The Demilitarized Zone

Disclaimer: Not mine. Bummer.
Summary: Itachi Uchiha has always had a sadistic streak when it came to his little brother. Now the perfect opportunity has presented itself and he just can’t let it go by. He does love him after all. (SasuNaru)

Author’s Note: -bows in apology- I am sorry that it took so long to get this chapter out. Granted, it’s only been eight days, but it feels like longer. The thing is… well, look at it as whining if you want to, but stupid real life is kicking my ass. Working sucks. Dinner time sucks. Cleaning sucks. And just cause I’m already whining… I hate getting gas. Nothing pisses me off more than watching those damn numbers click higher and higher and higher…
Okay, I’m done. ;)
This weekend is looking shiny so it is my hope, meaning not promise and I’m not liable when it turns out this is a lie, it is my hope that I’ll have another chapter of this and of ‘All the Small Things’ up by Sunday. It is my hope… and hope is good.
Thank you for reading. Please enjoy.


The Demilitarized Zone
Chapter 9

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Is it still a mantra when it’s just one word screamed in one continuous sound?

FFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!!!

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On the outside Sasuke’s face was devoid of anything, including what little color he once had. Eyes stared at him, waiting and all he could think was how unlikely, but welcome, a catastrophic earthquake would be right now.

“Well, I think it is wonderful!” Lee shouted, “Young love is blossoming everywhere, is it not?” At that Lee clapped Gaara on the back who immediately stepped away, his face remaining blank but his eyes bright with murderous intent. Sasuke grudgingly couldn’t blame him.

“As entertaining as secret duckie love is,” Itachi began leaning against a nearby desk, “I am more interested in minion liaisons at the moment and since I am the boss…” He shrugged, “So, little brother, I didn’t realize that we would be welcoming another Uchiha to the fold. Father will be so happy.”

Sasuke opened his mouth to comment, snipe, scream, cry, yell, anything to stop this when another presence made itself known.

“What would make me happy?”

Sasuke and Itachi straightened so fast they nearly gave themselves whiplash and the duckies heart attacks.

“Father.” They both said and the older man nodded. “Well, what would make me happy?”

Sasuke just blinked and Itachi nodded toward his father, but it was Lee that heralded in the Messenger of Death.

“Sasuke is engaged to the youthful Naruto!”

The older man stared at the black haired boy, “Excuse me?”

“Apparently camp was good for them, sir.” Sakura said smiling brightly.

Sasuke glared at her. Bitch.

“I wouldn’t have believed it myself, but then you should have seen them at the hospital.” Kiba interjected.

Asshole.

“My uncle says they were a sight to behold.” Lee said raising one arm into the air.

I’ll kill you… with youthful vigor.

“Naruto must be so happy.” Hinata said quietly, smile across her face.

Oh god… this was never going to end.

“Funny, he never mentioned anything.” Gaara drawled.

Yes! Yes! Use your brains.

“And fast. Troublesome, really.”

Fucking genius, that’s what you are.

“But I can see the attraction.” Neji said.

Die.

“Sasuke has been very concerned about Uzumaki…” Itachi said.

Et tu, Brutus?

“I only mention it because I do so worry for his Uchiha-ness. But as they say, opposites attract.” Sasuke’s bastard of a brother finished.

“They are different,” Fugaku said, “Like the sun and the moon.” Sasuke and Itachi stared at their father and the man looked like he was in another place, another time. They would have been lying if they said seeing their father like this didn’t scare… no, concern… them a bit.

There was an uncomfortable silence before Fugaku looked at his younger son, “Where is Uzumaki?”

“At the hospital, I was just on…”

“What? He’s there alone?” Sasuke caught his breath and was mildly pleased when he heard Itachi do that same.

“Yes, sir. I needed to come back to the office and…”

“Sasuke,” Fugaku said and stepped closer to his son, whereas everyone else backed up two steps. Traitors. “I don’t want him left alone. Do you understand? If he is to be your husband, you need to be with him. Protec…” The dark haired man grew silent.

“Protect him? From what, Father?” Sasuke said, his frustration at being in the dark helping him to conveniently over look the fact that his father called the dobe his damn husband.

Fugaku stood still for a moment and then looked at the audience they had accumulated, “It is what fiancés do, Sasuke. Particularly Uchihas.” The man’s eyes were cold and closed and Sasuke knew the discussion was over. Shit.

“Yes, sir.” Sasuke turned and headed toward the elevator.

“And Sasuke, bring the boy out for brunch in the morning. I’m sure your Mother will have much to say on the subject.”

Sasuke nodded and waited for the doors to close. The mantra was back and he had the oddest urge to start crying.

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Naruto worked his way through the hospital and stopped at a supply closet. He needed to be alone. He needed to fall apart. He needed…

He shook his head. He had so much on his mind. His parents, hitmen and/or women, the person that hired them… but all Naruto could see when he allowed his mind to drift was midnight hair against pale seemingly moonlit skin. All he could feel was a feather soft kiss against his temple and all he could hear was concern dripping from a velvety voice.

