His Salvation

Stage One: Denial

Was he seriously letting me stay here? After everything I've done, all the mental scars I personally carved into his being, yet he forgives me so easily? Ever since the war ended, and I had learned the truth from my own undead brother-I didn't know what to do with myself. My whole life had been nothing but vengeance and hatred and grudges. But I had none of that now. I felt like a hollow shell, nothing in the inside. Just a body with barely a soul. Honestly I didn't see any reason for living anymore. But he wouldn't let me give up. Matter fact he yelled at me for thinking such "thoughts". Why did he care so much? Every one, even Sakura, had given up on me. Hell she had plotted to kill me! When I came back to Konoha I was horridly welcomed with sneers and disgusted looks. They saw me nothing more than a traitor. It hurt so bad to see those familiar faces all turn on me. It had squeezed my heart, made my eyes fill with salty water. He was also by my side, comforting me-he actually yelled at anyone who glanced at me in disgrace. He'd hug me a lot too. He skin was so warm then. Ever since I returned, I've been longing for his touch. To feel his warmth against me, give me hope; let me know that I'm not alone. I felt so pathetic. Why couldn't he just let me die?

Swinging and jumping off branches was Naruto's secret way of relieving his stress and anger. He was so pissed at the people of Konoha, especially his friends. Yes, Sasuke had done a lot of bad things, but he was confused then. He didn't know the truth and was controlled by lies and deception. But he knows everything now and he's willing to chose good again but why won't anyone acknowledge that! Naruto bared his teeth and growled as he jumped off another thick branch, flying into the air, letting the rush of the wind calm his nerves before dropping onto another branch. His peachy skin was drenched in sweat, and he breathed deeply trying to calm his anger. As much as it frustrated him that everyone had turned their backs on their own he made it his resolve to protect Sasuke. He wouldn't let anyone harm him-physically and mentally. He would be his hope. He would even be his reason to live if it came down to that. Naruto was never going to give up on Sasuke.

He took a break on the branch, sitting on it leaning his back against the thick tree trunk. He took off his headband and wiped his sweaty forehead with one hand and ruffled his blonde hair with the other. He stared at his forehead protector baring the symbol of his village-the Hidden Leaf. He could see his reflection in the metal part that had the symbol engraved upon it. His blue eyes were kind of weary but nonetheless still filled with energy. Naruto imagined his eyes being red. Like Sasuke's. He wondered what people thought when they saw his sharingan. Red eyes were definitely not normal-did people see a monster? Did they cower because one look into those monstrous eyes would most likely lead to their deaths? The sharingan was a special technique passed only through Uchiha genetics after all, and they were a very feared clan. That's why they're all gone. When Naruto first saw Sasuke's sharingan, he seriously saw himself. But he wasn't too sure why. Naruto was so enveloped in his musing that he didn't notice the person standing in front of him, staring down at him, like he were superior.

"Yo, Naruto are ya gonna sit there and daze off or are we gonna finish this mission?" it was none other than Kiba. A wolf like boy with messy dark brown hair and wild dark eyes. Naruto wasn't one to pay attention to details but if he could remember anything about Kiba it was the crimson tattoos upon both his cheeks.

"Oh, didn't see ya there Kiba"

"Psh, someone could've easily killed ya" Naruto chuckled lightly. He was stressing so much he had completely let his guard down. Kiba rolled his eyes,

"Come on Akumaru's waiting, and I want to finish these missions before the Fire Festival begins" Naruto's eyes widened. He utterly forgot about the Fire Festival. It was usually held every year in Konoha but ever since the village was destroyed by Pein (and his other five forms), all festivals and cultural events had been held off.

"Yeah, we should finish them quickly" Naruto said.

