A.N. Okay, first off I am SOOO sorry this took so long to get out. A lot has happened including a plot twist that most of you might gut me for…. *Hides behind a random rock* Also, I wrote out each chapter as notes and attempted to complete the story before reposting, but that didn’t turn out so well what with work and going back to college…. Anyway, to those who have been waiting I am sorry, to those who are irritated with my verbiage and my knowledge of the anime/manga, I’m sorry but I read the scanlations and go off of that, and maybe I got a hold of some bad ones so thanks for correcting me but currently I have no time to go back right now and fix them. Now before you all kill me, this is a rough draft I still might fix it again, later. And a LOT happens in this chapter, mostly to Sasuke, and this is where he really ventures into OOC land, because he’s changing/healing, so again, sorry, if this isn’t as good as you expected. I’ll repost it with corrections when I have more time. I have the next three chapters finished I am still going over them but expect them soon. So, please be kind… and I do have a plan, trust me….?

 

Kyuubi the Bitch

 

Sasuke

 

Chapter Four: Admissions and Requests

 

            Sasuke sat in the uncomfortable chair and tried to ignore his sore muscles. Why is it that every time we get a mission outside of the village this happens? Sasuke internally grumbled, shifting again to relieve the ache from the scrape of bandages that criss-crossed his chest and back. The need for the wrapping made him grimace. And why the hell is he always using that…power. Sasuke deflated, his eyes turning somber as he looked over the blonde resting in the bed.

           

Naruto lay haphazardly across it, blankets—readjusted several times by Sasuke—a rumpled mess as he slept, mouth open and drool leaking out of the corner. In a word, disgusting, but he’d known from the sleepovers that Naruto only slept like this when he was extremely exhausted.

 

            Like the last time we were home… Sasuke’s look softened and he reached out, again pulling the blanket up around the dobe to keep his itching hands from running his fingers through the blond hair.

 

            Really, he shouldn’t be as worried as he was. He knew how strong Naruto was, had seen it time and time again, but every time he told himself that Naruto had several advantages over any opponent—first and foremost being Kyuubi—all he’d see was the shocked expression of pain in blue eyes as the life drained from them. Even now, he could still feel the encasing flesh and blood on his fist and it made him break out in a cold sweat that had nothing to do with being stuck in the Land of Snow.

 

Naruto was strong.

 

            But he was also mortal.

 

            Never again… never… Sasuke promised, as he had every day since his return to Konoha with an unconscious dobe. Naruto had been breathing, and Sasuke could feel his heartbeat against his own, but, there was no guarantee that Naruto was alive. No assurance that Kyuubi hadn’t taken over completely, and that more than anything else was why he let Tsunade pry Naruto from his arms.

 

            She’d had every right to hit him, and every right to have him contained until she’d been certain that Naruto was all right. Sasuke understood that, and was simply surprised that the Hokage hadn’t killed him on the spot after examining the blonde. Then again, he doubted there was anyway she could tell just how close he’d actually been to killing Konoha’s number one most unpredictable ninja.

 

 

            “What happened?!” The sharp cry was what woke him even before he was suddenly jostled.

 

            “Naruto stopped him from leaving.” Kakashi’s calm voice steadied him even as the large prying hands made him jump. Someone was trying to remove Naruto from him. Sasuke gripped tighter and let the burn of sharingan take over as he turned to face the person.

 

            “Where were they?” The Hokage’s voice was sharp, and her golden eyes met his with no fear. Only detest, that bordered on hate.

 

            Sasuke’s eyes widened at the hostility blatantly displayed on his leader’s face, solely for him, and for a moment he wondered what he’d done, but was quickly reminded as a crushing force yanked his clinging fingers from around Naruto’s form.

 

            “Let him go, Uchiha.” He didn’t need to read minds to know that the Hokage was not using his last name in respect of his clan, but in memory of his brother. Sasuke looked away and reluctantly let go.

 

            He watched as the adults carried the blonde away, his eyes locked on that frail form, like a child watched after their mother as she left them alone at school for the first time. He was cold inside, certain that he wouldn’t be allowed near Naruto again, but then again, after what he’d done—Sasuke lifted his blood covered hand, flexing the fingers experimentally, face pale with morbid fascination—he didn’t deserve to.

 

            “Come, Sasuke.” Kakashi’s voice was a low whisper, but just as firm as the press of the hand to the small of his back that led him into a side room. Kakashi didn’t speak to him, and Sasuke felt no urge to talk himself, as he was set on the crisp, clean bed beneath the window.

 

Several minutes passed with Sasuke staring down at his hands, wishing he could erase the sins that marked him, with Kakashi standing guard. A nurse came in and attended to his wounds, and Sasuke winced and grunted as she cleaned and bandaged his burned throat but otherwise nothing else happened.

 

            Horrified thoughts began to fill his mind, ranging from Naruto’s death, to the Kyuubi’s take over, and he could do nothing to stop the curling fear that clawed at his gut and pounded through his temples. He started chanting Naruto’s name over and over again, his hands shaking on his knees when the door suddenly opened, causing him to jump.

 

            Tsunade entered, her shoulders slumped in tired relief, and she flashed Kakashi a small reassuring smile and Sasuke watched his teacher relax. He hadn’t even realized the other had been tense until then.

 

            Hell, he’d honestly forgotten the other was in the room at all.

 

            “How’s Naruto?” Sasuke dared to voice and jerked back to a seated position as those accusing eyes shot to his own, freezing his limbs and heart. She truly hated him, and the feeling left him cold.

 

Was this what Naruto meant when he said the Village looked at him with those eyes?

 

            “Sasuke Uchiha, you are charged with the crime of trying to become a missing nin. Of injuring four gennin, one chunnin and…” She trailed off, eyes tormented, and it was obvious she was attempting not to favor Naruto, but it was clear that she did. “…nearly killing your teammate if my analysis is correct.”

 

            Sasuke flinched, eyes widening further. Does she know? Does she know I killed him?! His panic must have shown on his face for Kakashi actually stepped between them, blocking the Hokage with his body.

 

            “Kakashi.” Her voice showed her displeasure and Sasuke wondered how Kakashi found the guts to face her, he was honestly scared stiff of what she’d found, and what that might mean for him.

 

            “Godaime, I’m sure you are well aware of the circumstances behind Sasuke as well as his past, but please take into consideration the fact that Sasuke carries Orochimaru’s curse seal, and is therefore not completely responsible for his actions.”

 

            “Anko also has his curse seal but she—“

 

            “Anko is not a Gennin, and she does not carry Sasuke’s past.” Kakashi’s tone was just as firm as the Hokage’s and Sasuke was surprised to feel the battle aura’s around the two.

 

            Tsunade conceded if just barely and Kakashi stepped aside as the blonde woman approached. Sasuke had to quell the urge to flee. He was an Uchiha, damn it, and he would not cower before this woman.

 

At least he tried not to.

 

            “What happened, I want details, and I want them now. Do you understand me, Uchiha?” Her voice was deadly, and Sasuke met her golden gaze and nodded slowly, his throat so tight he was surprised to still be breathing. He was hoping that she would back off some now that he agreed to talk to her, but she only dragged up a chair and sat down, still invading his personal space.

 

            Sasuke shifted, unsure of where to start and the silence dragged on annoyingly. The Hokage let out an annoyed sound, her arms crossed over her ample chest and Sasuke licked his lips to ease the chapped feeling, it didn’t help or give him any words to say.

 

            “Well?”

 

            “… How is Naruto?”

 

            Tsunade slammed to her feet and that was all Sasuke was aware of before pain burst through him. He was laying on the floor, crumpled against the far wall with his cheek throbbing as though his whole skull was crushed.

 

            “Hokage-sama, please, calm yourself—“ Kakashi was trying to hold back the enraged woman, whose eyes now spelled murder for him, and Sasuke felt himself tremble, though it must have been from the pain, as he was too numbed and dazed yet to feel fear.

 

            “You little bastard! How dare you ask that after what you did! How dare you! Why would you even care, you were going to leave Konoha, and him to join that fucking snake, and you dare to ask how Naruto is?!” Her words were hysterical, hurt, and they reminded him of a frightened mother.

 

            In his confusion, that might have been why he answered so truthfully, or maybe it was due to his definite concussion. “…I left to protect him.”

 

            Tsunade snorted, her look accusing. “Is that why you beat him into near coma? Anymore and that damn fox would be the only one with any brain activity!”

 

            Sasuke shook his head in denial but quickly discovered how bad of an idea that was as his stomach clenched and his head spun. “No…” He croaked out, vision blurring alarmingly. “… no… I didn’t… mean to…I tried to stop… but, everything went dark… I… I forgot… oh god…” His voice trailed off to a whisper as once more his eyes burned with the memories of just how much he had forgotten, and then his stomach had its way and he leaned over and retched onto the floor.

 

            The acidic taste of bile and the acrid smell preoccupied him so he didn’t notice when Tsunade calmed, and shrugged off Kakashi’s grip to move to his side, hand already glowing green as she tended to the wounds she had inflicted, her lips a tight thin line.

 

            “Explain. From the beginning.”

 

            The pain and dizziness was subsiding, and with the ease of the pressure it became easier to reign in his emotions, and Sasuke reclined against the wall, allowing the brisk hands to help him as he recounted his reasoning for the whole mistake.

 

            “… Naruto told me… about Itachi and why he was targeting him.” Sasuke’s word’s froze the healing motions the woman made, and caused Kakashi to jump, but Sasuke ignored it and pressed on, eyes focused on the far wall, recalling the events like it was happening now in the moment. “… I had been so angry with him for being the focus of my brother when I meant nothing… not even a glance…” Sasuke clenched his fists as Tsunade frowned in disapproval of his words. “… but after he told me… I was more angry with myself… for not realizing it sooner.”

 

            Tsunade finished and pulled back, moving enough to allow Kakashi to lift him and move him back to the bed. The tattered remains of his shirt was shed and he was handed a white top. Kakashi walked to a side closet and returned with something that he spread over the vomit in the corner. It absorbed the smell and liquid making it easier to clean, and then Sasuke continued.

 

            “…when we had that fight in the woods… Itachi showed up…I…” Sasuke paused his hands shaking and he fisted them in the sheets under him, lip curling viciously as he bit out the words. “I forgot him. I was staring right into his eyes and I couldn’t see him!” He lifted his gaze back to the Hokage’s and watched the gold widen, unaware that again his sharingan had activated with his distress.

 

            “He was right there, and the one thing that could kill him, that one thing that actually scares him was right there… and I did nothing!” Sasuke lowered his face and growled, self loathing rising with his memories.

 

            “I had to get stronger. For Naruto, for myself. I had to get stronger now, so I could take out Itachi before he could get another chance...”

 

            “But…” Kakashi voiced silently, and Sasuke deflated, hands falling limp in his lap. As much as he hated Kakashi, he was also grateful for his presence. The other knew him, even better than he did himself at times, and for the moment that was a comfort.

 

            “… but I didn’t know how. I got home and… the sound four were there.” Sasuke bit his lip. “I knew better… I remembered the warnings, but I didn’t care. If it would get me stronger then…” He looked up and met both adults’ eyes with steady unremorseful ones. Clearly stating without words that he would make the choice again if it meant saving Naruto from Itachi’s clutches. “…then I didn’t care.”

