Chapter Two! Bold Italics are Kurama speaking and regular Italics is Naruto thinking or responding to the fox.
Encounter
Six and a half years ago, Uzumaki Naruto was placed in the ninja academy of Konoha. The place where you learn how to become a great ninja. The place he earned a spot in after saving his sensei, Iruka. The place where he met his rival, friend... and lover, Uchiha Sasuke.
Uchiha Sasuke, the one who use to beat him at fights, and the one every girl was after. He had his very own fan club, but as if that mattered to the raven. After his family was killed, practically disowning his older brother, nothing mattered to him but avenging his clan. Naruto had heard enough of it to get annoyed by it. How could a single person feel nothing but rage? How could he claim that Konoha, a.k.a his home, was weak and doing nothing about his clan? Then again, Uchihas have always been weird. But Naruto decided to make him his rival and hopefully make the guy feel something other than hate. I mean, he had to of felt something, right?
So, the never ending comments and questions and snide remarks did he persist and when the day of their first mission when Sasuke took the blow for him, did he realize Sasuke wasn't a cold-hearted teme as he seemed.
Well, still a teme, but not cold-hearted...at the time.
After that, Naruto tried even harder to get to know the guy. It took him at least a year to build their bond and it made Naruto glad that he finally found a friend. Someone who he could talk to, and hang out without being called a freak and treated like shit as he was all his life.
Naruto is a jinjuriki of the nine-tailed beast, Kyuubi, a.k.a Kurama. One of the most powerful tailed beasts out of them. But he didn't understand at a young age that was why people called him monster and plenty of other colorful words.
Sasuke on the other hand never did. Never once questioned why people hated him. Never once asked why he seemed more advanced than the famous Uchiha. Only tried that much harder to beat Naruto. Sasuke always wanted to be equal and above.
Naruto smiled, Like always...he just has to fill in that role of an Uchiha... he said to himself.
He is nothing but a complete asshole, who I wouldn't mind eating for breakfast! Kurama shouted back. The fox was never a fan of Sasuke and he some-what tolerated him once the two got together, only because his kit was happy and not lonely anymore. But after the fight in the Valley of End and those awful words he spewed, did he want to rip him in half and use his bones as toothpicks.
Of course, the brat wouldn't allow it.
Naruto gave an empty, quiet laugh as he stared at the fire. Sakura lay peaceful in her sleeping bag and Sai, Sasuke's replacement for Team Seven, sat next to the blonde, thinking of ways to start a conversation. And their team leader, Yamato, resting in his own sleeping bag.
He's always been one, Kyuu. Naruto whispered at the caged fox, a sad smile on his whiskered features.
Kurama growled and says, I still wouldn't mind eating him. It is a demon's nature.
Naruto sighed mentally and closed off the link. At least for the night.
Getting up and saying goodnight to Sai, he rolled out his sleeping bag and climbed in. Twisting and turning from the pressure of little rocks. He might not getting any sleep and if he couldn't clear his thoughts of his lover- correction-ex-lover. In truth, his mind was always filled about the raven. From how he was his rival to his friend and to someone he loved...still loves.
That day he kissed him out of excitement, only to pull back and fear he ruined everything between them. Everything he worked to build.
Nice one, Kit! Why don't you go over there and do one of those things you like to imagine about doing to him. Kurama snickered and when he told him to shut up and looked down embarrassed, the fox bursted into howling laughter. Oh this was comedy gold for the beast.
Naruto tried to explain, failing very easily, did he get shocked big time from the soft cheek kiss Sasuke gave him.
Oh that is so not fair! That doesn't give me something to tease you about! Kurama whined, but secretly was happy the kid felt such happiness from the one kiss. After all, the kid didn't deserve what the villagers do to him just because he was locked in here. In fact, the fox felt responsible for him and even felt somewhat like the kid was one of his own.
But two months of wonderful days and nights with his boyfriend did everything go back to hell. Sasuke was back to his stoic, unfeeling self and that hurt him. But Naruto put a smile on his face and try to be there for him while Sasuke waited beside his brother. Kissing his cheek and telling him everything would be alright, but Sasuke would respond with his old "Hn." response and ignore him.
And what hurt even worse was when he left. When they fought each other and he couldn't stop him from leaving. The words he spat at him, such as "You know nothing of seeing your family die before you!" or his personal favorite "You never meant anything to me! I did it just to mess with you and that is all you... you freak!"
I never meant a thing to him. What a lie that was. But how much it still hurts. Naruto thought to himself. He knew Sasuke was lying, he knew. But he couldn't help but feel empty, like his heart was ripped out and crushed.
After that, he set out with pervy-sage and began his intense two year training. Promising Itachi that he would bring him back no matter what it took. And after years of searching and encountering him a few occasions with a strange wolf next to him, did he feel even more empty. Because Sasuke always told him that he was useless and wasting his time trying to do so. That it was pointless and he himself was pointless. Why did he have to be a teme still? Why did Fate have to be cruel to Sasuke? He wouldn't care what Fate decided with him. Besides after the fight with Pein and losing his godfather, he was use to it...being alone. Though nothing hurts even more than losing the ones you love.