I couldn't find any other way to relief my pain than to cut myself. I was hesitant at first, but when I slashed the kunai against my wrist cutting that perfect spot that made my body tremble in desire-I couldn't stop myself from cutting all over my arms. I know he'd be mad at me. Honestly when I was done with my session with the sharp weapon, I was scared of what he'd think. I lye on the rooftop of this rotting, rusted abandoned apartment complex. Why he lived here, I don't know. I didn't have a home to go back to so he made me stay here. And I hated it here. I hated how this building was neglected and left to rot. It reminded me too much of my past-before I knew why Itachi-my dead brother- had left me standing on the blood of my massacred people. I closed my eyes and inhaled softly. I wanted to count the hours it would take for him to come back to me. The wind blew lightly and it kissed my skin gently as if it were assuring me. I grinned. I knew I felt more for Naruto then I was supposed to, or wanted to. Every time he was around me I'd get this hot feeling in my gut. My frozen heart would gradually continue to melt from his sunny presence. He had this bright, spirit with overwhelming energy that sometimes boggled me. He had his own unique ways of showing kindness and slowly was filling my empty being with his unconditional warmth. It was a fact that he'd never abandon me. Maybe that's why he took a liking to this decomposing building. He'd never leave me. Yet I was scared. What if I fail to recover from all I've been through? What if he becomes fed up with all of my depressing crap? I let out an exhausted sigh. I don't think I'd want to live anymore if he left me. I placed a clenched hand over my heart. When did I become so damn soft? I remembered all of the adventures I had with team seven. I admit I felt a special bond towards Naruto then, but it was more of a brotherly bond-not the kind of connection I want to have with him now. I didn't want to be seen as that to him anymore; especially when I dishonored and betrayed him. We couldn't have a brother-brother relationship. Whatever bond we have now-I knew for sure-it was a forbidden one.

"Tsunade-sama should really stop giving us such easy missions" Kiba said, he and Naruto swiftly traveled through the trees back to their village.

"Good luck convincing her not to" Naruto retorted, causing Kiba to grimace.

"Like I'd risk my life asking" they dropped to the ground, landing directly in front of the large iron gates of Konoha. The whole village was surrounded by a huge wall, which was guarded by special forces.

"Hey! Open the damn gate already!" Naruto yelled. The gate opened upon his request, and the two ninjas went into their home once more. Kiba went his to report their completed missions to Tsunade-the godaime of the Hidden Leaf- and Naruto headed to Sasuke. Of course after stopping at his favorite place in the whole world, Ichiraku's Ramen shop. He could smell the arousing scent of brewed broth and freshly prepared miso ramen. It was as if Ichiraku knew he was coming. The second Naruto stepped into the shop he was greeted with a large bowl of his favorite dish, miso ramen with roasted pork fillet and extra onions.

"So my hunch was correct you are back from your mission" Ichiraku, the boss himself, said with a wrinkly smile. The old man was aging more and more lately.

"You know me so well, old man" Naruto said taking a pair of chopsticks placed next to the bowl, and breaking the melded together wood apart. He clapped his hands, mouth watering, and dug into the bowl immediately.

"Hey, this ones on the house, k" Ichiraku said, Naruto, with a mouth full of ramen, smiled and thanked him. This shop was Naruto's sanctuary and not because of the delicious smell and food that surrounded him. This place had so much history, it was literally his childhood-back when he was a little kid Ichiraku was one of the people that saw him as a person instead of the nine-tailed beast that slept within him. He had been made peace with the beast now, but it was hard dealing with it in the past and this shop was always his place of peace. Not even the beast could ruin his moments of eating at Ichiraku's. Naruto had eaten everything from the bowl, leaving the broth to drink out of. He picked up the dish in his big hands and gulped all of it down in one go. He slammed the bowl back on the counter.

"Phew, I'm stuffed" Ichiraku placed a medium sized paper bag on the counter. Naruto already knew what was inside. It was for Sasuke.

"Tell him he can come by anytime he wants to," the old man said. That's another thing Naruto loved about this place. No one was judgmental or prejudice. With the paper bag in one arm, he headed in the direction of the abandoned apartments. He only hoped Sasuke hadn't done anything stupid while he was gone.

I knew all too well that presence that lurked a few yards away from me. That presence had been there for quite awhile, but I've ignored it. I figured she didn't have anything to say. Probably making sure I wasn't up to any mischief. I frowned in disdain, maybe I did care a little of her being here. I remained silent though, hoping she'd eventually leave. The only person I wanted to see was Naruto, everyone else just pissed me off. Bad luck for me, she decided to approach me, and even worse crying.

"Why Sasuke?" Sakura sobbed.

A/N: Yo! So for those who haven't headed the summary, this is indeed a YAOI type story, of course this chapter contains none but in the future there will be many of those moments, SO, just warning anyone who isn't comfortable with some serious boy to boy action.