 

            Silence followed for a while before Sasuke picked back up again. “They activated the seal, forcing it into ‘level two’ or some such, and that was when everything went wrong. I… I was so angry, I couldn’t stop it. I hated, everything, and when Naruto showed up I felt…nothing.” Sasuke was staring at his hands again, still seeing the blood though it had been cleaned away. “Inside I was screaming, ‘no’… but my body…” Sasuke again trailed off helplessly then swallowed hard, scowling and turning away from the adults. “Is he all right?”

 

            “Yes. He needs to rest, but he is fine.” Tsunade sounded defeated, but Sasuke dared not face her, already morbidly embarrassed for having said so much, but relaxed at her confirmation that Naruto would survive his mistake.

 

            “What is my punishment?”

 

            There was a pregnant pause that lasted long enough for him to look out of the corner of his eye and found Tsunade glaring at him once more. She was measuring him up and Sasuke turned his eyes away not wanting to see her verdict.

 

            “Is that the whole truth Sasuke?”

A nod. “I lost control… if he didn’t have Kyuubi…” Sasuke lifted his knees and hid his face in them.

 

            “If given the chance would you betray Konoha again? Would you join Orochimaru if the chance presented itself to you?” Her words were harsh and Sasuke listened, truly thinking them over. When he answered his voice was shaky.

 

“I would be tempted… not just for Naruto’s sake, but for my own, but, I know that usuratonkachi will just come after me again. I can’t risk a repeat of this, I won’t. If Naruto wants me to stay… I’ll stay.” Sasuke stated slowly lifting his head so he could stare out over his knees.

           

“Why?”

 

Sasuke froze.

 

            It was a simple question but, not so simple an answer. Why would he stay for Naruto? Well to answer that, he had to think of why it scared him, honest to god, terrified him when he thought that the dobe would really die. Sasuke shifted uncertain if he felt comfortable with answering either of those.

           

The feelings were still too raw, too new, and they unnerved him. To explain them to the Hokage would be impossible, but what would be the repercussion for no giving an answer?

Luckily, Tsunade didn’t really want one.

 

            “Well then, is been a long night. Kakashi put him in the bed beside our other patient and watch them. I’ll be back in the morning.”

 

            Sasuke jumped and looked at her in confusion. “… but… what about my—“

 

            “Don’t be so hasty to be beaten kid.” Tsunade snapped. “I’ll inform you when I know, for now, rest up.” And then she turned and left.

 

            Sasuke stared after the woman, dazed at what had happened in so short of a time. She’d yelled, glared, thrown him into a wall, gave him a concussion and healed him, then forgave him—well was attempting to in any case—all in a matter of minutes.

Sasuke suddenly felt dizzy again.

 

            “Come on, Sasuke. Let’s get you settled.”

 

            “Hn.”

 

            Kakashi let out a sad sigh, his head hanging down and eyes closing in disappointment. Sasuke tensed, afraid of what that meant for him, when his teacher was speaking once more. “And here you were speaking in full sentences… maybe we should have the Godaime hit you more often since it seems to improve your conversation skills.”

 

            Sasuke’s eyes narrowed and one picked up a tick. “Hn.”

 

            Kakashi lifted his hands in defeat and lead him out of the room and down the hall.

 

            Dobe… Sasuke gave in and let his hand curl over Naruto’s in remorse. The warmth of the skin relaxed him, even as it twisted his heart painfully. You knew… everyone else might not understand the extent of what happened there, but, you do, yet… you smiled and acted like nothing had happened…Sasuke let a soft smile curve his mouth, relieved in more than one way that things had returned to normal.

 

            Well, as normal as could be expected of them.

 

            Though, Sasuke had been a bit concerned by the warm feelings he’d been having lately along with the norm. It had been startling, and scary at first, but since coming ‘home’ he’d realized that the feelings he was having weren’t exactly foreign, so much as forgotten.

 

Happy.

 

He was actually happy.

 

            Sasuke sighed, shaking his head and letting his fingers glide over the soft warm skin under his palm. The damn dobe made him happy, the thought should have made him laugh, or even deny it, but after the valley of the end, repressing things had become a little too painful.

 

            Besides, he couldn’t deny the joy he’d felt when Kakashi had led him to a room where Naruto lay resting and recovering. Just as he couldn’t deny the ease he’d felt when he’d slipped from his own bed after several horrific nightmares to curl up next to Naruto in his bed. Naruto made the nightmares stop, just as he made the loneliness, and the helpless feelings leave, and this time, Sasuke wasn’t going to give that up.

 

At this point, he couldn’t.

 

       “He still sleeping?” Sasuke tensed at the soft feminine voice, even as he recognized it as their client and turned away from Naruto to stare blankly at the princess.

 

Her smile dimmed as she met his gaze. Where she seemed to have bonded with Naruto, and Naruto with the actress/runaway princess, he had not. Aside from being annoying, and a pain in his ass, Sasuke felt absolutely nothing for the woman. Seemed she cared little about him as well as she looked past him at the snoozing dobe.

 

        “Hn.”

 

        “As articulate as ever I see.” Koyuki smirked as she moved further into the room. She was dressed in costume and the absurd attire made Sasuke roll his eyes. The bright colors and outrageous style looked nice when on screen, but off screen she looked rather silly, especially with the thick make up.

 

            He was certain that the movie had been finished, but then again, with the rebellion and subsequent freeing of the country, he wouldn’t be surprised if the movie was delayed.

 

            The reinstated princess walked over to the bed, her eyes soft and filled with a warmth that reminded Sasuke of the way Tsunade looked at the blonde, and reached out her hand to card her fingers through the golden strands.

 

For some reason, that annoyed him.

 

            “He really is something.”

 

            Yeah… a human disaster… Sasuke thought to himself, slumping further into his seat. He was angry, of that he was certain. He was angry and still a little frightened from the battle. But he was mostly angry at himself for being unable to do more than he had, though he was learning that that was his ego that felt wounded, not himself. Sasuke slowly breathed in and out, practicing the calming technique Kakashi had been trying to impart on him over the last few months.

 

            Sasuke glowered, fists tightening as he thought back over how little was accomplished and yet, how much struggling had been put in. Kakashi’s methods were not easy, and they were tedious, but if that was what it would take to be certain he didn’t make another mistake like the Valley of the End, then Sasuke would bite his lip and persevere. It was all he could do.

 

            “Could you help me with something?” Koyuki didn’t sound like she was asking a question, that seemed to be a habit of hers—explainable by her heritage—and Sasuke tried not to glare at her. She was still their client until they left Snow Country, and making a client mad—not to mention a princess—was not something he wanted to deal with. Especially when he knew the lecture Kakashi would impart on him later.

 

            Sasuke lifted an eyebrow slightly concerned with the stare she had focused on Naruto as she asked that. He knew better than to jump to unrealistic conclusions, but from the serious regard she gave the blonde the thought that she might request he stay in her kingdom wasn’t completely out of the realm of possibilities. It was slightly concerning, as well as annoying, how no matter where the boy went he gained friends and supporters.

 

            Sasuke frowned, and let out a sigh. Naruto could make so many friends so long as he was outside of the village. As long as they didn’t know about Kyuubi. “Sure.”

            Sasuke wasn’t too surprised at his response, nor the fact that he shuffled from his seat to stand beside the would-be princess and his best friend. Whatever she wanted to do for the blonde, Sasuke was almost certain that it would make him smile, and sadly, Sasuke couldn’t deny that he wanted Naruto to smile.

 

            To laugh and be as obnoxiously annoying as he’d been in the theater, yelling from the ceiling like a child. Sakura had been mortified, and he’d had to stand between them to keep her from beating him into silence, but Sasuke had much preferred the embarrassment to the sullen scowl the boy had carried before.

 

            “Great.” Koyuki shoved a camera into his hands in the next moment, her smile growing as Sasuke stared at the plastic object with the foreign name embossed on its side. She gave him a wink as he looked up. “He asked for an autograph when we first met. I figured I owed him something special for how rude I’d been before.”

 

            “Hn.” Sasuke felt his usual smirk appear then as he lifted the item to his eye and let his finger rest against the button. Koyuki gave him a bright smile, one he was surprised to note, reached her eyes and caused them to glitter.

She was really quite pretty.

 

 Naruto brought that out, like always. The annoying bastard. Sasuke snorted to himself and closed his right eye focusing on the two with the left as Koyuki tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear and then leaned over the bed pressing a tender kiss to Naruto’s drool-free cheek.

 

            Sasuke pressed the shutter listening to click as the photo was captured, his face tingling with warmth, and his stomach twisting with unease. He knew what this tight feeling was now, and understood why his palm felt a little sticky and Sasuke tried to suppress the urge to scowl.

 

            All the same, his lips tugged down at the corners and his stomach tightened as he took a few other shots just to be certain the princess had something to choose from. No need to have her come back because she didn’t like the first one.

 

            “Thanks.” Koyuki said kindly as she approached and swept the camera from him with the grace she usually depicted in her films. “So, while I’m here how about taking a few victory pictures while he’s quiet enough to endure?”

 

            The smile was secretive, and Sasuke didn’t like the way she seemed to know. He blinked several times weighing his options while searching for the trap his negative thoughts whispered was waiting for him. What is it with women? Do they have some annoying jutsu only they are taught for figuring these things out?! Sasuke thought irrationally before throwing it to the far back of his mind.

 

            “Come on, I know you two are close,” Sasuke flinched and tensed up out of habit and pursed his lips effecting a mask void of expression. It was second nature to do so and Sasuke relied on it without a thought until the princess rolled her eyes and ineffectually pushed him toward the bed. “Oh don’t be difficult, you haven’t left this room since he was dragged in, and besides I’m an actress not an idiot.”

 

            Sasuke stumbled, slightly shocked and momentarily lost, as he was suddenly right beside Naruto once more, looking down on his sleeping face.

 

            “You interact more with Naruto than your female teammate.” Her voice was still haughty and annoying as she turned and paced back across the room lifting the camera up and poising to capture Sasuke and Naruto on film.

 

His palms were sweaty again.

 

            “Ease up, you look like a statue.”

 

            “Hn.” Sasuke choked out shifting to look at her before darting his eyes away again. He hadn’t felt this awkward in a long while. It unnerved him how emotionally unbalanced he seemed to be since his failed attempt to leave.

 

It made him irritable.

 

            “Come on, stop acting tough and take a picture with your friend.”

 

            Something in the statement made Sasuke warm, and his breath caught momentarily in his chest.

 

Friend.

 

He had a friend.

 

            That wasn’t really anything knew, he’d known for a long while that that was what he and Naruto were; friends. Best friends, hell he’d been ready and willing to call the idiot family even, and yet, somehow the title struck deep and rang startlingly true in the absurd moment, and without meaning to Sasuke reached out and threaded his fingers through Naruto’s unruly hair and relaxed, his frown smoothing out into a contented almost smile.

 

            The shutter clicked.

 

            “See? Not so hard.” Koyuki again sounded smug with herself and Sasuke let out a sigh, the moment of awe gone and dead. “Now, give him a kiss.”

