To Fight Monsters, We Created Monsters

Disclaimers: Pacific Rim and all associated characters and creations belong to Guillermo del Toro & Travis Beacham. Lines from the novelization by Alex Irvine are intended solely for entertainment and accuracy. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto & TV Tokyo.

oOoOo Beta'd by the gorgeous Miasen oOoOo

xXx

"I'm here! Cadet Naruto reporting for duty!"

Had Iruka's glare been any stronger, Naruto swore it would have burned a hole through him and charred the wall behind him. "I overslept," he explained meekly. A sheepish grin did nothing to soothe Iruka's menacing expression.

Naruto then turned to Sasuke, who had already been fully suited. "Sorry about being late, I'm normally on…." He paused as he took in the other man, wide eyes taking in every detail.

Sasuke had on the combining grey drivesuit that matched his own, except it was much nicer; probably a newer model. Rather than adorned with the scratches and nicks of battle use, it gleamed with undamaged power and sleekness, sticking to every edge of Sasuke's body like a thicker second skin. The Kevlar bi-weave did an excellent job of outlining the muscle and edges of Sasuke's torso, as if he were basically naked.

The insignia Naruto begged Iruka to have etched onto the shoulder pads shone in the light of the Drivesuit room, a mixture of his original creation and one of Iruka's own. It was a fearsome fox, reared up to fight and maim. A small smile ticked Naruto's lips as he noticed Sasuke's personal addition, a set of dots with tails in a circle right above the beasts head. Simple but elegant.

"…ah, normally on time," he finished lamely, feeling his face flush at the blank look Sasuke sent him. For all his nonexistent expressions, Sasuke had oddly captivating eyes. The urge to know what he was thinking itched at the base of Naruto's skull.

He brushed the urge aside, focusing instead on the rising scent of lubricant and oil. A thought suddenly clicked in Naruto's head and he rotated towards Iruka who had begun to remove his drivesuit from its foam home, grabbing the drills to assemble the armor. A few other squad members appeared, ready to help him. "Wait, weren't we supposed to start with the fighting compatibility test first? Down in the rec room?" He raised his arms and allowed the crew to begin, jostled as they fitted his gear.

"As I told Sasuke and would have told you if you had been here"—Naruto shrank back at the piercing scowl—"there won't be a need for that since I was able to access the simulation's records and created my assessment from that. Sasuke gave a detailed report as well and so we're starting with the neural compatibility in Green."

Naruto grinned, pleased everything was moving so fast. He shoved on the helmet, letting the yellow relay gel slide down the thick glass that curved down along his face and ended at the metal chin tab. On the outside, two gold circular gears whirled as they locked down. Lights at the base of the inner helmet lit up, illuminated Naruto's face in a gentle orange glow. "Perfect."

"So we'll see." Iruka lifted the metal spinal clamp from its foam lined container wheeled in by a techie. The long centipede-shaped chain of metal clicked and moved on its own until Naruto felt it latch onto his back, connecting with the rest of his suit and beeping in confirmation of attachment. The last few screws were drilled in place and he was ready.

Naruto clumped into Konoha Green's head, watching the lights snap on as he moved. The inner mechanics of the Conn-Pod hummed to life as they came online, creating a soft glowing environment. Naruto immediately headed towards the platform that held the leading Pilot motion rig, slowing down when Iruka placed a hand on his shoulder and turned him the opposite way.

"Naruto wait. We're trying something new, and that requires you to take the co-pilot harness."

"What!? But I'm the pilot!" Naruto exclaimed, resisting Iruka's light shove. "That's my spot!"

"Sasuke has routinely taken up the head pilot seat, and he's a better candidate mentally. You're quite unstable, as I've seen, and the main pilot should exert better control." Kakashi suddenly appeared on Green's Heads Up Display, projected from various angles within the Conn-Pod and lined to create a large colorful holographic screen. The display allowed them a 360 degree view of their surroundings, as well as a direct feed to see inside the LOCCENT and diagnostic data. It was extremely handy in cases where pilots were going in dark, having to rely on the readings from LOCCENT to move and fight. Kakashi had his arms clasped at his back, an amused yet stern expression on his face. Behind him in the command mezzanine, the technicians bustled about, getting ready for the test. "Should you display the required control, you may take that seat."

Unable to argue, Naruto pressed his lips into a thin line. "Fine," he muttered after a few seconds of fruitless sulking.