Sighing he put his hand on the handle and turned. Before he pushed in, he turned his head to the left.

“I know that you are there and I can only assume that is because somehow I must be a ‘target’ as well. I just need to be alone for a moment. You’re more than welcome to take up guard outside.”

A bulky guard came around the corner and nodded. Naruto returned the gesture before entering the room, allowing the door to close behind him.

He didn’t see the concerned look on a passing nurse’s face nor did he see her immediately head to the phone.

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Sasuke had pulled into the hospital parking lot but sat in his car with the engine running, his head thrown back against the head rest.

Seventy two hours ago Sasuke knew exactly who he was and what to expect from those around him. Itachi was a sadistic boss and older brother. His father was cold and well-mannered. His workers never discussed personal issues and Naruto…

Sasuke didn’t even begin to understand what he felt in regards to the dobe. He knew his feelings had changed, but then why did these new feelings feel so comfortable, welcome… like they belonged and had always been there.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Sasuke stepped out of the car and made his way toward the hospital. There was something going on. His father had known Naruto’s father, had known Naruto. Apparently, Sasuke had as well, however briefly. He wondered if Naruto knew that, but had the feeling that out of everyone, the only one as confused and in the dark as he was would probably be Naruto. What had happened during the ‘break’? Who wanted to kill two teachers and did they want Naruto dead too? Fear gripped Sasuke’s chest. Regardless of his brain’s wishes, his heart had bled when Naruto didn’t talk to him and had nearly stopped when he thought the blonde would hurt himself on the damn wall… but if something were to happen to the dobe. Anger welled in his heart.

Not an option.

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Sasuke had been directed to a supply closet where one of this morning’s guards stood. Sasuke nodded to the man.

“Naruto is a target then?”

The large man blinked and gave a curt nod.

“Do you know who would do this? What they want?”

The guard ran a hand through his hair and glanced back at the door. “No, sir. I have no new information beyond my assignment to stay near Uzumaki.”

Sasuke nodded and turned away from the guard, watching the nurses work.

“Sir?” Sasuke turned his head.

“I think…” The guard looked uncomfortable, “I think he needs you, sir.”

Sasuke’s eyes widened and he walked toward the closet. He paused before entering. His father’s words echoed in his ears… ‘It’s what fiancés do.’… Why did everyone seem to think that Sasuke could help? Up until this point, his mouth had done a fine job of digging his own grave. It was only a matter of time before it started in on Naruto’s.

He pushed the door open and stepped inside.

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Sasuke entered and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim lighting.

“Hey, teme.” Naruto was sitting on the floor against a wall of shelves holding miscellaneous linens. “What brings you to the supply closet?”

“Dobe, what are you doing in here?”

Naruto shrugged, “Nothing really.” Sasuke walked toward him and squatted in front of the blonde. Naruto’s head was bowed and Sasuke pushed blonde strands away from sad, blue eyes.

“How are your parents?”

Naruto grinned and Sasuke thought it was eerie considering the deadness in his eyes, “Not talking to me. Jerks”

Sasuke held in a sigh and shifted so he was sitting next to the dobe. He thought about saying something, but what was the point? Beyond his mouth’s obvious malfunctioning, he couldn’t guarantee they would get better and that was all the dobe really wanted to hear.

“Do you think I felt like this when they died?” Sasuke turned his head. Naruto’s voice was hollow and small, “I know I was only two weeks old but do you think I felt this,” Naruto stopped and although there was no noise or sign, Sasuke knew Naruto was crying, “Do you think I felt this… alone? Maybe that is what this is about. Maybe I was supposed to be alone all this time, but by some fluke, fate misplaced me. Now, twenty four years later, he’s correcting his mistake,” His blonde head banged against the shelf behind him harshly, “by taking away my parents again.”

“Hn. Dobe.” Sasuke said and both could hear the unsympathetic drone of the voice.

Naruto pulled his knees up to his chest and laid one cheek on his knee so that he was looking at Sasuke. “I have never wanted to hurt you as much as I do right now. “ The blonde man’s hands fisted around his knees and Sasuke didn’t doubt for a moment that Naruto was completely serious.

Sasuke sighed and looking straight ahead said, “Everything you just said was crap. Did you want me to cry with you?”

He watched Naruto’s body stiffen like it was ready to strike, his tan hands fisting tightly, but before Naruto could react, Sasuke continued, “They aren’t dead and you certainly are not alone.”

Naruto released a shaky breath and the blonde head turned away.

“As enjoyable as this closet is, dobe, it is time to go now.” Sasuke stood up, dusting off his pants before offering a hand to Naruto who still hadn’t looked at him. Naruto looked at it for a moment before taking it. He was pulled up quickly and because his legs were slightly numb from sitting so long on the hard floor, he was forced to lean into Sasuke for support. “You took your arm brace off.” The dark haired man whispered and Naruto felt the tiny hairs stand up on the back of his neck.

“It feels better and it was getting in the way.” Naruto muttered backing away from Sasuke’s warmth and his damn caressing voice.

“Hn. We will say goodbye to your parents and then I’ll take you home.”

