Complications

Chapter 1.


“Don’t think your getting away again!” The smell of burnt grass made Naruto rub at his nose grinning as he leaned against the tree that had been shattered earlier from one of Sasuke’s attacks. It had been a better part of the day he had spent chasing Sasuke pleading with the other to consider coming back to Konoha. It had been almost like a training exercise, except Naruto knew that Sasuke would kill him if he slipped up. Doesn’t he get tired of running

Across the clearing Sasuke stood a frown on his face as he watched his former team mate taking a break from the fight that seemed to have gone on for hours his own breathing slightly labored from the effort of keeping his old partner at bay. “Sasuke. Come home.” Naruto stated for the fifth time that hour. Sasuke’s eyebrow raised again as his lips turned downward. Again? Sasuke noticed that his top was drenched, Naruto …You’ve gotten stronger.

“How many times have you said that today Dobe?” Sasuke found himself wondering out loud as he stood there one hand resting on his hip as Naruto pushed off the tree moving towards him. Sasuke braced himself for an inevitable attack, but all he received was a hug from Naruto, one that surprised him as the air was crushed out of his body. Naruto’s speed had obviously increased, something that didn’t surprise Sasuke as he pushed the blond away.

“Don’t touch me.” Sasuke took a few steps back his hand falling back to the weapon he carried. Naruto stood in front of him not surprised that Sasuke had shrugged him off and pushed him away.It’s always been like that, Naruto sighed and then raised his hands in a show of acceptance but all Sasuke had to do to know what was really going on was to look into those clear blue eyes of his friend to find out how the blond really felt. The pain there was for him and a desperation he had never seen there before.

I need to leave before …I really do need to leave now. Something inside Sasuke pushed him to turn around and break into a dash. “SASUKE!” Sasuke tried to ignore the hint of cracking in Naruto’s voice as he moved quickly through the thick trees. This time I’ll lose him. This time I’ll get away. With a few extra quick steps he hopped into the trees and started to move quickly away from the only person who truly tied himself to his past in Konoha.

Naruto took after Sasuke as quickly as he dared not wanting to spark another fight so soon with the dark haired rogue shinobi. “Sasuke!” he called again as he growled and put forth a little more speed as he muttered, “Idiot Sasuke…” To Naruto it felt as if the
the pursuit would continue on forever, but finally he caught up with Sasuke, “Sasuke, stop! Please!”

Something in Naruto’s voice caught Sasuke’s attention as he sighed and stopped. Naruto saw this too late and smacked straight the next tree in front of the one where Sasuke had stopped as he fell to the ground with a thud! Sasuke sighed rubbing the back of his neck, “You’re still the same Naruto….” Naruto stared up at Sasuke as he smiled sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck with one hand his other hand rubbing right under his nose as he grinned bigger.

Lets get this over with. Sasuke landed beside Naruto as he sighed and watched him, “I’m not going home. I told you…I have to take revenge on Itachi.” Itachi. That was one of the reasons Sasuke had done everything he had in his power to get stronger. More power meant more of a chance and defeating his brother when the time came. “Avenging my clan comes first.” Naruto sighed as he nodded and turned his back to Sasuke. Any normal day and he probably would have not done so, but for some reason this just felt different.

“Sasuke. Why don’t you rely on us a little more? Team seven …We were an awesome team and we want you to triumph where you need to. Sakura has become an amazing healer, and …Well I’d like to think that I became stronger as well. We wouldn’t slow you down.” Sasuke felt his heart clench painfully as he winced rubbing at his chest a little. Hearing Naruto talk this way was weakening him. It’s none of their business!

Naruto looked over his shoulder at him, “Tsunade baa-san let me come out to find you…She gave me the leave with Sai and Sakura.” Sasuke looked around at the mention of the other members of the new team seven. Naruto looked sheepish, “I kind of had Sai …Take care of holding up Sakura. I wanted to talk to you alone.” What a surprise. I would have thought that Naruto would want Sakura here as well.