 

            “What?”

 

            Facing the girl, his face positively burning, Sasuke wondered just what it was that was clogging his ears because there was no way that she had just told him to—

 

            “What? It’s not like you don’t want to.” Koyuki blinked at him and Sasuke could do nothing but gape stupidly up at her.

 

            “I do not!” He hissed, glancing back at the blonde waiting for him to spontaneously wake up and freak out at the mere notion of them touching in such a fashion.

 

            “Sure you don’t.” The sarcasm was thick and laced with boredom, “You know denial is only cute and amusing in movies.”

 

            “I am not in denial.” The words pushed thickly through his clenched teeth as he glared at her, worry and anxiety building inside with each word she spoke.

 

He wasn’t lying, and was well aware that if given the go ahead he would in fact kiss Naruto—again—and yes he was certain he would enjoy it as he did everything with the blonde. Problem was, Naruto tended to react violently to such affections. The last thing Sasuke needed, or wanted to relive anytime soon, was Naruto’s emotional backlash after being kissed.

 

Once was quite enough thank you.

 

            “Not in denial, huh?” She didn’t sound convinced.

 

            “No.” Sasuke snapped back, uncaring that she was still technically their client. She was messing around with his life, and she had no right. She didn’t even know Naruto a week ago when the boy had been morose and sullen and punching his teeth out every time Sasuke dared to even look at him.

 

All because of a kiss.

 

            Koyuki regarded him for several moments, her expression as set as his own, her stubborn will testing Sasuke’s before she let out a soft exhale. “I’ve heard its quite normal for shinobi to find companionship in their teammates regardless of their gender.”

 

            It was a statement of fact and so Sasuke regarded it as one and gave her no response.

           “… you are aware then.” Whatever conclusion she’d come to in her mind made her slump and shake her head, her smile once more in place. “Fine, but at least let me take a good photograph of the two of you, for memories sake.”

 

            Wasn’t this the same argument they just had? Sasuke shot her an irritated glare turning fully around to glare at Naruto’s innocently sleeping face. The last few months had been close to hell for him, and the peace between them now, though slightly painful, was precious and fragile.

 

            “He’s asleep Sasuke. He won’t know if you sat beside him and smiled at the camera would he?”

 

Somehow that statement sounded dirty.

 

            “Why do you care?”

 

            “Hm. Well, I guess I see myself in your gaze.” Koyuki looked out the window into the warm sunlight before continuing, her countenance unusually peaceful. “He’s made an impact on you, and you feel protective of him. I guess, in a way, I understand you.” Her smile was secretive. “So, how about that picture?”

 

            Sasuke mulled over the simple words. When had he become so transparent? He’d only just realized his feelings himself and now this girl was saying the same things.

 

            Naruto made a cooing sound as he rolled facing Sasuke in his sleep and muttered something unintelligible. It brought a smile to his lips and Sasuke reached out again tracing the three marks on tanned flesh.

 

            He supposed his epiphany should have brought more shock than it had, but after all that had happened between them, in all honesty, Sasuke hadn’t even realized his need to touch, and be around the blonde. It had seemed natural to want to reaffirm Naruto’s existence. It had taken their accidental kiss in the woods for Sasuke to realize that his reasons weren’t so simple.

 

            He’d liked the kiss. Just as he’d liked Naruto’s attentions earlier and it finally occurred to him why it was he went so far for the idiot. Why the thought of his death left him shaken and ill.

He loved him.

 

            It was simple, and like everything else in his life once he decided and came to terms with his thoughts and feelings that was it and it was final.

Itachi would die by his hands.

 

Naruto was his friend.

 

He would join the snake for power.

 

He loved Naruto.

 

            It was just another fact in his life. Now if only the dobe wasn’t such a spaz. His smile was filled with ironic humor as he finally caved and crawled up onto the hospital bed. He was rather tired of sharing sickbeds with the boy, but it seemed that every time he turned around Naruto was back in one and he was invading it.

 

            Koyuki grinned and lifted the camera once more.

 

            Sasuke settled and sat beside Naruto, his leg barely touching Naruto’s side his hands resting in his lap. Koyuki waited as though expecting more but Sasuke simply stared at her. If she thought he was going to pose for the camera she was doomed to be highly disappointed. Seeming to catch his non-vocal statement she finished her impromptu photo-shoot and walked over to the other side of the bed.

 

            “Thank you.” She whispered, though whether she was speaking to him or the back of Naruto’s head was a mystery.

 

            “When I get this developed can I trust you to deliver his autograph for me?”

 

            Why not do it yourself? Sasuke lifted a brow but shrugged. He didn’t care either way. She smiled one last time and then swept from the room as silently as she’d come.

 

            The door was bathed in sunlight, and the peaceful illusion it brought made Sasuke feel nervous. The silence was too easy, too calming, too familiar and sad, and made him want to fidget. Sasuke fought the urge and slouched a bit his leg pressing a little closer to Naruto and felt the steady heartbeat.

 

            A large sigh escaped him and his eyes drifted closed as he focused on that steady constant. Slowly his muscles relaxed and that clawing need to run from the uncomfortable sanctuary of illusion passed. He focused on Naruto’s breath, his hearbeat, his presence and let it ease his nerves. Perhaps this was a weakness, maybe allowing himself to remember these feelings and grow accustomed to them once more was an ill-advised act, yet Sasuke couldn’t stop.

 

            It was frightening, and at times it was simply overwhelming, but he was sleeping better at night—though that could be because of his human heater—and his thoughts were clearer. He felt better than he had in a long time, then again he was also jumpy, irritable, and emotional which were highly negative factors.

 

Still…

 

            Naruto rolled again, his arm lifting from the blankets and smacking Sasuke’s side before falling to the pillow beside the blonde’s head. “…. Ram’n…”  The foolish grin there made Sasuke smile and chuckle, certain he already knew what the other dreamed of, and slouched lower until he rested on his side curled close.

 

… he didn’t want to give this up.

 

            Sasuke closed his eyes and fully relaxed, Naruto’s breathing a subtle balm for his wounded mind.

 

He was asleep before he even heard Koyuki’s return.

 

The click of the shutter was soft and ignorable.

 

-2-

 

            The child lay placidly on his back, head tilted toward the yard. The air was slightly chilly and uncomfortable, the sky still overcast but it was brighter than he remembered. He would have moved but he’d spent so long inside, and he was so very tired, he simply couldn’t muster the strength to move.

 

            So, he lay, staring blankly at the headstones, weakly aware of the brighter shades of green blending through the pastel grass. The shadows inside the stained house still moved, but they didn’t whisper or scrape anymore. No, they didn’t even crawl across the floor.

 

            He was vaguely aware that the broken door was gone, the dark room closed with a new door. One without a lock and inside there was a soft glow of a flickering candle. He knew he’d have to open it, to look inside but again, he just couldn’t move.

 

            Idly his fingers traced the edges of the blue pendant in his loosened grip, and let out a large sigh as a warm wind eased by, and for a moment, he swore he saw the sun as that warm laughter filled the crevices of the home.

 

And the shadows vanished.

 

-2-

 

 

 

            Sasuke blinked slowly and felt himself ease groggily awake. Confusion bit at him as he tried desperately to remember where he was and why he was sleeping when it was obviously mid-day.

 

            “You finally awake bastard?”

 

            Brow furrowed, Sasuke tilted his head back to stare up at the voice he’d heard rumbling in his ear and relaxed when he met irritated blue. Naruto…

            He slowly blinked again, no expression on his face as he realized that he was currently using the bandaged boy as his pillow. That explained the warmth and the comfort level he felt. It also explained the smell of tree sap and musk clogging his senses, along with the thrum of a heartbeat from under his cheek.

            “… well? What do you have to say for yourself? Sleeping while on duty, really Sasuke, and you call me the Dobe!”

            Again Sasuke blinked still not too certain with how everything had turned out this way, and decided he didn’t care as he resettled and closed his eyes.

            “—in my bed again, I swear this is becoming… Hey! Listen when I speak to you bastard! Don’t fall back asleep on me! I have to pee!” Naruto’s loud screech was accompanied by a swift punch to the back of his skull and Sasuke grunted, retaliating without much thought.

            “OW! What the—did you just bite my nipple?!”

            Sasuke sat up, fully awake and glaring. “You hit me first Dobe.”

Naruto blinked.

            “Bit. My. Nipple.” Naruto pointed to the wet mark on his shirt, and Sasuke rolled his eyes.

            “Don’t be such a baby.”

            “Baby?! You use me as a freaking pillow for three solid hours and refuse to let the fuck go, so I wait though my bladder is killing me and probably making my brain float in an ocean of piss..”

            “Eloquent, dobe.”

            “…fuck off—and then when you wake up you bite me?!”

            Sasuke rolled off the bed and stood, shaking the last bits of sleep from his mind before ambling back to his chair and flopping down.

He was still tired.

            “Oi, listen to me bastard!”

            “Bathroom’s through that door.” Sasuke stated, pointing to the far corner on the other side of the bed. “Better go save your piss-poor brain.”

            Naruto glared and threw the blankets from him in a huff. “You’re a dick.”

            “Uh-huh.” Sasuke replied through a yawn as Naruto slipped from the bed and stomped off through the bathroom door.

            “What the—son of a bitch!”

            Sasuke smirked to himself when Naruto’s screeching proved that he’d noticed he was wearing a hospital gown and that his backside was on display. He doesn’t have tan lines… Sasuke frowned at that as once again the side door opened.

            “He’s up I take it?” Sakura asked with a soft smile, arms filled with orange clothing. She’d taken the garments to be washed and mended some time before, and it seemed they had finally been returned.

            “Yeah.” Sasuke voiced, watching as Sakura carefully placed the cloth on the bed, shuffling about and fixing the muzzed sheets.

            “About time, I was starting to think he’d never wake up.” Sakura was smiling, but her tone was tight with worry, and Sasuke snorted, his look softening with understanding.

            “You know, Kakashi sent back a carrier pigeon to the Hokage explaining things. She said to load Naruto up with the luggage and come home.” Sakura chuckled behind her hand, her pink hair falling over one shoulder. “I could just see Kakashi-sensei doing that to him.”

            “Hn.”

            “Oi, who you talking to—Ah!” Naruto cried diving back through the open door way he’d just exited from, closing it almost the whole way to hide his naked back. “S—sakura!”

            “Naruto!” Sakura beamed turning to the cowering boy hidden behind the bathroom door. Either she didn’t notice his discomfort about his Backside nakedness, or she simply didn’t care. Sasuke, personally thought she was doing it to be vindictive and cruel, but he had no real proof. Whatever the reason she approached the blonde. “I brought your clothes back.”

            A blue eye peaked through the crack in the frame and narrowed. “I don’t see them…”

            Sakura giggled.

Sasuke now had his proof.

            “It’s on the bed silly, now get out here and change before Kakashi comes in and does it for you.”

            “He wouldn’t.”

            Sakura didn’t have to say anything.

            “Damn it, he would, bring em here.”

            “Why?”

            “What do you mean why?!” Naruto’s voice hit a particularly high note then and Sasuke snorted, unable to hide his smirk. He supposed he should save the blonde, but he was enjoying the friendly banter and understood Sakura’s need to dish it out. Naruto had scared them all on more than one occasion this trip. He figured a little harmless harassment was more or less justified.

