "I also came to get Sasuke."

            "Sasuke?" Naruto had a bad feeling about the way that that sounded, and without thinking reached out and grabbed the hem of Sasuke's shirt, fisting it tightly. "Why?"

            "Naruto..."

            The foreboding feeling grew stronger at the Hokage's use of his name, and he narrowed his eyes. "Its about his punishment, isn't it?"

            The silence was oppressive and Naruto glared down at the bed sheets. "... He came back right? No one died... right?" The last question wasn't as certain as the first and he glanced at the Godaime and was granted a stiff nod of her head in answer. Naruto released a breath he hadn't been aware of holding. "...then, why..."

            "Naruto." Her voice was hard. "You know as well as I do that this cannot go overlooked."

            "But, it wasn't his fault it was his black, inky, neck tattoo thing!" Naruto complained, knowing well that she was right, yet fearful of what might be done to his friend.

His family.

            "Naruto... Orochimaru's curse seal has been taken into account, as have Sasuke's previous statements, but still, he has to serve his punishment."

            "To the council? What do they want? A whole army of Uchiha babies?” Naruto sneered, well aware of how the old man and woman thought. He may not know them well, only having met them once, but the fact that they had been the one’s pushing for his execution at birth was enough of a reason for him to hate them. “Having a demon on hand isn’t enough, huh? They had to find some way to control their beloved secret weapon. How long do they plan to hide behind the stigma’s the clan’s with the bloodline limits possess, and punishing those with them when they can’t be controlled?!” His growl got louder till he was practically screaming the last bit, body shaking in rage. Would Sasuke now be their puppet as well? All because he didn’t let him go?

Because he’d dragged him back?

 “Why don't they take responsibility for not taking care of that snake-shit when they could ha--"

            The slap was expected, but the person who delivered it was not. "S... Sasuke?" Naruto asked, cradling his cheek in shock that:

A: Sasuke had slapped him.

B: Sasuke had slapped him

and

C: What kind of guy slaps another guy?

            "You act like a child, you get disciplined like one." Sasuke explained when Naruto's jaw unhinged. “… and you’re butt is being used so…” Sasuke gave a casual shrug like hitting him and talking about his butt were usual occurrences.

            Naruto just gaped.

Did Sasuke just threaten to spank him?

            "I don't need you to fight my battles for me, and you should know the Hokage isn't just a puppet of the council. My punishment is expected and I will serve my time, regardless of the situation. It was my fault for letting the curse take control, and I will face the consequences of that." Sasuke turned to face Naruto at the end of his speech, and that funny look was back, but Naruto couldn't really dwell on that.

            Tsunade seemed to join Naruto in his shock at how much Sasuke had said, and the fact that he had defended the Hokage as well. Uchiha’s defended no one—unless they were on a mission or being picked on by dog-breathed idiots—and they never explained themselves. Ever.

Sasuke had just done so twice, in the span of five minutes.

            Naruto met Tsunade’s eyes and calmly stated the obvious. “I told you, pod baby.”

            Now Tsunade was giving him the weird look.

            “What?”

            Tsunade shook her head and chose to ignore Naruto’s last statement. The blond wasn’t sure if he felt insulted or not at her abrupt dismissal, but quickly forgot the issue as the topic once again resumed its depressing course.

            “Sasuke, I believe it would be best if we discussed this in private.”

            The Uchiha glare stayed in place and gained a frosty edge. The silence was comforting and Naruto tensed by his side.

            “I’m his teammate, I brought him back,” Tsunade gave him a critical look that he ignored, “…so I deserve to know what’s going to happen.”

            The Godaime heaved a sigh and pressed her fingertips to her forehead just above the crest of her nose; a clear sign she was unimpressed with their sudden camaraderie, before continuing in a strained voice. “Be that as it may, it still is not usual protocol to discuss such things in front of one’s team—“

            “Oh, and my having ovaries and a monthly problem was?”

            Golden eyes bore into his own and Naruto’s heart did a little flop, reminded of his first lesson with the blond woman. His head was already damaged enough as it was, and her ‘finger-flicking’ punishments were not something he wanted to partake in again. Still, he had a very valid point and he’d be damned if she would simply ignore the fact that she broke protocol all the time.

            “Hokage.” Sasuke’s voice was back to being quiet and commanding while at the same time retaining respect. Naruto had always wondered how it was that Sasuke managed to pull that off, and most times it annoyed him, but in this instance he was grateful to it as Tsunade’s attention shifted to the raven-haired boy.

            They shared another long, silent, look.

            “Fine, since you’re both so adamant about it.” Tsunade huffed, raising her hands in a sign of defeat. “ Sasuke you are on a probationary period of three months. You and your team will be confined to the area during this time. You will also be require to take on several ‘D’ rank missions as a form of community service.” She paused to gage both boy’s reactions and Naruto tried not to pout when he realized that that meant team seven would be back to pampered baby missions. Way to go Sasuke... just ruin our good standing why don’t you.

            Sasuke merely blinked in response, at which point Tsunade pressed onward. “You will also be required to check in with Kakashi every hour—“

            “What?! Every hour how is he supposed to do that? Kakashi-sensei is never around when you need him, and finding him is about as easy as—“

“—on the hour for the next six months.”

            “Six Months?!” Naruto felt his eyes water from how wide he held them as the shock rushed through his body. “The hell, you old hag, don’t you think that’s a little extreme?”

            “He chose to attempt and join our enemy, this isn’t a small offense.” Tsunade replied without taking her eyes off of Sasuke. Sasuke in turn stared at her blankly, but his shoulders seemed less tense than before as though he had somehow expected worse. It boggled Naruto’s mind.

            “But, he came back!”

            “He seriously wounded four genin and one chunin.”

            “But—“

            “Naruto, I am not discussing this with you.” Tsunade’s eyes were hard, her tone harsh and Naruto crossed his arms with an angry pout. She had obviously made up her mind long before he’d woken up.

            “Is that all?” Sasuke was taking this whole ordeal a little too calmly in Naruto’s eyes and a part of him wanted to shake Sasuke and demand that he react to the injustices being laid upon him, but instead he chose to glare at his knuckles, noticing the yellow tint the skin of his knuckles had as opposed to the white of the bed sheets when he clutched them.

            “There is one more stipulation.” Tsunade’s voice held a melancholy tone that Naruto recognized from his run in with the council and jerked his head up, eyes narrowed and intent. If she did what he feared she did…

Tsunade’s eyes wouldn’t meet his and Naruto’s hands clenched tighter.

The outraged cry was a harsh, bitter taste on his lips that just begged to be released but he held it in, knowing his silence would tell the woman more than his cursing.

Tsunade tensed.

            “What else?”

            “… you must be willing to adhere to any task the council or I might present you with.”

            Naruto slammed out of the bed, ignoring the dizzy spell that threatened to drop him.

            “Naruto?” Sasuke asked, his voice concerned and lighter than before, but Naruto didn’t even spare him a look, his eyes focused on the golden pare before him with a withering glare.

            She didn’t back down, though it was obvious that she wasn’t exactly proud of herself and Naruto refused to understand her viewpoint.

            “This makes me sick.” Naruto spat, turning and throwing himself from the open window without a second thought.

            “Idiot!” Sasuke’s voice chased after him and the tremor in it made Naruto stumble a bit. He hit the roof of the second story below hard and slid downward, freefalling a bit before catching himself—face planting would be more accurate a term—on the outcropping below, and the sting in his knees and palms brought him back to his senses.

            “What am I doing?” Naruto moaned, slumping back to sit, his hand raising to grip his blond hair. “Of course she’d have to talk to those crappy old farts… and they’d just love to jump on this.”

            Naruto’s chest felt tight again and his eyes stung with retrained tears. Seemed his monthly problem was still in affect.

            “Damn it…’”           

            Naruto fisted his hands, and clenched his eyes closed against the burning sting in his eyes. Bile crawled up his throat and his head pounded with the stress and anger he felt at being reduced to such a pathetic state by nothing more than the mention of the stupid old people that loved to place stigmas and restrictions on those they deemed below them.

