For the Love of His Son

Disclaimer: Not mine. Bummer.
Summary: Lord Sasuke Uchiha believes that he has lost something precious to him and struggles to convince himself everyday that it didn‘t exist. What will he do when a blond haired peasant arrives at his doorstep claiming he has something the Uchiha “misplaced.” (SasuNaru)


For the Love of His Son
Chapter 7


Naruto walked two steps into the hall and knew he was the biggest idiot this side of Sand Country.


“Ah, so I see you agree with me, kit. Dramatic much?”


“Kyuubi, maybe now isn’t the time…” Naruto wanted to find a hole and fling himself in it. Head first. Sasuke had been nothing but understanding and patient with Naruto. To a stranger. To a stranger who showed up at his door, handed him his “dead” son and oh, had the furry parasite problem. Not to mention, he tended to be a human magnet for trouble. And the first time that Sasuke had treated him like an equal, by not coddling his ideas, Naruto had blown up. Which was odd to Naruto since there weren’t many times at Orochimaru’s castle where he would have dared react in such a manner.


“I don’t appreciate the whole ‘furry parasite’ thing… as long as your evaluating how your outbursts hurt people.”


“As you have told me again and again, you are not ‘people’.”


And, he couldn’t forget that not ten minutes prior to him opening his stupid mouth, his mouth had been involved in much more pleasant and rewarding activities. A blush washed across Naruto’s cheeks. Had his temper tantrum ruined that? Sasuke said he didn’t know what it was, but that he didn’t want it to stop. Would he now? And could Naruto blame him if he did?


Naruto slowly started walking again, rubbing Ryuu’s back gently. The baby was awake and twisting his tiny hands in the blond hair that curled around Naruto’s collar.


“Ryuu, do you think you would mind going back to the nursery for awhile. I know that we haven’t been together much, but there are some things I need to think about, okay?” Naruto knew that the little boy probably had no idea what he was talking about, but, if what Kiba said was true, then Ryuu had been quite a handful earlier. Naruto hoped he wouldn’t be now.


Ryuu leaned back and cooed, flashing Naruto a pint sized Uchiha smirk.


“I’m going to take that as a ‘hn’.” Naruto shook his head and started toward the nursery.


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Sasuke stood still, staring at the cold, wooden door that had been ‘gently’ closed in his face. Naruto hadn’t even slammed it. What did that mean? He suddenly remembered his parents having ‘discussions’ and his mother always slammed the door. Sort of an Uchiha nonverbal communication for “discussion over, enjoy the couch.”


Sasuke turned around slowly and decided that he should examine how he ended up here. (Staring, like an idiot, at a wooden door… woe to the Uchihas.) They were next to the window, Naruto wrapped his arms around him…nice. Sasuke turned around, leaned in for a kiss… super nice. Kiba knocked on the door… crap. Kissing next to the window… wow. More kissing on the bed… (odd moan sound that no Uchiha would ever make…ever… so of course, it did not just happen.) Cuddling… content sigh. And then Sasuke remembered that Orochimaru was out there and told Naruto. Naruto suggested ultimate stupidity. Sasuke, who isn’t stupid, said no. Naruto, who is stupid, insisted. Sasuke, who isn’t stupid, but maybe, just possibly, slightly insensitive, brought up this morning’s trauma. Naruto started speaking to Sasuke like he had never been spoken to in his entire life. And then, the door.


Well, that little trip down memory lane didn’t help anything, the lord thought dismally. Sasuke opened the door and stepped out into the hall. The dobe was an idiot and Sasuke needed to find him and force him to bring the clones back. As he walked down the hall, he found himself getting angrier and angrier. How dare that idiot talk to him that way, send clones out without his permission and then NOT slam the door!


“Ah, Sasuke. I was looking for you.”


Sasuke looked up to find Shikamaru standing in front of him. “Not now.” Sasuke growled and moved to walk past the lazy knight.


“Let me guess, the troublesome one did something?”


“…”


“Kiba has been telling everyone about your earlier activities. Does this have something to do with that?” Shikamaru leaned against the wall, hands in his pocket, eyes closed. Taking a mental note to kill Kiba, Sasuke considered just walking off, but he knew that even if the lazy brunette looked like he didn’t care, he did, and might be able to help.