            “Come on Naruto its not like you’re naked.” Sakura had been standing tall with her hands braced on her hips as she said this but she quickly slumped her cheeks pinking slightly. “…are you?”

            If possible Naruto’s face grew even redder. Any more blood rush and he’ll pass out. Sasuke’s smirk turned up into a half-grin as Naruto again made the squeaky noise that usually was excruciatingly annoying, yet was currently unendingly amusing.

            “Wha--?! Of course not! Why would I be naked with him in the room?”

            The door opened far enough for an arm to squeeze through, a shaking finger aimed at Sasuke’s relaxed position.

            “Hn. Like you’d have anything worth looking at.”

            “What was that, teme?!” Naruto snarled, his anger over-riding common sense enough for him to take half a step out of his hiding place. Sasuke settled farther back into his seat, crossing his arms mockingly over his chest pleased and amused by Naruto’s reaction. Did he even realize his actions implied that he wanted Sasuke to look and enjoy seeing him naked?

            Sasuke struggled not to blush or to picture said image. His feelings were still too new and raw to handle a daydream of that magnitude.

            “Oi! I’m talking to you bastard!”

            Sasuke lifted an eyebrow.

            “You’re just jealous!”

            This prompted an eye-roll. “Yes, that’s got to be it. I would find enjoyment seeing another boy naked because I’m jealous of him in some way.” The sarcasm was so thick he doubted Kakashi could have weaseled his way out of it. As it was Naruto was shaking in his place, itching for a fight. “Come on Naruto, we’ve bathed together that time in the hot springs.” His words made both Naruto and Sakura color faintly. “I’ve seen you naked. I know I’m not missing much.”

            Naruto frowned and stomped into the room prompting a gasp from Sakura as his naked rear was exposed and caused her to whip around to face the wall. Sasuke was certain the image of smooth, tanned skin was burned into her mind though, it annoyed him a little but he was much more pleased that he’d gotten Naruto moving.

            Naruto swiped his clothes from the bed and shot Sasuke a dirty look. “Duche bag.” His words were harsh but there was a mischievous gleam to those blue eyes that made Sasuke’s lips twitch, trying to smile.

            Turning around again, presenting Sasuke with that nice view from before, Naruto slowly walked back to the bathroom. Sadly, Sasuke couldn’t have lifted his eyes from the sight if his life depended on it. Which was why, when Naruto turned, he grinned at him from over his shoulder catching the flustered stare.

            “You know, for being someone after my ass, you sure are lousy with the sweet talk-teme.” And then he was gone.

Sasuke blinked, snapping out of his comatose stare at the faint sniggers resounding through the wood door.

            Dobe… Sasuke shook his head, smiling.

            “What did he mean by that, Sasuke?” Sakura’s timid voice brought his attention around, the smile slipping from his face as though it had never been there. He saw her flinch and glance away toward the door. She shifted several times obviously uncomfortable or insecure and Sasuke frowned well aware of what she was thinking, and for once having a solid footing in which to reject her on.

            “It’s got nothing to do with you.” He didn’t snap it, or say it in any way that could be misconstrued as being mean in any sense of the word. He’d merely stated it as a fact, his voice low and soft, all the same Sakura jerked as though he’d hit her with a kunai.

            “…oh.” She whispered, her hands twisted together. The room was suddenly tense and uncomfortable with heavy emotions and unspoken thoughts, he supposed he should say something. Maybe explain himself, but he knew Sakura well enough, and with his statements and his current actions toward Naruto he was certain she understood much clearer than the blonde did, what his unspoken actions meant.

            “Hey, did one of you die out there?” Naruto’s sunny voice cut through the morbid atmosphere and twanged like a snapped string through both of their nerves, and suddenly Sakura was staring at him. Her green eyes holding that same annoying look that Koyuki’s had held, but unlike Koyuki’s stare, Sasuke had the distinct impression she was refusing to believe what she already knew.

Sasuke sighed.

            Was this all his doing? Had his refusal to take part—accept or refuse the advancements of his classmates—ultimately caused this? Sasuke closed his eyes willing the crushing annoyance away and trying to reel in the calm that had been there while he’d rested with Naruto.

            “If there’s a bloody, gory mess out there I’m not cleaning it up!”

            Naruto’s warning helped in his inner struggle, and Sasuke’s lips twitched again. It was nice, the easy feeling that settled in him. Different, familiar, comfortable, unsettling, it was a conglomeration of contrasting feelings but Sasuke was still glad to have them.

            “S—Sasuke?” Sakura’s tentative voice again drew him out of his thoughts, and Sasuke felt his face slacken with stress induced lucidity.

            “Yes, Sakura?” His voice sounded tired even to his own ears, and he wondered if she would mistake it as boredom. Even if she did it would serve its purpose and she would be forced to face the facts about him and her.

            Green eyes bore into his own, turbulent with banked emotions and alight with a hope he’d forced himself to ignore for years. He felt the soft curl of guilt and had to look away from her stare, his lips tightening in a scowl. How is this my fault? I never once encouraged her. Sasuke grumbled to himself, annoyed that the mood had swung from comfortable to angst in so short a time.

Damn. Feeling things sucked.

            “…no tan lines.”

What?

            Startled, Sasuke blinked back to Sakura. Her face was averted toward the closed door, behind which Naruto grumbled and complained about one thing or another. Her posture was tense, proof that she was forcing herself to—speak? Stay still? Sasuke wasn’t certain, but her determination was noted.

            “What?”

            “Naruto. He has no tan lines.”

Sasuke flushed scarlet.

            Why, he wasn’t sure, maybe it was because he’d noticed if before, or because he’d been caught watching Naruto, whatever the reason his body decided to respond and it was at that moment that Sakura turned to face him.

            She laughed, her delicate hand lifting to her lips in an effeminate action that should have been endearing, but her eyes looked so sad it hurt. Luckily, Naruto chose that moment to exit the bathroom, once more obnoxiously orange, and defused the situation.

            “What did you wash these in? A mud pitt? My underwear’s chafing my ass like—“

            “Naruto!” Sakura cried, her fist flying before the word was completed.

            “Ow! What the hell I’m injured here!”

            “Is that anyway to thank someone for taking the time to have your, smelly, shredded, gross outfit fixed while you chose to take a nap?”

            “Hey, they are not smelly!”

            “Not now they’re not!”

            “Sakura….” Naruto whined, and the pinkette crossed her arms turning away, her depressed air suddenly gone.

            “Don’t ‘Sakura’ me. Idiot, next time you go comatose don’t ask me to clean your underwear!” Turning she stomped from the room, though Sasuke could tell her tussle with the blonde had eased her considerably.

It’s like a disease… Sasuke thought in horror. You come in contact with him and he fixes you, without your consent…

            “Sasuke, I’m hungry, got any food?”

            “Does it look like I have food?” Sasuke snapped, though he turned and grabbed Naruto’s wrist to drag the idiot out to solve his problem.

            “… baby elephant…”

            “What was that?”

                        “Nothing, nothing.” The smile was easy and soothed the last of his guilt, and with a grunt Sasuke led Naruto toward the kitchen area.

            No sense worrying over something I have no intention of fixing… Sasuke thought dismally, certain he didn’t want to know how often this emotional stuff happened to others his age. Suddenly, he was glad he’d never bothered to care until now.

            “Do you think they have ramen?” Naruto asked in a hushed whisper, his hand cupped close to his face as though divulging a huge secret.

            “… with you in this country, how could they not?”

            Naruto’s nose scrunched up as he took in the sarcastic note and frowned. “Ha ha, very funny…you know, I think I liked you better asleep.”

            Sasuke rolled his eyes and ignored the rebuke all together. It took too much effort to react some times. It turned out to be the best choice as Naruto’s attention was quickly captured by the bustle of the kitchen and he was gone in moments, leaving Sasuke to trail after him.

 

-2-

 

            “… awww man… why’d she have to write it on this picture?” Naruto whined, holding the picture Koyuki had chosen to sign for Naruto, his eyes mournful of his lost dignity. Personally Sasuke thought it was cute, perfect even, capturing the true essence of Naruto’s being:

Dreaming

Drooling,

Dobe.

            Sasuke fought back his smile, and shoved both hands further into his pockets until his elbows straightened and his shoulders hunched slightly. Looks like the girl knew what she was talking about after all. Even though he was fussing over his appearance, in a truly feminine act, Naruto was flushed and he was defiantly happy.

            “Well, at least you got a personalized autograph from her.” Sakura chimed in, her old chipper mood almost believable as she stood to the blonde’s side one hand resting on his shoulder as she pointed to the photo with glee. “And look she’s even kissing you!”

            Naruto’s flush took on a darker hue, his shoulders lifting just slightly as he brought his right hand under his nose to rub it in embarrassment. “… yeah… I guess she is…” Naruto’s smile could have been seen in Konoha, and quite suddenly, Sasuke’s good mood was shot.

            “Are we going now?” The petulant, and childish comment even made Sasuke start, surprised with himself. Sakura and Naruto’s stares where a physical weight on him, and his cheeks burned with embarrassment, that combined with the hot irritation he felt squirming under his skin made Sasuke frown, his mood darkening further.

            “… that was the plan.” Kakashi drawled, suddenly over the epileptic fit he’d had when Koyuki announced her role in the up coming “Icha Icha” movie. “Until you pulled that… flamboyant letter from your pocket. By the way, Sasuke, why did you have that letter?”

            And his hell was complete.

            Leave it to Kakashi to point out the one thing no one needed to notice… Sasuke curled further into himself at the realization that passed over Sakura’s face, her eyes focusing on him with denial, her face pallid.

            Sasuke turned from her, teeth gritted and skin itching. This was just not turning out to be his day. His motion brought him face to face with curious blue eyes and Sasuke swallowed hard, his face heating up and adding a good dose of humiliation to his emotional shot glass.

            “What?” He snapped, his tone clipped and harsh. Sakura flinched her hands rising to her throat in a very feminine action that made Sasuke want to throw an even bigger fit. He was just emotionally volatile and on edge, his body visibly shaking with the excess strain. For some reason, Sakura was simply too aggravating to deal with at the moment, whether it was because of guilt because he’d hurt her, annoyance because she was acting betrayed when he’d never done anything to make her think he liked her, or the fact that she somehow knew why he had the letter, and her dissecting stare was making his skin crawl, Sasuke didn’t know. All he was certain of at the moment, what that Sakura was pissing him off, Kakashi was purposefully being an ass, and Naruto was…

            “… why did you have this Sasuke?”

 

            “I see you don’t waste any time.” The Princess’s voice carried over to where he stood packing up what little belongings he had brought, and piling Naruto’s next to his bag as well. If anyone asked Sasuke was prepared to deny all implications and state that he just wanted to get back to Konoha. It had crossed his mind that just his thinking up an excuse made him beyond pathetic, but there was nothing more he could do, the damage was done.

            “Hn.”

            “Right, of course, well, I was hoping you could deliver this to him.” Koyuki said holding out a small white envelope with a bright rainbow across it. Sasuke blinked somewhat afraid to touch it before looking back up at her with a single brow raised.

