Notes: This chapter is really long, despite it being the shortest in the outline. I added a shopping scene cause it wouldn't leave me alone. The dream sequence came out of nowhere too. It was inspired by/calls back to the ending of the original story when Sasuke says "... This is just a disguise. It's not real. Your... Your /girlfriend/ is not real." I hope it's up to snuff. As always, please let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!
Chapter Two
They were dancing. There was no music, but still they were spinning and spinning. Their feet were gliding across the top of a dark watered lake sending ripples out in every direction. He couldn't see the shore, only black water meeting a black horizon. His hands were wrapped tightly around a thin waist. He couldn't see his partner's face, but he didn't need to. He knew who was out there in the emptiness with him.
"Where are we?" he heard himself whisper.
"Nowhere," came the soft response.
"Saki-chan," he said in the same quiet voice.
"No." They were still dancing. The tiny waves on the water began moving in increasingly erratic patterns, crossing each other, turning back, crossing again.
"This is just a disguise," her breath was hot on his neck. "It's not real."
There was a loud banging and the water started to move violently, the ripples turning into crashing swells. He wanted to stop dancing, but this person kept him moving. She pulled him closer until it hurt, her arms a vice around him.
"What's going on?" he cried. The world shook again, and he fell into the water, flailing for breath, his partner suddenly gone.
"Aah!" Naruto yelped from his place on the floor of the Uchiha living room.
"What the hell?" he grumbled as he simultaneously rubbed his sleep filled eyes and his sore hip. A knocking sound reverberated through the hall. He scrambled to his feet and made his way quickly to the front door, peeking out the peephole to make sure it wasn't some hopeful naïve girl with her arms full of presents. He'd seen that happen before personally, sixteen different times. Peering back at him was a single eye. He flung the door open.
"Kakashi-sensei? What are you doing here?" Despite the fact that they were the same rank, the blond had never been able to let go of the suffix. The same went for Iruka. Calling them sensei gave Naruto, subconsciously at least, a feeling of familiarity that was as close as he'd ever get to calling someone father. The older jounin walked past him into the house, leaving his shoes by the door.
"Tsunade sent me. She said that your team had an encounter with the Akatsuki yesterday." Naruto shut the door and followed Kakashi as he made his way to the kitchen.
"Yeah. They tried to use some weird jutsu on me." He sat down at the table across from his former teacher.
"To get the Kyuubi, I presume."
"Yeah, probably," Naruto replied, his voice and expression hard and somber.
"How is the rest of the team?"
"Shikamaru is fine. Neji is okay too. He just got knocked out. And Sasuke is…" He paused as he searched for the right words. Split up? Three different people now? Way crazier than I realized?
"Is?" Kakashi prompted.
"Is…"
"Just fine, thank you," came a sharp voice by the door. Sasuke was leaning on the jamb, arms crossed over his chest. His face sported the expression Naruto had dubbed way too good to be talking to trash like you. "What are you doing in my house, Kakashi?"
"Naruto let me in," the silver haired jounin replied, his visible eye crinkling in the way both of his students had long ago learned meant he was smiling beneath his mask. Sasuke turned his sharp gaze to the blond.
"Dobe," he hissed. It didn't sound like the pet name it had gradually become over the years, but held the tone and connotation it did when Sasuke had first said it to him. Naruto was surprised that after all the times he had heard it, it would suddenly hurt so much.
"That was very rude." Three pairs of eyes turned to see Saki standing behind him in the hall. Her glossy lips were turned downward. Her hands were gripping tightly to the front of her navy blue velvet skirt, wrinkling it and exposing the frilly slip underneath. "Kakashi-sensei is always welcome in my home, and Naruto-kun is not a dobe." The faces of both Sasuke and Naruto turned red for different reasons. Sasuke was prevented from attempting to inflict physical harm on Saki by the hand that appeared quite abruptly on his shoulder, gripping it tightly.
"Ah. So it is true. How are you feeling this morning, Saki-chan?"
"I'm doing quite well. Thank you for asking, Kakashi-sensei." She made her way around Sasuke in a wide arc and sat at the table next to Naruto.
"Would you like something to eat or drink, Naruto-kun?"
"No thanks, babe," he said, smiling brightly and completely ignoring the growl emanating from Sasuke.
"Now then," said Kakashi his hold on the angry jounin unchanged, "isn't there another piece of you around here somewhere?"
"He's still sleeping," Saki answered, but as soon as the words left her mouth, a small cry of joy erupted from the hallway.