Sasuke took up a similar stance against the opposite wall. “The dobe suggested sending out clones to watch Orochimaru for signs of movement. I told him no. This morning, when he woke up screaming, it was because Orochimaru and my brother had gotten a hold of one of his clones and done horrible things that Naruto had to witness when he received the clone’s memories.”


“Huh.” Shikamaru’s face gave away nothing.


“He told me that he sent them out anyway, treated me to some creative language and left…” Then in a mutter Shikamara barely heard, “Without slamming the door.” Sasuke sighed, closed his eyes and willed his frustration down.


“Troublesome as it is, had it been me, I would have used Naruto’s talents as well.”


“What?!” Sasuke’s eyes snapped open.


“If you sent knights out, at the most you could send ten, maybe fifteen. They would need to be your best because the mission is dangerous. That would leave thirty-five knights here. Which isn’t bad and even if all your ‘best’ are gone, they are still good.” Shikamaru opened his eyes and shrugged, “However, the space between here and there is massive. Your fifteen knights would need to spread out to be affective, perhaps go solo. That ups the chances of things going wrong. Plus, even with them spread out, the probability of Orochimaru slipping past is great. Fifteen wouldn’t be enough. Then, when Orochimaru got here, we’d be down by fifteen of our best knights.”


Sasuke stood processing what Shikamaru was saying. It all made perfect sense. Except for when Sasuke remembered that it was ‘Naruto’s’ clones.

“The troublesome one however, can send out dozen’s of clones. They can cover more area and transmit information instantly.” Looking up to see the young lord’s dark scowl, Shikamaru sighed deeply, “Sasuke, I don’t know much about him, but I do know that Naruto is powerful and emotional. He makes plans and carries them out with what would seem to be very little thought. He decided Ryuu should live and without thought to himself made sure that happened. But, he is not stupid. If Orochimaru used one of his clone’s against him, I’m sure that Naruto has planned for that. I would imagine that he discovered early on to learn from his mistakes.”


Sasuke nodded slowly. Closing his eyes again, Sasuke muttered darkly, “Yes, I’m sure he has.”


“Huh, I wouldn’t worry too much. He seems to be able to bounce back annoyingly fast. Whatever you said or he said won’t keep him down for long.” Shikamaru pushed off from the wall and started to stroll down the hall. “Oh, and we received word that Gaara and his siblings will be here within the week.” With that, he waved a hand over his shoulder and turned the corner.


Sasuke started walking in the opposite direction. He had a dobe to find.


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After leaving a cheerful Ryuu with a much happier Ino and her two boys, Naruto made his way to the courtyard. It was odd being able to walk wherever he wanted without worrying who he might run into. The knights, servants and other occupants of the castle nodded as he passed, none of the malice or ill-intent Naruto was accustomed to on their faces.


Upon reaching the courtyard, Naruto was jumped on by a happy Akamaru.


“Oh, hey boy. I don’t think I got your name before.” Naruto bent down and scratched the dog’s floppy ears.


“Hey, kid! Glad to see you up and about again. Planning on staying that way for awhile?” Kiba strolled over, stopping in front of Naruto.


“We can only hope.” Naruto mumbled, “Hey, what’s this guy’s name?” He asked, looking up at Kiba with a bright smile.


Can’t fool me, kid, Kiba thought. “Oh, that’s right. This is Akamaru and it looks like you’ve found yourself a life long friend.”


“Great! I need more of those. So, what are you guys doing out here?” Naruto looked around to see the knights once again practicing.


“Same thing as always.” Kiba scratched his cheek, “You want to spar again? We didn’t get to finish last time, did we? I’ve got your number now, though, no more Mr. Nice Kiba!”


Naruto chuckled and rubbed the back of his head, “No, I guess we didn’t. But, can we postpone for today. I’m still a little tired. It’s been a really, really long day.”


“Sure, no problem. What are you up to now?”


“Actually, I was hoping I could just walk around, think for a bit, you know?” Naruto looked at Kiba with soul weary blue eyes.


“I understand. Around the other side of the castle is the Uchiha garden. You should head over there. It might be exactly what you’re looking for.” Kiba placed a warm hand on Naruto’s shoulder and gently pushed him in the garden’s direction. “Go on and take Akamaru with you, he loves it over there. I’ll talk to you later.”