“Why do you care if I come back to the village at all…” Sasuke was curious. Was it all for Sakura or was there something else in that? He couldn’t help but notice that the connection between Naruto and himself was stronger than the one that Sakura had made with him. He actually cared about what Naruto thought and wanted more than he ever had the pink haired kunoichi.

A frown crept back onto Naruto’s features as he mumbled scratching his cheek lightly with his pointer finger, “Well you see…I really do miss you. I miss our arguments and I miss being able to train with you too. You are the reason I’ve pushed myself this far Sasuke.” Sasuke sucked in a breath as he sighed and shook his head. This is too odd. What is going on…This atmosphere isn’t normal.

“No. I’m not going back until Itachi is dead.” Sasuke was dead set on this turning his back to Naruto as he sighed and murmured, “I’ll come back eventually…Then I don’t care what happens to me. I could die happy.” Naruto’s shoulders went up in a half shrug as his head lowered a bit his back still to Sasuke. “I won’t apologize for doing what I see is right.” Sasuke started to move off. Maybe this time he will let me go.

“You’re being fucking selfish!” Naruto snapped as he spun around his eyes narrowed on Sasuke’s back as he moved forward his hand reaching out. Before he could touch Sasuke’s shoulder Sasuke spun around grabbing his hand in turn he slammed Naruto against the tree he had been by making the fox like boy hiss arching his back off the tree.

“Selfish? I’m not the one being selfish. You and Sakura are being selfish! I am trying to avenge my clan. If I don’t then nothing will go back to normal for us. Don’t you understand that?” Sasuke moved close holding Naruto against the tree as the blue eyed boy just looked at him with surprise. “Do you know how hard it was to leave you of all people? You are my best friend! You should understand why I am doing what I am! Only you can truly understand. If someone you knew killed Sakura or me wouldn’t you do the same?!”

Naruto let his mouth open and close a few times. He was slower in intelligence sometimes, but the only time he felt it was when he talked with Neiji or Shikamaru usually. “Sasuke I miss you.” Was the only defense that Naruto could come up with as he gently reached up as he let his calloused fingers trail down Sasuke’s cheek tears starting to well up in his eyes. “It’s been hard to focus on anything except getting you back in the village.”

Stunned Sasuke backed up at the sight of tears. Turning he gruffly growled and just as he opened his mouth a deeper calmer voice from behind both Naruto and himself spoke out, “Shinobi aren’t supposed to show their tears Naruto-san.” The hairs on the back of Sasuke’s neck rose as he turned slowly. Standing there observing the situation was a bored looking Kisame and an equally bored looking Itachi. “It seems I have my darling little brother to thank for delivering the Kyuubi container to us.”

Naruto looked towards Itachi as he lowered down his eyes narrowing in defiance as he backed up a few steps. Kisame unsheathed his sword from his back as he grinned starting to move forward before Itachi held out a hand, “Come with us Naruto…You won’t die right away and it will go quicker if we don’t have to fight with you and Sasuke.”

“As if I’d just go to akatsuki without a fight for my freedom? No way!” Naruto scoffed as he took out a kunai. Sasuke watched the exchange having momentarily been forgotten. Something inside him coiled. He had heard of what went on with the containers of the tailed monsters. There was no way he would let Naruto suffer the same fate as those people who had been unlucky enough to get caught. Stepping in front of Naruto he made the jutsu movements to create a fireball, but of course knowing his hot headed brother all too well, Itachi met his fireball with one of his own.

“Go Naruto!” Sasuke warned the other as he drew out a dagger and narrowed his eyes. He could hold off both akatsuki members and let the blond escape and then he could flee himself. But, his plan was thrown out of motion when Naruto moved to his side. “Naruto.” Growled Sasuke as he pushed the other back, but Naruto only moved back a step. His eyes were on Kisame and Itachi as well.

“I’m not leaving you to fight them by yourself.” Naruto knew how dangerous members of Akatsuki were…Also, Itachi was there so Sasuke would need someone to look out for him. “I’m going to keep Kisame busy…You go for Itachi…” I can’t interfere with Sasuke’s revenge. Maybe he can get it over with and we can go back to Konoha...Together.