            “I just don’t know when you all are really planning to leave, and I want him to receive it then.” Her smile was conniving and Sasuke rolled his eyes taking the girlish gift and shoving it in his pocket unceremoniously.

            “I see… well, thanks for your help.” It was obvious his curtness had offended her but Sasuke was not really feeling obliging of her demands. They were leaving in a few hours, and then the mission would be over and he could forget this whole ordeal ever happened. Not to mention a few days break from Sakura and her aura of doom would be much appreciated.

            “Oh! Before I forget…”

            Sasuke sighed, turning around to face the woman with a resigned air, and blinked as a photo was shoved into his face. It took several moments for the image to fully sink in, then several more for his face to heat and color to enflame the back of his neck and ears, before he tentatively reached up to take the photo from the girl, who was now beaming like a mad woman.

            “You like it?” Sasuke couldn’t reply, his attention fixated, his fingertip tracing the outline with reverence. “… not in denial, huh?”

            Sasuke jerked a glare up at her, his hand dropping to hide his newest treasure and squared off against the princess, daring her to question him further. She smiled down at him, arms crossed over her chest, looking for all the world exactly like the royal pain that she was.

            “Hn.” Sasuke grunted, having no desire to explain his reasoning to her, and watched as she smiled and shook her head.

            “It will be your loss if you aren’t careful.” With that, she turned and stepped back out through the door, amazingly quiet now that the costume was removed. “Oh, and Sasuke,” Koyuki turned her head back, eyes bright and kind. “You’re welcome.”

And then she was gone.

            Sasuke felt his blush return and shyly reached into his pocket gently fingering his picture.

 

            He twitched.

            It was an impulsive reaction to the question that brought about far too many thoughts and the memory of the photo hidden in his back pocket currently burning a hole through the fabric. Irrationally he was certain Kakashi had randomly developed x-ray vision and could see the incriminating shot through the shorts, and had to fight down the urge to cover it with his hand.

            “Well?” Naruto pressed, now looking more irritated than curious. “What, did she give it to you or did you raid her panty drawer or something?”

            “… raid her… God, Naruto, that’s just gross!” Sakura chimed in, the blonde’s blunt and disturbing comment knocking her from her shock.

            “What? He’s the one acting like it’s some forbidden secret as to why he had my freaking autograph in his pocket!”

            “Well, there was no need to get disgusting! Honestly, Sasuke isn’t like you, you pervert!” Sakura defended hands on her hips glaring down her nose at Naruto as the blond rolled his eyes initiating the fist that nailed him in the head for his disrespect.

            “OW! Damn it Sakura, what’d I do now?!”

            Sakura, in an amazing likeness to Koyuki, crossed her arms and turned away. “You’re acting like a brat.”

            “And that gives you license to hit me? God, I fear for your children…”

            “What was that?!”

            “Right, so we have a long trip back, let’s not spend it with headaches, alright?” Kakashi interrupted, effectively dispersing the fight, his hand falling to Sakura’s shoulder and steering her past Naruto and toward the dock where their ship waited. The camera crew was probably already on board, and Sasuke was not looking forward to another adventure with those civilians. Especially now with all the random footage they’d collected.

            They better not show any of us in this film of theirs… already have enough attention back home. Sasuke ran his fingers through his hair and stepped after Kakashi only to stop when he realized that Naruto was again staring at him oddly.

            Unwillingly his cheeks pinked again at the intense stare he was receiving. His heart fluttered awkwardly, and Sasuke blamed Koyuki and Sakura for his unusual behavior. “Dobe, you have your autograph what more do you want?”

            “… nothing.” Naruto murmured, his head tilting to the side as he inspected Sasuke further. Now he was getting nervous. Shoving his hands deeper into his pockets to keep from fiddling with the hem of his shirt Sasuke turned away, his heart doing that awkward flip flop in his chest making him feel sick.

            Whoever said love was beautiful was on some sort of hallucinogen because so far all Sasuke had had from love was fear, idiotic moments, humiliation, and now flu-like symptoms.

            Naruto was still staring at him even as they continued to walk out of the main town center and toward the, amazingly crowded, peer.

            “What are you looking at, dobe?” Sasuke asked, sounding less angry than he’d wanted and more insecure than he liked. Luckily, Naruto didn’t seem to notice, his expression neutral as he stared into Sasuke’s eyes.

            “… nothing. Just trying to decide on what term to use to describe what’s wrong with you.”

            Sasuke blinked, the flu-like symptoms killed and now burning in a liquid nitrogen kind of annoyance. “Hn.” Sasuke turned away, quite through with his emotional rollercoaster and prepared himself to ignore all matter of life until the next day, but it seemed Naruto wasn’t through explaining himself, and continued to babble.

            “Yeah, I’m torn between, ‘Dorkus Hoomungus,’ and ‘Fuckus Redardis.’” Naruto’s grin could be heard, and perhaps if he’d been calmer, Sasuke would have ignored the idiot, but as things were, he was not calm, no where near it, and thus he exploded.

            “You Ass-hole!” Sasuke turned just in time for Naruto to bolt passed him laughing hysterically and racing for the ship. Sasuke didn’t even take a moment before following throwing curses after the boy and weaving in and out of people and objects in tandem with Naruto’s pace.

            “Nya-ha-ha! What’s the matter Sasuke? Hit a nerve?”

            I’ll show you hitting a nerve you idiot! I’ll hit your whole god-damned nervous system! Sasuke thought darkly, though somehow his mood lightened with the banter and the attention he was receiving, and as Naruto took their game to the ship, Sasuke realized that being in love was anything but fluffy feelings, and dopey smiles.

            “Fuckis Redardis! Fuckis Retardis!” Naruto chanted, shaking his butt at Sasuke from the second deck, patting his back end a moment later in a taunt and drawing attention from all on board.

            Why the hell did I have to love him? Sasuke casually threw a kunai, not too surprised when Naruto dodged it and flipped him off before running off once more.

            Yes, being in love sucked, now if only he could figure out if Naruto was attempting to cheer him up or simply being an irritant Sasuke could learn to deal with his lot in life.

            “Hey, you give up already Sasuke?”

If only.

 

-2-

 

            He was not stalking him. He just happened to be enjoying the village on his day off. Yes, it was completely coincidental that Sasuke was standing in front of a store that was across from the Ramen stand where Naruto and Kiba were eating lunch, and if he had been standing there for almost an hour it was because there was some seriously interesting shit here that just needed further scrutiny. And if he just so happened to get bored when Naruto and Kiba left the store, and they just happened to travel in the same general direction then…

Okay, fine, he was stalking him.

            I need some serious therapy… Sasuke felt sick to his stomach with how he was acting, but the moment Naruto said that he was going to hang out with Kiba that morning over breakfast, Sasuke had simply frozen up. He wasn’t stupid enough to be worried about how Kiba would treat Naruto. They all knew that now that Naruto was, for the most part, normal this week, he could and would beat the dog boy to within an inch of his life if he so much as brought up Naruto’s problem, so he really couldn’t explain why it was that he followed Naruto and was now pretending to be entranced by the pottery he was currently staring through.

            He was glad that the pottery was placed before a large reflective sheet of metal that allowed him a clear, if blurred, view of his dobe as he worked on devouring his third bowl of ramen while talking animatedly with a very joyful Inuzaka.

            “Can I help you, Uchiha-san?” The young girl working the store attempted to get his attention for the fifth time, and again, Sasuke merely shot her a dark look, shaking his head once in denial before returning to his staring. “Oh… okay, well if you need anything, I’m right inside.”

            The civilian was attempting to be kind, and Sasuke knew he must have already freaked her out with his immobile position outside her place, but he just couldn’t find the will to leave. I am seriously losing my mind… damn dobe, this is all his fault… Sasuke scowled when Naruto made a rather large gesture with his hands that made Kiba collapse to the table top laughing. He hadn’t felt the urge to join in a social event in a long while, and the last time he’d indulged even the slightest, Naruto flipped his lid and then molested him at night.

            Sasuke’s temperature rose with the memory and he squirmed a little.

            “Wow, you must really like pottery to be so… involved.”

            Sasuke wanted to say he didn’t jump, and that Sakura’s sudden presence had not startled him, but he would have been lying on both accounts, his attentions on something much more loud. Sasuke straightened and faced the pink haired girl who had not spoken to him since their departure from Snow Country, and attempted to regain his dignity. From the look on her face, he did not succeed.

            “So, what has you suddenly interested in cooked clay?” Sakura asked again, crossing her arms and balancing her weight on her left leg. She was wearing a green skirt and white sandals that matched her white and green striped top. It was a little shocking to see her in civilian clothes after seeing her in her chosen uniform of red and white.

            She looked harmless dressed as she was, but he knew better. She may still be a Genin and her only true skill might lay in chakra control alone, but Sakura was anything but harmless, and from the way she was looking at him, he had the feeling he was going to get a crash course on just how violent Sakura could get.

            “…”

            “Oh, none of my business huh?” She asked sweetly, cocking her head to the side, her short hair skimming her shoulder and swaying gently in the air. Sasuke stiffened, his insides telling him that she was not being nice, and arched an eyebrow at her, still not answering her question. When dealing with the female race, it was better not to speak unless you knew you could win. Sasuke learned that through the loss of his bathroom.

            “Hmmm.” Sakura hummed, her smile still in place as she tilted her head, looking beyond Sasuke before meeting his eyes once more. “He left you know.”

            Sasuke swung around, and sure enough, the reflective surface showed that at some point since her arrival both boys had escaped. “Damn it…” Sasuke hissed, turning around to scan the area for the blonde and cursed again when he saw no trace of him. “How the hell can I lose sight of someone in bright freaking orange…?”

            “Simple, he’s a ninja.”

            He’d almost forgotten that she was there. His stomach was sour from his target’s escape and suddenly, Sasuke felt like holing himself up in his room and destroying something of Itachi’s. That was always therapeutic. Or maybe I should hunt the dobe down and start another fight…

            Now that sounded better.

            “Sasuke… we need to talk.” Sakura began, as she usually did but this time she didn’t turn her gaze away, and she wasn’t blushing a lovely shade of pink. She was serious.

            “… fine.”

            He allowed the girl to lead them away from the ceramics shop, away from the milling crowds, following her slightly hunched figure out to the bridge they usually gathered at. Sasuke felt the place was fitting, nice and neutral and yet familiar. It was a nice change and showed her sudden maturity.

            She stopped in the center, her back still turned to him and stared at her feet. Sasuke let her have a moment and looked around. It amused him that everything in his life currently seemed to revolve around this one spot.

            The start of Naruto’s ‘problem’ began here with Naruto acting odd, Naruto wearing his clothes and staying over at his place, their massive fight…

            “I guess I should just come out and say it.” Sakura began, her voice shaking as she turned, arms locking behind her back. “… I love you, Sasuke.”

            He frowned, choosing to remain silent as they faced each other across the bridge. The wind passed by, making the leaves sing, and creating a soft whistling in his ears. He waited for her to turn away, to cry, or something but Sakura simply stood there staring at him. Not with hope, or expectance. She just stared at him.