“Thanks Kiba!” With Akamaru at his heels, Naruto jogged out of sight.


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When Naruto turned the corner of the castle, a smile split across his face. He felt the tension ease out of his shoulders. Yes, this is what he needed. There was a small crystal clear pond in the middle of a thousand blossoms of different shapes and colors. Tall, leafy trees framed the garden and provided the perfect amount of shade. Akamaru bounded past Naruto and stuck his nose into the pond, sending the brightly colored koi swimming in every direction. Walking slowly over the delicate bridge that crossed the pond, Naruto closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Yes, exactly what he needed.


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Naruto couldn’t be sure how long he had been resting on a tree branch, over looking the pond, when he felt another chakra signature enter the garden. It only took him a moment to realize that it was Sasuke. Part of him brightened at the thought. There was something about the dark eyed lord that captivated him, making him feel safe and wanted. The other part of him, however, knew the time had come for Naruto to apologize for his earlier behavior. He wouldn’t bring his clones back, but Sasuke didn’t deserve to be spoken to that way. Naruto found that he was really, really getting tired of these “talks”.


Finally opening his eyes, Naruto looked down, not surprised to see black pools looking straight up at him.


“Dobe.” A smirk. How does he do that with his eyebrow, Naruto thought.


“Teme.” A smile. Yep, still need to talk to Neji about the skipping heartbeats. Sasuke shook his head and jumped up onto the branch next to Naruto.


Naruto rested his head back against the tree trunk. He smiled shyly, rubbing his hands against his thighs.


“Sasuke, about this morning, I shouldn’t have…”


“You were right.” Sasuke interrupted.


“No, listen, I know that you’re ma… what?” Naruto turned puzzled eyes to the dark haired man.


Sasuke took a moment to adjust himself on the branch, not because he didn’t know how to continue his “apology” of sorts, no, it was because comfort is important. Don’t question to wisdom of the Uchiha.


“I never should have brought up what Orochimaru did to your clone. I am concerned about what might happen if they are caught, but you were right to send them.” Sasuke rushed this out without looking at Naruto.


Naruto chuckled lightly, “Sasuke, you don’t need to apologize.” Sasuke flinched at the term. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m sorry for the way I reacted.” Naruto turned his bright blue eyes toward Sasuke and sighed. “I feel… so much has changed for me in such a short time. Just this morning I woke up from a week long coma that I wasn’t sure when I went to sleep I’d wake up from.” That comment earned him a low growl from the man perched next to him. “Today I’ve had several heart to heart talks, again, not something I’ve… well, I’ve never done it. I shared with a room full of strangers my biggest secret and found out I’m the son of the Fourth and that I am… I’m a mother.” Again, the soft chuckle, but Sasuke knew that Naruto didn’t think anything he had said was that funny.


Naruto brought his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. Resting his chin on his knees, he smiled a tired, but genuine smile at Sasuke. A gentle breeze blew golden spikes around Naruto’s face like butterfly wings. Sasuke felt dizzy. Oh dear, a new symptom to worry about.


“And then there’s you.”


Sasuke drew his gaze away from gold locks caressing whiskered cheeks. His eyes wide, he waited for Naruto to continue.


“Sasuke, this,” Naruto paused, “This isn’t who I am. You must understand that. I have never stood up for anything or anyone. I spent my whole life hiding, avoiding those that would hurt me. My best friend is a demon that everyone I’ve ever met hates me for. Until today…” Naruto seemed to be looking everywhere but Sasuke. “I have never spoken as harshly to anyone as I did to you today. Or the way I treated your knights at the gate, or this morning in the courtyard.”


Naruto shifted and sighed, “This afternoon was… wonderful.” A delicate blush brushed tan cheeks, “I’ve never felt like that, but I’m worried that you are attracted to someone I’m not… I’m just not.”


“I think you’re wrong, dobe.” Sasuke finally spoke. He moved closer to Naruto until he was on his knees in front of the wide eyed boy. “I think this ‘is’ who you are. Until you came here, you were never allowed to show who you really were. But you must have to some extent. I know it hurts to remember, but the cook and his wife saw the real you, didn’t they? That’s why Orochimaru and the bastard choose them, right?”