Kisame scoffed and shrugged, “I’ll let Itachi handle you two. It’s not worth my time.” Leaning on the hilt of his sword the shark man watched as Sasuke and Itachi squared off. Naruto bit his lower lip…Sasuke charged Itachi as the elder Uchiha smirked tossing his brother into a tree as hard as he could causing the other to cry out. “See…Your little friend is going to be hurt badly.”

Naruto turned his eyes wide, “Sasuke! What the hell are you doing?!” Sasuke winced and shoved off the tree heading for his brother. He’s not thinking clearly! If he doesn’t start he is going to end up hurt. Again Itachi turned and looked at Naruto as he pointed at him and Naruto looked away quickly shutting his eyes not wanting to get caught up in another genjutsu. Sasuke threw a kunai at his brother who stopped his attention on Naruto for the moment.

“That’s right. You are facing me right now!” snapped Sasuke irritated that his brother did seem to find him a threat. The angrier Sasuke found himself getting, the less and less clear his thoughts became. Kisames chuckled as Itachi just smiled at his little brother. Humoring Sasuke, Itachi gave him a half of an effort before he again slammed him down onto the ground.

“Itachi we have to go. Finish off the kid and grab Naruto.” Kisame complained as he looked up at the trees and then back at the fighting pair. It was almost embarrassing to see the younger Uchiha acting so childish in a fight. Stepping in Kisame grabbed up a dazed Sasuke as he held him in place by his arms. Sasuke struggled against the strong mans grip as he glared his sharingan activated as he tried to fight himself free. Naruto cried out as he moved to help his friend but he barely dodged a fireball sent his way by Itachi.

Sasuke looked to Naruto his eyes softening for a moment before his dark eyes hardened once more, “GO Naruto!” He told the other. Naruto felt his body go numb as he realized what was happening. The clumsy movements hadn’t been like Sasuke at all. He had been trying to get this to happen. “Now!” The tone in his voice left no room for discussion. What does he have up his sleeve? Naruto took a step back.

“If you don’t go back Sakura will worry!” Sasuke tried to convince Naruto as his brother watched between the two. He had seen the look Sasuke had thrown towards the other boy a small smirk slipping onto his feature as a different gleam came into his eyes. Kisame just watched his partner. Naruto looked unconvinced as he took another step back. Sasuke…

“This is becoming tedious.” Itachi had lost his humor after a few moments of fighting off his angry little brother knowing the other hadn’t been serious from the start. “You’re acting too rashly…I didn’t think you were that fond of Naruto-san.” Stepping quickly up to his little brother, Itachi raised Sasuke’s own kunai up from where he had drawn it off of the younger Uchiha, “Now go to sleep for a little while.” Naruto didn’t think as his body reacted faster than his mind could. Sasuke? Fond of me?! Kisame let go of Sasuke as Itachi swung at him. Sasuke dodged the kunai as it caught him on the cheek causing him to bleed. Naruto skidded to a stop from his attempt to rescue Sasuke as he narrowed his eyes as he threw a kunai at Itachi to grab his attention.

Itachi deflected the kunai without turning to look as Kisame frowned and picked up his sword. “As long as I don’t kill you then I think hurting you to transport you is okay because this is so fucking annoying right now...” Kisame wielded his sword. It was Sasuke’s turn as he watched Kisame finally participate in the fight. Naruto backed away and Sasuke tried to go to his aid, but Itachi stopped him with a punch to the gut.

“Watch your opponent and not your friend.” Sasuke fell to his knees totally distracted by having Naruto so close. He just groaned as he saw Naruto turn to look at him, “…” Itachi watched as Sasuke rolled back and produced his sword from his back a growl leaving his throat as he again moved towards him. Naruto had given Kisame just the opening he needed as the mist swordsman brought down his sword with quick accuracy aiming for Naruto’s shoulder.

“Watch out!” Sasuke warned Naruto as he moved quickly. Naruto looked up to see the sword coming down as he backed up. Fuck! Will I make it away from the sword in time?! Naruto moved, but not quickly enough as he shut his eyes and braced himself for the impact as he fell down to try and dodge it. After a few moments he heard a sputtering coughing from in front of him. He recognized that sound and the sputtering from a long time ago.

