The Definition of Piety

A/N: Ugh, I am so sorry it took so long to update, but the holidays are crazy! Anyways, I hope you all enjoy the chapter. By the way, I really really hope I am keeping everyone in character...

As always, a very special thanks to:

Wren Elessedil
XoXgaaraXoX
lo
jess249
Kang
ChrissyCrimson
inumoon3
tofupimp
LadyApollonia

You guys are absolutely incredible!

P.S. All hail Hyuuga Neji!
--------------------------------------------------------------

Convincing

“Actually Gaara, I have a better idea.” Neji interjected, eyes planted firmly on the trembling shoulders of his blonde haired friend before he stepped out from behind his bush and into the clearing.

“Neji, what-?” Gaara watched as the long haired beauty made his way towards Naruto, throwing a glance back over his shoulder towards Gaara, indicating for him to follow. Gaara, wanting to know exactly what the Hyuuga was up to, stepped out as well. Naruto immediately heard the shuffling they made and whipped his head around to face them, not having time to wipe the wetness away from his cheeks. Neji felt his heart tighten at the sight, but clenched his jaw and continued to make his way towards the other boy.

“Naruto?” Neji questioned the stunned boy as he drew closer to him. “Are you alright?”

“Neji? What-what are you doing here...wait, Gaara too?” Naruto asked, noticing a shock of red hair behind the taller boy.

Neji continued to make his way over to Naruto cautiously, edging slowly closer as if approaching a frightened animal. Until finally he found himself standing beside him, looking down into a wide pair of shining azure eyes.

“Don’t cry.” He said softly, lowering himself to sit next to the other boy.

Naruto let out a very unconvincing snort. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, crying is for girls-” And yet even as he said this, more tears continued to race down his scarred cheeks. Neji reached out a hand, gently wiping away the wet trail.

“Don’t cry, Naruto.” As Neji continued to speak as comfortingly as he knew how, he began to once again search for the chakra presence that he knew was still lurking close by. It didn’t take long to find it, and as Neji inconspicuously turned his eyes in the direction of the chakra, he knew without a doubt that Sasuke was watching every move he was making.

That’s right, keep watching, you little bastard.

Neji looked up from his position on the ground to find Gaara standing directly on Naruto’s other side, watching him. He gave the Kazekage a look, which he only hoped the ex-Jinchuuriki could interpret. Gaara, nodding his head so slightly that Neji wasn’t even sure he had, plopped himself down on the other side of Naruto, a pale hand coming to rest on the trembling boy’s shoulder.

“Whatever it is, Naruto, it’s not worth this.” Gaara told him, knowing full well what “it” was.

Naruto turned his attention away from Neji to face Gaara. He didn’t even try to put up an act of ignorance. “You would think that. Hell, I should probably think that, but I’m an idiot and I always have been and no matter how many times I hear it’s not worth it, I just want it more.” Naruto whispered, his voice straining to not crack as he tried to keep some since of dignity in the face of two of his closest friends.

“But isn’t it hurting you?” Neji threw in, keeping his voice loud enough so anyone who was listening would hear as well.

Naruto let out a bark of laughter at that. It was bitter and lacking of any warmth and Gaara’s hand clenched tighter on the blonde’s shoulder. “When has something not hurt in my life?” Neji and Gaara’s eyes both widened in surprise at the blonde’s comment. Naruto, no matter how bad things seemed to get, was never one to actually express that he was in pain. “When is it going to be enough, huh? I have always told myself that I was the underdog who was gonna be so badass someday that nobody would be able to deny it and all I needed to do was prove to everyone what I already knew about myself, but still, even after all that, in the end I just like the dog who has been kicked too many times. And fate, fate that bitch… the only thing I want to have to finally prove that I’ve achieved one thing in my life that I felt that I could never have, and still…when is it going to be enough? When will fate finish tossing me around and just let me…let me…” Naruto trailed off, his shoulders sagging as his hands came up to cover his face, muffling the soft sobs that were now coming from the boy. He continued to cover his face with his hands, feeling as though they were something that he could hide behind as he muttered one last thing, not really caring if anyone was listening at all. “And in the end, if all that is left is for my heart to break, then the only thing I could ask for is that his heart breaks with mine.”