            Naruto let out a strangled whine just as a light weight settled beside him, the sound of shoes on the metal roofing echoing around him. Naruto knew it was Sasuke, and didn’t bother to look up at him. The dark haired ninja being a part of his boggled and stress filled mind. What was wrong with him anyway?

            Sasuke remained silent for a long time before sitting beside him, their backs barely touching at all. It was clear he was giving Naruto his privacy in a sense by not watching him struggle against tears that shouldn’t be there at all, but offering his silent support at the same time. Naruto was grateful for it and struggled to regain his composure.

            Several deep breaths and sniffles later, and Naruto felt the initial sting pass, and the drumming pound eased to a throb in his temples. Sitting back, Naruto allowed himself to lean against the strong back behind him, taking comfort from the casual contact.

Sasuke didn’t say anything.

            Part of him wanted to scream and yell. To curse the elders and their diabolical ways, but Naruto was too exhausted to do so, and complaining about his curse again seemed silly. Not like his complaining about it would change the fact that he was will the demon’s container, and the council wanted him dead. Besides, Sasuke would figure out how bad the old farts were for himself if Naruto’s reaction hadn’t given enough away already.

            Naruto scowled, somehow enraged that the waspy mother-fuckers had gotten their fangs into Sasuke.

            “The council won’t let you hunt weasel boy, you know.” Naruto breathed watching a cloud skitter across the sky and morph with the changing winds.

            “Hn.”

            Relaxing further at the expected response, Naruto continued. “How are you going to kill Itachi now that you’re under their beck and call? Now that you’re as trapped as—“ Naruto cut himself off before he could finish. He’d been whining enough lately, and bringing up the fact that the council reserved the right to kill him would do nothing but hurt him and Sasuke.

            Besides, Tsunade wouldn’t let that happen. She wouldn’t let anything bad happen to either of us…

Naruto let out an amused snort as he realized just how much hed over reacted. I really am an idiot…jeez… drama queen much?

            Sasuke shrugged at Naruto’s question as though it wasn’t important though his stiff posture told the truth, and again the silence stretched in and settled around them.

            “The Hokage’s not pleased with you.” Sasuke grunted breaking the silence suddenly just as Naruto had started to count the shingles of the roof.

            “Bah, she’s always mad at me.” Naruto affected a shrug, his fingertip running over the ridges of the metal. Sasuke snorted behind him, and Naruto felt himself smile already knowing the smirk that would be on the other’s face.

            It was odd how easily they slipped back into the ‘norm’ when around each other. Things had been so chaotic just hours before, what with Sasuke acting all weird—which really wasn’t fair since Naruto was the only one with any real excuse—and the mood swings, the near death. It really shouldn’t be that easy to fall into comfortable silence like it was just another morning.

But it was.

            Jiraya would call it simple minded, Tsunade would call it stupid, Iruka would call it avoidance, but Naruto chose to call their actions acceptance. It had happened—all of it, the fight, Itachi, the bitch, and his period—and there really was no way to go back and make it right again. Besides, they were boys, and boys really didn’t sling snot and tears on each other and blubber about feelings and how sorry they were. Unless of course they were on their cycle but that only applied to Naruto and he still refused to give into the emotions, so even then it didn’t count.

            So this made sense to him.

It happened.

It’s over.

Everything’s fine.

            The sun was warm on his skin, and the breeze was a comfort. Through his back he could feel Sasuke’s heart beat and the comfort of his presence was more than enough. The grin stretched his face as he relaxed into the moment.

            Everyone could call it whatever they wanted, as far as he was concerned it was over.

            “You do realize that now you have to somehow get back into the hospital for the clothes Iruka brought.” Sasuke muttered, and Naruto blinked once more reminded that he was currently wearing a Hospital gown.

            “Does that mean I’m down one jumper?”

            He felt Sasuke shift as though looking over his shoulder. “You have more than one?” For some reason he sounded amused.

            “Yes, bastard, I do laundry too you know.”

            “Could have fooled me.”

            “What?!” The cry made some birds flutter from their perches and Naruto could see the evil smile that curved Sasuke’s mouth as he quietly snickered at him. Naruto’s fists clenched by his sides. “Are you saying that I smell?”

            “Hn.”

            “That’s it!” Naruto pushed back against Sasuke tussling and rolling on the roof. Their punches were pulled, and Sasuke kept them balanced with some controlled chakra—since Kyuubi seemed to still be sleeping—and the biting comments weren’t as clipped as usual. Sasuke’s eyes still seemed a little too sharp to Naruto, and his expressions slightly too open, but the gentle almost kind roughhousing felt nice.

It was different, but it was okay.

            “Take it back!”

            “Hn.”

            “ARGHHHH!”

Things were okay.

 

-2-

 

            “… Usuratonkatchi.” Sasuke grumbled, sounding more annoyed with their current predicament than Naruto felt. So they were lost, not such a big deal really. Whenever the group split into teams that was usually what happened. Besides, this silly D rank mission was boring, and as far as Naruto was concerned, getting lost was the best thing that had happened yet.

            “… a short cut my ass…” Sasuke’s words came in and out of legibility and quite honestly Naruto had stopped listening hours before, more content in attempting to shove the entire orange into his mouth. His teeth sunk into the bitter tasting skin halfway around the fruit and so he’d taken to walking around with it bouncing in his jaw.

            It kept him amused.

Pissed Sasuke off though.

            “Will you at least, pretend to care where’re we’re going?!” Sasuke bit out, his face averted, thus he missed Naruto’s raised eyebrow.

            Sasuke had been the one that told him to stop attempting to lead and swiped the map away from him when Naruto had lead them in a circle two hours into the mission. It really wasn’t his fault. Who really cared about the old patrol paths anyway? No one used them anymore, with the exception of bow wearing monster cats and fluffy tailed bastards of the fox variety.

            Sasuke stopped and glared down at the map in his hands, the paper crinkling the longer he glared at it. Seemed the old thing was just as befuddling to him as it had been for Naruto.

            He would have laughed had be not had a mouth full of orange.

            “… son of a… fucking… no good…” Naruto’s brow lifted higher at the broken gibberish. He really couldn’t understand Sasuke’s foul mood. Sure it had been a month of nothing but stupid, brain-dead, missions and he was still checking in with Kakashi every hour—hence the reason he had a radio on—but at least the council left him alone, and Kakashi just took up watch at Sasuke’s house over night or sent a summon to watch him. Really it could have been a lot worse.

            I don’t see what’s so bad about it… its not like he’s doing these missions alone. And a least we’re not helping Iruka in his class this afternoon. Naruto shivered recalling the nightmare and new-found respect he had for his academy teacher.

            “This is impossible!” Sasuke snapped, the paper crumpling as he dropped his hands in his frustration, head tilted back to the sky.

            Naruto kept his head turned to his teammate as he stood beside him, just watching the turbulent emotions that flickered over his face. It wasn’t like Sasuke was totally open, and as far as Sakura had said, Sasuke just seemed less tense—though looking at him now made Naruto wonder if Sakura was blind—but to Naruto, who’d spent the better part of two years attempting to decode the bastard’s body language, Sasuke was practically oozing with change and broadcasting his emotions.

            Naruto had gradually become accustomed to it, and felt a little smug that he—and probably Kakashi and Tsunade to some extent—was the only one who really got to see the more open Uchiha. He still walked around like he had an elephant dying in his rectum, but at least now it was a baby elephant, instead of a bloody wooly-mammoth.

            Dark eyes narrowed and snapped to his own, clearly asking what he was staring at, and Naruto just blinked at him. The dark eyes hardened further, gaining a homicidal glint which Naruto casually ignored.

The look darkened.

            It was fun pushing Sasuke’s buttons, now that he found out how, and had made it into a sport recently. Naruto almost laughed when Sasuke finally turned his head fully to face him.

            “What?” The word was icy and sharp like glass, proof that Sasuke was teetering very precariously close to the edge of his patients.