Naruto stiffened, when he looked up, crystal tears glistened in his eyes, “Orochimaru told them I was a monster and that was why they were being punished. Cook said he didn’t believe it, that they were the monsters, not me…” Sasuke didn’t catch the whispered, “Until the end.”


Sasuke moved quickly, gathering Naruto against him, “See? This is who you are. You just need time to discover that. You are brave, compassionate, concernedly stubborn and have an unique affect on people. Every person you have talked to since being here sees the real you, that you have had to buried, and are enchanted. And as you said, you’ve only been awake for one day. Imagine what tomorrow will bring.”


“Hmmm.” Naruto nuzzled Sasuke’s warm chest. Naruto wanted to believe him. Needed to.


“Naruto, you asked what ‘this’ was and I told you I didn’t want it to stop, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t and shouldn’t take it slow. You need time. You’ve been scared for so long. I won’t rush you. I see you, dobe, and that’s worth waiting for. I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed, like you did today, especially by ‘us’.”


Naruto looked up into piercing black eyes that blazed with pure honesty, he blushed and smiled sweetly, “Thank you, teme.”


Sasuke smirked, releasing a quiet “Hn.” and sat Naruto back against the tree trunk. Gently holding Naruto’s hand, they both watched quietly as the sun begun its slow decent from the sky.


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Later, the noise emitting from Naruto’s stomach would nearly knock Sasuke off the tree branch and motivate them to head toward the castle for dinner.


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“Dobe, you will tell me as soon as you get anything back from your clones.” The words suggested a command, the tone concurred.


Naruto rolled his eyes, “Of course, my lord. As you wish.”


“Dobe.”


“Yes, teme, I’ll tell you. Jeesh. You could try ‘asking’ you know. Instead of just commanding. How anyone puts up with you, I’ll never know.” With that, Naruto ran ahead, seeing Kiba wave at him from the courtyard.


If Naruto had turned around, he would have seen Sasuke’s lips pull up ever so slightly, while he whispered, “The real Naruto.”


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Upon entering the castle, Naruto ran to the kitchen. Ino was there with Ryuu, so Naruto immediately confiscated the young heir and started running from dish to dish. True to his word, he accepted his position as taster with great enthusiasm. He joked with Ino, Chouji and Kiba before being shooed out to alert the rest of the castle to dinner.


And alert he did. By the time that dinner was placed at the table, every man, woman and child was present. Those who had met the boy just shook their heads. Many, who hadn’t said two words to the mysterious blond, just stared in awe as he passed the meat and potatoes as if this was something they all did everyday.


It’s not that Sasuke believed that the staff was lower than him, he just never thought they would be comfortable sitting with him and his knights. (Well, this and in the history of all Uchihas, no one would ever consider the idea.) This thought apparently didn’t cross the dobe’s mind. Sasuke watched as the laundry maid nervously asked a smiling Lee for the salt. Kakashi discussed the upcoming weather predictions with the stock clerk and Hinata helped the candle maker’s son arrange the food on his plate to look like a crude face. And little Ryuu, well, he was passed up and down the table, apparently having the time of his life.


“Oi! Teme, are you listening? Do you want green beans or not? A ‘no thank you’ would suffice.”


The table went silent. Knights quietly snickered, children fidgeted and the others looked for the nearest exit. Sasuke’s left eye ticked.


“Dobe…” A whispered growl.


“Yes, teme?” Naruto asked, blue eyes wide with fake innocence.


“Yes, dammit.” Sasuke grabbed the bowl.


Naruto smiled wide, “All you had to do was ask, my lord.”


The festivities continued.


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Dinner was winding down, the atmosphere was relaxed and content. Ryuu had finally made his way into Sasuke’s arms and his dark haired father wasn’t giving him up.


Naruto seemed to be carrying on four different conversations while making sure that everyone had had enough to eat. Sasuke watched quietly. Yes, he was right. This was the real Naruto. The Naruto he had always been, but had never been given the chance to express. He thrived around other people. He face alight with happiness and purpose. And, truth be told, people thrived around him. This was by far the most enjoyable dinner the castle had ever had. Sasuke knew a new tradition had begun and didn’t find himself minding all that much.