            “… Sakura, we’ve already said these things—“ Sasuke began, recalling the goodbye he’d dealt her on his attempted flight, and was waiting for the flinch, but all the girl did was smile sadly shaking her head.

            “Yes, I know. I’m a good friend.” She nodded her head, most likely remembering those words and this time it was Sasuke who felt the need to turn away from her. He didn’t like how raw he felt, and he pushed his hand into his pockets to keep from gripping at his arms in a mock hug. I want to see Naruto… I… I… Sasuke swallowed back his absurd desperation and glared at nothing in particular.

            He was not a broken child, he could handle this, without the dobe. It was just emotions, he’d dealt with worse ones, yes, he just had to remain outwardly calm and focus on what he could do.

            Sasuke hadn’t even realized he’d begun to regulate his breathing the same way he did when preparing to practice a new technique, until Sakura began again and caused him to stumble.

            “… but… but you do…” She paused looking for the right words, her face scrunching up with indecision a moment before she looked up at him and stared him down. “Naruto’s different though, isn’t he?”

            Sasuke wanted to lie, to say that she was imagining things, but unlike Koyuki, Sakura did have the right to know that at least. “Yes. Yes he is.”

            This time she did flinch her arms encircling her waist as she nodded, her lips parted in a painful kind of smile. “I thought so. You always had looked at him differently. I knew I was jealous of him, but never really thought much of it…” she bit her lip and turned to the scenery around them. “… but it makes sense now. No matter how much I cared for you, I don’t think I ever really understood you… or ever saw you…”

            Sasuke shifted, uncomfortable, wondering if her monologue had a point, or if she was just talking to hear herself talk to keep from crying.

            “I was so shocked…” Sakura smiled, her grip relaxing to allow her to lean upon the railing, her weight evenly dispersed so that her toe tapped the ground. “… when Naruto showed me just how much I didn’t know about you. Things that should have been obvious, especially for me, but weren’t.”

            “Hn.” Sasuke agreed, also leaning on the railing. “He’s certainly surprising. Never can tell what he’s going to say or do… its like taking a risk every time you speak to him.”

            “Yeah, and that’s what you need isn’t it Sasuke?”

            Sasuke pondered that, thinking carefully over her casual comment before responding. “No. I just… need him.” Dark eyes met with green and drove home his point. He was not being sentimental, nor intentionally romantic, he was stating a fact and a weakness. Why he was confiding in Sakura he wasn’t too certain, but of everyone else, she was the closest to both himself and Naruto. Like it or not she was a part of this unit of theirs and seeing as he couldn’t speak to Naruto about this, Sakura was the only other option.

There was no force on earth that could make him talk to Kakashi about love.

            Sakura nodded, turning back again watching the babbling water. “Thank you for being honest with me.” A real smile crossed her face, it was more bittersweet than happy, and Sasuke felt minor guilt at it, but shrugged it off. He’d said his peace, nothing more could be done.

            “Well,” Sakura began, straightening and stretching out her arms above her head, fingers curling toward the sky. “Guess I should let you return to your stalking.”

            “I’m not—“ a finger inches from his face stalled his words as Sakura stood above him, hand on hip in the motherly way all women seemed graced with instinctually. “You’re acting like a jealous fool—“

            “Jealous?!”

            “—glaring at Kiba. You know he’s crushing on Hinata so you can stop being such a creeper.”

            Sasuke couldn’t believe what he was hearing, suddenly being subjected to the girl’s antics on the same level as Naruto. Jealous? How can she say that?! I am not… okay so kiba pisses me off, doesn’t mean I’m… Sasuke frowned, unwilling to gracefully accept the obvious, but also unable to escape it. Fine so maybe I’m… concerned… but that’s not why I’m following him.

            Why was it suddenly so hard to lie to himself?

            “Well, that said, I’m off!” Sakura turned practically running off and Sasuke jerked around, watching her flee with shock. She was just jumping around everywhere and making a confusing mess. And they wonder why I’m not interested in girls…

            “Ah, in order to heal, one must experience heartbreak huh?”

            After everything else, Kakashi’s random appearances really shouldn’t have shocked him, all the same it did.

            “What are you doing here?” Sasuke snapped as a way of covering his start. Seriously, he had to pay more attention to his surroundings, he was getting much to sloppy.

            “Getting a lesson in the complexities of my team’s love life it would seem.” Kakashi stated with a smile, and Sasuke nearly choked on air. Damn it! Now he knows too?! Sasuke internally panicked inside as Kakashi watched him with a mocking grin, calmly moving on without a care in the world. “Though, I must admit, I did not see this one coming. You do realize I was joking when I said that you and Naruto… well that’s in the past now it would seem.”

            Sasuke leveled a glare at the man, hoping it still had the ability to melt steel, and waited for that mocking grin to ease from the scarecrow’s face.

            “No comment?” Kakashi tilted his head to one side, still crouched on the handrail of the bridge, and for a moment, Sasuke wished he was fast enough to get away with pushing the Jounin into the brook without falling in himself. “Well, I guess you’re instincts and dream of creating Uchiha babies has succumbed to Naruto’s Uzumaki PMS and—“

            “Kakashi do you have a point?” Sasuke snapped, today was shaping up to be the worst day in history, all that was missing was the smell of urine left behind by one puissant of a fox, and with how his day was heading, Sasuke wanted to get back to his house and hide anything absorbable.

            Kakashi’s smile fell, the creases by his eyes smoothing out quite suddenly and Sasuke felt his insides chill as he straightened up under the somber stare.

            “Hokage wants to see you.”

            Sasuke nodded his head already tense, wanting to ask what it was she needed to see him for, but he knew it was not his place to ask, especially after everything that had happened over the last six months. That and he didn’t really want to know.

            “Well then, mustn’t keep her waiting.” Kakashi tried to be light-hearted, but his expression seemed taunt, the same way it had looked back when he’d received the missive from Konoha when they had been at the hidden waterfall village. Sasuke was learning that that particular expression meant that something Kakashi felt as wrong or particularly disturbing was happening, and he was otherwise unable to do anything about it.

            This didn’t bode well.

            Sasuke followed quietly behind his teacher as they made their way to the Hokage tower, not running, but certainly not strolling along at Kashaki’s usual pace, and all too soon Sasuke was passing through the main doors. He tried not to twitch as he passed the masked guards standing at the sides, an unwitting reminder that he was considered a flight-risk still. The whole ordeal made his skin itch and an antsy feeling fill his bones and tingle through his nerve endings.

            Not liking his pathetic reaction Sasuke scowled standing taller and refusing to cower. The Anbu didn’t even blink at him, not surprising, but all the same slightly insulting.

            Kakashi walked up the long flight of stairs, Sasuke’s eyes straying only far enough to glance at the walls and their textured design. His hands were fisted by his sides, the only outward sign of his nervousness, and then Kakashi was knocking on the large double doors that lead to the Hokage’s inner office.

            “Enter.” Tsunade’s voice was clipped, a good sign that this conversation was not going to be enjoyable. As if to prove his thoughts right, Kakashi glanced back at him, from over his shoulder, his one visible eye attempting to be supportive, but it came across more pitying to him.

            “Hn.” His snort displayed his feelings and Kakashi opened the door.

            “Hokage-sama.” Kakashi stated, his head inclined slightly as he entered, stepping to the side allowing room for Sasuke to enter. His feet felt weighted as he stepped in, his eyes meeting gold challengingly. Whatever she had prepared for him he would endure.

            “Uchiha Sasuke.” The wizened voice was not expected and Sasuke jerked his attention to the corner of the room. From the doorway he’d not been able to see the two figures lurking in the shadows. The dark looks, calculating and accusing, bore into him and made him want to step away. What’s up with them?

            Sasuke wondered, taking in the old, weathered, cynical features of the elderly man and woman. They were looking at him as though he was some kind of disappointment, and that irritated him.

            “Sasuke,” Tsunade brought his attention away from the couple and from her tense posture it was easy to tell that it was not his presence that had her on edge but theirs.

            “Hokage-sama.” Sasuke returned with a bow, finding stability in the mundane routine, and as he rose it was apparent that she also took some strength from the action as well.

            “Sasuke the council has brought to my attention a problem that needs to be resolved.” Tsunade spoke, and Sasuke wondered if she was purposefully talking about the other two as though they weren’t in the room.

            The council? The elders… these two are the ones Naruto hates… Sasuke dared a sideways glance at the two, understanding—at least on the surface level—why Naruto hated them so much.

            His silence was taken as understanding, and Tsunade continued. “Orochimaru poses more of a threat than we can calmly ignore. That being the case, Sasuke, the council and I have agreed on the terms of your punishment.”

            Sasuke blinked, letting her see his confusion. He could have sworn he’d already heard of his punishment. He’d just finished serving his time.

            “This is the request from the council that you must complete to regain the trust and regard of the village.” Tsunade smoothly cut in, saving him from embarrassment and answering him without bringing attention to his confusion. “You will go to Sound under the pretense of betraying us all to join Orochimaru for power,”

            “Hokage?” Sasuke asked, softly, not exactly interrupting her, but not allowing her to finish.

            “Your mission is to infiltrate sound and be our internal spy. Kakashi will be your outside contact. While you are there you will get as much information on him and his plans as possible and convey that to us.

            “While on this mission it is important that Orochimaru believes that we stopped you from leaving six months ago by force, and that you had every intention of leaving. The only people who will know the truth of this mission are those present here.” Tsunade finished, her fingers folding together, elbows resting on her desktop, her chin resting on them.

            “I will of course accept this mission,” Sasuke began, well aware of the risk and danger this particular mission entailed. This was an ‘S’, or at the very least an ‘A’, class mission, and the fact that they were sending a Genin alone left a foul taste in both the Hokage and Kakashi’s mouths—couldn’t say much for the elders, they looked like they would enjoy being drawn and quartered—but he also understood why they were sending him.

            Orochimaru wanted him. He had even given him an express invitation, betting on Sasuke’s drive to avenge his family. Sasuke was the only one who could get in, suspected or not, only problem was that he’d have to lock everything away, and at the same time learn to use the curse seal, that was all but a minor annoyance now.

            “… how will I convince him that I betrayed the village? Wouldn’t he suspect—“

            “The vessel seems mighty attached to you.” The elderly woman spoke up, her voice raspy and cold. Sasuke decided that it had not been the crone that had first stated his name when he’d entered.

            “Vessel?” Sasuke bit out, his voice level for the amount of anger he felt. He was well aware of who they were talking about, but he would make them acknowledge Naruto, if only by making them voice his name.

            The woman frowned, her wrinkles standing out more drastically with the expression. “Uzumaki.”

            “Hn.”

            “Yes, Naruto’s reaction to your disappearance will be what will make your story credible to Orochimaru.” Tsunade looked slightly tormented, this decision not sitting well with her. Sasuke could well empathize. After finally gaining his trust and smoothing things out between us… Sasuke sighed, aware that his relationship with the blonde was about to get desperately rocky.

            “Of course.” Sasuke voiced, meeting the golden gaze making sure that she understood he did this only because it was ordered. “This is my test, then. If I am found, I’ll be killed, and if I succeed Sound is defeated.”

            Tsunade gave a simple nod. “That is the point.”