            A final blink and then Naruto spit shot the orange at Sasuke. In all honesty he’d expected to miss him, or for the prick to dodge, and was pleasantly shocked when the orange nailed Sasuke right between the eyes.

            “Wha… Ha—“ Naruto started to laugh before the rebound knocked him in the nose. “Ow! Shit, that stings, what the—“

            Naruto rubbed at his nose momentarily before he was tackled round the middle and suddenly found himself on the forest floor.

            “Dobe! You think this is funny?! I ask for some help and what do I get? A dumb ass, prank pulling, usuratonkachi!”

            Naruto shifted his weight, rolling Sasuke and knocking him into the dirt with his own glare, glad that this was one of his ‘free weeks’ so that he didn’t have to guard his stomach. Though Sasuke seemed to avoid that area by habit now anyway.

            “Well, at least my butt-hole isn’t plugged with some decomposing creature!” Naruto snapped, grabbing a hold of Sasuke’s wrist as it came to punch him.

            The dark glare sharpened further as Sasuke—in a surprising show of limberness—pushed forward grabbing Naruto by the collar of his orange jumper and pushed him back causing them to topple down the slight incline into the brush. “Well, at least I can read, a god-damned map!”

            “Hah! Says the prick that’s still lost!” Naruto bit back a curse at the fist that struck his jaw, and brought his knee up sharply against Sasuke’s ribs.

            The grunt was pleasing and Naruto almost ignored the blossoming pain in the back of his head as Sasuke used the momentum of their roll to slam his cranium against the ground. He returned the favor on his pass, and locked eyes on Sasuke’s flushed face.

            Yep, this impromptu fight was just what the bastard had been looking for, which explained the ease in which it was to provoke him, and who was Naruto to deny him a good ass-beating? Hell, he couldn’t let Sasuke beat him at this, since he always seemed to know when Naruto needed a fist-fight, it was only fair to return the gesture.

            Sakura just couldn’t understand that, and had a nasty habit of stepping in to play peacemaker and ultimately only prolonging the issue. But, Sakura wasn’t here now.

            “God, you piss me off!” Sasuke growled, his hands fisting his hair as they rolled to a near stop. Naruto winced and reached up to tug on Sasuke’s ear non-too gently.

            “Bastard!”

            Naruto, shoved to the side once more causing another rolling match as twigs and leaves and thistles did more damage than the actual fists and knees did. He saw no reason to pull back and waste chakra or shiruken, and from the easy way Sasuke followed the roll, he felt the same.

            “… it’s your fault!” Sasuke snapped, though the acid behind the words was faked. Still, Naruto took offense and bit the fist that came at his nose. “Son of a—“ Sasuke gasped, wincing.

            “It was just an orange you wuss—ugh!” Naruto gasped at the kick that connected with his side suddenly.

Seemed biting him had crossed the line.

            Naruto stumbled back, the kick launching him to his feet and out of the body lock. His back collided painfully with something spongy, and his mind and senses told him it was a rotten, moss covered, log.

            Jack-ass, that stung. Naruto winced, propping a hand behind him on the moss to brace himself for the oncoming attack. Naruto opened his eyes and shifted a leg under himself, his left fist swinging out to clock Sasuke in the temple as the other charged forward, the simple brawl turning into something a little more serious. Damn it, he needs to get his priorities straight…

Naruto grumbled as he let out a guttural sound, pushing forward into the on coming Uchiha, head tiled to avoid his own punch. Either you want to blow off some steam, or pound my face in, make up your mind! God your worse than my—

            Naruto’s mind ground to a halt as Sasuke also realigned to compensate for Naruto’s movements and the end result landed Sasuke sprawled between his knees—having over-compensated and landed on his own—his left hand braced over Naruto’s right, their fists criss-crossed over their shoulders and their lips mashed together.

            Several things happened all in a matter of seconds, but it seemed painfully clear in his mind, as though it had taken hours to complete. Naruto jolted, heat infusing his cheeks as black eyes bore into his own in shocked confusion.  Neither moved, it was like they were back in the classroom all over again, except this time there was no one there and this time, Sasuke wasn’t moving away.

            Naruto’s heart picked up pace when those dark eyes became calm, adjusting to the turn of events, and Naruto realized the odd warmth and change to the look terrified him. He tensed up but couldn’t pull back as the hand over his own tightened and the other fist fell to his shoulder.

            What the fuck?! Naruto swallowed, as hot breath puffed on his face from Sasuke’s nose and warm, slightly chapped lips pressed against his own. Sasuke… what… Naruto’s skin prickled as the hair on his neck stood on end and his stomach twisted painfully.

            Those lips suddenly shifted against his and Naruto gasped through his nose, eyes widening further at Sasuke’s actions. Panic crawled further up his spine and settled in his chest as Sasuke continued to press against him.

            “Sasuke-kun, Naruto! Hey, you guys there?!” The crackling cry came from the head set and broke the odd moment like a bucket of ice water.

            Sasuke’s eyes widened as he jerked back, falling on his back and scuttling backward cheeks red. Naruto blinked sinking to his butt, arms dropping to his sides to stare blankly up at Sasuke.

            What was that? Naruto shook, still feeling the contact on his mouth even if it had only lasted a second or two.

            Naruto brought his hand to his lips, the back lifting to press them to stop the tingle. Blue eyes locked on coal and Naruto flinched back at the scared guilt that resided there.

            Naruto wanted to start spitting and gagging, like they had after their first kiss. He wanted to complain about his rotting tongue and how he’d have to bleach his mouth, so that the overwhelming tension could be broken, but the look in those eyes made him stop. Something had happened, and that made making light of the situation awkward: painful.

            “Sasuke?” Again Sakura’s voice broke the awkward silence and Naruto looked off to the side his face still burning.

            “Sakura.” Sasuke’s voice sounded calm, and for some reason it made Naruto’s stomach twist.

            What the fuck was that? And how can he… what was he… Naruto felt his inside shake as he glared over at his friend whose back was to him, shoulders tense and ears dark red.

            “…Yes Sakura, we are lost.” Sasuke seemed to tense further at whatever she said, but Naruto had stopped listening, “If I knew where that was we wouldn’t be lost.”

            Why… why did he do that? Naruto scrubbed at his lips with the sleeve of his jacket, hoping the scraping burn would erase the feel of Sasuke’s lips. Maybe it was a fluke… kinda like what I did at camp… Naruto’s face darkened remembering his molestation of his friend while he slept. Yeah, that’s got to be it, curiosity that just got out of hand. Probably wondering what Sakura finds so great about kissing… it… it doesn’t mean anything.

            Naruto looked back up, still absently rubbing his lips and met the deep blackness of Sasuke’s eyes. They looked raw, intense, and it reminded him of that morning when they had woken up in the hospital.

Naruto didn’t like those eyes.

            It meant nothing. Naruto looked away and stood up harshly, his mood suddenly ruined.

            “Kakashi said he’s coming to get us.” Sasuke’s voice was annoyingly steady, and suddenly, it was Naruto who needed a fight.

            “Yeah, since you can’t read a map for shit.”

            Sasuke’s eyes narrowed at him, but Naruto ignored it, shoving passed Sasuke making sure that his shoulder slammed harshly into the raven’s as he passed.

            “Dobe, we were told to wait—“

            “Then be the good little boy and wait, I’m going home.”

            “Damn it, Naruto stop acting like an ass hole!”

            Naruto spun on his heel fists balled at his sides. “I’ll be an ass hole if I want to teme!”

            Sasuke made a face at him, arms crossing over his chest haughtily. Slowly, that weird glint faded as it had the tendency to do, replaced with the arrogant mask and sneer. “Are you on your period again?”

            Naruto’s eye ticked and for a moment he entertained the idea of attacking Sasuke but thought better of it.

            He turned slowly, glare still calmly on his face as he stalked up to the mocking Uchiha. Naruto was pleased to see a bit of wary concern for his uncharacteristic actions and the minute tensing when he stepped into Sasuke’s personal space.

            One dark brow rose up in question, and Naruto cursed the extra inches Sasuke held over him. One day… one day, bastard I will tower over you and then you’ll be the one looking up at me…

            “Dobe.”