His eyes snapped open as he looked up from his position on the ground to see Sasuke standing in front of him a sword protruding at the top of his right shoulder and down a ways into the skin. Kisame looked surprised as Itachi stood in front of him his hands on Kisame’s having caught his hands to stop the bigger shinobi’s hands from completing the stroke.

“Dobe. Don’t look at me like that….Run.” With that Sasuke winced and fell to his knees trembling his hand covering the wound with his left hand as the blood seeped out from between his fingers. “Run…Please.” Naruto looked at the blood his blue eyes wide with worry, So much blood. It won’t stop. Moving forward Naruto let his fingers cover Sasuke’s as he grimaced when he heard the squelch of the wound as he put more pressure.

“Hang in there Sasuke!” Naruto urged as Itachi slowly moved forward hitting his brother on the back of his neck with a sound chop. Sasuke’s eyes widened for a moment before they rolled to the back of his head and he crumpled into Naruto’s lap. Kisame chuckled as he flung the blood off the blade and sheathed it. “Sasuke!” Naruto narrowed his eyes and bared his teeth growling as he pulled Sasuke closer almost instinctively trying to protect the rogue shinobi just as he had against Haku.

“Naruto. Leave him and come with us….I don’t want to have to use force.” Warned Itachi slowly losing his calmness to irritation. Naruto hugged Sasuke closer to him as he shut his eyes. Itachi sighed and looked to his little brother,I still need him …For my plan to come to fruition. I can’t leave him here…Maybe I can use this to my advantage.

“If you come with us I will make sure that my brother gets the proper care at an inn near by here.” Itachi offered to Naruto. Naruto tensed and looked at Sasuke who was unconscious. There is no telling where Sai and Sakura are right now…I can’t carry an injured Sasuke and fight Itachi and Kisame both…I’m stuck. Naruto felt his mouth go dry as he shuddered and slowly moved to his feet. Kisame raised an eyebrow as Naruto took a deep breath.

“Okay. If you promise to get him help…I’ll go with you to your place.” Itachi nodded satisfied as he moved towards Sasuke. Naruto stepped between him and his younger brother, “Don’t you fucking touch Sasuke…You gave up your right to that a long time ago you sorry ass.” Hoisting up Sasuke Naruto held him on his back as he snapped, “Show me to the inn…Hurry…If he loses any more blood…” Naruto heard his own voice crack. I don’t want to have Sasuke end like this. I could never forgive myself.

It was a few minutes jog to the inn that was in the middle of the forest. Apparently Naruto had missed it when he had been pursuing Sasuke earlier that day. I didn’t know there were places like this. Naruto moved in as Itachi made the proper arrangements with the inn keeper. Kisame stayed outside to look out for any reinforcements that might be coming to find Naruto. Itachi watched Naruto with his brother as they were ushered into a room staying outside he let Naruto and the innkeeper go in there.

Naruto laid down Sasuke and sighed as he muttered, “Teme…You have me in trouble yet again.” He stroked the pale cheek as he whispered, “I’ll be back to see you soon…so heal up …you idiot.” Itachi finally stuck his head in as the innkeeper started to tend to Sasuke removing his shredded shirt. Naruto moved out of the room rubbing the blood off of his hand absently. What’s going to happen now?

Before he could move anywhere Itachi planted his fist into Naruto’s sternum. “Ita…chi.” Naruto groaned his eyes shutting as he fell forward and Itachi picked up the boy. Despite the kyuubi containers size, he was light to carry for Itachi as he moved out the door and looked to Kisame. “Lets go.”

Looking at the unconscious boy on Itachi’s shoulder Kisame chuckled, “He has no idea what we are going to do with him. Do you think we will have to worry about your brother soon.” Itachi snorted as he jumped into the trees and started to move west from the inn. Kisame just rolled his eyes and shrugged, “It was just a question.” With that he hopped up with surprising speed and followed after Itachi leaving an unconscious Sasuke in the hands of strangers.
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Authors Note: Hey thanks for reading the first chapter. I hope to have the second chapter up by Friday or so...Hopefully...Anyways please review and let me know what you think.