Gaara and Neji continued to stare at the Jinchuuriki sitting between them, both at a loss for what to say. Until abruptly Neji wrapped his arms around the smaller boy, motioning for Gaara to do the same, which he did somewhat awkwardly, until Naruto was cocooned tightly between them, his breathing ragged as he continued to cry and show two of the strongest shinobis what it looked like when the strongest person in their eyes, broke.

As Neji held Naruto, he once again felt for the Uchiha’s chakra, not surprised when the chakra that the boy was emitting went from unsettled and upset to down right murderous as he watched the two people that he was quickly growing to hate the most hold and comfort the boy that he cared for the most.

Neji made eye contact with Gaara over Naruto’s slumped shoulders and despite the current situation, he couldn’t help the slight smirk that graced his lips

Gaara got the hint of what he was smiling about immediately and mouthed something that very well could have been “Jealous bastard”, before he turned his attention back to the boy in his arms.

They continued to sit like that for several moments, their hands idly running through blonde hair, Neji marveling at how soft it was and Gaara just marveling at what it was like to actually hold someone. It was a new experience, and if it weren’t for the fact that he was holding the boy he loved while said boy cried over the boy he wanted to disembowel, it would have been quite a pleasant experience.

It was a while before they felt Naruto shift in their arms, finally emerging from his huddle to look at them with a sniffling nose and a slight blush on his whiskered cheeks.

“Um, thanks, guys, I don’t know what came over me.” He said, his arm raising awkwardly in the midst of the other boy’s arms as he scratched the back of his head in a familiar nervous gesture.

“It’s not a problem, Naruto.” Gaara assured in his normal, nonchalant tone.

“Well, still thank you, but at the risk of sounding even more like a chick, would you mind if I spent some time by myself?” He asked, afraid that he was being rude to the two people who had just seen him in a state that he had never shown anyone.

“That’s fine.” Neji said as he and Gaara both rose simultaneously, untangling themselves from the blonde. Naruto flashed them his widest grin, one that they knew well… well enough to know it was fake. “Thanks guys…and don’t tell anyone about this, especially the Teme, ok? I don’t want him thinking that I’m a wimp and that his prissy ass would actually be able to beat me.” Naruto told them with a forced laugh, though it was clear what he was really asking for.

“We wont tell him.” Neji promised before throwing a glance in the direction of the area Sasuke was in, meaning for the Uchiha to see him.

“If you need anything, Naruto, just ask. We’re your friends.” Gaara told him, his voice uncharacteristically holding some warmth.

“I will.” Naruto promised, and they both knew that is was a lie. They turned around, leaving the blonde to himself, as they headed back towards their current residence. Neji’s eyes sought out Gaara’s as they headed deeper into the woods.

“Now, to beat the Uchiha back to camp.”

--------------------------------------------------------------

Sasuke made his way slowly back to the campsite, Naruto’s words ringing freshly in his ears. How could he hurt him like that? Further more, how could he make him cry? How many times had Naruto cried because of him? He didn’t really want to think about any of the answers to the questions that his mind was currently screaming at him. Each of them were met with an ‘I had to do it.’ or ‘it doesn’t concern me what he does’ and each time those answers became more desperate and pathetic until all that was left was sickness and that feeling of self loathing that he had grown so accustomed to over the years.

He didn’t want to hurt him. In fact, he pushed him away, hurting him slightly with harsh words and cold gestures, only to keep from truly hurting him in the end. He squished the affection now because he knew that he would only end up fucking everything up when it was over. Naruto didn’t deserve someone like him. It was strange to think that the dobe who he had publicly looked down upon for so many years would be someone who was so much greater than the prodigy Uchiha, and spectacular and wonderful and every other sense of the word that would never truly do him justice, but it was true.

And what should be untouchable and stored safely away from his filthy hands and soul, was actually given to him so freely and so desperately and...he couldn’t let him do it. He couldn’t let Naruto love him, because if there was one thing that he had learned over the years it was that Uchihas were not meant to love. They were meant to kill and manipulate and destroy, and he knew that if he let Naruto love him, then those things that were truly meant for Uchihas would corrupt the one thing that Sasuke wanted desperately to keep pure.