            Naruto narrowed his eyes and then hauled back and punched Sasuke in the nose. Sasuke stumbled back onto his ass, his look murderous and Naruto smirked, crossing his own arms.

            “Least I have an excuse for being on my problem.” Naruto snorted. The come back sounded stupid to his own ears but the enraged look on Sasuke’s face was worth it even as the idiot swiped his feet out from under him and re-instated their fistfight.

            The punches where aimed to hurt this time as teeth and feet joined the fray quickly. Naruto pulled on Sasuke’s shirt and once more tried to shove dirt clods into Sasuke’s mouth.

            Sasuke retaliated with an elbow to his nose and while Naruto tended to his face proceeded to pin him on his belly, and push his face into the ground. Naruto grunted and wiggled, reaching out and pinching Sasuke’s thigh rather harshly gaining a yelp and a moment of freedom in which to reverse roles again.

            “Not again… can’t you two find a less violent way to show your affection?” Kakashi’s voice sounded bored and stilled the two who had some how ended up sitting in front of each other, Naruto straddling as well as sitting on Sasuke’s lap, hands fisted in Sasuke’s collar. Sasuke had his knees bent, cradling Naruto against him with one hand in his hair and the other on his face, his thumb locked over the side of his mouth pulling it at an odd angle.

Both blinked at their teacher.

            Kakashi sighed and shook his head, the combination of the action made Naruto feel a little guilty, as though he’d somehow let the Jounin down and he loosened his grip on Sasuke one hand moving to rub the back of his neck.

Maybe Sakura was right, and they needed to talk things out before it caused more trouble for Kakashi and ultimately Team Seven. After all, Kakashi worried about them. At least he thought he did.

            “Seriously, you two, foreplay doesn’t have to hurt.”

Then again, he could be wrong.

            Naruto’s face turned bright red first with anger and then with embarrassment as the memory of the odd kiss returned, “Damn it, you pervert! What the hell does that mean!?”

            Naruto shoved to his feet, uncaring as he pushed Sasuke back into the dirt as he did so. This is his fault anyway.

            Kakashi was still grinning from his perch on the tree above them, and Naruto had the distinct feeling he didn’t want to hear what the other planned to say next.

            “Well, Naruto, foreplay is the part of sex where—“

            “My GOD!” Naruto cried clapping his hands over his ears. “You fucking pervert I know what it is!”

            “Then why did you ask?”

            “I didn’t! I asked why you would… about… him … and…” Naruto let out a frustrated sound when all Kakashi did was blink at him. “You’re sick you know that? Real sick!”

            “Come now, Naruto. There is no need to be so shy, rough sex is apart of life too.”

            “AHHHHHH!” Naruto took to stomping his feet like an enraged child, just barely stopping himself from singing really loudly to drown out the constant babble of their teacher.

            “Besides, what with your Uzumaki PMS—“

            “Finish that, and I’ll show you fucking PMS!” Naruto snarled pointing his finger, face hot enough to fry an egg on it. Kakashi just smiled at him, finally falling silent and Naruto took that moment to swing around on Sasuke who had stood silently behind him, dusting himself off. “And you! Say something!”

            Sasuke lifted a single brow, giving him the ‘are you really that stupid’ look, and Naruto grit his teeth together. When had the roles switched? Where was all that power he’d held?

            “Say what?”

            “Teme…”

            “… Dobe.”

            Naruto threw his hands into the air and stomped passed the both of them. “God, you both piss me off!”

            “Hn.”

            “Oh, shove it up your ass Sasuke.” Naruto muttered, his arms jerking by his sides.

            Kakashi jumped from his perch and took up the lead, Icha Icha Paradise out in front of him. Soon, Sasuke made his way up and beside the blond.

Naruto studiously ignored him.

            He didn’t have to look to know the smirk that was firmly on Sasuke’s face when the other shoved his hands into his pockets and pushed passed, his voice a low croon as he made his parting shot.

            “… don’t you mean, your ass?”

            “I’ll kill you!”

And the fight was on.

Again.

            Maybe Sakura was right.

Something had changed, for the worse.

 

-2-

 

            Naruto was staring up at the ceiling.

            Damn it… not again… rolling onto his side and staring out the window Naruto watched the sky turn gray then a pinky color as the sun rose, and scowled.

Again.

He hadn’t slept again.

            “This is so stupid!!!!!” Naruto whined rolling onto his stomach to punch and beat his pillow into submission. When it did nothing but lump up into an uncomfortable mess, Naruto sat up and scrubbed at his eye with an angry fist.

            His pajama top was twisted horribly around his ribcage and one of his socks—he knew he’d gone to sleep with two—was missing. That wasn’t so bad, he’d always been a messy sleeper, no what was pissing him off now was the fact that his nightcap was still at Sasuke’s house where he’d left it the last time he’d stayed over.

That had been two months ago.

Before the kiss.

            Naruto couldn’t sleep without the damn thing. He’d been shocked at how dependant he was on the little piece of cloth, but he was determined that he would not go back over there. Not so long as Sasuke was being an ass-monkey.

            Two months of tossing and turning, of staring blankly at the ceiling waiting for the sun to rise or being trapped in waking dreams all because Sasuke had to go and act all funny in the forest and kiss him.

            If he hadn’t gone all weird on me I could be sleeping with my cap! There would be no sleeping problem! I wouldn’t be messing up on missions, and I would be in that warm bed, surrounded by that scent and cuddled next to another warm body…

            Naruto blinked as his thoughts caught up with his mind and suddenly his cheeks turned warm.

            “That’s not why!!!” Naruto cried to the empty room, chucking his pillow violently at the wall. “I can’t sleep without my fucking cap! That’s the only reason!! It’s not because of that k…. ki…. What happened in the woods! Its because he’s a colossal ass hole! That’s why I don’t want to go over there! Not because I’m uncomfortable, but because I’m angry!”

            Naruto’s chest heaved with his breaths but the echoing silence of his room made him feel empty after the outburst. He pouted, not wanting to admit that he had grown used to waking up with someone there beside him, to a house not so completely empty.

            Naruto shook his head and slid from the sheet to pad his way to the bathroom. “This is home. This is familiar. Damn it, Naruto you’ve been home for two months… stop… remembering…”

            Naruto’s shoulders slumped as he kicked the door open, and had to restrain himself from closing the door behind him. He lived alone, wasn’t like anyone could look in and see him peeing. He’d always done it before…

            Naruto scowled, moving to wash his hands and striping out of his bed clothes before moving to his closet. He studiously avoided the pile of clothes in the corner: the white shorts and blue, high collared, top, and reached in to pull out his orange pants and a black shirt.

            His jacket was at Iruka’s being mended.

            “Stupid teme…stupid kunai… stupid, stupid, stupid…” Naruto grumbled, his mood plummeting quickly. “First my fucking, cap, now my god-damned jacket… what next my boxers?”

            Naruto kicked the closet shut harder than necessary as he stalked from the room, and out into the sunlit day. He’d be the first one there again, and if Sasuke happened to arrive minutes after him it was just an annoying coincidence, and then they’d start arguing which would lead to a fist fight, then to a lecture, followed by some teasing and then yet another sleepless night.

After all, it was all because he was missing his cap that he couldn’t sleep, not because he missed his best friend, and if he never mentioned the sleeping cap it was because it would be showing a weakness and he couldn’t do that.

Yes, it was all about the walrus cap.

Not Sasuke.

 

-2-

 

            As predicted he was the first one there, but luckily it seemed Sakura had noticed the pattern and arrived with Sasuke, standing between them like a buffer of sorts. Naruto sent a few barbed comments over Sasuke’s way, Sakura quickly disarmed them, then Sasuke shot some back and Sakura changed the subject. It was an odd three-way conversation with an argument between two in between. And for some sick reason Naruto wanted to see how long it would take before it fell apart.

            “So, this is it, the end of your probation and D rank missions.” Sakura said with a smile that was strained and weary. Naruto wondered momentarily if she too had lost her sleeping cap. “Congratulations.”