"Kakashi-sensei!" He barely had time to release Sasuke and brace himself before a small, black haired rocket launched itself into his arms. His eye was wide with surprise at the miniature Sasuke clinging to him.
"I missed you, Kakashi-sensei. You never come to see me anymore." The small boy pouted so adorably that the older man couldn't help but gush.
"I'm sorry, Sasuke-chan. I didn't know you wanted me around." The boy shot a pint sized glare over Kakashi's shoulder at his taller counterpart.
"Well, I never really said it before, but you're really important to me Kakashi-sensei. I like it when you visit and train with me. It makes me happy."
"Well it makes me happy too." He set the boy down on the ground, and Sasuke snorted behind them.
"Stop acting like that," he demanded quietly. "It's foolish."
"Aww, Sasuke don't be like that. Little Sasuke-chan just likes having his charming and talented old sensei around, isn't that right?" He rested a gloved hand atop the boy's head and ruffled his dark hair.
"Right!" he said, wrapping his arms around the Copy ninja's leg and sticking his tongue out at Sasuke.
"Hn." Sasuke tossed his head to the side indignantly. Naruto laughed so hard he fell out of his chair. Even Saki was giggling. Kakashi took a knee to meet the young boy's eyes.
"Well don't you worry Sasuke-chan," he looked over to Sasuke pointedly, "I promise to come around more often. In fact," he continued as he straightened himself up, "That's why I came here today. Tsunade thinks it would be a good idea to test your skills to see what this jutsu may have affected. We have no idea what the Akatsuki is planning now that they're active again. They may come after Naruto at any time. We must be prepared for that."
"Let's go then. We can train while they eat breakfast," Sasuke turned toward the front door.
"Not so fast, Sasuke. Not just you. All of you will be training today."
"Even me?" Sasuke-chan asked excitedly.
"Even you."
"No." Everyone turned in shock to see Saki standing with her palms on the table. Her face was covered by the shadow of her long bangs. "I am not a kunoichi. I will not be training with you."
"You're right, Saki," Kakashi replied, voice devoid of emotion. "You aren't a kunoichi. You are a shinobi. I've trained you for years. I know your skills. Now is not the time to be playing games like this."
"I can't," she cried, shaking her head. "I can't do this."
"Saki-chan," Naruto whispered, touching her arm gently. "It's okay, baby."
"The only thing she's good for is getting fucked by that idiot."
"You bastard! Don't say shit like that!"
"All of you shut up," Kakashi demanded. "I'm serious, Saki. This is no time for games. How would you feel if Itachi came and captured Naruto because you couldn't do anything? Do you think he would go easy on you because you're in a dress? Don't you want to protect those that are important to you?" She looked up at him, stricken.
"Kakashi-sensei… I-I… Naruto-kun…" Tears began to leak slowly from her eyes in black streaks.
"Pathetic," Sasuke sneered.
"Naruto-nii, you should take Saki to get some new clothes to train in. Kakashi-sensei, the Avenger, and I can start training while we wait for you." Sasuke-chan smiled brightly at them.
"Saki-chan?" Naruto questioned tentatively.
"Yes," she replied shakily. "That sounds like a good idea." Sasuke turned on his heel and left the room without a word.
Naruto had been dragged out shopping with Sakura on multiple occasions and had hated every second of it. Women took far too long nitpicking at every little thing. Did it really matter what the pattern on the hem of their skirt was? And he swore up and down that there was no difference between pink and salmon. Those times though, he realized, were nothing compared to shopping with Saki. He attributed it mostly to the fact that she didn't want to be buying training clothes at all.
"Saki-chan, babe," he said gently, "it's been forty-five minutes. I know Kakashi-sensei is known for being late, but we really should get out there soon." He grinned brightly at her. She looked like she would rather be anywhere else on the planet than where she was. It made a part of Naruto want to grab her hand and tell her she didn't have to do it, that he would protect her, and she need not worry about anything. But the larger, more sensible part of him knew that she needed to at least assess her abilities. What if Itachi really did come? What if he was incapacitated somehow? He certainly couldn't trust the Avenger to save her.
"Naruto-kun," she whispered shakily. It took great effort, but the blond managed not to sigh.
"Why don't you let me pick out something pretty for you, okay? I've been with you long enough to know just your tastes." She nodded and allowed herself to be led to a chair by the fitting rooms. Naruto set about scanning the area as quickly as he could for anything that would make Saki even the least bit happy.
Let's see… Too bright. Too loose. Not loose enough. Ugh, is this seriously meant for women?