He watched on as the motion rig lowered, swinging and clanking into place. The hydraulic pumps that brought them down hissed loudly. Once level, Naruto stepped onto the clamps that automatically fastened to his feet and locked him down. Iruka went around back and connected the harness to his drivesuit, twisting a thick hose into the oxygen port at his ribs. The condensation on the glass near his mouth disappeared quickly as the air became ventilated. His arms snapped to the links that directed Green's arms, jerking with the added weight and a circular device rose rapidly to his downturned hand. His fingers slid into the designated holes of the controller flawlessly. The device tooted and buzzed.

Sasuke went through the same process, hooking himself up to the main pilot's harness easily. Jealousy arched in his chest, but Naruto couldn't argue with Kakashi's logic. He wasn't that dense.

"Cheer up, this is just a trial run. Nothing is set yet."

Iruka's gentle tone chided Naruto. He was acting foolish and Sasuke probably thought he was a huge whiner. What a great day so far. "M'alright." He risked a quick glance at the raven and saw the other man's head turning away, as if Sasuke had been looking at him. Naruto straightened his back, tamping down a pleased feeling blossoming in his chest.

"Good." Iruka cabled Naruto to Green's neural transference plate, affixing a feedback cradle to his back. "Setting harness to test mode."

Once both he and Sasuke were secured, Iruka left the Conn-Pod and the door hissed shut and locked, leaving him and Sasuke alone. The cabin darkened as the only light source came from the machinery and screens around them. A light green glow surrounded them cheerfully.

Naruto shivered in anticipation, imagining the power of the turbines and weapons nestled within the robot. Even when he and Sai first began trying to control the Jaeger together, he hadn't been this hyped. He vaguely wondered what happened to his previous partner. More than likely he'd been transferred to another division, where he was hopefully making someone else miserable. Impatient, Naruto shifted in his gear, wanting to get the show going. He'd been waiting for a moment like this his whole life.

"Hey Sasuke, you ready?" He called out, not really expecting an answer. He twisted over to get a look at his partner, shooting a grin at him. "Well?"

Sasuke humored him and spoke, sending a spike of satisfaction through him. "Focus."

Naruto snorted. "You'll be needing it more than I will." Despite wanting everything to go as smoothly as possible, Naruto held onto the hope that Sasuke would struggle to stay in his own mind. He wondered how the other would react once he truly saw how hard it was to synch with him; Sai's record was three minutes. "Good luck."

"PILOTS ONBOARD AND READY TO COMMENCE," the system's AI called out, alerting everyone to begin.

Up on the HUD, Kakashi naturally commanded everyone like he had been born for the job, immediately taking control despite being a complete stranger. The utter alpha male in his natural habitat. He stood before them, Iruka directly at his side. "Engage the drop."

"Engaging drop," Iruka repeated into a tiny mic attached to his ear, his fingers flying over the complex keyboard before him. He then wove his hands through the holographic screen beaming up from his computer system, moving bits of data around in easy, practiced moves.

Outside the lifts were withdrawn, slinking back into the safety of their stations with alarms blaring. The Conn-Pod shuddered before it dropped rapidly down a vertical shaft with a metallic roar, spiraling into place as it was attached to the rest of the Jaeger's body by rails. Automatically, bolts slid into place and automated gears locked down, securing the head to the body of the Jaeger.

The nuclear-powered central turbine buried inside Konoha Green's chest roared to life, vibrating with its new energy source. Flood lights fixed on the outer armor snapped on, filling the bay with bright white. Inside the LOCCENT the techies settled down, all hands on deck. The mandated Psyche Analyst walked up behind Kakashi, ready to gauge their connection; his long ponytail of blond hair swayed as he moved to read the data on Iruka's screen.

Beside him, Sasuke reached down and began to flip several buzzing switches on the command console mounted before him. He hesitated before flicking the last controls, speaking softly, "Don't look for me."

Naruto blinked, surprised at how little emotion Sasuke had put into speaking, but at the same time how it spoke volumes. "Wait, what do you mea—"

NEURAL HANDSHAKE INITIATED

It was as if his mind was being ripped out from the back of his skull, blinding him with blue and white flashes the burned his retinas and stabbed his brain. Crying out, Naruto shut his eyes and pitched forward, completely taken unaware. The feeling disappeared as quickly as it had come, leaving him shivering and panting.

He opened his eyes to see nothing but white. Endless white surrounded him from all angles, stretching for miles on end. Soft, cold drops touched his face and he lifted a hand to brush at it, realizing absentmindedly he was without helmet. He was still wearing his body gear, as the connections within buzzed with energy. The drops continued.

Water? He looked up, twisting around in confusion. No, not water. Snow. Pale flakes were drifting down, appearing out of nowhere to coat his hair and press cold kisses to his skin.