            “Congrats, Douche-bag.”

            “Don’t even think of ducking out on this one!” Sakura chipped in, covering Naruto’s insult quickly, though from the narrowed glare sent his way Naruto knew Sasuke had heard him. “Kakashi said that he’d be treating us today, and so we all have to go as a group, all right?”

            Sasuke shrugged, leaning further into the railing looking bored, but the tense hold to his shoulders told Naruto just how much strain he was putting on himself not to bodily attack him. Naruto preened a bit inside, feeling better about his loss of sleep.

He simply chose to ignore the dark bags under Sasuke’s eyes.

            “Hn.”

            Sakura smiled, rocking onto the tips of her toes and back, seeming to feel that the war had been won with Sasuke’s characteristic response, and missed the challenging smirk Sasuke sent Naruto’s way.

            “Though I wonder how he plans to get the dobe in.” Black eyes met his, the look sharp, hurt and cutting and Naruto’s fists clenched by his sides. “They don’t usually let strays in restaurants.”

            That son of a— Naruto shoved to his feet only to be blocked by Sakura’s body as she leaped in between them, strained smile on her face.

            “So, that nice young lady we helped yesterday, the one with the mouse problem?”

Sasuke smirked. “Right, the infestation.”

            “At least it wasn’t up her ass—“ Naruto ground his teeth together as Sakura spoke over him again.

            “She called to thank us, and gave Kakashi some coupons for ‘Choco Amore’. You remember, that chocolate place we were talking about before?”

            “Yeah, the one where we both agreed you were retarded—“

            “—Kakashi said that it was expensive but really good, and with the coupons we should be able to afford—“

            “You’d know all about retards wouldn’t you, dobe.”

Sakura’s eyes widened as the fragile peace shattered and Naruto turned, blue eyes narrowed on black. Oh yeah, he remembered this, and his hands itched to pummel that smirking face into the ground.

            “Ah, I see we are all here.” Kakashi appeared in a cloud of smoke right in the space between them and forestalled the physical brawl yet again.

Naruto pouted.

            “Kakashi-sensei!” Sakura sounded desperately relieved and looked about ready to kiss him for showing up when he did. Naruto rolled his eyes and slouched. His eyes felt gritty and burned in the way only exhaustion could, but sleep was far from his reach.

            “Well, since we’re all so happy to be here this morning…”

            Afternoon, dickhead. We’ve been here for six hours waiting on you… Naruto wisely didn’t say anything aloud, too concerned with the acidic stare that was currently burning a hole through his skull.

“… and once there we can begin our discussion on how things will go from now on.”

“… Yippy.” Naruto drawled, bringing all eyes to him as he stomped forward and in the direction of the chocolate shop. It was sad when not even the call of sweets could free him from his mood.

“What’s wrong with him?” Kakashi asked, not in the least bit quietly, but Naruto simply chose to ignore him.

“I’m not sure.”

“Hn.”

“I can see that today is going to be so very enjoyable.”

The sarcasm could have killed someone.

            The walk was made in relative silence, broken by Sakura’s valiant attempts to lighten the mood, and Kakashi appeasing the girl while keeping a close on eye on both Naruto and Sasuke. It was a wasted effort as both himself and Sasuke seemed more interested in their toes and the road than conversation which in turn lead to Sakura’s worried nagging over his health which usually would have sparked a reaction from him, but in all honesty, Naruto was simply too tired.

            Physically, mentally, and emotionally he was shot, and he was sure that Sasuke was too but he refused to sympathize with the boy so long as he had the sleeping cap. Thus the war waged on, cold and silent between them.

            “Wow, look at this place!” Sakura’s amazement managed to drag Naruto’s gaze up—though the sudden grip on his arm could also be the cause of his attention—and felt his jaw drop.

            The shop was packed, first of all, flowing with talk, chatter, and life. That alone perked up Naruto’s dreariness. Children were calling, laughing and clinging to their parents, and the sweet, thick aroma made his stomach growl.

            Naruto couldn’t have stopped the grin if he’d tried.

            “Its beautiful!”

            Sakura giggled at his side and gripped his wrist tighter to draw his attention back to her. “C’mon, lets see what’s inside.”

            Naruto didn’t have to be told twice.

            Forgetting the fact that he was supposed to be tired, and cranky, and thinking up knew methods of torture for his best friend, Naruto dragged the pinkette into the mass of people already talking a mile a minute from energy reserves he’d previously been unaware of.

            “You think they have white chocolate? Oh, look there’s raspberry, and… Sakura-chan! Sakura-chan! Look it’s a bunny, a bunny made of chocolate!” Naruto darted back and forth, weaving in and out of the crowd, pleased when they all seemed to smile back at his enthusiasm and shift out of his way.

            Several times he’d lost sight of his team, but seconds later, would feel Sakura’s hand on his shoulder dragging him back. She would lecture him, but her lips were quirked into a smile each time making it easy for Naruto to pretend to struggle and whine, finding a crowd of children to weave in and out of while Sakura chased after him.

            It was as he was laughing and trying to avoid her pinching fingers that had attached to his ear that he spotted the chocolate covered strawberries. Attention snared, Naruto wandered over looking in at the delectable morsels. The white and brown designs over the dark red berries were pleasing to the eyes and made his mouth water.

            “Oh, now that’s what we should get.” Sakura whispered, and Naruto watched as she angled her head back searching for Kakashi and Sasuke.

With out turning from his entrancement, Naruto pointed his finger in the direction of the quiet corner by the door and away from the crowds. “By the window.”

            “Huh…?” Sakura followed his directions and then smiled, before a confused crease came to her brow. “…Naruto, how did you know…?”

            “Oh! Look Sakura, they even have some extra dark chocolate ones too, so even the bastard can’t complain!” Naruto grinned over at her, missing the concerned look as she covered it with a patient smile.

            “Perfect, then I’ll drag them over here.” Sakura stated, hand reaching out to him. It froze just before touching his head and then she pulled back and walked away.

            Naruto watched her reflection in the glass, his smile fading. He knew she wanted to ask him what was going on between himself and Sasuke. She’d asked before, but he’d shrugged her off. Then she’d asked while he’d been dealing with his problem. After bursting into tears and sobbing for two hours before attempting to rearrange the apartment building, Sakura had stopped asking.

            He watched her interact with the other two members of their team, and felt his chest grow tight when Sasuke suddenly looked interested and grateful. She must have mentioned the dark chocolate.

            Naruto frowned, and looked at his hands trying to decide if he was hurt or angry. I’m not making any sense at all.  Naruto thought with a shake of his head, focusing on the little deserts before him as Sakura made her way back over leaning close and cooing up at Sasuke who seemed to be looking anywhere but at him.

            His fingers curled against the cool glass as he bit his lip harshly.

            “Ah, good choice Naruto.” Kakashi sounded sincere for once as he looked over the strawberries, and Naruto was disgusted by how easily his faked smile eased back onto his face.

            “Of course it is! I want the white one! With the red drizzle on it, can I?” Naruto bounced a bit in place as Kakashi smiled down at him and Sakura reached out to grab his ear.

            “Calm down, doofus, you’re making a scene.”

            “But, Sakura… I want it!”

            “What are you four?”

            Naruto stuck his tongue out at her, the fake good mood working away at the shadows until he really did start to feel better. Then Sasuke brushed up against his arm to see the chocolate display and Naruto jolted. The touch had burned, and as he jerked away he fell into Sakura who shoved at him thinking he was attempting to cling.

“Naruto!” She shoved him playfully, and Naruto glanced back at Sasuke catching hurt black. The guilt made him feel queasy and he quickly looked away from the emotional pain he knew his actions had caused.

            Naruto recovered, placing a hand behind his head with a laugh trying not to think of the pain and rejection he’d seen in those eyes, while also trying to ignore the tingle in his arm, and the pounding in his chest.

Something’s wrong with me…Something is definitely wrong with me. Naruto chewed the inside of his lip as Kakashi bought the confections and lead them out of the crowded shop and back into the sunlight.