“No, I’m not leaving.” Naruto said coldly, shaking his head.

Sasuke was in his space again, “Yes, dumbass, you are. You haven’t really slept in two days. It’s late now and I can’t remember the last time we ate.” Naruto’s stomach reacted to the prompt like clockwork and his fists clenched like clockwork to Sasuke’s arrogant smirk.

Suddenly, like a switch all fight left the dobe and he bowed his head, “You’re right,” Naruto sighed and Sasuke knew the man was tired, he had expected to have to drag the idiot out, “Did you know they think someone is after me as well?”

Sasuke nodded as he opened the door, “Yes and that is just one of many things we need to talk about and soon.”

Exiting the closet, Sasuke turned to the sandy haired guard, “We are going to their room and then we will be going home. I would imagine someone will be joining us?”

The guard nodded and Sasuke took Naruto’s hand in his own before leading him down the hallway.

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Naruto just sat quietly in the car and Sasuke imagined he must be exhausted. The dark haired man had waited outside while Naruto said goodbye to his parents. He watched through the window as the blonde spoke and then straightened blankets that hadn’t moved at all since the last time he straightened them before leaning in and kissing each of them. Sasuke had tried to imagine himself kissing his father, even if the elder man was in a coma and found it impossible. The blonde exited the room without a word, hands in his pockets as he made for the elevator.

Sasuke’s thought was proved correct when Naruto’s head bobbed before jerking back up and blue eyes flew open. Suddenly, Naruto wasn’t sitting still anymore, instead, he was fidgeting and when Sasuke turned to ask what was wrong, he was met by large blue eyes.

“I don’t want to go home.” The blonde closed his eyes deciding if this feeling clawing at his chest was worth humiliating himself in front of the one person he would move the ocean for in order to prove that he was strong, independent… worthy. “I don’t want to be alone. Not yet… please.”

Sasuke gave a curt nod and turned on his blinker, changing the car’s course. It was good enough for Naruto who released a relieved sigh, closing his eyes once more while thoughts swirled through his head at nearly unbearable speeds.

He wanted to be worthy… but of what? Worthy of being Sasuke’s business partner? Worthy of being Sasuke’s friend? Worthy of being Sasuke’s… what? Lover?

Oh god… when had he formulated that wish? His first instinct was to say on top of a fallen log in a green canopied forest, but Naruto tried hard not to lie to himself and knew that he had felt something sitting next to Sasuke’s infirmary bed or the moment his fingers laced with strong pale ones. And as long as he was being honest, he felt something the first day he walked into the bastard’s office to see him sitting in his chair behind a large mahogany desk, his dark head against the blue sky through the window. Naruto felt a shiver race up his spine, but he knew that if he were being brutally truthful, the first time he had ever seen Sasuke clad in a black tuxedo he had felt something. A feeling of instant belonging… fuck, it had felt like coming home.

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Naruto walked through the crowd keeping an eye out for his two fathers. Those jerks kept leaving him to fend for himself. So far he had been accosted by every damn person in the place. Now, normally, Naruto was all for socialization, hell, he lived for this shit, but tonight, he was tired. He had just finished moving out of his college apartment today and now he had this welcoming shindig into his new job and his new life.

Turning searching eyes to the right, he nearly tripped over himself. Itachi Uchiha stood near the corner of the room talking to someone who Naruto could only make out the back of, but just as he was about to scan in the opposite direction, the mystery person brought his drink to his mouth, downing the beverage before turning to get a better look at Itachi and therefore giving Naruto a clear view of his face.

The man smirked at something Itachi said and Naruto knew immediately that this was Sasuke Uchiha. He was just as tall as his brother, but his hair was darker and shorter. His face seemed softer than his older brother’s and Naruto couldn’t help but think it made a world of difference. While Itachi was admittedly sexy, Sasuke was beautiful. Of god like proportions, the kind of beauty seen during lunar eclipses… extremely rare and breathtaking for it. He wanted nothing more than to be near him. He looked like a cold, stone statue, but Naruto just knew that if he got closer, just a little closer, he would feel the heat that assuredly radiated from the man. Naruto blinked wondering how everyone wasn’t stopped in their tracks staring at the demigod before them. Naruto could do it all nig…

“Oh my god! I’m so sorry!”

Naruto looked down to see red wine soaking into his brand new tuxedo… the first one he had ever bought and not rented. He sighed and then looked up at the whimpering woman before him. Her face was moments from bursting into tears and a circle began to form around them. Naruto tilted back his head and laughed.

“I am so, so sorry!” The woman continued.

“It’s really okay. Accidents happen, right?” Naruto said trying to stop the trembling in the woman’s lower lip that foreshadowed an emotional nightmare.

“No, really, it was my fault for wearing white. It was like asking for something like this to happen. Murphy’s Law…” Blue eyes watched at the dark haired god neared the circle, “it’s a bitch.”

The man was just watching and Naruto wanted to scream. He finally had the eyes of god on him and he looked like a bloody… well, literally, like a bloody mess! He had to get away from here… far away. He would not be introduced to his new business partner who obviously had sold his soul to the devil to look like a fucking angel with red wine soaking uncomfortably into unmentionable locations.