"Hello?"

He took a few steps forward, unsure of what to do. Naruto huffed, his breath appearing in a cloud of vapor. What the fuck was going on? He didn't remember ending the trial run and disappearing off to a snowy landscape. A twinge of something shot through his body, running down every limb. It was slightly painful. Sasuke?

Considering they were mentally linked up like an organic supercomputer, where was Sasuke?

Don't look for me.

He was in Sasuke's head.

Naruto gaped. Well that was a first. Usually it was vice versa, with his partner stuck in his head. Naruto reevaluated his environment. So this is what it was like? This was nothing like what Sai told him he saw when they attempted to connect. Sasuke's home country explained the snow. But if he was here, that meant…

Not quite panicking, Naruto knew every second he was here was a failing sign to Iruka and Kakashi. If he was lost in Sasuke's mind, his brain waves would be going haywire, disrupting any balance they might have had. He had to go back, fast.

Closing his eyes, he focused on his own memories, imagining them as a safety line pulling him back to his body. Konoha, his parents, rebuilding the city, his friends—

RIGHT HEMISPHERE CALIBRATED. LEFT HEMISHPHERE CALIBRATED.

Naruto snapped back like a stretched rubber band, struggling to regain his balance as he opened his eyes. Relief poured through him as he realized he'd made it back.

On screen Iruka relayed their stats, a smirk on his face as he peered into the screen, aiming a look Naruto knew was strictly for him. "Neural handshake strong and holding."

PILOT TO JAGER CONNECTION CONFIRMED. READY TO ACTIVATE THE JAEGER.

In synch, he and Sasuke both raised their arms and brought them into a formal defensive stance, the huge Jaeger limbs following their movements.

"Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit," Naruto crowed, excitement making him nervous. He could feel himself shaking slightly. "Fuck yea! We're doing it."

"Focus," Sasuke repeated.

Oh, did he detect a tone of impatience? Feeling impish, Naruto held his tongue. He could fuck around with Sasuke later; this run was too delicate to mess up.

Kakashi nodded in approval. His screen minimized slightly, allowing for sensory arrays that ranged all over the visible spectrum to UV to fill the space and construct an image of the Pacific Ocean, where the breach was. An image of his and Sasuke's brain were superimposed over a graphic of Konoha Green, melding as they synched.

Rather than feeling hindered or unattached as he expected, controlling Konoha Green felt natural, as if it were his own body he was moving, a mere extension of himself. The immensity of the Jaeger pulsated all around him and it was breath-taking and terrifying. The sheer force of the machine coursed through his mind and every fiber of his frame; he felt powerful, invincible, like he could fight a hurricane and win. Did Sasuke feel the same?

A quick peep at him had the raven responding to his gaze instantly, as if he'd called his name. Stark blue meet pitch-black. Naruto even could envision the new pathways in his mind being fashioned, forged by their neural link with Konoha Green and one another. It felt akin to something holy, religious in its intensity and spirituality. They were sharing a single mind, becoming one.

He would never forget this sensation, already addicted.

Kakashi reappeared in a bigger image once everything was fully stable and operational. He was leaning over Iruka's shoulder, a smirk on his face as Iruka not-so-subtly jabbed him in the ribs. "Let's test some weaponry, boys."

Naruto grinned like a Cheshire cat. Sasuke shifted beside him, the only sign of his excitement. "Let's."

xXx

Sasuke hadn't packed much.

The blond lounged on his bed, having just brought the other into his—now theirs— room. Silently, Sasuke had begun unpacking, neatly folding his clothes and putting them away without preamble.

This was the first time they were left alone after they had successfully drifted. The weapons test had gone off without a hitch, executed with text-book perfection, but that had been days ago and Naruto had found himself craving Sasuke's perpetually quiet presence while the other was temporarily housed in another wing with Kakashi and other cadets. Now that they actually were alone, Naruto had no idea what to say to initiate a conversation Sasuke would willingly take part in.

Every idea was rejected with a stamp of "he'd think that was stupid" or the now abused "he's not going to answer." Either way he was getting nowhere by creepily watching the man handle his underwear. Boxer briefs were a nice choice judging by the fleeting appreciative glance at his ass.

"Hey Sasuke, how'd you know I'd be the one to get sucked into your head?" he ventured, rolling onto his back, watching everything flip. "Usually anyone that tries to drift with me is pulled into my brain." Sasuke continued to adjust his belongings, so Naruto settled on watching his back.