            As Naruto jumped around, grinning and trying to force his mood to lift, he realized that at some point he’d eaten his strawberry and hadn’t even tasted it.

 

 

-2-

 

            The door opened with a soft creak and then brown eyes blinked down on him in shock.

            “Naruto?” Iruka blinked several times more, as though doubting what he saw. Naruto sighed and pushed his toe into the dirt, hands twisting in his pockets.

            “Hey, Iruka… you have time?”

            Iruka blinked, quickly taking in the depressed state of his old student and stepped a side gesturing him in with a soft tone. “Of course, Naruto.”

            Naruto averted his eyes to his feet already knowing the look that would be on the academy teacher’s face, and at the moment, he didn’t want to see it. The room was the same as it ever was, and yet, it seemed somehow darker and much more subdued. Then again, it was probably just his dower mood.

            After Kakashi’s detailed plans—of which Naruto maybe heard a third of—Naruto had excused himself to try and figure out how to fix things. Ramen gave little inspiration, and when he’d found he had no appetite he’d promptly ran to Iruka’s.

He needed help, and he needed it now.

            Iruka shut the door with a casual motion and then swept passed him into the kitchen—for tea most likely. Naruto had always thought that the Chuunin would make a fine housewife if he hadn’t already been a ninja—calling over his shoulder as he left. “So, what’s up? Kakashi did tell you your team’s new mission right?”

            The hope in the statement made it clear Iruka had pressed for team Seven to attain said mission and for some reason thought that he’d be excited about it. Though why Naruto would be excited about seeing some dumb movie after months of D-rank crap was baffling. Naruto flopped onto the couch, sinking into the cushions as he grunted a response, not wanting to make Iruka feel like he’d gone through the trouble for nothing. “Hn. Yeah, Kakashi told us.”

            “That’s… not the problem… is it?” Iruka asked, placing the predicted tea on the coffee table between them and pouring some for Naruto. He couldn’t stop the smile that worked its way up his face at the cute childish ninja mug with a list of The 12 rules of a Ninja Warrior. It was a joke, written by a civilian outside of Konoha, but it still amused him.

            “Thanks.” Naruto mumbled, wrapping his hands around the warmed ceramic and blew on the steaming liquid. “No. Kakashi explained the mission… well as much as he ever explains anything…over chocolate.”

            “Then, what’s troubling you?” Iruka took a sip of his own beverage, and closed his eyes avoiding Naruto’s reaction to his blunt question.

            “Nothing…” Naruto trailed off, looking miserably at the lightly colored liquid.

He could dimly see his own reflection in it as it rippled and became distorted with each beat of his heart.

            “It doesn’t seem like nothing.”

            Naruto swallowed the bitter liquid, making a face at the lack of sugar, but didn’t bother to reach for the sugar bowl.

            “Naruto, I can’t help you, if I don’t know the problem.” Iruka pointed out what Naruto had already known since sitting down in the chair. But How was he supposed to explain what was wrong when he himself didn’t even know?

            Iruka let out a sigh and his shoulders slumped as he too set his mug on the tabletop. “So, how has the team been? I heard that Shikamaru, Kiba, Chouji, and Neji all are back to their usual business.”

Naruto suppressed a flinch.

            They had been his friends as well, and he’d barely said three words to them. They all practically died to help him out and all he’d had time to say was a quick thanks. Of course being a ninja didn’t leave one with much spare time but still…

            “I also heard that Kiba owes you dinner. How did that happen?”

            Naruto bit his lip suddenly reminded of the plans he’d made with the other boy. Plans that had been set on the back burner thanks to Sasuke and the sleeping cap fiasco. Damn… I should go talk to Kiba soon. After this mission…

            Iruka waited patiently before continuing. “Team Gai just returned from some sort of team building trip. Seems that Neji had to carry Tenten back when she sprained her ankle. The poor girl, its hard enough being the only female on the team, but to be wounded and forced to—“

            “… it’s the damn sleeping cap!” Naruto blurted out no longer able to handle the aimless chatter. Naruto missed the satisfied smile Iruka hid behind his relifted mug and didn’t notice how easily Iruka followed the new train of thought.

            “…your sleeping cap huh? How so?”

            Naruto shot to his feet, pacing back and forth as his hands waved about animatedly describing his problem with an accuracy only he understood. “I can’t sleep without it, and its still at the bastard’s house!”

            “Ah, I see. So why don’t you just go over and get it.” Again Naruto missed the fact that Iruka seemed unsurprised that his sleeping cap would be over at Sasuke’s house and continued.

            “I can’t! Don’t you see? The bastard wins if I go over there! And I don’t even know what this is about and… its just so… and when he’s near I get all uncomfortable and… and I… I…” Naruto blushed but continued on. He was talking with Iruka, and things could be spoken to Iruka without stigmas or fears. “I miss him, but he’s being such an ass, and every time we talk we fight, and it’s not the good kind, and I don’t know how to fix it… and I can’t sleep… I keep tossing and turning … and dreaming while awake, but not awake and my head hurts from the one-sided conversations… and… and …I want my sleeping cap back!”

            Iruka took a long drag of his drink as Naruto caught his breath then met his eyes with a serious and concerned look. “So, it’s Sasuke.”

            Naruto let out a breath and collapsed. Both into the couch and inside as he let go of the façade he’d been holding for weeks. “… Yeah.”

            “Hm. Could it be that you two are still…” Iruka paused to find the right words. “…sore over his attempted flight?”

            “No.” Naruto snapped with such a solid conviction that it left no room for argument. Iruka nodded his head, though he looked unconvinced.

            “But, you two have not discussed it have you?”

            “… it’s not important…” Naruto mumbled rubbing at his chest. No one knew the extent of the damage Sasuke had dealt him thanks to Kyuubi and Naruto planned to keep it that way, so Iruka was unaware of what his action meant and simply sighed.

            “You know Naruto, sometimes, things need to be discussed before they can be forgotten. Before people can heal.”

            “Yeah well, this isn’t one of them.” Naruto grumbled. “What good will talking about it do? Aside from bringing up painful memories we both regret? I know why he did it… its stupid, and arrogant… but that’s just like him, so it’s not that.”

            Iruka nodded again seeming to buy his lie. “Okay, so, it’s not his betrayal that is the problem. Did anything else happen between you two?”

           

            Lips meshed together, chapped, warm, and firm. Black eyes bore into his own deep and filled with intense emotions Naruto had never known. The other relaxed into him, seeming to calm but Naruto felt himself stiffen in terror.

 

            “…uhhhhhhhhhhhhh….” Naruto could feel his face heat up and swallowed hard while looking back down into his mug and felt the blush creep up his neck and into his ears. There was no way in hell he was telling Iruka about the kiss, or his little slip in the woods before Itachi, because quite honestly he didn’t want to know why he’d done it.

            “… Naruto?” Iruka’s eyes were slightly wider but seemed more hopeful than disturbed. “… is… is Sasuke…”

            Naruto’s eyes narrowed a bit. He wasn’t sure why but he had the feeling he wasn’t going to like what Iruka said next.

And he didn’t.

            “…is he… the one?”

            Naruto felt his cheeks burn and he jumped again to his feet, stomach in knots and hands trembling. “God, no! Iruka-sensei, what the hell? He’s a boy!!!”

            “So?”

            Naruto had no response to that and simply gaped at his old teacher. He did have a very valid point. Love really didn’t know boundaries, but, Sasuke?

            “… you know what, I think you’re right, its probably just the Valley of the End bullshit.”

            Iruka let out a light laugh, reclining back into his seat. “Perhaps. Whatever the case, I think you just need to talk to him.”

            Naruto calmed enough to slump where he stood and dig his toe into the ground. “But every time we get near each other we fight… violently.”

            “Naruto, ever think that you fight to be closer?”

            “Huh?”

            “… you both grew up alone. You two have an understanding most don’t. Could it be possible that you two fight because you both need some form of physical contact but don’t know how to express it?”

            Naruto wrinkled his nose. “… you’ve been hanging around Kakashi haven’t you?”