With that in mind, Naruto snagged a new glass of wine off a passing try and all but thrust it at the trembling woman in front of him. He smiled giving her his best conspiratorial smiled before leaning in and stage whispering, “And now I have a reason to go home. I’d hug you, but as you can see… I’m a little wet… and red. I could be the mascot for the Uchiha’s like this, don’t you think?” The woman gave a gentle smile and Naruto almost cheered, a smile flooding his features. “Now, miss, please enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Naruto turned away from the woman and away from the dark eyes of Sasuke Uchiha before finally locating his parents. He laughed when he saw Iruka’s eyes bug to the size of saucers at the wine stain as he sputtered out something that sounded like Naruto’s name.

“I think it’s time to go home, guys.”

Kakashi laughed before the three headed toward the exit.

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Sasuke pulled into his garage and turned off the engine. He didn’t know how long he sat there, in the dark garage with Naruto snoring softly beside him. This would be the first night he had slept at home since leaving for Gai’s retreat hell and Sasuke almost didn’t remember what being home felt like. So much had happened and he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. He couldn’t stop the wince when he considered how he was going to tell Naruto they were engaged now and that he should dress nicely to meet his mother. Shifting to look at his ‘fiancé’ he reached out and let a gentle finger run over the man’s scarred cheek, feeling the texture and warmth. His eyes widened, not in shock but in pleasant surprise, when Naruto’s blue eyes opened and Sasuke didn’t see any fear or sadness, just contentment.

“Hmm, S’uke, are we there yet?” The blonde said barely above a whisper.

Sasuke pulled his hand away and Naruto suddenly remember where he was and what had happened. Sasuke nearly cursed when blue eyes turned cold, emotionless… dead.

“Yes, dobe. We are here. Let’s go.”

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After entering the apartment Sasuke immediately pushed Naruto toward the bathroom, providing him with a towel, sweat pants and sweat shirt. Naruto hadn’t said a word, just nodded his head and closed the door.

Sasuke went about finding something for dinner and finally settled on cold sandwiches and ramen. Not exactly the dinner of champions, but he did know the dobe liked ramen. He had just sat the meal onto the kitchen table when Naruto shuffled into the room.

His hair was still damp and it had turned into the color of warm honey. The sleeves of the dark blue sweat shirt had been rolled up at least two times and the draw string on the pants had been cinched so tightly that the string hung below the shirt… which was saying something.

“I feel like an idiot,” Naruto said before sitting at the table, “and my toes are cold.”

Sasuke, who thought the dobe look fucking edible, just smirked, “Yeah, you do look like an idiot.” Taking his own seat, the dark haired man continued, “But no more than normal.”

Naruto shrugged, but not before Sasuke saw the flash of annoyance through blue eyes. That small spark alone made Sasuke sit down and actually enjoy his dinner of preservatives and water. After dinner, it was pushing midnight and Sasuke showed Naruto to the guest bedroom.

“Go to sleep, dobe. It’s been a long day.”

“Yeah,” Naruto said, pulling at the hem of his shirt with one hand as the other rubbed the back of his head, “Thank you… you know, for letting me stay here.”

Sasuke turned to look at the man from the doorway of his own room and gave a soft smile, “Good to sleep, dobe. It’s looking like it will be a big day tomorrow as well. I have to tell you… well, that is, we have lots to talk about.”

The dobe nodded, covering a yawn with his hand before shutting the door quietly behind him.

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Naruto couldn’t turn off. He’d had insomnia before, but had always been able to manage it. Maybe it wasn’t as easy as counting sheep, but he had always been able to stop the flow of thoughts somehow in order to sleep. But nothing was working tonight. Not even imagining himself as the owner of a ramen stand and experimenting with all the different toppings stopped the unwanted thoughts from rolling in like storm clouds across the ocean. And like a small boy, he was scared of the darkness and thunder that followed.

His Dad and Papa had been hurt, on purpose. They were in a coma and none of the doctors’ faces had allowed for him to soak up even an iota of hope. How long would they be there? If they woke up would they be the parents he remembered, loved… needed, with his whole being?

This, of course, made him think about who could possibly be doing this… Only one person came to mind, a person Naruto didn’t even remember with clarity beyond the fear. He remembered the fear perfectly, but he also knew that there was no way it could be him. He knew and that thought alone chased away the darkness that threatened to trap him in his memories, but it didn’t allow for sleep.

He tossed again. The only time Naruto’s mind seemed to calm itself was when he was near Sasuke. Sasuke touched him and everything disappeared. Sasuke kissed him and everything never even fucking existed as far as Naruto was concerned.

Naruto sat up, tossing his blankets aside. He needed Sasuke to take this away, to make his brain stop. His legs shook as he stood, whether in apprehension or undiluted excitement, the blonde would never know. He needed Sasuke to make him stop thinking and start feeling.

He needed Sasuke.