Naruto must have felt Sasuke staring because he glanced up locking eyes with the lord. Sasuke saw that Naruto was enjoying himself, but the weariness in those eyes was almost painful to witness.


Sasuke stood up, “Dobe, I know you’re enjoying yourself, but these kind people would like to leave now and Ryuu is ready for bed. Surely you want to say goodnight?”


Relief flashed through blue eyes, “Yes, of course.” Turning toward the table, Naruto gave a gentle bow, “It was great meeting you all. Thank you for having dinner with us. Good night.” Naruto turned and ran after the retreating lord.


Sasuke smirked, did the dobe realize he’d just conducted himself as “lady” of the castle.


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Up in the nursery, Sasuke watched while Naruto nuzzle his, no, their son.


“Sleep well, little dragon. I l-love you, always.” Naruto gave the boy one more kiss on the nose and placed him in his crib. “Sleep, Chibi, sleep.” Slowly the baby’s lashes fell against cherub cheeks and remained closed in the peaceful sleep only children seem capable of.


Sasuke followed Naruto into the hall and silently closed the nursery door. Naruto leaned heavily against the wall, his eyes closed.


“Naruto?” Sasuke said, concern lacing his words as he stepped closer to the blond.


“Sasuke, I’m so very, very tired.” Naruto’s voice was so quiet Sasuke had to lean in to hear it.


“Dobe! Why didn’t you say something earlier? You could have had dinner in your room, and gone right to sleep.” Sasuke looked Naruto up and down, assuring himself that it was just exhaustion and not something else bothering the dobe.


“No, I didn’t want to cause any trouble. I’m fine.” Naruto’s eyes sluggishly opened and he pushed off the wall. Had Sasuke not been ready to catch the idiot, he would have fallen to the floor.


“Dobe!” Sasuke whispered and lifted the dozing blond into his arms, carrying him bridal style to Naruto’s room.


After laying the blond down and making sure he would be warm enough, Sasuke leaned down and gently brushed aside wayward silken spikes. He smirked when Naruto whimpered as his hand pulled away.


Sasuke brushed a light kiss against the sleeping boy‘s forehead, “Good night, dobe.”


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The following days produced a pattern in Naruto’s behavior. He would wake in the morning, wash and dress. Hinata had managed to acquire clothes Naruto’s size. Kiba nearly lost his breakfast when he recognized the garments as his own from when he was five years younger. Naruto chose to wipe Kiba’s smile off out on the training grounds rather than fly over the table while they were eating, which had been his first instinct. His triumph was satisfying, indeed.


After dressing, he would head into the nursery and help his little dragon prepare for the day. Next, he and the littlest Uchiha could be found in the kitchen. Naruto had taught Chouji how to make ramen and Chouji had let Naruto ‘convince’ him to make it for the blond nearly everyday for lunch.


After helping out in the kitchen for most of the morning, Ryuu would be tucked in for his nap and Naruto would wonder around the Uchiha castle, sometimes practicing with the knights, other times folding sheets in the laundry, his personal favorite was to spend hours in the library. He seemed to befriend everyone and wanted to know and help in all the inner workings of his new home.


And as predicted, every night, the dinner table held the whole castle. Sasuke didn’t know how rewarding having one time during the day when everyone could talk, laugh and learn from each other could be. The castle occupants had never been unhappy, but because of a blond haired dobe, they were becoming a family.


The situation was rewarding for everyone, except the lord of the castle.


Sasuke, four mornings after Naruto had officially awoken, could be found sitting at the head of the table in the main hall, brooding. Naruto seemed to be giving a piece of his time to everyone… everyone that is, but him.


Sasuke had said ‘slow’ and he had meant it. He didn’t mean full stop! Anyone else may have thought the dobe was avoiding Sasuke on purpose, but Sasuke was one of the few who had information about Naruto’s previous living arrangements. Naruto had gone out of his way at Orochimaru’s castle to avoid the lord and his lackey. Sasuke smirked at the term. So, of course, he spent time anywhere else but the main hall. Sasuke understood that this tactic had probably saved the dobe’s life. The only problem was that here, at his castle, it meant that Naruto avoided Sasuke.