"You lack control over your mind. I however, have impeccable control. It's a two-way bridge, think about it."

Immensely satisfied Sasuke spoke to him, Naruto grinned. That accent was really growing on him; he yearned to hear it more often. "You had to calm my brain waves, and by that I was allowed access into yours," he guessed.

"Correct."

Naruto licked his lips and sat up on his bed, leaning forward toward Sasuke. "How come I only saw snow? Sai, my partner before you, always told me he was assaulted with images of my past, thoughts I was having, random memories…. Why were yours just blank?"

"You saw what I wanted you to see."

"Whoa, wait, you can control that?" He perked up, rolling to his stomach. That was possible?

"I can. You unfortunately lack the finesse. "

Naruto brushed off the harmless criticism easily. "Does that mean I'll never see your thoughts?"

Sasuke turned, his eyes meeting Naruto's. "Why would you want to?"

The blond huffed. "I'm not saying I'd like to peruse your head without permission, I'm saying I expected to and therefore am simply curious. If anything, I'd rather you tell me about yourself than me getting the behind-the-scenes look."

"Hn."

"Alright then. Did you see my memories?"

Sasuke gifted him a slight nod before he returned to his work and shoved his empty suitcase under the bed.

He pursed his lips. "Wait, then that's not fair."

"Do tell." His accent was thickening.

"Quid pro quo. It's not fair if you get my dirty laundry and I'm left in the dark about you."

"There's no need for you to know my past. It was unintentional that I glimpsed yours."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Dude, we're partners. Equivalent exchange and all that."

"Nothing about us is equal, and you'd be better off remembering that."

Taken aback, Naruto swiftly stood, his hands fisted at his sides. "Do you think you're better than me?" he said, offended.

"It's not a matter of me being better than you," Sasuke sighed, his voice sounding strangely strained. "I'm simply saying we have differing ideals and values, which cannot be measured accurately in a comparison."

Sarcasm rolled through Naruto, landing on his tongue. "Oh really? How huh? What's so different?"

Sasuke turned to him and Naruto swore he saw the strings of some emotion before it vanished under Sasuke's perpetual mask. "You were born to two Jaeger pilots who are now infamous for having deserted their nation. When Konoha needed your parents the most, right when the worst Bijuus were making their appearance they didn't help, branding them and subsequently you as traitors. Rather than resenting those who hate you, you seek their approval."

Naruto took a step back in surprise. Pain vaulted through his chest and he swallowed heavily. "Yea, I'd rather prove myself than become what they think I am."

"Thus you value their opinion greatly. You need, no, crave their validation in order to feel sufficient. Something I think is absurdly stupid."

He blinked. "Do you," Naruto said flatly, a mixture of anger and hurt rolling in his gut.

"I see no need for you to attempt to prove yourself to those who hate you. In the long run, your efforts will be ultimately ignored, reduced to happenstance. You make it worse by using the very Jaeger they piloted, the one with the most stigma. You're basically asking for the revulsion."

"I fight to better this world. I fight for everyone to keep living, to stop the Bijuu and stop the deaths," Naruto countered. "I'm a damn good cadet and I love what I do. The hatred of those around me is petty and easily ignored, and if you think I'd back out because someone hurt my feelings you obviously didn't get such a good look in my mind."

"If you truly believed that, you would have kept your given name, Naruto Uzumaki. Or should I say Naruto Namikaze? Having their name didn't help, you did it? It was easier to lie and let others believe you were different until they realized the truth. Because once they realized the truth, you were alone, hated, reviled." The beginnings of a cruel smirk quirked Sasuke's lips. "I don't even need to be in your mind to know that."

Icy ran where blood once did. Naruto trembled as he fought the urge to sink his fist into Sasuke's face. "What the fuck do you fight for then, huh? You some privileged, egotistical piece of shit who looks down on those who take pride in their nation?"

Sasuke shrugged. "Quite frankly I don't care for Konoha, or my country, or this world. This is simply my job. I neither care for your beliefs, nor Kakashi's if you're curious."

Naruto blinked. "You can't be serious."

"Differing ideals and values."

"I don't believe you."

"And I don't care. Need I remind you, I hold very little regard to the opinions of others. I am strictly here for my own benefit."

"You accepted….why did you accept to come? Why are you here if you don't care?" Naruto's heard his voice raise in pitch, struggling to lower it before someone else came in to see what was going on.

"Your Mission Controller offered me a substantial amount of money to come and be your partner. I weighed my options and agreed."

"….then why did you start fighting? Why did you become a pilot?" Naruto croaked. It made no sense, why risk his life for a world he didn't give a shit about? Everyone fought for a reason.