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Sasuke walked out of the bathroom, a pair of black boxers being his only covering as he rubbed furiously at the wet strands of hair on his head with a white towel. He had spent his entire shower thinking about how to tell Naruto they were getting married. He growled under the towel before tossing the offending cloth into the laundry basket. There was no help for it. He was simply going to have to admit his mis… well, his ‘whatever’ and hope Naruto was willing to help Sasuke dig them out of this. After he beat the shit out of him, of course. Sasuke had no doubt his dobe… oh god, when had he become his… would attack him. Sasuke was almost looking forward to it. He had some frustration to work off as well. Of course, some of that frustration could be worked off by a somewhat gentler form of attack, one that had him peeling his own clothes over the Naruto’s blonde head and down the dobe’s tan hips and thighs. An attack that had blue eyes swirling with emotion… lust, want and need for what Sasuke planned to do to him, an attack that left both of them breathless and neither of them wanting. Sasuke wanted the light back and now, oh god, now he wanted it to shine on him.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on his door. Sasuke moved to open it and realized immediately that he had a problem he would need to handle or hide. A more persistent knock ruled out handling it.

“Wait.” He bit out and grabbed a midnight blue robe off its hook, shoving his arms through the sleeves before trying the garment, hissing when it rubbed against his erection. He worked at creating an image of Gai on a nudist beach and opened the door.

He knew it would be Naruto on the other side, but he never expected the blonde blur that jumped him causing Sasuke to lose his balance as they both fell onto the plush carpet. Before Sasuke had even regained his breath, Naruto was straddling his middle, running his tan hands into the gap created by his robe and nimble fingers untied that which had only been tied a moment before.

“Dobe, what are you…” Naruto shook his head and Sasuke realized the man’s eyes were closed before the blonde head dipped and licked Sasuke’s exposed collarbone before dipping down farther and sucking gently on Sasuke’s exposed nipple. Sasuke’s hips bucked and they both moaned at the friction. Sasuke closed his own eyes and for a moment allowed himself to think of nothing but Naruto’s tongue against his chest and his warm hands trailing up and down his sides. Finally, shaking his head Sasuke pushed gently against the blonde’s chest.

“Dobe, what is this?” Sasuke said and nearly gasped out loud when Naruto finally opened his eyes. Blue sapphires, sharp as broken glass pierced his own. Emotions swirled too fast for Sasuke to ever hope to understand. But he did understand tears. His pale hand came up and tenderly captured the first tear on the pad of his thumb before it could slide down Naruto’s cheek.

“Sasuke, make it stop.” Naruto whispered and nuzzled his cheek against Sasuke’s hand, lids covering his blue eyes once more and Sasuke released a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. “Please, I need to sleep but I can’t stop thinking. I can’t stop running everything over and over again in my mind. But you… you stop it.” Naruto rocked against Sasuke’s hips, “When I’m around you, bastard, I can only think of you, can only feel you. I think it’s always been that way.” Naruto leaned down once more and gently pushed his lips against Sasuke’s, much like they had earlier that day in a forest before the world had turned upside down. Sasuke’s tongue licked along Naruto’s lips and Naruto open his mouth to let Sasuke’s tongue swirl around his own.

Breaking away when air became an issue, Sasuke sat up, Naruto still straddling his nap, “Okay, dobe, but not on the floor.” Sasuke ran pale fingers through golden spikes, tagging Naruto’s head to the side so that he could kiss along Naruto’s neck, leaving gentle bites up to his earlobe before trailing down, sucking harshly on his dobe’s pulse point. Naruto’s back arched and their chests slammed together, “Get on the bed.” Sasuke ordered and Naruto hastened to comply.

Sasuke stood, shrugging off his robe before heading into the bathroom. He came back with a glass of water.

Naruto lay on the huge black bed and the borrowed dark blue clothes made it look like Naruto’s bright blonde head was the only thing in an ocean of darkness.

“What’s that, teme?” Naruto asked as Sasuke kneeled one knee against the bed, offering Naruto the water and a small pill.

“Aspirin,” Sasuke said and smirked when Naruto looked at him in confusion, “You’ll need it after I get done with you.”

Naruto blushed and sputtered, “Bastard! You sure are fucking full of yourself since it was ME that initiated this. Jerk.” Still, Naruto grabbed the water and downed the pill. “You’d better live up to your hype.”

“Hn.” Sasuke said and pushed Naruto back against the bed. He ran his hands down Naruto’s clothed chest before pushing… no peeling… the shirt off of his dobe’s torso and over his head, tossing it across the room. Sasuke positioned himself between Naruto’s legs and captured the man’s lips once more with his own. “You are beautiful, Naruto.”

Naruto’s breath hitched and as predicted everything else… EVERYTHING ELSE… stopped existing except for Sasuke. Sasuke’s hands. Sasuke’s mouth. Sasuke’s wicked tongue.

Naruto mewled as the dark haired man lavished attention on every inch of his skin from his forehead to his navel. Naruto had never felt so good, so free… so tired.

“S’uke?” Naruto said, fisting midnight locks weakly but still managing to pull the man’s head eye level, “What did you do?” Naruto said and his eyes refused to open to see Sasuke’s smirk but he still heard it.