With a rush of determination, Sasuke stood up. Something needed to change.


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“Ah, Sasuke…”


Naruto found himself pressed gently against the nursery door. Sasuke’s lips were trailing kisses from his lips, down his neck and across his collar bone.


“S’uke, is this us going… mmmm… slowly?” Naruto panted out.


“Hn, dobe. Of course, doesn’t it feel slow?”


“Well, actually no.” Teeth nipped at his jugular, “Ahhhh… yes! Slowly, so slowly.”


Sasuke smirked against the tan skin of Naruto’s lithe neck, “That’s what I thought you said.”


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Dishes clattered as the castle occupants ate another delicious dinner prepared by their wonderful cook and his two sidekicks, Naruto and Ryuu.


Naruto was sitting next to Kiba and across from Lee tonight. He enjoyed changing seats each night, but tried to stay within hearing range of the castle’s lord. It seemed to make Sasuke happy. Naruto blushed. A happy Uchiha was a good thing.


“So, Naruto! You haven’t experienced your full spring time vigor until you have made the journey into our humble village. Oh the sounds! And the youth!” Lee and Kiba had been telling Naruto about the nearby village that was under the castle’s protection.


“Yeah, kid, all that youth stuff, plus, there are shops and traveling merchants and for you, lots of people who could con you into doing their chores.” Kiba said, while absently ladling gravy onto his potatoes.


He received a punch to his shoulder, “Dog Breath, no one ‘cons’ me! How many times do I need to tell you, I enjoy helping out around here.”


“About as many times as I need to tell you you’re off your rocker, I suppose.” Kiba turned his head, having felt an elbow connect to his other side. Hinata scowled at him. “What?” She shifted a giggling Ryuu and looked pointedly at his plate. Gravy was running over his potatoes, through his meat and causing his peas to float. “Oops.”


“We should journey to town tomorrow, my youthful friends!”


“Yeah, that would be great!” Naruto turned to look at Sasuke. “My lord! Oi, teme!”


Sasuke, who had been talking to Kakashi and Iruka, slowly turned his head to the loud annoyance, left eye twitch firmly in place.


“May I be of some assistance, dobe?” His tone was as sweet as sugar, his gaze as cold as ice.


“Well, now that I think about it, you really should get that twitch looked at. Does it hurt?” Naruto questioned, giving Sasuke his squished “I’m actually serious” face.


Sasuke growled, “Naruto.”


And Naruto understood a warning when he got one, “Hehe… anyway, Dog Breath, Bushy Brows and I are going down to the village tomorrow. Just thought I’d let you know.”


Sasuke felt his insides sift. He wasn’t sure that was a good idea. They hadn’t heard anything from Naruto’s clones, well except the one that had ‘poofed’ back after a rather nasty squirrel bite. Oh, how Naruto enjoyed relaying that piece of tactical information to his ‘lord’. Naruto said that he didn’t think Orochimaru would make a move right away. He would enjoy “watching us squirm”, Naruto had said, and then attack when their guard was down. Still, was it wise for Naruto to leave the safety of the castle walls? Wasn’t that, in essence, letting their guard down?


Sasuke looked up to see that Naruto must have taken his silence as a ‘yes’ because the dobe was back to joking with Kiba about Lake Gravy and the endangered civilization of native peas.


“Dobe, I’ll go with you.” Naruto slowly turned his head at this announcement.


“Okay, teme, the more the merrier!” Naruto gave him ‘that’ smile. Sasuke suppressed a flinch, dammit, normal heartbeats are important.


“Actually, boss, you can’t.” Kakashi said, interrupting Sasuke’s ponderings on his body’s necessary functions. “Gaara will be here tomorrow and you really should be here to meet and greet him. Manners and all that political babble.”


“Yes, of course. Naruto, maybe you could go some oth…” Sasuke began.


“Well, I guess it’s just the three of us then!” Naruto smiled widely at Kiba and Lee.


“Hey, four! Don’t forget Akamaru.” Kiba said, slowly spooning up his gravy soup.


Iruka coughed quietly, catching Sasuke’s attention before he could correct the dobe’s idiotic assumptions. “My lord, I’ll go with them as well. He’ll have three knights and Akamaru. Let him get out. He’ll really enjoy himself. You know he will.”