            Sasuke nodded in return. He would do this. He would accomplish this mission, gain the power he’d been after and return with a clear conscience. “And when I return? What happens then?”

            It was the old man who spoke up then, as though he held some higher position than even the Hokage herself, and Sasuke felt insulted by it.

            “If you succeed and manage to return alive, the mission will be made public and your name cleared of all suspicion, of course.”

            Of course. Sasuke turned back to Tsunade, not even deeming the elderly man with a reaction, and waited. He didn’t serve that old man, he was a ninja who served his Hokage, and no one else.

            Tsunade’s lips quirked up as though she had read his thoughts. “As stated you’re name will be cleared, you will be freed from suspicion and rejoin the ranks.”

            Sasuke nodded once more. “When do I leave?”

            Tsunade’s eyes softened as she spoke, looking almost remorseful. “Tonight. Your actions on this last mission ‘proved’ that you would not try to leave, and will give a valid excuse for Kakashi to no longer check in on you.”

            They had placed a lot of thought into this mission, it made Sasuke almost queasy. How long had they been thinking of this? Had they already made their decision to do this when he was given his punishment? For some reason he was feeling decidedly played and it pissed him off. Perhaps that was why he asked his next question.

            “Will I be allowed to pursue Itachi after my return?”

            This time it was Tsunade’s turn to frown at him, her lips thinning into a colorless line as her golden eyes measured him up. His earlier actions were still clear in her mind, and though she said she trusted him enough to send him out on this mission, where if he decided to lie to them and aid Orochimaru in taking out Konoha, they’d have no way to stop him, or even know. Yet, where Naruto was concerned; where his brother was concerned, it was obvious she trusted him as much as she trusted Kakashi to show up on time.

            Sasuke returned her stare, daring her to challenge him. He’d failed Naruto once already, this time he wouldn’t. He’d accomplish this mission, and amend for his crimes by taking down Konoha’s enemy, and then, he would remove the threat to his dobe. He only hoped that when this was all over, Naruto could forgive him.

            From the look on Tsunade’s face, he might have to explain his departure to Naruto himself at a later date. Tsunade looked like she might not help him smooth things out with the blonde out of pure spite.

            The silence was stifling, and it fairly choked the life right out of him. The eyes of those present weighing his worth and his words, it rankled deeply, the thought that they might just deny him his vengeance, just as Naruto had predicted, and he had to bite his tongue to keep from lashing out.

            The sudden weight of Kakashi’s hand on his shoulder made Sasuke jolt, and looking up he met the compassionate smile of his irritating teacher, who he just kept owing for the weirdest of saves. “I believe that would be a fair enough trade, don’t you Godaime?”

            The other’s visibly balked at his casual tone, the elder’s openly frowning at his interruption, but the silver scarecrow just continued to smile, his grip tightening on his shoulder. “If he completes this task, then he will have proved himself trustworthy correct? So, why not allow him to chase his dream at that point? Itachi is an ‘S’ class criminal, Sasuke would be doing Konoha a service.” The smile faded and Sasuke was aware of the intense stare he leveled at Tsunade, his next words holding so much more weight than his light tone suggested. “He’d be putting away with an unnecessary threat, without any unneeded casualties.”

Naruto.

            They were talking about Naruto.

            Sasuke kept his expression neutral; somewhat surprised that he still could after the last few months, and waited for this meeting to end. He had several questions he needed to ask, both Tsunade and Kakashi as well. He would have preferred not to have to ask the hokage, but he doubted that Kakashi would answer anything without her approval.

            Tsunade seemed to deflate, her shoulders slumping slightly. “Right.” Her golden gaze met his and burned with intensity. Sasuke held that gaze and straightened up.

            “Sasuke Uchiha, if you complete your mission, and the threat of Sound is no longer pressing down upon us, you will be granted free reign to hunt down Itachi Uchiha, and bring justice to your fallen clan.”

            A shiver raced down his spine at those words.

            He was both pleased and frightened by them. It was everything he’d wanted, and it was so much closer than he’d ever imagined possible, and yet he was tempted to back away. Stupid! This is what you promised to do. This is what you said you would do, this is your life’s mission. Sasuke nodded stiffly, both to himself and to the Hokage, and the action made everything more real, and concrete.

            He would go to Sound.

            He would sabotage Orochimaru’s plans.

            He would clear his name.

            He would avenge his family.

It was no longer a dream.

            It was reality.

            “With that said, I wish you good luck Sasuke. Your mission begins now, so whenever you choose to leave, be certain you are not seen nor caught, as we can do nothing to aid you farther than staying silent.”

            “Yes, Hokage.”

            She nodded and sat back, the meeting obviously over, and no one moved.

            He knew he was expected to leave then, but he had to be certain of a few things, he just didn’t want to say it in front of those old fools.

            “You’re excused, Sasuke.” Tsunade announced. A soft kind of panic took hold then.

            He couldn’t leave now he still had a few questions, ones he didn’t want asked nor answered before the elder’s who looked about as edgy and stiff as an ancient carcass. At the same time he was looking like an idiot just standing there, and a sweat broke out across his brow, fists clenching and nails biting into the soft skin of his palm.

            “Hokage if you have a minute I would like to speak with both you and my student when the council has finished their business with you.” Kakashi calmly spoke, his voice slick as oil and his smile disarming and casual. Sasuke would forever envy that man for his ease with getting his way.

            Tsunade nodded ascent and turned to the council, her face showing barely masked hatred and annoyance. The two held her look their own faces showing disappointment and irritation as they stood to leave the room.

            “We will discuss the other matter at a later date.” The old crone said, her voice authoritative and shuffled from the room, the man following her in a crouch.

            “I wish they would just die already.” Tsunade grumbled once they had left, her form slumping into her seat, fingertips massaging her temples. “I need a drink…”

            Sasuke blinked, unsure how to take in the obvious contempt and discord in the command and rule of his village. It was one thing to see such squabbles amongst shinobi and the schools, quite another to see it at the head of his chain of command.

            Then again, with the way those two carried themselves; it seemed that they saw themselves as a power equal to or above the Hokage. Funny thing was, he’d always heard of the Elders, the ones appointed to be the ‘voice of the people’ but he’d never seen them before. He doubted they really new anyone in the village that wasn’t buried in the ground.

            “What did you need to discuss Kakashi?”

            “Nothing.”

            Tsunade snorted, a smile on her face. “I see. So you purposefully interrupted an important meeting for your amusement?”

            “I prefer to see it as a necessary act of rescuing my leader for the clutches of the past.” Kakshi’s grin was malicious and spread to the blond before her desk, her laugh sounding tired.

            “True enough.” Her eyes met Sasuke’s then, her smile slipping away. “You need something Uchiha?”

            “Yes.” Sasuke began, squaring his stance, “This mission… does it have something to do with Naruto?”

            Both adults stiffened.

            So it is… Sasuke frowned. “This was the re-meet for that important meeting you were called away to during our mission to the Waterfall Village.”

            He didn’t have to ask, he knew that that was originally what this meeting was about, when Tsunade scowled at him, it only proved his suspicions.

            “What are you trying to say Uchiha?”

            “Nothing. I just wanted to be certain that this mission would protect Naruto from whatever those other two had planned.” Sasuke stated bluntly.

            Both adults seemed shocked with his concise answer but Sasuke ignored their stunned looks, his fists tightening. “I’ll do this, but I want your word that Naruto will be safe from them.”

            “Brat! What do you think I was going to do? Let them kill him in your absence?” Tsunade looked furious. “This idea was set into place exactly for that reason, now keep your nose out of adult affairs and prepare for your mission.”

            Sasuke opened his mouth, having one more question that needed answering and was abruptly cut off.

            “Now, Uchiha!”

            He glared at the dismissal but bowed and stalked out of the room. A part of him wanted to ask what the elder’s wanted to do, but most of him didn’t want to know. He couldn’t be concerned and worried over the possibility of what might happen to the dobe and still manage to pretend that his only concern was getting strong enough to defeat Itachi no matter the cost.

            Sasuke stopped outside the building, the sun warming his skin and stared at his feet.

Could he really pull this off?

            Yes, of course I can. I want to defeat Itachi, I want vengeance, focusing on those will not be the issue. Sasuke, frowned, stepping further into the light, hands buried in his pockets. Its Naruto… that will be the problem…

            “You are unusually concerned over something that should be so simple for you.” Kakashi stated, his presence getting closer with his long strides. Sasuke had sensed the man following him from the Hokage’s office, well aware that Kakashi had meant to speak to him.

            “Hn.”

            “Well, I hope that isn’t what your reports will consist of. Unlike Naruto I have not yet decoded your none-verbal grunts.”

            “… tell him.”

            “Excuse me?”

            “… when this is all over,” Sasuke sighed, kicking a stray stone from his path. “… tell him the truth all right?”

            The somber atmosphere surrounded them, and for a while they walked in silence. The sun lightening the path, the cries and mumbled voices of the village enjoying the afternoon without a care in the world, completely unaware of the dark measures being taken to preserve the peace they held at the moment.

            “You think he will not listen to you.”

            It was another statement of fact, so Sasuke remained quiet.

            “Sasuke, you know Naruto, probably better than anyone else. That boy would forgive you anything. Sure he’ll beat the hell out of you first, but he will forgive you.”

            Kakashi dared to place a comforting hand on his shoulder. Normally, Sasuke would have shrugged it off, but at the moment it was nice. More than that, it was needed.

            “Before, I had the excuse of being an idiot.”

            “Hm, perhaps.”

            “… this time, it will seem I willfully betrayed him. Promising to stay and then…”

            Kakashi squeezed his shoulder once. “This is something that cannot be helped. It must be done, and when it is all over, Naruto will understand.”

That so didn’t help him.

            “Hn.” Sasuke said, rolling his shoulder and breaking the contact, continuing his journey to his room. Stalking Naruto had seriously lost its appeal, and would now only remind him that in a few short hours he’d be setting the dobe up to play the roll the elders had placed before him.

            Sasuke felt sick.

            “I will make sure he knows.”

            Sasuke glanced back, his silver haired teacher standing behind him, expression serious and stern. Somehow the look seemed understanding, as if he knew exactly how he felt.

            “Thanks.”

 

-2-

 

            “Oi, where were you?” Naruto asked, his head poking out from around the corner to his kitchen, and for a moment, Sasuke was certain he was seeing things. “I was worried, you know. Couldn’t find you anywhere and then Sakura showed up…” Naruto made a face, hands moving to his hips. “… I just don’t get her…She must have been lying… I mean I just can’t picture you crying to her about how lonely you were…”

            Sasuke’s eye twitched, but he couldn’t respond to Sakura’s obvious revenge for his rejection, mind too occupied with the visual stimulus Naruto was giving him.

            “Hey, Sasuke? Don’t ignore me ass, I will seriously kick your—“

            “Why are you wearing a pink apron?”

There, he said it.

            “Huh?” Naruto looked down at himself, arms spread wide the ladle in his hand dripping something green onto the floor. “Oh! This...” He at least had the decency to blush. “… well Sakura suggested that I make dinner since I’m freeloading and all…”

            “You told her you were staying here?” Sasuke asked. And you lived?!