“Go to sleep, dobe.”

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Sasuke tenderly kissed Naruto’s eyes and cheeks and finally his soft pink lips before rolling off the sleeping blonde. He pressed his feet to the floor, his elbows to his knees and allowed his head to fall into his hands.

He couldn’t take Naruto like that. Oh god, he had wanted to, but he didn’t want to be Naruto’s escape from his pain. He wanted more and so he’d helped Naruto go to sleep as promised with the assistance of a fast working sleeping pill. He turned his head when he felt Naruto’s hand brush against his hip and a small smile graced the blonde’s face, “Sasuke… don’t leave.”

Sasuke took the hand in his own and pulling the comforter back, tucked the dobe in. “I’ll be back, Naruto.” Sasuke whispered and then stood heading toward the bathroom.

He needed another shower… a cold one this time.

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When Naruto woke up in Sasuke’s room, he immediately took personal inventory of himself. He vividly recalled the reason he had come knocking but had no memory beyond attacking the dark haired man when he opened the door.

Everything felt… okay. So unless that pain pill had been extra strength insane nothing had happened. That’s good because he didn’t remember and he was proud to say that he had never once found himself in a situation where he didn’t remember the morning after. Where was the fun in that?

Slowly he turned onto his other side and saw Sasuke was still sleeping. Midnight spikes had been pressed down in the night and many fell onto his pale neck and shoulders. His face was relaxed, holding nothing of the strain, sarcasm and arrogance Naruto was used to seeing. Naruto bit his lower lip to keep himself from sighing like a lovesick girl. Genetics sucked. No one should be that attractive. The man was… breathtaking.

“Just so you know, dobe. You’re kind of freaking me out a little with the stalker like staring.” All of this had been said with his eyes closed, but when the lids finally opened, Naruto was treated to midnight pools alight with humor.

No, Naruto was sure, if he ever got to sleep with this man, he was going to remember it.

“Bastard.” Naruto said and shifted away, only to be pulled back by strong arms and then forced back onto the bed. Sasuke was between his legs in a moment and Naruto blushed when he felt that every part of Sasuke was awake and at attention.

“Is that a blush, Uzumaki? You were not blushing last night. In fact,” Sasuke slowly… agonizingly slowly… pushed his hips into Naruto’s and smirked when Naruto once more bit his lip, “Last night you weren’t shy at all.” Sasuke tenderly leaned down and ran his tongue across Naruto’s bottom lip, causing Naruto to release the abuse bit of flesh before Sasuke laved it with attention.

“Teme…” Naruto said but was cut off when Sasuke took Naruto’s open mouth not as a warning, but as a welcomed invitation. Naruto gave into the kiss, but not to the war for dominance. He pushed the wayward tongue back into Sasuke’s mouth and chuckled lowly when Sasuke moaned and thrust his hips once more against the blonde’s. Tan hands wound into black hair and Naruto deepened the kiss even more. Suddenly he stopped.

They both were panting and Sasuke rested his forward against Naruto’s. Naruto blushed again, “That was nice, bastard, but can I borrow a tooth brush?”

Sasuke smirked and pulled himself up and off the other man, “I couldn’t agree more.”

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They had both taken showers and Naruto was now dressed in a charcoal grey sweater and black jeans. They were still a little big, but fit surprisingly well compared to last night’s sleep wear.

“They aren’t mine, dumbass, they belong to my teenage cousin.” Sasuke smirked and sat orange juice in front of the opened mouth blonde.

“Genetics suck.” Naruto lamented aloud and Sasuke sat across the table, looking the man up and down.

They ate in silence for sometime before Naruto commented on needing to go back to the hospital. Sasuke sat his napkin on the table.

“Dobe.” Blue eyes met black. “We need to talk.” Naruto took note of the serious tone and pushed his bowl away.

“Okay, teme.”

“Do you have any idea who is after you and your parents? Has anything like this happened before?”

Naruto worried the napkin in his lap and Sasuke could only imagine the memories crossing Naruto’s mind. Finally, he blinked and nodded.

“When I was five I was kidnapped.”

Sasuke didn’t know what he had expected… maybe it was that, maybe it was something else, but now that it was out, he found himself at a loss for how to continue.

“Hn. What happened?”

Naruto’s eyes closed off and his words came out flat, “I was kidnapped. My father found me. The end.”

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed, “Yes, I was able to deduct that myself, dumbass.” Sasuke growled. Naruto tensed and Sasuke almost begged Naruto to stand up. He wanted to hurt him. He wanted control. When was the last time he had been in control? Instead, he called on his Uchiha-ness and bit out, “Who did it? Were they caught?”

Naruto relaxed and tried to focus on the question instead of jumping over the table. “After Minato and Kushina died, Kakashi took me in. Two weeks afterward Minato’s uncle… wait.” Blue eyes flashed, “You already know this. I believe it was on page three of the ‘Dobe Brief’” His voice was like venom.

“Refresh my memory.” Sasuke said and wondered when the morning had gone downhill.