"My brother was one, and I followed in his footsteps."

"Then you must understand my point," Naruto declared.

"I'm not fighting for his memory, or honor in your case. My choice was convenient. He's not dead; he's suffering an autoimmune disorder that required him to step away from Jaeger duty."

"Your parents, t—"

"Both dead, killed in the first Bijuu appearances in Novosibirsk. And no, I hold no hatred toward the Bijuus for that. It was unfortunate but such is life, we move on."

"You're not normal," Naruto whispered.

"Is that your professional opinion? I have no emotional attachment to this job, or anyone here, and you brand me an outcast? As you probably know, it takes one to know one," Sasuke mocked.

The barb stung, but Naruto was numb. There was no possible way Sasuke was truly like this. This had to be some front, some defensive mechanism he was using. "You're lying. You have to care," he insisted.

Sasuke sighed, once again turning his back to Naruto. "If you chose to believe that, so be it. Wrap yourself in the delusions that suit your desires and I will carry on. Deny your reality and take refuge in fantasies, it doesn't matter to me."

He couldn't stand to be in the same room with him any longer. Naruto stormed out, shaking.

xXx

Inhaling deeply, Naruto held the breath for a few seconds before exhaling slowly, counting the seconds his head. He repeated, focusing on relaxing his tense muscles and reaching a state of inner peace. The familiar scent of lavender wafted into his nose, part of the aromatherapy offered by the meditation wing of the base.

He sat cross-legged on a thick foamy mat, eyes closed and hands clasped in his lap. Dulcet tones of oriental music accompanied him in the empty room, creating a soothing and warm atmosphere further amplified by small rosy candles placed strategically to generate warm light. The room was set up to his specific requests, a procedure most of the attendees knew from his frequent and spontaneous visits.

Naruto opened his eyes and shifted lazily, stretching his legs out. He felt infinitely better than he had hours ago, when he first entered the room. He would have to apologize to Kiba for springing on him and letting loose about what had transpired between him and Sasuke. Kiba had wisely advised time apart and Naruto had come straight to the meditation wing, desperate for some time to settle his internal turmoil.

The conflict within him arose from how creepily distant and insensible Sasuke was and his own pervasive nature to help others. Sasuke didn't care in the slightest, and it could be argued that he cared too much. If they were such opposites, how would they be able to fight together for a long time? It didn't matter that they were able to efficiently link up and control Green; that wouldn't be enough to keep them together as a team.

They were not compatible, after all.

It hurt. His goal was so close, fluttering right out of the reach of his fingertips. Part of him wished to ignore that facet of Sasuke and just use the man's brain to fight with, but it felt wrong. Partners were supposed to meet each other half way, not use one another for a selfish benefit.

Sasuke was a human being, like it or not, and Naruto would treat him like one. Maybe it would do him some good to go and talk to Iruka. His mission controller had always given him sound advice when he needed it and boy did he ever need it.

A quick glance at his watch told him Iruka would still be on duty, monitoring the other Jaegers in deployment. "He won't get off until thirty more minutes. Might as well keep meditating." Naruto yawned, raising his hands above his head in a stretch and moaning in pleasure.

"Naruto, you in there?"

Startled at the abrasive voice and rapid tapping coming from the other side of the thick door, Naruto lowered his arms and leaned back on them. "Yea, I'm in here."

Kiba entered, closing the door behind him and leaning on it. "Dude, you're not gonna believe what's happening," he spoke rapidly, barely understandable.

Naruto took in Kiba's appearance critically, noticing how hard the other was breathing and how excited he seemed. "It's not something to do with Ino, is it? Cuz if it is, I want no part in it."

"What? No." Kiba looked slightly affronted.

He amended. "Kidding. What's up?"

"There's a fight breaking out in the cafeteria."

Naruto whistled, mildly interested. "Oooh, better hope Iruka doesn't head down there and find them. There will be hell to pay….again."

"That's not even the best part."

"Are you gonna to tell me or are you gonna make me go see?" Naruto sighed, a tad exasperated as Kiba danced around the details in an attempt to entice him.

"I'll tell then you can decide if you wanna see. Last I saw, it was a three-on-one fight, with the one still winning. It was starting to get bloody."

Naruto hummed as he looked up at the ceiling, his eyes tracing the vents and lines in the plaster. "Nice. It's not Gaara is it? He'll be on probation if he gets into more shit."

"It's Sasuke."

Naruto's head whipped down so hard, he swore he felt something crack. "What! My Sasuke?" He pointed at his chest, jaw dropping as Kiba nodded rapidly.