            “No! God, do I look suicidal? Hell, just because of my problem she’d probably see me as competition and kill me! Anyway, I told her I felt bad for “making you cry”—seriously I think she’s making that shit up—and wanted to make dinner as an apology.”

            Naruto paused his free hand raising to his head in a look of pain, and Sasuke felt himself smile as he walked into the room taking a seat at the counter.

            “Dear god that was a mistake! Do you have any idea what girl’s think of when you mention cook and dinner and the name of a guy they like in the same sentence?”

            “Hn.”

            “Exactly! She wanted to know what I was cooking, then how I planned to prepare it, and season it, and if I was planning any side dishes… my god! Then when I told her I was going to make Ramen she hit me and dragged me off to find a cook book then made me shop for ingredients—did you know how many ingredients went into Okonomiyaki?! Those things are expensive! I don’t get how she can just—“

            “Naruto. Focus, apron, why are you in a pink apron.” Sasuke asked slowly, his lips trembling as he tried to hold in his laughter. The blond really did look ridiculous in the little protective cloth.

            “...Oh yeah… So, after getting all the ingredients I tried to say goodbye but she demanded to know how I intended to make it, didn’t like my methods so came over to my place—since I knew you wouldn’t want her here—and she forced me into her apron and gave me a lesson on Okonomiyaki. So, hope you like it ‘cause that’s what we’re having.” Naruto concluded with a sharp nod of his head.

            For a moment Sasuke couldn’t do anything but stare at the weird substance on the ladle.

He’s… cooking. For me… Sasuke lost it.

            “Hey! Stop laughing at me damn it!” Naruto cried out, throwing the ladle which struck Sasuke on the chest, the paste sticking and leaving a mess on his shirt. Flecks speckled his neck and cheek, but Sasuke couldn’t stop the laughter that bubbled out, his smile so wide it hurt, his sides aching, and chest constricting until he was forced to curl up, choking out the loud fits of amusement in a way he’d never indulged in before.

            “It isn’t funny, you dick! I worked hard to make this!” The words would have been effective if the blonde wasn’t grinning himself, cheeks red as he playfully struck Sasuke about the head, the blows easily blocked by his forearms.

            “You—you look ridiculous!” Sasuke choked out, tears starting to blur his vision and he wasn’t certain if they were tears of joy or bitterness. A part of him knew that this would be the last evening he would spend with Naruto. And when morning rose tomorrow, his name would be a curse.

            “Fine! You don’t get any of my Onokomiyaki! You can starve!”

            “… are you wearing pink panties too?”

            Naruto turned purple.

            “No way…” Sasuke stuttered the grin splitting his already sore cheeks as glanced down. “You are! Aren’t you?! You borrow them from Sakura too?” He collapsed to the floor when Naruto tackled him.

            “I am not you sick jerk!” Naruto cried fisting his shirt and glaring at him.

            Maybe it was the moment, or the impending separation soon to come, or perhaps it was simply the closeness between them, and the warm feeling that brushed over him but whatever the reason, Sasuke found himself reaching out and wrapping his arms around the blonde.

            The stiffening was instantaneous, but Sasuke only held tighter, breathing in deeply, remembering the smell that represented happiness and peace. He would keep this with him. The memory of shared foolishness, of warm companionship, and the lingering smell of Okonomiyaki in the once stagnant walls of his house.

            Home… this is home. The reaffirmation was comforting.

            “Sasuke?” Naruto’s voice was just an octave too soft and Sasuke released his hold looking up into blue eyes with a smirk as his hands found Naruto’s far too sensitive ribs.

            “You ruined my shirt.”

            “Huh? What the—Ah!” Naruto kicked up to escape only to be followed and the two rolled across the floor, laughing, kicking and pushing and forgetting the world around them.

 

The Okonomiyaki tasted horrible.

Sasuke still ate it.

 

-2-

 

            The boy found the strength to move, somehow, and had closed the door to barely a crack, the air still allowed inside, as well as the pale light of the sky, but a far cry from before.

            Inside the rooms were all open, small lamps lit every corner giving off a warm glow. It was comfortable. A little stuffy, but the wispy voice that rang through the home was more condensed in there, so he could handle it, and if he listened closely he could hear the sounds of footsteps on the floor. But these sounds were welcoming and soothing and so as he curled up near the door, watching the clouds pass over head through the space between the doors, he felt safe and content, listening to the gentle hum of distant words.

            Outside a soft rain began, the tinkling sounds relaxing and refreshing, the air damp and warm. Safe and warm the boy slept.

 

-2-

 

            Naruto was a warm weight in his arms as Sasuke woke, well aware that it was time to leave. It had ceased to surprise him that the blonde always wound up in his arms, and Naruto had stopped reacting to waking up there. Neither of them could really be responsible for what they did in their sleep after all.

            Sasuke frowned, much too comfortable, and knowing that he would not sleep this well again for quite some time—if ever depending on how Naruto reacted to his coming home—and debated waiting if just that little bit longer.

            Naruto was smiling, that stupid hat half falling from his head, wrapped up in his blue pajama’s, and looking far too familiar. Sasuke watched him a while, taking in the steady breathes and the disgruntled snorts, the small miniscule movements he made in his sleep, mouth open and muttering every other breath.

            He ached inside, and suddenly he realized that if he left, Naruto would follow. Kakashi was right, as always, Naruto would not let him leave, because whether or not it was in a romantic sense, Naruto loved him too. They were a family, and Naruto didn’t let go of family.

            Sasuke didn’t want to face him until this was all over, he didn’t want to see the betrayal and pain in those blue eyes, but he’d have to wouldn’t he?

            “… dobe. I’m coming home… I promise…we promised, remember?” Sasuke whispered, his lips grazing the soft shell of the blonde’s ear, his breath a warm tingle.

            Naruto rolled, one arm flopped above his head, the other looped casually over Sasuke’s in a loose hold. “…s’ke…” Naruto muttered, brow furrowed slightly a moment before smoothing out his lips barely parted, but didn’t wake.

            He looked inviting. Several times over the past few nights, Sasuke had looked at Naruto while he slept and wondered how easily he could steal a kiss. Just for his own enjoyment, Naruto need never know but he’d never done so. There was no real need to. It had been enough to have the other by his side, but now…

            Sasuke lifted up on one arm, the bed sinking, sheets shifting, and placed the other against that warm cheek. Naruto’s tangled arm slipped to rest on the warmth of the bed Sasuke had vacated, and he sighed and his breath danced over Sasuke’s face.

            With his thumb stroking the skin, running along the dark marks that lined both cheeks, Sasuke stared down at Naruto, taking in everything the other was, making sure to log every detail to memory, far too much was taken away with time and he could not bear to lose anymore than he already had.

            Minutes passed with him simply staring before, with his heart in his throat; choking him, Sasuke dared to lean down.

            His lips brushed Naruto’s with the barest of contact, breaths simply intermingled, lips simply touching. When Naruto did not stir, Sasuke dared to seal his lips against the full ones below. It was a chaste kiss, skin on skin, a little wet as inner lips slipped against the dryer parts with the pressure. Sasuke held still, embracing the sharp tingle in his spine, and warmth in his face and stomach and the slick pressure on his mouth.

            He pulled away all too soon, but the fear of Naruto waking up forced him away. The mission—not to mention his fragile emotions—couldn’t handle the response to something as simplistically shattering as a goodbye kiss.

            With his nerves still charged, Sasuke slipped free of the sheets, pulling them back over Naruto when the blonde began to fuss. He took a moment to run his fingers through the hair at the nape of Naruto’s neck, something he’d noticed made the idiot fall straight into a coma like sleep, and then began packing for his trip. He packed lightly, spare clothes, camping gear, some rations and his kunai and shiruken. He paused a moment before grabbing the Hitai-ate he’d previously stolen from Naruto and shoved it deep into the inner pocket of the bag. If anyone found it and questioned him, he’d say he’d forgotten it was in there.

            He couldn’t tell Naruto the truth, but maybe if he took that with him, Naruto would know. Somehow, Sasuke believed the idiot would understand that message.

            Leaving the room was the hardest thing Sasuke could recall doing. Each step felt weighted, and his stomach churned with acid and the need to vomit. He desperately wanted to stay, and his wayward emotions were causing him to quake.

            You are acting like an insecure child. Sasuke berated himself, forcing his spine straight and his shoulders back. You are an Uchiha. You are on your way to serve the Hokage and clear your name. You will avenge your clan and protect your village and family. An Uchiha does not show fear, or sadness. You are an Uchiha. Act like it.

            Surprisingly, the monologue helped, and the usual numbness he’d perfected fell over him as he arrived at his door. It wasn’t as strong as before, nor as smothering, but it was there and he was grateful for it. He would need that coldness to block out whatever the snake threw his way. His cover could not be blown, and his feelings could not be found because they would be used against him. That was a certainty.

            His shoes smelled rank, and as he put them on, Sasuke was unsurprised to find them damp.

            “Ahou…”

            As though summoned the fox stepped out of the brush surrounding his house, and sauntered up to him with an innocent coo, its vibrant tail flicking back and forth. Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the irritant, well aware that the thing was anything but innocent of its peeing crimes and stood up, hefting his bag up and securing it.

            “This isn’t over. I’m coming back, so don’t get too comfortable.”

            The little fox let out a snort and tossed its head to the side, and Sasuke was certain it was looking at his window.

            “Window’s shut.” Sasuke taunted before realizing that he was baiting an animal and rolled his eyes. “… if he smells like urine when I get back I’m barbequing you and no one will be able to stop me.”

            The responding coo followed him out for the gates and into the deserted streets of Konoha. He could guess where the shinobi on patrol would be, having had that watch before and made his way toward the outlaying forest beside the training grounds. If those on watch followed protocol they would have parted ways there and been working a circuit to meet back up there. There would also be an explosive tab marking the branches.

            Preparing himself for a long night Sasuke pushed himself up the nearest tree and into the forest, leaving Konoha and Naruto behind in a haze of dreams and darkness.

 

-2-

 

            The child was wrapped in a warm blanket, watching the drizzle of rain from the door. The candles flickered casting shadows up the walls and it looked almost as though they were dancing. The warmth inside was a drastic contrast to the outside chill, and the boy pulled the cover closer to himself, fingers fiddling with the blue stone pendant that dangled from his neck, glittering even in the gloom.

            A soft voice tickled his ear, and the soft humming he’d grown fond of reverberated through him as the smell of the woods—sap, dirt and musk—permeated the air cocooning him against the outside. The boy sighed, his fingers running over the crystal, hopping the rain would let up soon.

Until then, he would wait.

 

 

A.N. *Peeks around corner* Please don’t kill me… like I said a plot bunny bit me, and I realized that Naruto and co. grew stronger because of this problem and in order for them to grow Sasuke had to give Naruto and Sakura a reason to fight. But at least this time we know Sasuke’s coming back. ^-^ Please review…. If you don’t hate me….

 

Also, I thought I had mentioned it before but ‘Ahou’ is a very impolite way of saying “you”. But, as it is used mostly as an insult, the only way to translate it properly is to think of it as a curse word, like ‘bastard’ or ‘ass-hole’ though that is not what it directly translates to. Hope this clears up the misunderstanding.