“My great uncle sued Minato’s estate, contesting the will and my guardianship. Orochimaru was his name and he lost. Five years later he was behind my kidnapping. He was ransoming me for the assets my father had left in his company to me.” Naruto sighed and slumped back in his chair, “I swear I don’t really know much more. Now I regret the unspoken agreement we all had not to talk about it. But either way, I’m sure it has nothing to do with what happened yesterday.”

“How can you be sure?” Sasuke asked leaning his elbows against the table in his classic concentration pose.

“Orochimaru is dead.”

Sasuke closed his eyes, “Do you remember anything about that time, dobe. Anyone else who might have taken up the mantel left behind by Orochimaru.”

Naruto lay his hands flat on the table because he knew they would be shaking otherwise, he nearly jerked his hand backward when he felt Sasuke’s fingers grip his own. He looked up to see that Sasuke’s face was expressionless, but his eyes showed concern and maybe…

“Teme,” Naruto said a small smile pulling at his lips, “Truthfully, all I remember is dark, hunger and being scared. Constantly, always afraid.”

Sasuke’s fingers tightened on his own and Naruto turned his hand to intertwine their fingers.

“Hn. Dobe.” Sasuke whispered and Naruto squeezed back.

“It’s okay, bastard. I’m okay. It’s over now.” Sasuke wonder if Naruto even realized that his eyes still carried an echo of the fear he had experienced so long ago.

They simply sat together holding hands quietly for several minutes before Sasuke broke the silence, “Well, dobe, as interesting as that was, I’m afraid there are more pressing matters for us to discuss.”

“More pressing? Honestly? More pressing than childhood kidnapping, courtroom intrigue, blackmail and attempted murders?” Naruto tilted his head to the side, “Fuck… my life has become a soap opera.” Sasuke opened his mouth, but Naruto cut him off, “Wait… don’t tell me. Someone is getting married, right?! Are they knocked up?”

Sasuke inhaled his tongue and died.

Well, that’s what it felt like to the pale man coughing and sputtering across the table from a confused and concerned Naruto. The blonde stood up and rushed around the table.

“Sasuke, are you okay?” The man’s already pale face started to take on a bluish tint, “Sasuke!” Naruto yelled and pulled the man up to standing. The act help Sasuke’s cough to subside and he looked down into Naruto’s worried eyes.

“… fine… I’m fine.” Naruto handed Sasuke a glass of water and waited while the bastard took a drink before nodding toward the living room. “I’m okay. Let’s go sit down.”

Naruto nodded by waited for Sasuke to start walking before he followed. Sasuke growled, “I’m not going to fall down, dumbass.”

“Last time I care, asshole.”

They settled and Naruto pulled a black colored throw blanket over his feet. “Okay, talk to me.”

Sasuke took a deep breath… to make up for those he lost or to gather his courage, he wasn’t quite sure. “Remember yesterday, at the hospital, when we first got there?” Naruto nodded. “Remember when the doctor started talking to you but you were… distracted?” Again the blonde nodded, his nose wrinkled at the underlying tone of mockery. The only reason Naruto didn’t call the bastard on it was because the normally composed ice price seemed nervous. If that were even possible. “After you went into your father’s room, I knew you would want to know about Iruka and also Kakashi and so I asked,” A raised blonde eyebrow, “Fine… demanded, the doctor tell me their conditions and related information so that I could tell you when you were ready.”

Oh god. Here it comes. Sasuke’s only thought was that he should have slept with the dobe last night when he had the chance. It would never come again.

“He wouldn’t give me the information because I had to be a relative.” Sasuke met Naruto’s unblinking blue eyes and continued, “I told him you were my fiancé.”

Naruto blinked and tilted his head to one side. His pink lips parted and then shut before his head tilted the other way. “My fiancé?” Sasuke nodded, swallowing down a nervous chuckle. “My fiancé? Why didn’t you say you were my brother? Or my cousin? Hell, you could have said you were a crazy uncle no one talked about?”

Sasuke bit his tongue to stop himself from lashing out. He nodded, “But I didn’t.”

Naruto nodded as well and pulled his knees closer to his chest before adjusting the blanket.

Sasuke’s mantra was no longer a word… it had devolved into a primal scream of epical proportions.

Suddenly the dobe started to laugh and he continued to laugh until tears slid down his cheeks. Finally, gasping for breath he rested his chin on his knee and chuckled at Sasuke’s expression. “I bet that was eating you up inside, bastard.” Sasuke’s eyes widened. “What do you think I would do?” Naruto rubbed the back of his head, “The fact is, I wasn’t able to talk to the doctors. Someone had to. I’m glad it was you. So the doctors think we’re engaged. Big deal.”

Sasuke closed his eyes and leaned into the cushioned back of his chair, “It gets worse, dobe.”

“How?” Naruto asked.

“The detective thinks we are engaged as well.” Sasuke’s eyes remained closed. He’d rather not see his death.

“Huh… I guess that makes sense. Again, teme, no big deal. Good thing I don’t have a boyfriend somewhere waiting to destroy your house of cards, though. The detective might not like that.”