"Some idiots didn't like Sasuke sitting at their table and tried to start shit, but Sasuke brushed them off like he did you, and then they got pissy. It's the xenophobic assholes, the ones who try to start shit all the time when we get new recruits. One thought he was ballsy and knocked Sasuke's tray to the floor, which Sasuke didn't care about, and then it escalated." Kiba explained hastily, his arms waving around wildly as he vaguely reenacted the scene. "Their buddies ganged up on him but Sasuke held his own, barely a nick on him."

"Sasuke wouldn't randomly get in a fight," Naruto denied. "The pole up his ass keeps him from moving too much."

"That's why I thought was a goner, 'til he retaliated. Your boys' got some moves."

"Shit, I could have told them Sasuke's not one to mess with." That time in the simulation room had been a game, but Sasuke was more than capable of repeating that in real life.

"So, to see or not to see?" The brunet shot him a grin, knowing the answer already.

Naruto flipped him off before rising to his feet.

xXx

Roars and screams were heard hallways down before they even reached the cafeteria.

Naruto walked slowly, knowing Kiba was anxious to get back and watch. His boots clomped on the grated floor, echoing slightly.

"So what are you planning on doing?"

Naruto knew immediately what Kiba was referring to and he heaved a sigh. "I'm gonna talk to Iruka, see what he thinks. I might even go see Kakashi just to get a second opinion."

Beside him Kiba nodded. "As a caring and intelligent friend, I recommend you guys ride this out. What's the worst that could happen?"

Naruto shrugged, picking up the pace a bit as they got nearer. He removed his ID tag from his back pocket. "It just doesn't feel right."

Seemingly dropping the conversation, Kiba jogged forward, sliding his ID onto the scanner before Naruto reached it. The metal double doors slid open and they were greeted by rambunctious cheers and a mass of people. The entire upper floor of the cafeteria was full of screaming individuals, all peering down at the first floor.

Elbowing his way through thick throngs of other crew members and cadets, Naruto reached the railing and looked down. Kiba jammed in tightly next to him, pointing out the fight while grabbing his shoulder and shaking him.

"Fuck yea, it got better!"

Naruto vaguely heard him yell something about placing bets, his eyes stuck on a certain individual.

Sasuke was surrounded, a bloody gladiator among his lesser opponents. His uniform was torn and dirtied, but he looked a million times better than the idiots fighting him. Naruto counted not one, but four broken limbs, a few shattered noses, and another unconscious person lying across the lunch table.

He had seen Sasuke as an emotionless mannequin, he'd seen him as slightly excited when they were fighting, but he'd never seen the other this…..brutal. This alive and vicious. It was a beauty to behold and Naruto couldn't tear look away. Brawling suited Sasuke to a T.

The raven had a metal lunch tray in hand, using it to effortlessly block multiple strikes, whipping it around like a grade A weapon. He then threw it, rolled over the table and showed everyone just how hard he could kick.

The screams turned deafening as the crowd ate it up. That femur would never be the same again.

Naruto twitched, his body revving up for action as he followed the bloodbath with his eyes. He might not like Sasuke's differing ideals and values, but goddamn could the man put on a show. He jerked with each hit Sasuke received, imagining how that shit probably hurt. He noted with sharp concern how Sasuke had begun to slow down. Part of him took solace that Sasuke clearly could get hurt, but the other side was growing worried for his partner the longer the fight went.

"Oh fuck, he's done it now!" Kiba shouted over the thunder of the crowd as a few more members of that sector entered the fray, heading for Sasuke like sharks swimming in for a meal. "Dude, he's got something…." Kiba had stopped yelling, nudging Naruto. "Oh no, oh shit."

One of the more known crew members, Kabuto, was hiding something in his hand, holding it behind his back. He advanced on Sasuke as the raven was dealing with the other members, clearly beginning to tire and be overwhelmed. Sasuke wasn't noticing him.

Naruto froze. It could be a number of items, but the only thing he could picture was a switch blade.

Those fuckers! He made a split decision, hiking a boot up on the metal bars of the railing and lifting himself over. "I'm heading in."

"Naruto, what the fuck, no—"

"Kiba, he's my partner, the only one I've got," Naruto growled, shoving off the hand Kiba placed on his arm. "And I'm the only person he's got." He glanced down, judging the fall. "Get Iruka, now."