Sasuke was too dirty to be seen and loved by those azure eyes.

And he knew it.

So that’s why...that’s why...

He had to make him cry.

Still, seeing those two asswipes with their arms around Naruto was unbearable! Just because he couldn’t love Naruto the way that he wanted to, that didn’t mean that he wanted to see other people touching him. Especially them!

He came to a halt in his thoughts when he realized that he was already back to the camp. He began to make his way over to the tent, eager to go to sleep and perhaps forget about things for awhile. However, as soon as his hand reached for the flap he found himself face to face with two shinobi that he really did not want to see right now.

“Uchiha.” Neji’s voice greeted him coldly, his features set in stone, only his pupiless eyes giving any indication of the detest that he felt for the boy standing before him.

“Move.” Sasuke spat at them, in no mood to deal with a confrontation at this point.

“No, I don’t think we will be listening to your request.” It was Gaara who spoke this time, a hint of a smirk pulling at his full lips as he stared the Uchiha directly in the eye.

“It wasn’t a request.” Sasuke said lowly, his fists already beginning to clench at his sides. “Move, or I’ll make you move.”

“Both of us?” Neji asked, an eyebrow quirking slightly.

“Both of you.” Sasuke confirmed.

“Well, we have to give you credit for your confidence, Uchiha, but somehow we’re having a difficult time believing that you could easily take down one of us, let alone both, so forgive us for not trembling in fear in front of the Almighty Uchiha” Neji took a step closer to the slightly shorter boy, an eerily pleasant smile crossing his lips. “Now, if you don’t mind, we would like to have a talk with you.”

“I’m not talking about anything with you two.” Sasuke hissed, his arms coming to cross almost childishly across his chest.

“Don’t make us tie you down, Uchiha.” Gaara threatened, already stepping closer to the raven haired youth.

“Especially since with the way we currently feel about you it wouldn’t take much convincing on your part for us to do so.” Neji added, the smile still uncharacteristically gracing his features.

“What the hell do you want?” Sasuke asked, his exasperation showing. He wasn’t intimidated by the other two, even if he probably couldn’t take them both down, but this was getting ridiculously annoying.

“We just want to talk.” Gaara assured him, gesturing with his eyes to the stumps of logs that were placed by the fire.

“Fine.” He breathed out, making his way over to the fire and having a seat. All he had to do was listen to whatever the hell they wanted to talk about. It wasn’t that big of a deal and if he wanted he could always just lie about the answers anyways.

“So, Uchiha, why did you push him away when he kissed you?” Gaara asked, taking a seat across from the youngest Uchiha while Neji did the same. Well, they weren’t wasting any time.

“I really don’t see why that’s any of your business, especially since you pass your time by spying on things that are not meant for your prying eyes.” Was Sasuke’s even response.

“You might be right. However, it would be in your best interest if you would just answer the question.” Gaara told, hinting obviously at what the true meaning of his words were.

“Are you threatening me?”

“Why yes, Uchiha, because you make it oh-so-easy to do so. So really, why would you push him away?” Gaara questioned again, unfazed by the glare he was currently receiving.

Sasuke let out a huff, rolling his eyes at the question. “I don’t want that idiot kissing me. I couldn’t really give a shit what he does, as long as it doesn’t involve me.”

“I’m finding that hard to believe with how jealous you got back there in the forest, ne Uchiha?” Gaara’s lips twitched slightly upwards as he said this.

“I was not jealous. I couldn’t care what he does with the two of you, because unlike the both of you I stay out of things that aren’t my business.” Sasuke’s voice was flat and unwavering in his answer.