The next morning the three got up and cleared camp, setting on their way to find Sasuke. Naruto put on his cheerful mood, though only half of it was true. If one were to look close enough, one would see slight bags under his eyes, the gleam in his bright blue eyes dimmed, the falseness of his smile and know that he was damaged, and that only one person could save him.
Sure, he lost his godfather and he grieved for weeks. He was close family and he wanted him to see him become Hokage. But Itachi was there, like many of his friends. Treating him like his own blood and that made the pain lessen. Even if it seemed Itachi was acting like Naruto was Sasuke.
But he sometimes wondered why didn't he listen to Sasuke and just give up on bringing him home? Why did he continue even though he knew what would happen when he encountered him again. The same dialogue. The same declare of bringing him home and the same hurtful words of why he would never come back. So why did he do this? Why does he keep searching after three years?
Because you love him, Kit. It's not in your nature to give up so easily. And because you know what he says is lies. The fox said softly that made the blonde's eyes glisten with tears. Sure the fox is a bit of a jerk and the reason why the village hates him, but he knows that Kurama is a softy too. Thanks, Kyuu. He smiles at the fox and smiles a bit more wide on the outside.
Around late afternoon did trouble finds them.
Two men in a black cloak with red clouds standing in their way. One has long blonde hair pulled up hair into a ponytail and his bangs covering his left eye. His smirk couldn't be any creepier. The other has slicked back silver hair and a weapon with red and black blades. It was obvious that they belonged to the Akatsuki group. Everyone has heard of them and their leader.
"Well, looks like we found the beast, huh Hidan?" The blonde snickered.
"Let's get this over with. I'm fucking tired, Deidara." Hidan said bored and stood in a battle stance.
"Naruto they're too fast!" Sakura yelled when the fight was reaching the climax. The pinkette was covered in bruises and multiple cuts. Sai was running low on ink to help, seeing as the blonde one created things himself, but they blew up in your face. Yamato was losing his energy quickly. These members were tough to beat, but the hardest out of those he fought before.
Naruto growled and glared at the two. "Oh don't tell me you're getting tired?" Deidara teased and laughed. "The great Uzumaki Naruto is getting sleepy after a fight!" He continued, which lead to Naruto clenching his fists.
Assholes! They don't know who they're messing with! Let's show them the power of the nine-tails. Kurama growled.
Let's. And Naruto closed his eyes, sending out a burst of chakra.
Everyone watched as the energy swirled around him in an orange color. Deidara smiled and Hidan watched from behind. This ought to be good.
Naruto opened his eyes and was about to attack the blonde enemy, not noticing Hidan closing in from behind, until a growl and sharp yell of pain caused the energy to disappear and all of them turn to see what happened.
And when blue eyes landed on the one person he has been searching for, his heart stopped.
Oh, so the Uchiha and his pet have decided to join us. How lovely. Kurama rolled eyes, but the large wolf pinning Hidan with its massive paw looked up at Naruto and growled lowly.
"Sasuke." Naruto whispered as he watch the raven point his blade at Hidan's throat, glancing at him then back to Hidan.
"Well, look who it is. Uchiha fucking Sasuke." Hidan mocked, which had the wolf pressing onto his chest slowly.
"Tell me where he is." Sasuke demanded calmly.
Hidan clenched his teeth from the pressure on his chest and chuckled, he knew who Sasuke was talking about. "Why? Want to avenge your poor dead family?" Midnight growled and pressed even harder, causing some ribs to fracture and Hidan to growl in pain.
Sasuke remained calm and pressed the tip of his blade to his throat. "Is there a problem with that?" He asked threateningly.
There's a problem with you, that's for sure. Kurama spit out.
Kyuu! Naruto snapped at the fox, but the beast just rolled his eyes.
Midnight once again looked at the blonde ninja and growled lowly, confusing Naruto. Is it growling at me? Why?
Probably senses you're an idiot, that's why. Kurama joked, though wondered the same thing.
I'm serious here, Kyuu.
So am I. Kurama chuckled. But Kurama studied the wolf, noticing the way it stood, not in a animalistic way, but more of trained for battle type of stance. The way it twitched its ears, listening to its surroundings. And the way it held down the enemy, using its large paw as if it was a human's foot on his chest instead. Odd.
Seconds later, Midnight's ears caught the sound of something being chewed and looked to her right a few feet from Naruto to see another enemy standing there with his hands in pockets. Her eyes narrowed as she snarled, making Sasuke look towards the blonde.
What was he planning to do?
Another few seconds later, Deidara pulled his hands free and let go some clay shaped birds, flying right them.
Naruto shouted to everyone to jump back.
Hidan scrambled from the loose hold of the wolf seconds before the bombs went off. Naruto, Sakura, Sai and Yamato dived to the ground as the explosions erupted loud in their ears, deafening them for a bit.
All Sasuke felt was the heat of the bombs before his back met the ground. Hard. He never saw what happened, never saw that Midnight jumped in front of the bombs for him.
~End Chapter Two~
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Yours truly, OnceDeadTwiceShy.