Naruto let go, luckily landing on his feet on one of the tables. Wobbling a bit as he regained balance, he leapt down to the floor, wincing as the crowd erupted into shrieks at the arrival of a new player. He recognized the old taunting jeers but brushed it aside, his main concern being Sasuke and Kabuto

The raven reacted to his entrance, whipping around to see him. Pitch-black eyes widened in surprise before falling on Kabuto who jumped towards him. Sasuke dodged to the right, the confirmed knife managing to slice across his ribs.

Moving with the attack, Sasuke grabbed Kabuto's arm and threw the cadet down on one of the benches, hard. His hand pressed to his wound and he looked back at Naruto, the tiniest bit of curiosity tilting his head.

Naruto sent him a wild grin before showing him why exactly he was deemed dangerous by his fellow cadets.

xXx

After they were both released from the Infirmary Wing with multiple bruises and injuries a few weeks later, he and Sasuke were sat side by side in Iruka's office, awaiting a verdict. Or a death sentence. This being Iruka, Naruto knew they wouldn't get off easy.

Naruto shifted stiffly, the bandages wrapped around his torso and neck restricting a lot of his movement. His face itched, and he ached to rip off the gauze on his cheeks but the cast on his arm would make that difficult. Sasuke looked just as bad as he did, which made him feel little better. At least he wasn't the only one suffering. After being bedridden in the wing, he was itching to do something, anything.

The door opened and Naruto jumped, hissing in pain as his injuries protested the movement. Iruka marched in followed by Kakashi and a third person Naruto didn't really know but who seemed familiar. The uniform he wore was similar to Kakashi's but less impressive; it lacked the adornments and power that Kakashi exuded. He was likely the other sector's Marshall. Oh boy.

With a terse expression and rigid shoulders, Iruka looked at the two of them, disappointment and anger evident. "Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, you are hereby banned from any pilot duty as well as training and recreational events for violating the rules put forth by the LOCCENT for the safety and wellbeing of all personnel on base. The severity of your violation dictates a swift and equally severe punishment be placed."

Naruto gasped, fear icing his veins. "..what, wait, Iruka," he begged but Iruka steamrolled through his plea.

"Until you, Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, are deemed repentant and have fully completed the punishment bestowed upon you, Konoha Green will be inactivated. Should you continue to violate the credence, your statuses as pilots will be revoked and there will be no pardon. Removal off base will be imminent and your assigned Jaeger will be allocated to a different team.

Naruto let out a distressed noise. "Wait, you can't—"

"Naruto, I suggest you shut up," Kakashi spoke up, breaking his statuesque silence. "You have no further say in this, your actions have spoken for you. For the both of you." The look he sent Sasuke made the raven shift minutely.

"I think they've done quite enough damage," the third man sneered, rounding in on Iruka who was ultimately unimpressed with the man's sad attempt at being threatening. "It was a mistake to bring that boy here to partner up with your little monster, Iruka." He jutted his hand out, pointing at Naruto. "He's never even been in an actual fight and now they've gone and harmed most of my team. Kabuto won't be able to pilot anymore!"

With tight lips, Iruka nodded slowly. "I understand that Mizuki. We—"

"No, you don't understand. You're just full of pity for him. I don't want them here, causing more destruction!"

"We got into a little fight, hardly causing 'destruction'," Naruto scoffed.

"Naruto you and I will speak later. Stay silent," Iruka warned with a hand raised to the blond, but Mizuki interjected rudely, jamming his finger in Iruka's face.

"What, going to pamper him even more?" He turned to Naruto, that familiar hatred burning in his eyes. "My team was supposed to run defense today. Two Bijuus entered from the Breach moments after your 'little fight' and we were unable to respond on time."

"The damage was limited, but we were set back," Iruka smoothed over, a vein throbbing at his temple. His voice was tightly controlled. "Mizuki, calm yourself."

"Why don't you tell the little freak here he needs to calm down? I'm not the one putting everyone at risk by injuring other rangers on active duty."

"Watch your tone." Kakashi stepped between Iruka and Mizuki, his piercing mismatched scowl aimed at the white-haired man. "Need we remind you that your cadets pulled a knife on my protégé, with the intent to injure?"

"Tsk." He twisted away from Kakashi, once again eyeing Naruto, and Naruto couldn't help the snarl curling his lips. "You two are a goddamn disgrace. Keep this up and you're going to get us all killed."

"You gotta fucking problem with me, say it." Naruto stood, ignoring the pain in his legs. Marshall or not, this guy was pissing him off and Naruto wouldn't stand for it. "Be a man and say it to my face." He seethed, daring Mizuki to take him up. Mizuki moved towards him.