Sasuke stared at the brown haired man. Dammit, when had he become so easy to read. He was a bloody Uchiha! Beating down his annoying inner three year old, Sasuke gave a rather broody, “Hn” and carried on his earlier conversation.


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This time Sasuke had caught Naruto during his after dinner walk through the garden. The moon shined off the boy’s sunshine mane as Sasuke held the boy on his lap, legs hanging lazily over the side of the bridge.


“Dobe,” Sasuke held the blond’s face in his hands, gazing deeply into his crystal blue eyes, “Promise me. Promise me you’ll be careful tomorrow.” He finished his statement by claiming the boy’s lips in a passionate kiss that caused Naruto‘s thoughts to slow down and heart to speed up.


“I…” Sasuke nibbled on Naruto’s plump bottom lip, relishing in the soft whimper, “I… I promise. Dammit, Sasuke!”


The dark haired lord smirked, “What, Na-ru-to? May I be of some assistance?”


Sasuke leisurely asked and received entrance into his dobe’s mouth. He slowly ran his tongue across teeth and the warm insides of the boy’s mouth and then lazily battled for dominance with the blond’s timid tongue.


“Ah… S’uke… is this us… mmm… taking it…oh god… slowly?”


“Of course, dobe.”


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With moonlight illuminating their path, Sasuke and Naruto strolled slowly back into the castle. Sasuke’s pale fingers caressed the tan ones he held gently in his hand.


“Sasuke?”


“Hn.”


Naruto swore silently. If that was Ryuu’s first word, a certain lord of the castle was going to be in serious trouble. “Who is Gaara? Why is he coming here?”


“Gaara is my… friend. His father is the Kazekage of Sand. Gaara and his two siblings live in castles on the three accessible borders of Sand. Gaara’s castle is near the border of my lands. After my brother betrayed us all, Gaara stood by me. He provided aid and support for my people and helped me ensure my position with the other lords. I wasn’t meant to be lord of this castle. It was Itachi’s place. It was a lot for me to handle. Many were skeptical. I was lucky to have Gaara and other’s like him on my side.” Sasuke smiled gently down at Naruto’s concerned face. “I would imagine he is coming because he has heard of the upset at Orochimaru’s castle and your arrival here. He’ll want to hear the truth from me.”


“I look forward to meeting him then.”


“I think you’ll like him. You have a lot in common.” Sasuke considered telling Naruto about Gaara’s own inner ‘guest’, but felt it wasn’t his place.


Sasuke nodded and smirked, “Yeah, you’re both about the same size.”


“Well, that’s nice… what! Bastard!” Naruto shouted, arms flailing.


If anyone had been listening they would have heard their stoic lord laugh as he entered the castle that night.


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After seeing the dobe and his ‘escorts’ off the next morning, Sasuke headed to the courtyard to get some training in while awaiting the arrival of the Sand Siblings.


An hour later saw the young lord abusing his target with rapid fire punches and chakra infused kicks. Sweat poured down his face, soaking into the collar of his shirt, but still he couldn’t stop thoughts of Naruto from entering his mind.


Sasuke was happy with the “alone” time he had secured for himself and the blond dobe. He had learned early on the Naruto was receptive to the attention just so long as Sasuke never pinned him in a way that the boy couldn’t escape easily if he wanted too or snuck up on the boy. Sasuke never broke these two unspoken rules. The fear that flashed through crytstal blue eyes wrenched the lords heart from his body and he made sure he was never the cause of it.


The loud clatter of the main gate opening halted Sasuke’s current series of punches and train of thought. Gaara had been spotted and would be arriving soon. Wiping sweat absently from his forehead, Sasuke turned and made his way back into the castle to clean up. Gaara would be a welcome distraction from recent events. Sasuke was looking forward to it.


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Naruto was having the time of his life in the village. He was never been allowed to leave the castle during his stay with Orochimaru and wondering a village where everyone knew and hated him and Kyuubi wasn’t high on Naruto’s “To Do List” anyway.


But in this village, Naruto was free to explore to his heart’s content and he intended to do just that. He ran from shop to shop, vender to vender, touching everything and talking to everyone. Lee and Akamaru ran right beside the excited blond while Kiba and Iruka hung back, secretly enjoying watching Naruto discover the village.