His already sour mood grew increasingly worse as garment after garment failed to meet his approval. It didn't help that the clerk kept giving him odd looks as he mumbled and griped to himself. After what seemed like forever, but was probably more along the lines of fifteen minutes or so, he approached the frowning Saki.
"Try this on. If you don't like it, I can always try again." He handed her a bundle of black cloth and sat as he waited for her to change.
Please like it. He silently begged. Please like it so we can get going. This isn't even gonna be the worst part of the day. He let his head drop into his hands and rested his elbows on his knees. Kami, the training's gonna be even more unbearable.
The sound of the fitting room door opening perked him back up. When his eyes met with what was behind it, his breath caught.
"Saki-chan," he said, reverently, "you look beautiful." It was the truth, though it wasn't worth very much since Naruto thought she looked even more beautiful covered in blood and dirt in the standard jounin outfit, kunai in hand and Sharingan blazing.
"You really think so?" she asked tentatively, pulling at the black sleeves that flared slightly over her hands. Naruto really did know her taste. The kimono he had chosen was relatively short, ending just above her knees with an opening that allowed the freedom of movement necessary for high speed taijutsu combat. It was secured with a deep purple obi, and had form fitting black shorts that were to be worn underneath. He had also selected a pair of mesh stockings and matching black kunai and shuriken holsters. A pair of black ninja sandals completed the ensemble.
"Absolutely," he assured her. "Here." He dug into one of his pouches and withdrew the shinobi forehead protector that had manifested itself along with Saki the day before. He tied it carefully around her neck.
"Are you ready?" he asked carefully.
"Almost," she replied, reaching into the small clutch she had brought with her. She fished around a bit before removing a broach whose jewels glittered in the signature red and white shape of the Uchiha crest. She pinned it to her lapel and looked at it for a moment as it sparkled in the filtered sunlight of the shop. She took a slow steadying breath.
"I'm ready," she declared in a voice that was nearly confident. Naruto reached for her hand and tugged her gently into his arms.
"You'll do just fine, babe. I promise."
Naruto was glad that the afternoon with Kakashi didn't turn him into a liar. Saki did more than just fine. In fact, all three Sasukes performed remarkably well. The jutsu had apparently split Sasuke's body without sacrificing any of his abilities. Even the tiny Sasuke-chan was able to fight with three tomoes spinning in his red eyes. Saki frowned throughout their long session but performed two perfect chidoris as well as multiple fire based jutsus. She fought Kakashi hand to hand in a style that was clearly Sasuke, though a tad more graceful with the aggression dialed back. Sasuke-chan fought alongside her, giving the older jounin a run for his money as he lashed out in familiar moves spiced up by an impulsiveness that was rarely seen in Sasuke's previous training sessions, though regularly invoked during real combat situations. The Avenger, it seemed, had decided to stop talking to Naruto, choosing instead to convey his negative emotions by continually scowling and attacking the blond with all of his strength. He even went so far as to attempt to catch Naruto in a genjutsu that might have been terrifying had he not broken it just after glimpsing Sasuke's Curse Sealed form emerging from one of the nearby trees. The string of profanity that followed his failed jutsu didn't evoke a single word, only an even darker expression and a fierce Shishi Renden that would have knocked Naruto out had he not been able to switch places with a clone at the last second. The day ended as the sun set with Naruto and all three Uchihas lying in the grass. Kakashi looked down from the tree above them, the latest Icha Icha novel in his hands.
"I think that's enough for today," he said, just barely succeeding in making his voice sound as if he wasn't just as exhausted as the four younger ninjas below him. "I am pleased that all of you are still able to defend yourselves from enemy attacks. Remember to keep training despite this little… setback. Go home and have some dinner, then get some rest." He performed a few hand signs that instantly transported him from his perch atop the high branch to the waiting area just outside the Hokage's office. He rapped lightly on the door and opened it when a startled groggy voice called for him to enter.
"It was just as you suspected," he began without preamble, "All three bodies are capable of Sharingan and all the other skills Sasuke knows." Tsunade frowned and wiped at the drool that had collected in the corner of her mouth. She leaned back in her chair and looked up at the ceiling, away from the mountain of scrolls and books that littered her desk.
"That's extremely troubling. We can't allow the Akatsuki to perform that jutsu on Naruto. It could mean the destruction of the village."
"Have you found anything that might help us counteract the justu's effects?" The Godaime rubbed her temples.
"Nothing." In that word, she sounded, for once, as old as she really was.
A/N: I can has reviews?