Sasuke rose, clearly in agony as well. He shuffled forward, placing himself a few inches in front of Naruto. "If you take another step closer to him, you'll be dealing with me as well."

Naruto blinked in surprise, his anger diffusing slightly. Sasuke was defending him?

Iruka snapped. "Jesus Christ, you two sit down. Mizuki, enough. Leave now and save your dignity before I have to show you why I have precedence over you." He threatened darkly, his tone booking nor argument. He met the other's glare head on and pointed at the door. The dismissal rang loud in the air.

Cursing, the man left, slamming the door behind him. Once he was gone, Iruka seemed to deflate, shoulders dropping. He sat on the edge of his desk and sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his neck as he tilted his head back and looked up. "What exactly are the two of you trying to do?"

Naruto bit his lip. He sat down and glanced away, feeling ashamed. The heat from his anger at Mizuki dispersed, leaving only humiliation.

"Naruto I expected better of you. I'm disappointed."

Shit that stung. Naruto winced and bowed his head. He knew how much flak Iruka got for keeping him in the program and knew how hard the man worked to let him have the same opportunities as the other cadets. Truthfully, that hadn't been on his mind when he joined Sasuke in the fight, but it rankled that he should have thought ahead.

"Perhaps Naruto and Sasuke weren't completely in the fault." Kakashi sat next to Iruka, grabbing a pen off the desk to twirl around his fingers.

"Don't give me that, I know Mizuki's little shitheads started it," Iruka growled. "But that's not how the board saw it. They've never been fond of Naruto and are jumping at any excuse to get rid of him. This only solidifies their dislike."

"Personally I liked how you placed your title on the line in his defense. Risky move, even if it pays off."

From the dirty look Iruka shot Kakashi, Naruto knew the man had revealed that on purpose. It was a warning. If he went down, Iruka was going down as well. Dear god did he ever love that man, but that was a move even he would be hesitant to make. Just how much trust did Iruka have in him?

"And you."

Kakashi fluidly slid off the desk and stopped inches before Sasuke. His gaze held no pity for the pathetic state the raven was in.

Sasuke had remained standing when Naruto had sat down. As Kakashi turned on him, he stood up straighter, squaring his shoulders and stiffening his spine.

Naruto felt the absurd urge to stand between them, ready to defend Sasuke again. But this wasn't his fight, so he kept silent, his eyes wide. How did Kakashi deal punishment?

Much to his dismay Kakashi spoke in Russian, his tone scathing. Whatever he was saying had Sasuke grimacing and responding rigidly, appearing as if he wanted to argue but knew better. Then Kakashi tilted his head and said a few more words, his red and grey eyes boring into Sasuke's obsidian ones. Sasuke froze, his eyes widening minutely. He bowed his head slightly, a dark scowl twisting his features before it quickly smoothed away to his usual mask.

As if satisfied, Kakashi stepped back. "Now if you all excuse me, I have some business to attend to." He bid them all goodbye and left. The room seemed a little lighter with him gone, easier to breathe.

"You all right?" Naruto leaned over to Sasuke, concerned. "What'd he say?"

"A reminder is all," Sasuke answered, his voice holding an edge of what Naruto could tell was irritation.

"What, like don't fight the people you're supposed to be helping?" Naruto snorted.

Sasuke exhaled sharply. Almost a laugh, but not quite. "Something like that."

Naruto vowed to make the raven laugh, at least once. And not a pissy little chuckle, a full on laugh.

"Seeing as I've told you to the ramifications of your actions, now comes the punishment as agreed upon by the board under our skillful manipulation to ease the severity." Iruka dropped down in his chair, rifling through a thin stack of papers that had been stamped.

"Oh boy, is it cafeteria work again, 'cuz that didn't go so well last time. Or is it working on construction of the wall? I keep hearing complaints about it not being effective," Naruto hedged, wracking his brains to remember what other menial task he's been subjected to do after getting in trouble. "Though I was okay being a techie for a day before you removed me from ever doing it again because of a few flubs."

"None of those. We decided upon a meaningful labor-intensive task that will allow you both to reflect upon your actions, hopefully instilling some self-control over your impulsive behavior. You will begin once your injuries have healed enough for the work."

Naruto blanched. "What is it?" Beside him Sasuke stared at Iruka in curiosity, his gaze shifting to Naruto and back.

Iruka smiled at them, a sight straight out of a horror movie. "You two are assigned the duty of cleaning Konoha Green's armor until I deem you repentant. Have fun boys." Smugly, Iruka looked down, enjoying the dead silence after he spoke. "Where's my pen?"

xXx

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