“Iruka?” Kiba asked, when Naruto and company were fall enough ahead to ensure they couldn’t overhear.


“Yes?” Iruka turned his head to the younger boy.


“The boss is worried about Orochimaru and the Wonder Weasel stealing the kid away, isn’t he? That’s why he offered to come, and when he couldn’t, sent you instead.”


Iruka had watched Kiba grow up and knew he wasn’t as stupid as the other’s joked him about, but seeing a concerned and serious Kiba was a new experience for the scarred man. “Yes. He is. Orochimaru sent Naruto a ‘message’, via a clone Naruto had left behind, that said he was coming for Naruto and Ryuu. Sasuke wants at least one of us around each of them at all times. As for today’s outing, I think Sasuke would have preferred Naruto not leave the castle walls at all, but, you’ve seen him.”


Iruka nodded his head toward Naruto who was currently helping a baker carry bags of flour into his store, while several village children skipped around his feet. “He needs this. Needs a home. Needs to feel wanted and not trapped.”


“Yeah,” Kiba snickered, watching Naruto trip and fall into Lee, flour exploding around them, leaving Naruto, Lee and Akamaru looking like snow angels. “He’s something else.”


“Yes, he is.”


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“Uchiha.” The red haired lord said emotionlessly.


The company stood in the middle of the courtyard. Gaara, his siblings and a scattering of guards, looking blankly at Sasuke and his knights.


“Sabuka.” Sasuke returned with a smirk. “How was the journey? Pleasant I hope.”


Sasuke turned, knowing that Gaara would fall into step beside him.


“It was fine.”


They walked in a comfortable silence. This was one of the traits that Sasuke enjoyed about the red haired lord, he knew how to be quiet. During past visits, they had sat in Sasuke’s study for hours, not saying a single word to each other until Gaara stood to announce he was leaving.


“I am told congratulations are in order.” Gaara began, “Which I found very interesting since the last time I was here you were certain the pink haired bitch had killed the baby.”


“And the last time you were here, that was my understanding as well. Then, just over two weeks ago, a young man appeared at the gates demanding to speak to me, saying he had something that belonged to me. Later, when we are move comfortable, I’ll go into the details. What he brought me was my son.” Sasuke felt the intense green eyes of his guest staring at him.


“How?”


“Apparently, Naruto was present for the baby’s birth. He had been told to kill the infant. Instead, he stole the baby away and brought him to me, along with many, many other unbelievable things.”


“This boy. Who is he?”


Sasuke’s answer was cut off as a golden haired blur ran behind him.


“Ha! I win! That will be 4000 push ups, Bushy Brows. If you start now you just might be finished by breakfast tomorrow.” Naruto was bent over, face flush, hands on his knees, breathing deeply. Sasuke started, speechless at the imagine of beauty before him.


“Ah, teme! I didn’t see yo…”


Slowly Naruto’s head turned to look at the shorter man standing next to the Uchiha. Kyuubi screamed in the boy’s mind. Two sets of eyes, one green, the other blue, widened.


Before anyone in the courtyard to move, a chakra burst threw back everyone within a ten foot radius of the two men. Sasuke stood quickly and immediately froze.


Sand wrapped dangerously around Naruto’s frame, ominously working it’s way up toward Naruto’s neck. Tearing his eyes from the dobe, Sasuke saw that Gaara wasn’t fairing much better. Red chakra circled around the sand lord’s neck, pulsating as it slowly tightened.


“Well, that’s not good.” Kiba commented quietly, somewhere behind Sasuke.


“Hn.” Outside Sasuke stared stonily, inside, three year old Sasuke was running around in circles, screaming while ripping his hair out.


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Gaara had heard Shukaku roar inside his head and when he opened his eyes, he was no longer in the Uchiha’s courtyard. Gaara didn’t show his surprise as he looked around to find himself on a sand dune that overlooked his father’s castle. This had been his favorite spot as a child, when he needed to think or just get away.


A slight shuffle to his right had Gaara’s head snapping around, eyes widening as he was faced with the blued eyed blond from before.


“Hello,” Naruto brought his hand up to nervously rubbed the back of his head, “I thought maybe we should talk before we kill each other.”