“Ah, you are such a convincing little liar, Uchiha.” Neji said, deciding to join back into the conversation. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you are lying. In fact, I think it drives you absolutely insane to see someone else touch him. Furthermore, I think you like it very much when his lips are on yours. I think it’s the thing that you wish for the most in your pathetic excuse for a life. I’d even be willing to bet that it was the image of that idiot that had you jerking off in our tent last night.” Sasuke let out a slight gasp at this, his eyes averting quickly to the ground. A blush had formed on Neji’s pale cheeks even as he spoke those words, but he continued to press forward. “So you don’t mind if we touch him? So you wouldn’t mind if I placed my lips right over the place where yours had been? You wouldn’t mind if Gaara stripped every last piece of clothing from him? You wouldn’t mind if we pushed him into the ground, and got dirt on that tan skin of his? What about if we put our hands on places that you’ve only seen in quick glances at the hot springs? Ran our tongues over places you’ve only dreamed about? What if we spread those legs and just-“

“Shut Up!” And suddenly Neji was face to face with the violent red eyes of the Sharingan, a kunai pressed snugly against his neck. “Just shut up...” Sasuke rasped out, his breathing hard as he fought for what little control he still had left.

Neji stood perfectly still, his breathing even and his face relaxed, even as Gaara stood beside him, ready to take out the angry Uchiha if need be. “Oh, did I hit a nerve, Uchiha? Come now, try again to convince me that he means nothing to you.” Neji said softly, his lilac eyes staring fearlessly into the dangerous eyes of the Uchiha Kekkei Genkai.

Sasuke continued to glare at Neji for a few more moments, his conflicting emotions obviously reflected in his eyes, until finally he let out a shaky breath and stepped away from Neji. He walked back over to the log he had previously been occupying and sat down, his shoulders slumping and his hair falling to cover his eyes. “You’re almost as stubborn as he is.” He whispered shakily. “Why don’t you all just leave me alone?”

“Because he loves you too much to do that.” Gaara said, his eyes focusing on the way Sasuke’s body was shaking slightly.

“And we love him too much to do that.” Neji spoke, sitting down once more.

“But can’t you all see how much better off he would be without me?” Neji and Gaara were surprised to hear Uchiha Sasuke finally speaking the truth.

“Of course we can, but the only thing that matters is what he sees.” Neji told him.

“I’m not good enough for him.” Sasuke insisted, shaking his head back and forth, his bangs swaying along with the motion.

“Look around, Uchiha, no one is. But who he chose it not going to change, and if there was a chance that it would, don’t you think that Gaara and I would have jumped at the opportunity, despite knowing full well that we are nothing compared to him?”

“I’ll only end up hurting him.”


“Oh wake up, you bastard! What the hell do you think you’ve already done to him? I have never seen him as close to giving up as he was tonight, and that is your fault! You don’t want to hurt him, you say? Well then stop hurting him! It’s a simple as that!”

“No, it isn’t.”

“You’re the one who’s keeping it from being that way!” Neji’s voice had raised considerably by this point.

“Don’t you think I know that!” Sasuke was suddenly to his feet once more, his voice rivaling Neji’s own. “Don’t you think that I know that I am the only thing that’s keeping Naruto away from me?”

“So, then what’s the real excuse here?” Gaara asked, knowing there had to be something more to it.

Sasuke suddenly looked away, wondering how he could have ever gotten himself into this situation. “I...I don’t want to lose him.” He said quietly, hoping that they really hadn’t heard him.

“What?” Neji said, the confusion showing on his face.

Sasuke gritted his teeth. “I said, I don’t want to lose him.”

“That doesn’t make much sense, Uchiha.” Gaara said, waiting for Sasuke to explain himself.

“It does if you’ve already lost everything once. I lost my entire family in one night because of my brother, and I lost my brother right along with them. Everything that I loved in the world was ripped away from me. Now Naruto...someone to love once more. How can you ask me to do it? What if something happens to him? What if I can’t protect him one day or more like, what if he doesn’t let me, and I lose him too? I don’t know if I’d be able to handle it this time.” Sasuke finished, his voice low. It was a rarity to see the Uchiha actually express a feeling other than anger and Neji and Gaara just sat in silence for a few moments, contemplating the words they had just heard.

“Baka.” Neji suddenly whispered under his breath, breaking the silence.

“Excuse me?”