            “No, Naruto, I’m talking about the kind of contact children reach out for. You both missed out on having a childhood. Maybe, that’s what your craving now.”

            For some stupid reason, it made sense.

            He’d been fighting with Sasuke because he was confused by his actions back in the forest. Frightened of them actually, because he hadn’t disliked it, but knew he wasn’t supposed to like it either. But what Iruka said made perfect sense.

            He liked it because it was an action of caring, a contact he’d missed out on and had unwittingly craved. Sasuke probably felt the same, which would explain his reaction after they’d separated.

            Naruto nodded, appeased. “Thank you Iruka-sensei.”

            “Anytime Naruto.”

            Naruto stood, feeling much lighter and made his way to the door. No time like the present to fix your sleeping problems. Naruto smiled, for the first time completely carefree and happy as he flung the front door open. “I’m off, Iruka-sensei!”

            “Wait, Naruto, I have something for you.” Iruka said jumping up himself and leaving the room momentarily. Naruto cocked his head to the side, wondering what it could possibly be, and why Iruka hadn’t just given I to him in the first place. Then again, he was busy dealing with me falling apart at his feet… Naruto made a face.

            “Here you go.” Warm fabric brushed against him and Naruto was surrounded in orange.

            “… my jacket.” Naruto felt his lips curl as he looked up at Iruka. He couldn’t even tell where the rip had been. “Thanks.”

            Iruka just rubbed his head. “Now, go and get this figured out. You have a mission tomorrow right?”

            Naruto nodded and pulled his arms through the sleeves. “Right!” Grinning he turned and ran in the direction of he Uchiha district, or what was left of it.

Iruka always made things better.

 

-3-

 

            The house seemed somehow foreboding. Larger, and intimidating as he stood before its old structure unable to dredge up the courage to simply knock. I’m a coward… Naruto thought distastefully, fingers twisting in his newly repaired jacket. A total chicken shit… that’s what I am. Somehow the self depreciating thoughts didn’t give him the annoyed push he needed to move any closer to the Uchiha main house and instead kept him rooted to the ground staring up at the awning like it was some sort of evil mouth.

            Somehow Iruka’s advice seemed less reassuring now that he had arrived. This is so… awkward. It never was before… Naruto pouted a bit, realizing for the first time just how accustomed he’d come to staying over at Sasuke’s for the night, and after that first time, he’d never felt apprehensive.

            Naruto closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. He’s your best friend. You need your sleeping cap. And damn it I want to sleep tonight. His nerves still shook, but his mind was set and with that, Naruto opened his eyes ready to move—

            “Dobe.”

--and screamed like a little girl at the unexpected greeting and presence in the open doorway.

            Sasuke lifted a dark brow as Naruto tripped and grabbed at his chest as though he was dying and gasped for breath. “Damn it Sasuke, don’t scare me like that…”

            “You’re the one standing outside my house like some stalker.”

            “I’m not a—why the hell would I want to stalk you?!” Naruto spluttered, glaring up into cold dark eyes and watched them narrow in challenge.

            “I don’t know, dumbass, why don’t you tell me.”

            Naruto ground his molars, fists clenching and trembling at his sides. Why was he such an ass hole?! And why was he rising to the bait?

            “What are you here for?” Sasuke bit out, his arms crossed haughtily over his chest. Naruto had the urge to attack but held back if just barely. You came here to talk Naruto, not to fight. Even if he deserves a swift kick in the ass…

            Naruto closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could do this. He spoke with Sakura all the time, and just two months ago he’d been talking with Sasuke, so this was just like throwing Kunai. You can get rusty but all there is to it is aim and fire.

            “What makes you think I’m here for anything?”

And miss completely.

            Sasuke’s eyes remained that glassy blank and then he was turning away, clearly dismissing him.

            “You running away, teme?!” Naruto snapped, suddenly feeling a little panic well up. Damn it this is not how this is supposed to go! Naruto wasn’t aware that he’d clamored up to the doorway until his hand had grabbed Sasuke’s wrist. If he leaves now… if Sasuke leaves now…

            Sasuke froze, his eyes meeting Naruto’s and trapping him. They were intense but unreadable as Naruto felt the warmth from the pale skin seep into his palm. Sasuke must have just crawled out of bed.

            The ache was back in his chest. Naruto found it almost a physical pain that gripped him when he thought of the warm sheets, soft mattress, and the comfort that that bed could grant. He’d been reluctant to admit it but he felt safe when he slept beside his friend, and that was really what he craved. That safe feeling of knowing that when he woke up, his friend would be right there beside him.

That he wasn’t alone.

That Sasuke hadn’t left.

            Naruto felt a little light-headed, like some invisible weight had lifted and he tightened his grip on Sasuke’s wrist. If he let Sasuke leave now, if he let this fight drag on then he was doing just what he’d fought to prevent. As well as pissing on hardship and choices that Sasuke had made for him in his decision to stay.

            “Naruto, I don’t have time for this. Let me go—“ Sasuke sounded weary, and more than a little annoyed as he tugged on the grip Naruto held. His heart sped up and his mouth opened again.

            “It looks like it might storm.” Naruto blurted out and angled his head down to hide behind his shaggy bangs. He could feel Sasuke shift and knew the other was looking at him but he didn’t have the strength to meet those eyes. “…and I just… I thought…” Naruto’s mouth opened and worked trying to form words, but what he wasn’t sure. He guessed he should have said sorry, but again it seemed out of place for them, and bringing up Iruka’s comment was simply too embarrassing. “Ah…uh…nhm…” Naruto’s face heated up and the pressure built in his esophagus choking him. What am I talking about?!

            “Hn.” Sasuke’s grunt made his heart stop, and for a moment he was torn between hope and fear, and then Sasuke jerked his arm free. Naruto jerked his head up as he stumbled, hand falling back to his side as he stared at the unruly black hair.

            What does this mean? Naruto felt his stomach clench and he grew cold. He almost didn’t hear Sasuke’s quiet words as Sasuke moved inside and held the door open for him.

            “…I guess it is rather cloudy.”

            Naruto blinked.

            His heart gave a thump and then Naruto was grinning, two fingers rubbing the underside of his nose. “Heh, heh, yeah.” He stepped into the house muttering the polite phrase Iruka had taught him and removed his shoes by the door before stepping fully into the house. “… Excuse my intrusion…”

            “… and we need to be ready for the mission tomorrow.” Sasuke continued, as though that absolved the whole issue of feelings and emotions.

            Naruto followed Sasuke up the stairs, while an odd silence settled between them as they followed the newly formed routine they’d made. Sasuke tossed him his spare pajama’s and then they both crawled into the bed.

            Naruto smiled when he found the bed sheets rumpled and still slightly warm. Sasuke had gotten out of bed to greet him. For some reason that made him happy.

            “Night, dobe.” Sasuke grunted, already rolling to his side, when Naruto realized something crucial and sat up on his side of the bed, comforter held in his hands in mid-motion of pulling it over his body.

            “Hey, Sasuke, where’s my sleeping cap?”

            The last Uchiha seemed to stiffen, and Naruto could have sworn his ear had turned red. Little warning bells started going off in his head but he ignored them as Sasuke slid a hand under his pillow and pulled the item out, tossing it in his general direction without turning.

            “…” Naruto stared at the sleeping cap, then at the pillow it had been tucked beneath, then back at the cap, then the pillow.

Cap.

Pillow.

Cap.

Pillow.

            “Sasu—“

            “Naruto go to sleep!” Sasuke snapped, and this time there was no denying that Sasuke had indeed turned bright red, though why Naruto couldn’t guess. Why was this under his pillow?

            He opened is mouth and suddenly found himself blinded as Sasuke sat up, grabbed the cap, shoved it on is head—and over his eyes—before dragging him back to lay on the bed. “Just shut up Naruto.”

            The silence was heavy, but not oppressive, just like the weight of Sasuke’s arm over his middle, and the warmth of his body against his side. Suddenly, Naruto couldn’t keep his thoughts straight and he found himself drifting.

God he was so tired.

            …must be… the sleeping cap… Naruto smiled, his fingers curling over Sasuke’s wrist as he finally fell asleep.