“Boyfriend?” Sasuke said black eyes catching Naruto like a deer in the headlights.

“Yes, boyfriend. As in someone who you go out with, come home with, snuggle up with and god willing, fu…”

“I understand, dobe.” Sasuke hissed, “Do. You. Have. One?”

Naruto lifted his head from his knees, “I just answered that, bastard. Weren’t you paying attention? And just for future reference, I try not to seduce assholes when I’m already in a relationship.” Naruto’s voice was cold and left no room for argument.

Sasuke stared at the man, appraising his statement, “Hn.”

“Okay. So the hospital and police department think we are engaged.” Naruto smirked, “I wonder what they would think if they knew the great Sasuke Uchiha’s idea of a good time was drugging his bed partner to go to sleep.”

Sasuke leaned forward, startling the babbling blonde, “It gets worse, dobe.”

“Jesus, Sasuke…” Black eyes glared, “Okay, fine. Who else?”

“After a certain idiot ran off to cry in a fucking closet, the nurses called his ‘fiancé’ in their concern. Sadly, the idiot’s fiancé was at their joint office and in a personal meeting with his devil incarnate brother. As a result, the call came into my goddamn secretary who passed out but not before telling all the little duckies our wonderful news.”

Naruto stared.

And stared.

And stared.

And then he started to laugh again. “Okay… okay… wait.” He took several huge breaths, “So now everyone at the hospital, police department and our WORK, thinks we are going to get married. And the duckies all accepted it?”

“Neji said he could ‘see the attraction’. Lee jumped around in youthful, fucking something and Hinata and Sakura have probably already chosen a theme for your bridal shower.” Sasuke said standing up, ignoring Naruto’s indignant sputters. He began to pace, “The only ones who seemed hesitant were Gaara and Shikamaru but even they seemed resigned,” Sasuke ran a hand through his spikes, “And Naruto…”

“It gets worse?” Naruto squeaked out. Sasuke nodded curtly.

“Itachi was there and as he was spouting off about welcoming another Uchiha to the fold, my father came in.”

“But you told them… you told them it was a mistake. Right, teme? Right! Sasuke right!”

Sasuke shook his head, “I… I froze. They were all looking at me and the next thing I knew I was agreeing to brunch today with my mother.”

“I’m sorry… wait. I lost you after you started stuttering. You must be upset, bastard.” Naruto blinked owlishly and Sasuke wished this was over.

“I froze and now we are having brunch with my mother so that she can offer you her wedding dress.” Sasuke deadpanned, “Did you catch it that time, dumbass, or should I draw a picture.”

Naruto stood up, nearly tripping over the blanket that entangled his feet before he started pacing. “Okay, one… stop making me the fucking bride in the damn scenario or whatever the fuck this is. Two… is that the end or will there be another emotionless,” Naruto’s voice got lower, “Dobe, it gets worse… I hired a sky writer…’ Because god help me, I think I’m being awfully understanding. In fact, in the beginning, I was glad. I am very glad that it was you that told me about their medical condition and you that told me about the non-accident. But, this is getting insane. All you had to do was say that you were helping me. You could have stopped this. Why didn’t you stop this?!” Naruto took a deep breath, his blue eyes searching Sasuke’s for understanding.

Sasuke bowed his head, “I don’t know. I don’t know what possessed me. It came out. And then things kept happening… serious things, important things and it felt funny to stop and say, ‘oh by the way’ when people were talking about your parents’ lives… you life!”

Naruto sat back down running both hands through his hair, “When is brunch?” The blonde whispered and Sasuke almost didn’t hear him.

“What?”

“When is brunch? I’ll come with you, after we stop by the hospital, and we’ll make it better. We’ll tell them and then it will be done. Who cares about the hospital or the PD. We’ll fix it with your family and at work and… and well, that’s it.”

Sasuke’s nodded, “Yes, and that’s it.”

Naruto stood, “Go get ready. I’ll wait.”

Again the dark haired man nodded, “The newspaper will be at the door if you want something to do.”

The blonde head nodded and Sasuke wasn’t sure the man had heard. He headed into the bedroom but before he could get his shirt off the bedroom door flew open.

“I’LL KILL YOU!” Naruto screamed and Sasuke found himself slammed into the carpeted floor once more and the morning newspaper floated to the floor all around them.

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The pale hands held the front page of the morning newspaper and carefully cut out the half page picture of the smiling blonde, his image grainy but still beautiful. With precision, the sharp scissors snipped around the golden locks and down the delicately shaped nose. The remaining piece of the picture fell carelessly to the floor before being stepped on.

The tall man walked toward the far side of the room where a wall was covered with pictures depicting images of golden hair and sky blue eyes. Tan skin and scarred cheeks. Some blown-up to twice the normal size and others small and delicate as the man they portrayed.

“Naruto.” The new picture of a smiling blonde was carefully placed in the middle of the expansive collage and a pale finger trailed down the scarred cheeks as the man moaned, “Soon.”

Under the desk the remaining piece of the picture lay forgotten, the image of the youngest Uchiha glared out with the headline:

Uchiha and Uzumaki: Engaged!

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