“You are such an unbelievable idiot!” Neji was suddenly to his feet once more, absolutely seething. “So what, would you rather of not had them at all? Would you have rather spent the majority of your childhood not knowing what it felt like to truly be cared for and loved? Yeah, you may have had love ripped away from you, but Naruto never had it all!” As Neji said those words, he noticed the way that Gaara’s eyes diverted to the ground. Those words hit home for him. Neji very subtly slipped his hand next to Gaara’s running the tips of his fingers gently over the back of Gaara’s hand, hoping that the gesture was as comforting as he meant it to be and also hoping that the Uchiha did not notice, before he turned his attention back to Sasuke, feeling Gaara’s eyes suddenly upon him as well. “How can we ask you to do it, you say? Listen you selfish bastard, How can you deny Naruto his chance to know what it feels like to love someone and to have it returned back to him?”

“But, I-“

“He loves you, and you love him. There is nothing difficult to understand about that. There is nothing left to figure out. So, for once in your life, Uchiha Sasuke, stop whining about your own fucking problems, get up off your ass, and go give him what others would die to, or I swear, I will face the wrath of the Hokage, Konoha, and Uzumaki Naruto himself, if I have to, but I will kill you.” Neji finished, breathing hard, but leaving no room to believe that he didn’t mean every word that he said.

Uchiha Sasuke stared in disbelief at Neji, those words ringing clearly in his ears. And then instantly he was to his feet, and one nod of the head later, he was racing off into the tree,s in the same direction of a certain blonde haired Jinchuuriki.

Neji and Gaara watched as Sasuke ran off, before Neji slumped down right next to Gaara, letting out a long sigh. “I hope that worked.”

“I’m sure it did.” Gaara answered in his ever emotionless tone.

“It was easier than I thought it would be.” Neji admitted a smile coming to his face that held a certain bit of sadness. “But it doesn’t hurt any less than I thought it would.”

“No, I suppose not.” Gaara agreed, before reaching to slip his hand into Neji’s own “Arigato, Neji.”

Neji didn’t ask what he was being thanked for, nor did he jump in surprise at Gaara’s gesture. He only squeezed the hand that he held in his own tighter.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Sasuke found Naruto sitting in virtually the some spot that he had left him in. He had his arms wrapped around his knees and his face buried between them, and in all his life, Sasuke thought he had never seen Naruto look more vulnerable.

“Naruto.” He called out quietly, surprised with how sturdy his voice actually sounded when he felt like he was going to vomit at any moment.

Naruto raised his head up sharply before jerking it towards Sasuke. A look of surprise was clear in those vibrant blue eyes. “Sasuke...you came back.”

Sasuke could only nod at this as he settled down in front of the other boy.

“Why?” Naruto asked in a soft voice, as if he were afraid of the answer.

“I guess it was to save you the trouble of bringing me back like you always do.” Sasuke tried to joke to relieve some of the nervousness he was feeling, but he stopped when he saw Naruto’s expression.

“You mean against your will?” Naruto’s voice was bitter as he tightened his hold around his legs.

Sasuke slowly shook his head. “No, not this time.”

Naruto’s eyes widened in surprise at this, his mouth opening slightly in disbelief. “Sasuke...”

“Forgive me...I don’t know what to say...just please...” Sasuke seemed lost as he tried to finally say what he had so desperately tried to oppress.

“Then let me.” Naruto cut in, his tone uncharacteristically serious. “Listen to me, Sasuke, and please don’t run away this time...You piss me off so much. There are so many things about you that just make me want to punch you as hard as I can. I hate the way you usually only answer with one word. I hate that you’re so emotionally retarded that you make Sai almost seem normal. And I especially hate the way you find it so easy to hurt me more than anybody else ever could. But even then it will always be you. I will always come back to you, because everything that I have ever wanted in my life, every goal that I have ever set up for myself to achieve, is nothing, means nothing, if I can’t have you.

“Dobe...” Sasuke reached out a shaking hand to cup Naruto’s tanned cheek. “Naruto...kiss me.”

Naruto let a grin spread over his face, a real one. “I thought you’d never ask, Teme.” He breathed before leaning in to place his lips against Sasuke’s own.