Second chappie is up! I don't got much to say but thank-you for the reviews! So yup, enjoy the second chapter!!!

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Chapter 02: Stay...

crunch crunch crunch crunch

Sasuke walked down the lonely street of his small town, carrying a bag of groceries. Yes...it was the evening, and like it was to be expected, less fangirls. He was glad it hadn't snowed through out the day, he would've gotten up to his shins wet and cold. Sasuke was on his way to the town's washers, a couple of middle-aged women who did the swordsmen's laundry when they don't have time or just don't want to. In Sasuke's case, he was under both conditions. He had to constantly check on the boy, making sure he was okay and that nothing was wrong, and well he just didn't want to do the laundry.

"Good evening Sasuke-sama," the women greeted politely.

"Do you wash them?" Sasuke asked boredly.

"Of course we did.... Here they are," one woman said as she clumsily grabbed the newly dried futon and handed it to Sasuke. Sasuke tossed a small bag that made a clinkling sound from the gold that was inside it. A woman nearby caught it and gave Sasuke a grateful bow, as Sasuke effortlessly took the futon under his left arm. The first lady handed him folded up clothes too, Sasuke took that as well under his left arm. With a curt nod, and thank-yous' from the women, Sasuke turned and left without another word. Sasuke was grateful the washers weren't nosy people, or then they would have asked about the all the blood, and why the clothes he had were a smaller size. Of course, Sasuke wouldn't have answered and just plain ignored them, but question annoyed him, especially when they involve his private life.

When Sasuke reached his house, he put his groceries on the table and went to his room, where the boy slept, to put awa his futon and give the boy's clothes back. The raven had been expecting the glowing three-tailed fox to still be in his room (probably by the boy), but he did not expect to find the boy awake and sitting up when he slid the door open to his room and stepped inside. Sasuke stared into those clear blue eyes...those soft eyes that held so much innocence and naiveness... Sasuke didn't know what was happening, but he felt his heart flutter and he suddenly felt a bit nervou under the boy's stare...that gentle yet piercing stare. He felt like he was beeing seen through, right down to depth of his soul... He felt like all his thoughts were layed out for the boy to read, and he didn't like that...not at all...

"...So you're finally awake..." Sasuke finally said, taking a few steps foward unwillingly, placing the futon and clothes by the boy. The boy didn't say anything, he turned to stare at his clean clothes then stare back at Sasuke as the raven sat down by the boy. Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly. Was he hurt? It didn't look like any of his wounds had reopened... Could he not speak? Is that it? Sasuke glanced over at the red-eyed fox that was sprawled on the floor by the blonde, watching Sasuke intently.

"Can you speak?" Sasuke said, voicing his worry. He was relieved when the blonde nodded, but sent into a deeper confusion. If he could speak....why won't he? He is an assistant right? And the first rule an assistant would learn was if spoken by a swordsmaster, always reply politely, no matter what. If you don't, you could be punished by the swordmaster that spoke to you, to teach you how to be courtesy, polite, and obedient towards your seniors... Usual punishment would be a strike across the face, that is if the swordsmaster is nice... Strict swordsmasters would go as far as to whip the assistant.... And some assistants are blessed with luck and get the kind swordsmasters, ones who don't strike unless its in battle... When it comes to Sasuke, it really depends...but usually he was the type to whip...and whip hard. No assistant ever dares to show disrespect towards Sasuke. But Sasuke wasn't totally cruel, he wouldn't whip an assistant more than five times, especially if they're injured like the boy. Shoot, he wouldn't whip an injured assistant... But for some reason, he couldn't even bring himself to slap the boy either.... With those soft eyes staring at him so gently...how could he?

"Kyu..." Sasuke heard the fox whine and saw it nuzzle the boy's tan hand. The blonde smiled softly and gently stroked the fox. Sasuke stared at the boy. His smile was so sincere, kind, gentle...it fit him... Sasuke scowled. He can't hit this boy....he just couldn't.... not without feeling gult and regret in the process....

"Get rest, and don't move too much," Sasuke ordered as he stood up and began to walk out of the room. "I had you clothes washed, by the way. I hope you didn't mind... I'll bring you something to eat if that's alright....."

Sasuke wanted to slap himself. He was growing soft because of this boy!!! Swordmaster don't say "I hope you didn't mind" or "if that's alright"! A swordsmaster's word is absolute to an assistant, whether they like it or not. Swordsmaster do not care what an assistant thinks until they prove themselves worthy, especially if the assistant is a complete stranger! Feeling slightly angry with himself, Sasuke swiftly walked out of the room, semi slamming the door when he left, and did not hear the soft "thank-you."

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"Eat all of it," Sasuke said as he gently handed a bowl of veggetable ramen to the boy. Sasuke doesn't often make ramen...but he heard that it was good for the injured...especially if it had veggetables. Sasuke had calmed down when he had been making the ramen, so he was a lot more calm and composed now... The boy stared at the ramen and sniffed it as Sasuke placed a bowl of milk on the ground for the red-eyed fox. The fox sniffed the milk before it lapped it happily, its three tails wagging in equal happiness. Sasuke watched in amusement as the boy gave another sniff at his ramen.

"I didn't poison it...." Sasuke said, getting the boy's attention. The raven smiled softly involuntarily. "Trust me..."

The boy stared at him then stared at his ramen. Sasuke watched as the boy hesitantly grabbed his chopsticks and clumsily ate a bit. For a moment Sasuke thought the boy didn't like it or something, but thwn the boy began to eat it more confidentally and joyfully. In two minutes, the boy was done eating his ramen.