 

-3-

 

            The warm drowsy feeling was slow to lift, and Naruto was tempted to just let the deep, sated, pull of sleep drag him back under but the threatening press of his bladder against his belly warned him that that would be a bad idea.

            “Nhg…” Naruto grumbled, shifting to force the placid weight from his limbs and free his mind from the cobwebs. The bed sheets made a light shushing sound as he moved and then he felt the arm around his middle cinch tighter pulling him snugly against the incalescent body beside him. Lethargy tried to take control once more, and Naruto almost let himself be consumed by the darkness that smelled faintly of rain, musk, and soap. Naruto nuzzled closer, receiving a sigh in return. He could feel the chest expand against him and could hear the steady thrum of the heartbeat under his ear, it seemed to meld in with the distant whistle of the wind outside and the noise of the katydids creating a calliope of sound. The lullaby was like a sedative and would have lulled him back to sleep if his bladder hadn’t chosen that moment to start the stabbing pain of ‘pee-now-or-forever-hold-your peace.’

            Pulling free from the clinging arms and the lingering heat of the sheets, was easier this time, as he placed a hand against Sasuke’s chest, patting it when the grip tightened. The raven’s shirt had ridden up in the night, and Naruto noticed a dark spot near the collar from his spit and felt a matching wetness on his chin.  Uck…morning breath… Smacking his lips and swallowing to rid his mouth of the cottony film sleeping with his mouth open had caused, Naruto left the bed, rubbing at his face not bothering to fix the blankets or Sasuke’s shirt—he’d be back soon any way, besides, he had been comfortable where he was and he intended to return there once he’d relieved himself—and lumbered toward the door.

            The trip through the house was cold and dark, filled with blurry images and half cognizant thoughts. Naruto was truly too tired to care about much, least of all how he made it to the bathroom, managed to pee with no light on, and then traipse back to the room where his breathing pillow still lay sprawled.

            Clamoring into the room, leaving the door open behind him, Naruto only vaguely realized that the room was being lit by he flickers from heat lightening beyond the window. He wouldn’t have cared much in any case had the flash not cast a large, horrifying shadow across the floor where his eyes had been focused so as not to trip over anything.

            It took some time for his brain to understand what it was he was seeing, and as the information finally hit—bringing forth images of monsters that he usually wouldn’t think of but drowsiness and being only half lucid made his mind work overtime, bringing forth the carmine eyes that had torn through his mind not too long before—terror followed quickly.

            His cry of fear was sharp in the room, killing the drowsy feel of the room and waking Sasuke from his sleep quite brutally.

            Sharingan swirled, faintly glowing in the dim light and Naruto jumped at the swift, agility shown as Sasuke practically flew to his feet upon the bed, hands already blurring to the ready, prepared to defend and attack if need be.

Well, he would have jumped, if Sasuke’s fluid movement hadn’t been foiled by the blankets that caught his feet and—tightened by the movements—sent the raven toppling from the bed it a flurry of flailing limbs and curses.

            Naruto blinked at the Uchiha’s ungraceful collision and felt his lips twitch with the beginnings of a laugh.

            “What the hell, dobe?!” Sasuke growled, and Naruto could just see the tips of Sasuke’s bed-head from over the mattress. “Can’t you practice being a scaredy-cat during daylight hours?” The accusation was frigid but lacked the acidic bite that usually laced Sasuke’s words and prompted his next statement instead of a rebuttal.

            “There’s something outside the window!” Naruto whispered, as though he could keep the danger at bay with that alone, and pointed steadily with a finger.

            Sasuke, who had managed to untangle himself and was now standing next to the bed examining the damp spot on his shoulder with distaste, looked up at him before following his indication to the window.

            All was dark save for the gray outline of something that sat perfectly on the ledge. Unlike the shadow it was relatively small, and both he and Sasuke made a face at the thing, trying to decide just what it was.

A bird?

A cat?

            Naruto was personally betting on a monkey, just because it would entertain him more to see a monkey sitting in Sasuke’s window, and he really hoped it wasn’t a weasel.(1)

            Heat lightening illuminated the room and reflected off of the glass bringing the creature into abrupt focus.

            “Son of a—“

            “—Bitch!” Sasuke’s snarl did make Naruto jump this time as a blur of crimson eyes and Uchiha fan printed boxers flew by his face. “You pissed on my door step didn’t you, Ahou!” Sasuke cried as he threw the window open with a loud thud.

            The small fox flicked its tail and then leaped gracefully to the outcropping roof, making a hasty retreat. Naruto sighed, placing a hand to his forehead and scratched his scalp under his sleeping cap. “Damn, we’re going to have to run all the way to the theater tomorrow. Dumb fox.”

            He looked toward Sasuke, thinking that for the moment the battle was over and felt his jaw unhinge as Sasuke—seeming not to have heard him—hoisted himself through the window after the fox.

In his underwear.

            “Get back here, bastard, this isn’t over yet!” Sasuke screamed, literally screamed, in a manner Naruto had usually had the sole honor of obtaining.

            “… what the…” Naruto lifted a hand to pinch his cheek, and flinched at the sting. “…yep, not dreaming…” his hand dropped back to his side as he stared at the open window, listening to the distant sounds of destruction and cursing as Sasuke battled against the small canine.

            “Gokyaku no Jutsu!” the window and surrounding area took on a ruddy, golden hue that quickly faded with a sharp explicit. “Those are my shoes you… son of a—“

            Naruto blinked, slowly standing and making his way to the open window.

            “Uh… Sasuke?” His mumble couldn’t possibly be heard by the boy running through the yard in nothing but his boxers, and after a moment he was glad of that as a smile twitched up his lips. Heh, guess I’m not the only one being hounded by the damn animal.

            The laugh bubbled up his throat, light an airy, and with it the stress and tension that still lingered dissipated like fog as he clutched at his stomach and curled over the windowsill.

            “It’s not funny, dobe!” The cry came from outside, and only increased his mirth as Naruto slipped to the floor, rocking from side to side.

            He really wasn’t sure if it was because of the stress, the situation, or simply the fact that it was the wee hours of the morning, but Naruto couldn’t stop his chortling nor the overjoyed tears that gathered at the corners of his eyes.

            “Hey! Damn it! Stop laughing, its your fault the shit-head is pissing on my shoes and door, and… Naruto are listening it me?! Dobe!” Sasuke’s voice grew closer until he could feel the other beside him, his voice ringing in his ears.

            Naruto’s sides ached and his lungs burned with the need for air, but it was a good kind of pain and when he looked up into annoyed, but calm and some-what relived, black Naruto knew.

Its finally alright now.

            His laugh quieted and he gave a crooked grin up at his best friend and raised a fisted hand.

Sasuke made a face, looking torn between shock and confusion and looked at the fist before meeting Naruto’s eyes once more. An unspoken moment passed, where Naruto’s grin turned mischievous and Sasuke’s eyes widened then relaxed as he smirked and knocked his knuckles against Naruto’s.

            “He-heh,” Naruto snickered as Sasuke gripped his hand and pulled him to his feet. “Let’s kick some fox butt!”

            “Hn, just don’t let it piss on you, usuratonkachi. I don’t want to have to smell it all night.”

            “Shut up!”

Oh yeah, things really were normal, and this time, he dared to hope that they’d stay that way.

 

 

A.N. Gah! Finally! Sorry this took so long, it just wouldn’t come out the way I wanted it to. In fact I’m still unhappy with it. I think its too confusing and garbled. I’m trying to keep the awkwardness there especially since Naruto is still in denial and all, and the stubbornness. I don’t think much made sense here, I know Sasuke and Naruto DIDN’T talk about it, which pisses me off because they were supposed to… actually the whole angsty center where they aren’t talking for like three weeks was never supposed to happen, and yet, Naruto wanted it and there it was. *sigh* Sorry for the lateness of this, many things contributed to it, and I hope to rectify those. Thanks to all who have stuck with me and I hope it was worth the wait.

 

(1) Itachi means Weasel in Japanese.