Intertwined by Nyusama

Part 1

Sai stood warily, his head cocked slightly to the side. Naruto saw he was tense, which was surprising for the typically emotionless shinobi. But the way the dark haired boy worried on his lip was sort of endearing, so Naruto gave a wan smile as he approached. They looked at each other for a moment, a careful study. Then Sai broke the silence.

"So, Sasuke's back now."

"Yeah, he is."

"That must be nice. You got your goal."

"Yeah, it is. I am."

"So why are you here, and not with him?"

"He's asleep."

"You didn't stay to make sure he doesn't disappear into thin air?"

"He's not going anywhere on his own. He can't."

"That's true. He's completely blind now, isn't he?"

"Yeah."

"Was it worth it?"

"To him? I…don't know."

"To you."

"Me?"

"Everything you went through to get him back. He's useless as a ninja now."

"That doesn't matter, I…"

"You love him?"

Naruto looked away and shrugged pathetically.

"Admit that you love him."

Naruto shook his head.

"Say you love him, and we'll walk away from each other right now. I won't bother you and you won't bother me, and it'll be over."

"It's just not that simple. He's important to me, but he's changed. Not just the blindness, that doesn't really matter. But what he was…what he was to me…it's not in him anymore."

"So where does that leave us?"

"He needs me."

"Ah, of course. But what do you need? Are you going to spend the rest of your life living for him?"

Naruto began to shake and Sai wasn't sure if it was in anger or sadness. He didn't know if Naruto was going to hit him or cry. He didn't know which one he'd prefer.

Then Naruto did something Sai didn't expect. He kissed him.

"I need you."

It was said so quietly that it simply resembled air floating by.

"But you're going to go back to him, aren't you?"

"Yes."

So Sai hit him and Naruto's surprised. His lip bled as he looked into Sai's angry eyes.

"He needs me. He's so broken…Sai you can't possibly understand…to see him like that…"

Sai glared and Naruto looked away. He gazed at the sky and wished things could be simple. The clouds passed overhead and he thought that Shikamaru had it right all along.

Naruto took a long deep breath and continued.

"Sasuke was the strongest person I knew. Not power, but strength. If you'd known him before…but now he's blind and weak and Itachi's still alive. Sasuke will be lucky if he can even walk after this. He needs me so much!"

"And what about your needs?"

Sai stepped towards him. A gloved hand reached out to stroke Naruto's cheek.

"What about what I need?"

Naruto looked surprised, Sai touched their foreheads together, their hitai clinked softly.

"You woke something up inside of me. Something I don't understand. But it hurts Naruto, it's burning me. Whatever you've done is crippling me. I can't go back to the way I was, and the thought of you with him is killing me. It's even worse now that I know you'd rather be with me. That you need me as much as I need you, and you're still choosing him."

Sai pulled away. Naruto caught his hand.

"What should I do then? Tell me what to do. Should I leave him like that? Friendless and alone, everybody hates him. Even Sakura hates him now."

"She'll get over that."

"And what happens until she does?"

"I don't understand how you can still care. After what he did, even if he saved you. You don't owe him anything."

"It's not a debt, Sai. I could never forgive myself if I didn't help him now, when he needs me more than ever."

"So, this is goodbye then?"

"I don't want it to be…I don't want to choose between you."

"I won't be second to him."

"I know."

"Then I have to go."

Naruto releasedSai's hand, itfellandswung between them limply. When it stopped they still stoodthere, neithermoved.

"You know I love you right?"

Naruto spoke it softly, but to Sai itsounded like an earthquake.

"Say it again."

"I love you."

"More than him?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll stay."

"Stay?

"Stay with you, and help. You'll need help Naruto. You think you can handle this alone, but you can't."

Naruto looked into Sai's eyes, Sai looked into Naruto's and there was a new brightness there.

"Thank you. I owe you."

"It's not a debt, Naruto."

They smiled at each other and began to walk away side by side. Their knuckles brushed against each other and Naruto looped his pinkie around Sai's. They didn't speak as they went; there was nothing else to say.

1/3

2-7-06

AN:

So I've become this live journal snob…but now I'm finally getting my ass in gear and doing revisions and posting stuff up here…go me, I guess…but anyway, reviews would be lovely, please leave me one?

Thanks to Love Travels and my Nee-chan for the beta!