"Do you want more?" Sasuke asked. The boy nodded softly. Sasuke felt the corners of his mouth tug. Everything about the boy was shy and hesitant, like a deer. Maybe it's because they just met, or maybe that's just how he is....or maybe he was traumatised... Sasuke glanced at the boy's bandaged neck, recalling the horrible gash. Maybe that's why he won't speak, it probably hurts to talk... He was still amazed that the boy was even awake from all the blood loss... "Ok... I'll be right back..."

Sasuke took the bowl, stood up and headed towards the door.

"T...Th-thank-you..."

Sasuke stopped and looked back at the boy, who was looking down, avoiding eye contact. That's another rule that an assistant first learns. Always make eye contact with a swordsman, no matter what... You could be punished as well if you don't.... But Sasuke didn't mind this time...

"...You're welcome..." Sasuke said with a small smile. Sasuke slid the door shut behind him, his smile still intact as he walked to the kitchen. Sasuke's eyes glazed over as he poured some more ramen into the empty bowl, once he was in the kitchen. Sasuke couldn't recall the last time he had a visitor in his home willingly. Sakura was his constant visitor, but she really didn't count... Kai never set foot inside his home, and his swordmaster Kakashi never stopped by unless it was for an important reason. Sasuke didn't really care if he had visitors or not...but for some reason, the blonde's shy company was comforting...he liked it... And the raven couldn't remember the last time he smiled so much in one day... Yes...having the blonde around was nice.

Feeling a bit light-hearted, Sasuke made his way back to his room with a bowlful of ramen in his hand. He stood infron of the door to his room for a moment, his heart pouding. Sasuke didn't understand why he was reacting like this, why he half wanted to turn around and run for it. Sasuke scowled. Swordsmen never run away, not like a pup with its tail between its leg, especially not from an assistant! Taking in a quick breath and letting it out, Sasuke reached to slide the door open.

"I know....... I-I will leave, just as soon as I heal."

Sasuke stopped and listened carefully. The boy's voice was soft, a bit scratchy(probably from the injury), but it was warm... But who was the boy talking to? He didn't hear another voice, nor did he sence another presence.

"I have no choice!" Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he heard the boy continue to talk to no one...or at least it seemed like there was no one. Is this boy....crazy? Dillusional? "I did thank him! ...I really did mean it..."

Sasuke froze. The boy was talking about him. Sasuke didn't know why but he felt sorta happy at the blonde's words...

"Enough talk, I feel helpless laying around here naked!" Sasuke heard rustling then soft footsteps. Wait, was the boy leaving? Was he just gonna leave without saying good-bye or anything!? And what's worse, he hasn't healed yet, the boy was still weak from the injuries! And his leg! His broken leg! Sasuke scowled. Why should he care!? He should be saying good ridence! He should be happy to get rid of the boy! ....Bu he wasn't. He didn't want the boy to leave, not yet, and especially not now when he was still injured. Without wasting another second, Sasuke put down the bowl before he slid the door open. Ignoring the flustered look on the boy from being caught in the middle of getting dressed, Sasuke walked across the room and gently grabbed the boy's arms and gently pushed him down back on the futon.

"Wh-What are y-you doing!?" the blonde said slightly loud, strugling against Sasuke's weight. Sasuke ignored the struggles and the growling that came from the fox.

"You're not leaving...." Sasuke said in a soft voice, making the blonde freeze and stop his struggles. Even the fox stopped growling. "Your not leaving....until you've healed completely and are in good health...."

"Wh-why should I listen to you!?" the blonde protested, slightly glaring. That was a dumb question... How was this assistant trained!? Another rule was to follow any order given to you by swordsmasters.

"Are you even an assistant?" Sasuke said, scowling. The blonde gave him a strange look, so did the fox...

"What are you talking about!? What assistant? Im not an assistant!" The blonde said, resuming to struggle. Sasuke raised his brows.

"That explains a lot..." Sasuke mumbled, earning another set of weird looks from the blonde and fox. Sasuke, who was still stradling the naked blonde, sighed and let go of the boy's arms and placed his hands beside the boy's head instead. Sasuke stared down at blonde, into those confused blue eyes. This would be the perfect chance for the blonde to push him and run, but amazingly, the boy didn't do any of the sort.... Sasuke glanced up and down the blonde's soft tan body.

"May I know your name?" Sasuke asked gently, his eyes went back up to those azure eyes.

"...N...Naruto..." the boy mumbled. Sasuke ran his hand down the boy's right leg. Naruto gasped and shut his eyes tightly, his face slightly pink.

"Does your leg still hurt... Naruto?" Sasuke asked softly, watching the blonde's expressions as he ran his hand up, his fingertips barely touching the soft skin.

"I-It hurts a bit...." Naruto said softly, looking away from those dark eyes.

"....It was broken when I examined it... are you sure its just a bit?" Sasuke said as he leaned down a bit so he was on his hands and knees, staring down at the blonde. Naruto nodded, his face pink.

"I'm sure...."

"...Well until it heals completely, you'll have to stay here...." Sasuke said, putting a finger to the blonde's mouth when Naruto opened his mouth to protest. "I won't hold you back when you're healed.... I promise... But until then...stay..."

Sasuke swiftly got off the blonde and braught the bowl of ramen that he left outside the room. Sasuke held it out to the blonde, he already had the sheets over his body and was sitting up. The blonde took it without a word and began to eat. Sasuke couldn't help but smile softly. He gets to keep the blonde for a little while longer. Sasuke felt the hairs on his neck rise, and he turned his head slightly to catch the red stare of the glowing fox. Sasuke scowled and looked away. He didn't like the fact that the fox would always stare at him...always...

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So yup there's chapter two! Whatcha think? Was it good, bad? So so? Please tell me in your reviews!!